Should she pay for this night out even though she had Covid?

[Cyclebabble]

Hi just wanted to check my approach before I proceed any further. Four of us were due to see a show three weeks ago. I organised the trip including tickets and a hotel. The bookings were made a number of months ago. Foolishly perhaps I did not ask for immediate payment. My credit card turns over a lot for work and I covered the costs. Two days out one friend sent me WhatsApp message saying that Covid was going round their family and there was a risk they would get it.

On the day of travelling they confirmed they would not be able to go. At this notice, the show/room could not be cancelled. Everyone else settled up. The Covid sufferer did not and a week later I sent a WhatsApp with my account details and asked them to forward on the money.

Since then I have followed up with an email and there has been radio silence. This is not someone I am unduly close to, but is part of my friendship group.

So I think I am right to chase this money. However, before I chase harder AIBU?

Did either of you attempt to fill the seat?

Did you have an actual contract with her to pay?

What are the shows rules on covid cancellations?

Im guessing you choose not to take out insurance which pretty much every ticket provider offers for a small fee exactly for cases like this?

Of course she should pay. If she was genuinely ill or otherwise unable to attend, that's unfortunate, but why should someone else have to cover for her?

I'd continue chasing her for it. Asking in a more public venue, as suggested above, would be my next step.

So on the Saturday she confirmed she couldn’t go because of covid, and on the Sunday she was out and about. This is a hill I would die on, what a cf friend..

Keep chasing for it. She is hoping you will let it drop

Why would op have a contract with her friends? Is common sense out of the window?

Did she actually tell you she had COVID and that's why she couldn't go?

She's definitely being a CF, but lesson learnt for any future bookings get the money before you book.

Put in the group chat Hi xx, been trying to reach you regarding payment for your ticket but no reply. Sorry you missed the show. I assume you’re feeling better as you were out on Sunday, so at least that’s good.

Well, she’s obviously lost a good group of friends by her actions. She should have paid.

She should pay really but you live and learn. In future make sure you receive everybody's money before booking.

If she has been seen out and about I think it's more likely she used it as an excuse to get out of going.

You definitely need to pop it on the group chat. Then you can also see that she’s read the message.

The rest of the group need to understand that you are massively out of pocket by doing the booking and you shouldn’t have to cover that cost. If I was one of the other friends I’d want to know this and if she didn’t pay you back (after being told explicitly) then I’d want to chip in so you weren’t out of pocket. Then none of you speak to her again.

The moral of the story: always get the money upfront before you book.

Yes she should pay. Put on group chat and name and shame.

Follow @Delatron's advice above because you really don't want to see this friend again.

Or you’d end up less out of pocket. The cost of her ticket would be split between the 3 of you. And update the group chat to say this is what you are having to do so she knows she’ll lose a group of friends over her twatty behaviour.

Agree with PPs about the group message. Unless she has literally been an induced coma, the friendship would be over for me.

If I were one of the other friends, think I would offer to split the cost with you (assuming MIA doesn't pay). You took the risk by booking the tickets on your card and it's not fair that you should have to shoulder ALL the cost of the MIA's ticket.

I would maybe consider forgiving her if she paid me and apologised (preferably with a coffee treat or something for you) to you, letting this go.

But only on basis above.

I would put something on the group chat, obviously they need to know she can't be invited to future plans after this.

Do the other friends know she hasn’t paid? If not time to tell them - if I were your friend I’d want to know and then could chip in towards it if she’s not forthcoming (and avoid in the future).

Always a mystery to me when people think you should subsidise them. She should pay, anything else is outrageous.

Of course she should pay.

It's unfortunate that she got Covid, but not your fault and not your respnsoblity to absorb the cost.

If necessary make a claim in the small claims court.

Like others, I suspect she just had a change of mind. But again, she isn't entitled to leave you with the bill!

Of course she should pay.

Why should pay for her not to go?!

Does she live nearby?

I had something similar and the only worked was driving to said ‘friend’ and knocking on her door.

Think she was finally mortified enough to pay up.

YANBU, shame her in the group WhatsApp chat and get your money.

I also think putting it in group chat.

And making it clear if she doesn't pay that a) next time someone else can do initial outlay or b) you don't think she should come as she doesn't pay her way.

Or better still make her do the initial payment next time and everyone leave it until after the event and they have decided if they are going or not

I'd ask her why she thinks you should foot the bill for her ticket. In the group chat.

Of course she should pay, she knows not doing so leaves you out of pocket. She needs to know that in future she will not be included in things as she is a CF.

She's a CF and should pay. Name and shame in group chat. How much does she owe you?