AIBU to still expect them to pay their share of the holiday?

[somethingunpredictable2012]

We have booked a holiday for 4 families (been booked and planned for over a year), however one couple have announced they are expecting and so won’t be coming on the holiday as baby will be 2/3 months old when holiday comes round so they don’t want to go. The couple have paid the deposit but the balance of the holiday is now due. They haven’t mentioned paying their share of the rest of the cost of the holiday and when asked about the holiday at the time of their pregnancy announcement they simply said “oh yeh, we won’t be coming now, which is a shame, but never mind there will be other holidays”. Their conception and pregnancy has been difficult (no one was aware they were even trying for a baby previous to the announcement) and so bringing up the money/holiday has been difficult due to the issues they have had as there never seems to be a good time. But with the balance of the holiday now due and myself and DH having booked the holiday we are liable for the full amount if the other couple don’t pay their agreed part of the holiday. (Lesson learned never to do that again!). One couple have already paid their share in full and don’t want to pay anymore to split the cost of the 4th couple not coming. The other couple think we should just split the cost between us and suck up the extra cost (£800) so as not to put any more pressure on the couple not coming. The couple have ignored all messages relating to paying the final payment, but DH thinks they should pay up and I should contact them directly and insist they pay their share as agreed. I hate confrontation and don’t want to add to their issues if they are having a difficult pregnancy, but at the same time I don’t think it’s fair they just assume we will all now pay their share, as that wasn’t the cost we all agreed to and we could have actually found somewhere smaller which would have been cheaper. Obviously trying for a baby isn’t always easy or predictable but they would have known this may happen when we booked the holiday, but didn’t mention anything and they seem to have just washed their hands of it like it’s no longer their problem it’s now ours to sort out. It’s obviously causing a lot of tension between everyone involved. What would you do? Is it unreasonable to still expect they pay their share even if they don’t want to come anymore?

@ChocChipHandbag I think they would argue that they shouldn't pay as they're not going, and it's reasonable for OP and other families to pay more as they'll now be benefiting from having more space in the villa. I don't agree with that, but I expect that's the line they took

To be fair, I think some people get confused between deposits and cancellation policies, when there is no connection between the two things.

@NeedToChangeName that argument falls down because the others did not choose to buy something more expensive.

It's like telling someone - who bought an economy seat- at check in that only first class seats are available, but they have to pay the difference.

(I know you were playing devil's advocate and don't agree, not criticising you)

I hope they do pay rather than just saying they will

I’m a bit confused too?

they still didn’t think they should pay their share of costs, however after a bit of a heated discussion explaining how we all felt and asking them what they would do if it was the other way round they have agreed to split the cost with the rest of us.

So until confronted they simply planned to walk away and say nothing? Then they argued about paying up, then they managed to get everyone to share their debt?

Unbelievable. They clearly don’t care about any of you!

I think it is hilarious. There are far more worrying things to consider in life. First and foremost, do not do "group" bookings with "friends". Certainly when babies due and dodgy friends.. Just say, you want to go on your own and get them to pay you back. Simple. It was an agreement. They owe you! Go yourselves and enjoy wiothout hte hassle.

Turn it on them. They are the ones causing you concern

Wouldn't be sorted imo as they should pay in full. At least you are happy now 0p

As it's a communal booking of a single property they should cough up. If they have travel insurance that'll cover them great but if not they should still pay out of decency.

You all knew the total cost, chipped in for the deposit on the understanding that there will be x amount to pay on a certain date and to not pay your share will leave your friends short. I couldn't look my friends in the face if I reneged on a promise like this.

Travel insurance doesn't cover changing your mind about going on holiday.

Absolutely correct, but you'd be amazed at the amount of people who think it does!

@NosyHamster these are possibly the same people who believe that if you cancel all you lose is your deposit.

It’s an unwritten rule that if someone drops out they still pay their share, you need to put it out their like “hi the holiday payments due I understand you not going however, nobody can afford to pay your share it’s due on this date thank you” that’s it!!

Interesting. Any care to hazard a guess at the name of the OP?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-holidaying-with-friends-is-a-financial-minefield-50bzrkvnh

Oh dear …

That type of journalism is like stealing someone's homework ew

How disappointing 😞

Glad you all got it sorted and the couple now have had a think how they would feel.. next time if I was you all, I’d book individual and maybe not to a villa unless 100% they won’t pull this crap. It’s costly cancellation or having to cover the costs.