Friends only making contact when they want something

[Magicnestdream]

As per above really, in particular one good 'friend'. We go back to secondary school and have been close friends since. Now in our 40s friendship meet ups much less due to kids, work, and general life. When we have made plans, mainly Christmas or summer they (couple with 2 kids similar age) end up double booking or make additional plans which make then have to rush our plans so they're not late for the next thing, or change our plans we've made to accommodate a 'better offer' as I would call it...
Anyway not heard much from friends lately, odd message to which DD happy birthday kind of thing.
I am lucky enough to have family who works at a music venue and can get us, quite easily all sorts of tickets-music, sport and other. Not free but often it's just getting the availability. My friend in question has benefitted from this massively over the years, more recently she's been hard work as when I get tickets she's acted surprised how much they are (I just pass on list price and don't get involved with buying them) or then changes her mind how many tickets she wants and should she go afterall etc etc. For the record they're always good seats.
Anyway last sorted out some tickets back in September.
Thought it was odd at time as saw a message pop up with How's X and Y and then ..ohhhh can you help me get ....tickets! I did help with those. Nothing since until yesterday. Tells me late last night on way back from x venue, that reminds her can I get tickets for X next year because she can only find standing etc etc and they're too much...
At no point in any of the message is there a 'how are you' or how's the house move going (were trying to move) or hope you're well (got thru breast cancer a year or so ago) or did DD have a nice birthday (just last week)
So am I wrong to feel annoyed by the fact I'm only contacted when she wants something.
Do I, not respond , reply with 'unable to help' or 'unable to help and you're taking the ...".
I did wonder if she realised what's she doing (most probably) so how can I politely point it out in a matter of fact without too much conflict (which I don't do!)
Appreciate your thoughts. My natural way is to help people but actually realising it's a bit of a one way street and I need to be more assertive.
Plus too when she faffs about with changing her mind it takes up my time going back and forth changing details. And when popular tickets get realised I have spent considerable time on phone playing Ticketmaster!

She sounds awful OP. So so cheeky. I would be saying family friend can’t do it anymore. Has changed jobs or something. The cheek of wanting tickets, questioning the price and changing her mind about things is awful. This person is not a friend if she only contacts you when she wants something. I wouldn’t cause a fight about it. Just say sorry your relative can’t get tickets anymore. The end. You probably will never here from her again!

Shes being a CF, I'd just reply saying unfortunately tickets are now limited so you can't help anymore.

"Hi X! Sorry but Dave no longer works there! I no longer have access to the cheap tickets! Such a shame I know. Sorry about that."

Then let her fade away.

What a nerve.

Sorry no longer can do, maybe we can catch up soon
Toodleloo!

That leaves the ball in her court regarding the friendship

I honestly do not understand why you are putting so much effort, and wasting your valuable time on the phone, sorting tickets for this person.

Thankyou all, yes so she is being cheeky, not just me overthinking.
I'm happy to say no I can't help but also would like to politely point out she's being cheeky because 1, think it's good to say how you feel but also, 2 if she genuinely didn't realise she needs to know.
So how would you politely say you're being a CF so you realise?!

*she realises

Why bother?

She doesn't care. She knows!

Just say 'no' and move on. If she still wants to be friends let her come to you. Stop chasing her and stop chasing validation.

And forgot to add, when she occasionally asks a how things are and I give her a few lines on my life all I get a thumbs up!! (Which I hate with a passion!)

Sorry, can't help.

We're fine by the way - thanks for rarely actually asking, and only getting in touch when you need something.

This.

Sorry you only feel the need to contact when there’s tickets you’re after. Unfortunately I’m no longer in a position to provide those.

Then move on with your life, and don’t give her another thought

'Sorry can't help this time. Lovely to hear from you even though it's just a request for tickets.'

I totally agree with @StrawberryWater on this one. She wants you for what she can get out of you and she doesn't even ask how you are! Nope, "friend" not happening any more!

I wouldn’t bother. Even if she repented and changed her ways, the friendship would feel like it was only maintained because you are useful for tickets.

I bet if you don’t reply it will soon be followed up with some fake “oh, I forgot to ask, how are you?!” bollox.

It depends entirely on whether you value the friendship enough to tell her what she's doing. Otherwise, if you're happy to let it go, just don't reply.

If I still wanted to be friends with her I would say unable to help anymore sorry and give a made up excuse like they’re limited to a small number of tickets for family only.

If you aren’t bothered about staying friends I would just text back “oh hi Jane, great to hear from you. Yes we’re all keeping well, thanks so much for asking!” And ignore the ticket question. Point made!

I’d tell her due to the great Oasis ticket scandal that you no longer have access to any tickets at all.
Blame Oasis.
I bet at some point this year she wanted Taylor Swift tickets?
She is no friend. Get rid of her. A CF of the highest order.

That’s brilliant!

Just say sorry I can't help you. No other explanation needed. If she comes back and tries to press the point then you can tell her that it's a shame you only ever hear from her when she wants tickets.

You've had breast cancer and she can't ask how you are.???
That's a bit shitty.
I'd just be saying ' sorry no can do '

Disagree with the posts suggesting you use the word sorry at all, or offering up excuses. Don't do this.
The woman is not your friend. Reply 'No.' and nothing else.

Yes I'm learning that i have nothing to apologise for so trying to keep the word sorry away from my response.
I'm normally quite a "chatty" texter so a short reply may make her think ..or maybe not! Guess doesn't matter gievn how I'm treated!

I think I'd go the passive aggressive route and just ignore her request for tickets and instead answer that you're all fine, life is busy and hopefully catch up in the new year. Let her bring it up again and just ignore again... and again and again. She'll catch on.