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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Invoiced for Christmas stay

295 replies

Brightun · 27/12/2022 07:42

I’ve already had a thread about SILs bitching that the roast I served (for 11 people) wasn’t piping hot. Now we’re home I’m a bit less cross about that but absolutely fuming about the invoice I’ve received!

The set up is a bit complicated. DH has 3 sisters. The venue was SIL2’s house but I cooked because she’s recovering from an injury.

Me, DH, x3 DC
SIL1, BIL1, 1DC
SIL2, BIL2
SIL3

We all stayed 23-26 December. We brought 2 joints of meat, a Christmas pudding, a Christmas cake, plenty of wine, beer, some gin and rum, some nice cheeses, kids snacks and drinks. There was one cafe lunch and one takeaway and we all paid for our own families. I paid for one top up shop of about £40. Everyone else paid for/brought similar things.

This morning SIL emailed an invoice (made on an invoice template from some software!) to DH and copied me in for £200 for “hospitality”! I understand that hosting 9 people is a lot but I hadn’t expected to be invoiced.

DH wants to pay it to shut her up. I want to ask her to itemise it and to prepare an invoice in return for the hours I spent cooking Christmas dinner.

OP posts:
AlwaysGoingBackwards · 27/12/2022 09:15

This didn’t happen. If OP was genuine she’d have put a picture of the invoice.

Zonder · 27/12/2022 09:17

Why do people feel the need to doubt the OP and start troll hunting? If you don't believe it just scroll on to the next thread rather than trying to show you have superior sleuthing skills.

PinkButtercups · 27/12/2022 09:19

Zonder · 27/12/2022 09:17

Why do people feel the need to doubt the OP and start troll hunting? If you don't believe it just scroll on to the next thread rather than trying to show you have superior sleuthing skills.

Because it's a chat forum and you don't get to police who posts what and when, Zonder.

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 09:19

Zonder · 27/12/2022 09:17

Why do people feel the need to doubt the OP and start troll hunting? If you don't believe it just scroll on to the next thread rather than trying to show you have superior sleuthing skills.

This is happening in a lot of threads at the moment, and posters are being pretty vicious about it.

astralpiano · 27/12/2022 09:20

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 09:19

This is happening in a lot of threads at the moment, and posters are being pretty vicious about it.

It seems a bit of a waste of time tbh

Consufed · 27/12/2022 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

GlitteryShinyShit · 27/12/2022 09:23

I once got sent an invoice (proper template since it was work) when I left a temp job and it was funny as hell. Didn't look weird.

This on the other hand (if it's even real) isn't funny and is weird as anything, why would you? I don't have the patience for people like this, especially if I'd cooked for them. I'd be sending it back with Fuck off written in capitals and I wouldn't care at all. DH can grow a spine too.

AlwaysGoingBackwards · 27/12/2022 09:24

astralpiano · 27/12/2022 09:20

It seems a bit of a waste of time tbh

People are just posting bollocks and other posters are getting frustrated at having to wade through all the bollocks after sitting through three days of bollocks already with the in laws visiting.

astralpiano · 27/12/2022 09:25

AlwaysGoingBackwards · 27/12/2022 09:24

People are just posting bollocks and other posters are getting frustrated at having to wade through all the bollocks after sitting through three days of bollocks already with the in laws visiting.

I seeeee yeah that makes sense

And HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO US ALL 😂

declutteringmymind · 27/12/2022 09:26

Mmmmm. Is she hard up? If so then help her out. Maybe fuel bill is enormous and she can't genuinely afford to host.

If not then a kind but firm 'I was a little surprised to receive this and was unaware of the transactional nature of our relationship. It was obviously kind of you to open your home to us, it was very much a joint hosting as we brought ample food and drink, and more importantly, we prepared, cooked and served the dinner. I'm sure that once you've reflected upon this a little more, you will also realise that this lovely Christmas was an equitable arrangement that worked very well. Of course if you are having financial difficulties then please do let us know, but other than that thank you for a lovely Christmas and we would be happy for you to come and do the same at our house on another occasion.'

Then yeah bye love.

FlamingJingleBells · 27/12/2022 09:28

I really hope the press picks this one up and runs with it. This is absolutely outrageous, I would send her the receipt of the food and say you'll take it out of the invoice. If it wasn't agreed beforehand then this is massively greedy on her part. To wind up the grabby cow even more, email her and state that you didn't realise that she was having financial problems then give her the details of step change.

Nip this in the bud now otherwise she will charge you every time you go round. She's not a hotel so she's not licensed to charge for hospitality, ask her if she's registered with HMRC for VAT.

EmmaDilemma5 · 27/12/2022 09:30

I would transfer her £5 and next time, tell her that no business charges without sharing costs in advance. She's being absolutely ridiculous.

Itchintobestitchin · 27/12/2022 09:31

My sister is this cheeky. I used to pay for take aways, alcohol and groceries to a total significantly more than it cost to host me, and I used to muck in with the cooking and cleaning. She kept making comments that she would prefer to have the cash yet she and the rest of my family contributed nothing when they stayed with me. I rarely visit or host now that I'm retired as it's just too expensive.

NeedToChangeName · 27/12/2022 09:31

I thinkit's ok to share costs, but should be agreed in advance

Splitwise app is v good for splitting costs

Lost123454 · 27/12/2022 09:32

Tell her to stick it up her arse

FTY765 · 27/12/2022 09:32

Good idea! I have decided to charge £100 per person fr the meal, in line with many restaurants, which means you owe me £200 for you and your DH. To save trouble you can deduct that from what you believe you owe us.

(Then, next year, stay home and don't accept any invites or invite any of these people over)

Funnywonder · 27/12/2022 09:35

Agree with @NeedToChangeName. Splitting costs is fine, but should be agreed in advance.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/12/2022 09:39

AlwaysGoingBackwards · 27/12/2022 09:15

This didn’t happen. If OP was genuine she’d have put a picture of the invoice.

There's still time yet to fire up excel and knock something up!!

simplefree · 27/12/2022 09:44

what comes to mind is the increase in her gas / electric bill with all the showers / washing bedding etc

Blendandmix · 27/12/2022 09:46

Omg! You brought so much as well! I'd lost everything you paid for and invoice her the difference the cheeky bitch

Tuilpmouse · 27/12/2022 10:20

simplefree · 27/12/2022 09:44

what comes to mind is the increase in her gas / electric bill with all the showers / washing bedding etc

If you can't stretch to the costs of letting family have a shower, you really shouldn't be hosting...

keri17 · 27/12/2022 10:33

FlamingJingleBells · 27/12/2022 09:28

I really hope the press picks this one up and runs with it. This is absolutely outrageous, I would send her the receipt of the food and say you'll take it out of the invoice. If it wasn't agreed beforehand then this is massively greedy on her part. To wind up the grabby cow even more, email her and state that you didn't realise that she was having financial problems then give her the details of step change.

Nip this in the bud now otherwise she will charge you every time you go round. She's not a hotel so she's not licensed to charge for hospitality, ask her if she's registered with HMRC for VAT.

It literally IS the press making shit up 😅

Legallypinkish · 27/12/2022 10:37

wtaf! How strange!

we had lots of people for dinner. We bought the food and cooked it. Others brought wine, deserts, games, chocolates etc. it wouldn’t occur to me to ask for money even if they’d stayed the night.

If it’s not a joke, I’d pay it and never go there again.

knittingaddict · 27/12/2022 10:41

RampantIvy · 27/12/2022 09:19

This is happening in a lot of threads at the moment, and posters are being pretty vicious about it.

Because I hate made up shit and it wastes people's time. This one isn't even funny or clever.

Nameneeded · 27/12/2022 10:44

TerraNostra · 27/12/2022 07:51

What brother on earth would pay this? Why is your DH so wet?

this

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