It’s not the money it’s the principle

[bagpuss90]

Three weeks ago I bought tickets for a show for a group of friends . All had confirmed they wanted to go. Most of them paid me back straight away Am still chasing the money from three of them. I’ve been really polite and light hearted about it. Not singled anyone out on the group chat. Polite pm to them each-just a little nudge.No response. Am self employed and it’s been a tough three years - they all know that . It’s not a fortune but it’s the principle , it’s cringey to have to keep asking . Am I over reacting?

Simple "sorry xxxxx but unless you pay for the ticket I'll have to put it up for sale online to get my money back."

I'd just ask for the money at this stage. I wouldn't say you'll be selling them just yet as if they have decided that they don't really want to go they'll just let you go ahead and try to sell them which could still leave you out of pocket if you can't re sell them.

Have they replied to your chases for payment, or no response at all?

Do it on the group chat, with a deadline (credit card bill etc) and make a mental note to never buy upfront for these people again.

Can you return the tickets?

Either the OP has disappeared to go and sell the tickets or she’s hanging her head in shame because she already gave the tickets to her ‘friends’.

Please say you didn’t give them the tickets @bagpuss90 I’m outraged on your behalf.

I’d say on the group chat “Hey. My credit card bill is due x date. Can everyone who hasn’t paid make sure they do by then. Thanks”

They’re each probably thinking it’ll be ok to wait for their £20/30/whatever until payday and not realising you’re multiple times that out of pocket. Absolutely no excuse but I’ve had that happen several times

I still have the tickets

You need to change your message from please pay me to 'I have your tickets which I'm going to have to sell on this week if I can't get payment as I'm left without money now, so they are going onto [ticketsellerwebsite] 5pm tonight if not paid for. It is £xx.xx each and my bank account details are xx-xx-xx- and xxxxxxxx. Cheers'

Ask if they want you to resell them.

Definitely name them on the group chat...stop being so 'British' about it!! Don't think about it as an awkward situation...it's not...think of it as a monetary transaction (like a business!). They owe you money...it's them who should feel awkward, not you!

Name them...then keep on asking until they pay! Cheeky fuckers! (I guarantee that if you owed them, they wouldn't think twice about asking!!)

There’s a chance they haven’t paid because they might not want to go. You need to be heavy-handed now or run the risk of being out of pocket.

If it hasn't happened yet, sell the tickets on to someone else.

Tell those who haven't paid if you don't have the money by X date, their ticket will be gone.

Also...the problem about YOU saying that you're going to resell, is that you might not be able to! Depends entirely on the demand for tickets and you might not recoup your money!

For them of course, it's an easy 'get-out' if they've changed their mind...they'll just agree to you reselling and think no more about it! Which puts all the onus (and potential loss) onto you!

What? Some people get paid weekly, some fortnightly, some every 4 weeks, some monthly on the 1st, some monthly on the 18th.... etc

You can't predict someone's payday unless they tell you when it is.

Name them in the group chat, don't second guess their reasons or make cute stories about pay day or tough times for all.

Keep it short, simple and factual with a deadline.

'I've paid for and received the tickets. A,B & C, thank you for your bank transfers. D,E & F, please can you do yours by the end of Friday. Here are my details...'

I wouldn't mention the possibility of selling them yet. Why should you go to the trouble and run the risk of not getting their full value.

If you sell on official sites you get the full ticket price. That's the point of the official sites.