Not being refunded for theatre ticket

[Annmee]

A theatre trip was arranged with work and I said I would go and promptly paid the money (£44.00). I then realised that I was not going to be able to go as I had double booked and was going to Krakow at the same time. I said to the (L) who was organising it and she said that she had someone else (P) who would take my place. (L) said she would sort out the money after.

The theatre trip went ahead and my ticket was used by (P), however another girl (K) said she was going but didn't turn up on the night. I waited to see when (L) would mention the money but after a week and a half I had to ask her if (P) had paid her for my ticket. (L) said (P) went but as (K) didn't go she was out of pocket and was out of pocket from the beginning, suggesting that not everyone had paid. She said she would talk about it later as she was leaving for the night.

I don't think that is fair that I would be out of pocket as I gave plenty of notice and paid upfront. If I hadn't paid it would have be unfair but I wouldn't be out of pocket. Do you think I should expect my money back?

Can you not ask (P) directly for the money? Tbh it’s sounding like (L) is also out of pocket so I can’t see them refunding you to be even more out of pocket if multiple people haven’t paid. Yes you shouldn’t be out of pocket but you said of said you want the money before the event happens.

P needs to pay you directly and K needs to pay L for the ticket they didn't turn up to use.

P has paid the money to L. Both P and K no longer work with us although I do know P, I haven't met K. It seems that others must have cancelled but unlike me didn't pay upfront and K was using one of their tickets. I took L on trust as I gave plenty of notice that I double booked.

P has paid, but by the sounds of it K hasn't. Both P and K used to work in our company but both have left and I only know P.

K needs to pay L for the ticket.
L needs to give you the money she got from P.

I paid the day that the tickets were bought 8th Nov, and let L know by the end of Nov that I couldn't make it. L said to others that if they couldn't make it she would easily find replacements.

It's all on L then. She pays you from her own funds, if she was foolish enough to tell everyone invited she could sort replacements if they flaked out. What did she expect?!

Has L said she is not going to pay you or just that she’ll talk about it later with you?

She kept saying she was out of pocket and had been from the beginning. She wouldn't discuss it anymore with me. I guess I'll need to see what happens tomorrow.

If both have now left the business then you probably need to just chalk it up to a mistake.

Foolish and naive of L to allow people to go without insisting they paid. She now owes you the money that P paid her. Its not your fault that she failed to ensure people paid what they owed.

But......... depending on where you work and how you want your connection to L to proceed, what level she is in the business etc compared to you - it might be better just to express your annoyance to L and then leave it. Some battles arent worth fighting.

We are both at the same level, work in the same department but the relationship is not the best. Its hard work trying to keep it on track. I guess I'll need to bite the bullet this time, but a costly lesson for me.

You pulled out so getting money back would be a bonus. Never mind chalk it up to having a busy interesting life!

Pretty rubbish of her to keep the money P paid for your ticket because now your the only one out of pocket, L was out of pocket by K not going but instead of giving the money to you she has kept it so she’s not out of pocket.
Looks like you’ve just had an expensive lesson

An expensive lesson and one not to be repeated. I'll just keep theatre trips to going with friends 🧡

P has already paid L. I did say before the event I was happy to contact P but I trusted L when she said she would sort it out. An expensive lesson for me this one.

For goodness sake just stand up for yourself and tell L you want the money transferred back. You agreed to go, but when realised you couldn't go she assured you someone else wanted your ticket. End of.

That's really unfair. So she's paid £44 for your ticket, and she's received £88 in return, and she's pocketing the difference? Given that you don't know K, she could well have paid in advance or paid since, and L would now be £44 up on the deal. And even if not, that's an issue between K and L and completely separate to your transaction. I would keep fighting to get my money back if I were you.