Feeling conned by friend ? Is that the right word to use ?

[picklemedoo]

My friend asked if I wanted to go to the london theatre with her at christmas. She knows i love the theatre. She booked the tickets and i gave her the cash. We will meet our friends there, but they have booked separately and are not sitting with us.

I have since found out - from checking online for the price i paid - that my friend has used a family disability pass to book herself a free "companion" ticket. We are sitting in the disabled section. Nether of us are disabled.

Aside from the moral issues around this, i feel quite conned by her ? Not because I have paid and she hasn't, it's not about the cost I've paid, I don't know what to call it ??

I'm specifically looking for feedback on the conned aspect. We all know the moral issues are just wrong.

For folk who have never heard of a disabled section, there many other disabilities other than someone who uses a wheelchair. For example someone who can walk very short distances would need the seats in the disabled section which usually have shorter distances to get to them. Or someone with a mobility aid like a rollator who needs extra space around them to get up from the theatre seat.

As others have said you need to ask your friend now so that the tickets can be resold to someone who actually needs them for heavens sake.

This !

You've texted her and asked for the seat numbers now, right?

That so enraged me as I am a disabled wheelchair user and can only use the disabled area in theatres but they are usually all sold out, now I know why

It all seems rather dodgy doesn't it?

As someone disabled who desperately needs the access seating your friend is disgusting and needs to be reported to the pass issuer presumably Nimbus, and yes she has conned you too by making a saving and pocketing your money. She’s a grifter and shouldn’t be a friend

Ask her to email you your ticket. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own copy for your records. If she asks further just say you’re excited and want to check your seat online - there’s a website where you can see the view from different seats. I definitely wouldn’t insinuate to her that she’s done anything untoward until you know for certain that’s the case

This is fraud surely?

Doesn't the disabled person have to have proof of disability when they get there? Either id or some sort of award letter
I had to take proof of Pip award to an event and show id.

That’s awful. I have a disability and can get a companion pass, but when I go to the theatre with my friend I pay for my ticket. My friends who I go to the theatre with do split the cost of the one ticket, or more usually get the drinks, but yes, your friend is taking advantage.

Most places allow you to prebook drinks for your seats etc - can you see if theatre allows that and then ask your friend for seat number.

Then check and say, ‘when I tried to book, I called and they’ve confirmed these are disabled and companion seats and will need proof’ don’t say any more and see what she says.

I’d then call the theatre and be asking them to change the seats as booked in error.

What kind of disabled are you?

Leg disabled

Why are you waiting? Why don't you screen shot the ticket prices as they stand now.

Nothing will change so I don't understand what you are waiting to discover.

You said:

This would make more sense if you said you knew the seat/section she's booked you into - as in the disability section.

so I pointed out she had said they were in the disability section.

if you’d meant something different, perhaps type that instead?

Seat plus companion can be anywhere. For ambulatory disabled eg blind or severe asd ld etc
Disability "section" is only if you need a wheelchair spot. So seat number is irrelevant
If she is using disabled relative pass forr herself she is abusing the system

I usually have to provide a copy of my blue badge, to get the companion ticket.

Of course it’s fraud. It’s so depressing that people feel entitled to take advantage of things they know were never meant for them. Not impressed with the disabled family member either.

Hope she is able to explain op!

Friend could have told her the row & section without giving the seat number. If you want to just disbelieve the OP go right ahead, but it’s pointless as you cannot know better than her what she knows or doesn’t. People fudge stuff all the time to try not to be outing so picking at the details is generally misguided.

And then you'd probably be kicked out of the theatre and it would be extremely embarrassing.

Edit to add
I have since found out - from checking online for the price i paid - that my friend has used a family disability pass to book herself a free "companion" ticket
Why didnt you bring it up as soon as you knew? You're concerned about being outing, but she will know is she sees it.

The price i paid is the disabled price as listed on the ticket website

I visit the theatre and cinema regularly with my disabled daughter. There is no difference in price from a regular ticket. No special 'disabled' price.

This surely they just won't allow you in?

At Least read all the posts in the sub-thread you quote.

I responded to a poster saying it would make more sense if OP had said they were in the disability section and I pointed out OP had said that.

You can, though, know your section without knowing your seat number.

hth

There won't be special seats. The pass is for disabled people who need someone with them eg learning disability/ autism etc. So no one will be checking anything other than asking to see the pass (at most) but more likely you only need the pass to buy the tickets. Yes she is fiddling the theatre and not telling you is awful. I would ask her why you have paid the disabled price rather than the full price and wait for an answer. If she bullshits you say 'because I wouldn't feel comfortable getting a ticket on your disability pass'.

She has definitely conned you. Ask her to confirm this is what she did and ask her for half your money back.. or whatever it works out to. And never pay her again until she provides full receipts.