Speak up or drop it

[ace2000]

Whose credit card was used to purchase the car rental? It sounds like yours. If you had an agreement for her to purchase the car rental, then why did you pay for it? As far as potential damages to the rental car, it'll go to whomever paid for the car.

So, she's asking for the check to cover her plane tickets, right?

The whole thing boils down to communication, and none of us are going to know exactly what was said. I agree with the others and say just cut her a check.

 

[MuranoJo]

I agree with others here that it's probably best to just drop it and pay her, but I'd probably do it with a note somewhat similar to what Heathpack suggested: "Sorry, there must have been some confusion--I thought you agreed (did she?) to offset the cost of the airfare from my relatives by paying for the rental car. At any rate, I appreciated your going last minute (did you?), so I'll just cover it myself."

I also wanted to comment on Scoop's post:

That being said, the few times we have gone with friends/family, we made ABSOLUTELY DAMNED SURE that all financial obligations were spelled out PRIOR to booking the trip.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. While it's easy to be casual with close friends or relatives, sometimes it can backfire. Case in point: We invited friends to HI with us and I told them we already had the lodging and rental car, they just had to kick in for meals and other misc. expenses. Well, they dropped a bunch of change shopping for gifts to take home, so it was a bit irritating that they never offered to buy us dinner, and never once offered to kick in for gas which was pricey as we did a lot of driving. As a thank-you, they gave us a small box of candy after one of their shopping trips.

It's our own fault for not laying out the expectations clearly before we went.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Return the check to your relatives or frame it for your bathroom wall.

Tell her "The plane flights were your bill. I was in error when I said the relatives had sent a check for your flight as I was as CONFUSED as you were about things." And then start crying on the phone. If she continues with her mooching BS, demand that if she values your friendship to STOP asking for you to cut a check - you don't know what she is talking about.

Call your relatives and tell warn them -- if they are aware of minor details. Yes, I have elderly relatives and sometimes I have to guide them.

As for your "friendship", it was over and dead before the trip ended. Her first request for HER MONEY was a big clue; the SECOND demand was the hammer hitting you over the head that the friendship was dead.

 

[Tia]

......
As for your "friendship", it was over and dead before the trip ended. Her first request for HER MONEY was a big clue; the SECOND demand was the hammer hitting you over the head that the friendship was dead.

Yes thanks, think this is right.

Reason I used my cc was it has rental insurance on it and I intended to drive while others were able to able to look at views. I wrote the check and she picked it up while I was gone yesterday pm.

I have traveled with other friends over the years and never felt as jipped (word?) as this .

 

[Timeshare Von]

I wrote the check and she picked it up while I was gone yesterday pm.

Could she have been any more spineless?

It's disappointing your generosity was overshadowed by her selfishness and focus on "the money".

Move on and don't look back.

 

[heathpack]

Well, at least the issue is resolved one way or the other and you can put it behind you.

H

 

[6scoops]

A year ago, we went with friends to Beaver Creek skiing and stayed in their 2 bd at Sheraton Mountain Vista, It was fabulous! They told us not to worry about reimbursement for room, just split rental car and groceries. We offered to pay for rental car while when we picked it up, but friend already had reservation so he said, when he gets the bill he would let us know what we owed. While on vaca, we bought nice dinner one night at Westin and never let them buy a drink at the bars all week, split groceries and paid for 1/2 car later when bill arrived. Also sent nice thank you gift. I think it was fare, I actually offered to pay entire rental but my friend said no, because he would of rented a car with or with out us there. We had the best time! There are no ill fillings after the fact, because things were spelled out and we were appreciative. Another factor was my friends sister and cousin who live in Colorado were with us all week and we bought dinner for the entire party. A little appreciation goes along way! You should, just tell your friend that your sorry you didn't lay it out more clearly before the trip but she needs to at least pay for 1/2 of the rental car, and because she is so unappreciative you should never invite her again. And again I would send the money back to the relatives. I hope you at least had fun with her, if not that is a even bigger reason to never invite the ungrateful {person} again!

 

[Tia]

It's done I wrote the check for the requested amount to penny pinching friend, which was minus a portion of the car rental. There is no way I am going anywhere with her again, told my other half to remind me if I slip. There was another weekend trip to Boulder a couple years ago I got stuck splitting an expense that was really hers and her college age dtr's... long story.