Community Forums

GSGracie · 08-27-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny367

I am the one that organized the trip and offered the use of my RV.
I made the campground reservations and all of the other reservations for the rentals of Dunebuggys and Mopeds etc.and again the cost of all these activities were to be split 3 ways (Which they were) but I did not bring up the cost of fuel.

Fair enough, my mistake. Sounds like simply asking for a contribution towards the fuel might be the best compromise. Or let this one go and bring it up next time.

SarahW · 08-27-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny367

Yes I did invite them and we agreed to split the costs for the campground 3 ways but I did not bring up the cost of fuel because the truth of the matter is that the cost of gas/ driving with just me or with 2 additional people is pretty much the same so I wasn't intitially concerned with being remibursed for fuel. But the fact is that their lodging costs of staying in my RV were a fraction of what it would of cost if they stayed in a hotel or motel. I guess I am just sick of being a maid cleaning up after other people's messes in my RV and then having to foot the bill for fuel.

Benny, it sounds like you are more upset by the mess that was left for you to clean up in the RV than the fuel expense. Sorry your "friends" didn't offer to help you with that, but people sometimes don't think about who is left to clean up. (Sort of like when you have a party at your home.

)

Personally I would chalk this one up to experience, but remember to make detailed plans in advance next time. Maybe even add in a maid service fee to be divided among the group. If they are really friends, they won't mind making things equitable.

H. Miller · 08-27-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

I have never been in your situation. However if I invite someone, I consider them my guest and would not ever ask for any compensation. If you all planned the trip together, the expenses should have been worked out in advance. JMO, of course.

I believe "IN ADVANCE" is the key here.........

rbertalotto · 08-27-2013, 02:35 PM

Must be worked out ahead of time.........BUT, I can't believe they wouldn't offer to help pay for fuel.

RickO · 08-27-2013, 02:58 PM

Put me in Sarah's camp too.

I'm one of those who HATE (hate, hate, hate,) dealing with money issues between friends. When I invite friends, they are my guests.

Having said that... my friends always find a way to pick up a dinner tab, etc to make things even out in the end. If I ever feel I'm being used by a friend... they aren't friends anymore.

RVs are just like boats in this regard. Sure, fuel is a big deal but it's like nobody else realizes how much clean up is required once the ski boat is pulled out of the water!

FWIW... I would certainly NOT go back to them at this point in time and ask for fuel money.

Rick

FIRE UP · 08-27-2013, 02:59 PM

What we're talking here is "Common Sense". Common sense on the part of the "friends" that rode along with you. Common sense would dictate, "Hey, let me help you pay for the fuel, to get "Me" to and from the "fun points" of this vacation/trip with "YOUR" motor home, using your equipment etc. Since "I" didn't use any of "MY" equipment/my motorhome etc. I'll help pay for the use of yours. A true friend would think like that.

And, if it were me, as the "ride along", I'd demand that the OP take the money if I offered it. Common sense, common decency, common courtesy sure seems to be slipping away these days. So, you'll have to deal with it. While it may be awkward to ask for a helping hand in the fuel bill, this "friend" should realize that fuel is not free, especially now days. So, how to handle this, it's up to you. Good luck.
Scott

Tha_Rooster · 08-27-2013, 03:08 PM

Ask only if it was agreed up front to splint cost otherwise my opinion it's alittle cheap. Friends come out of the wood work when they want something just like owning a lake house everyone comes to see you and ride and play on the lake for free and you never see them in the winter.Next time make it plain upfront all cost will be split including gas you may find they don't go.

schrederman · 08-27-2013, 03:15 PM

I take a couple of other guys with me sometimes when going to large model glider competitions. We work out in advance the fact that fuel costs and all other expenses besides food and drinks are to be split 3 ways. However, since I own the RV, and have to keep it insured, clean, stored, etc... I am still paying more in a way. However, that's my choice. I once had a batch of hotel points and had a friend that wanted to split gas and expenses. This was a 10- hour trip. He refused to pay anything for the hotel and caught a ride back with someone else and left me holding the bag. When he asked the next year... I said, "Yep, I'm going... see ya there." People can be amazing. If I had been with you I would have insisted on paying for a third of the fuel. It's only right.

stearn · 08-27-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Benny, it sounds like you are more upset by the mess that was left for you to clean up in the RV than the fuel expense. Sorry your "friends" didn't offer to help you with that, but people sometimes don't think about who is left to clean up. (Sort of like when you have a party at your home.

)

Personally I would chalk this one up to experience, but remember to make detailed plans in advance next time. Maybe even add in a maid service fee to be divided among the group. If they are really friends, they won't mind making things equitable.

X2 to ask now could end friendships. Best to have expenses handled up front.

Pepper2 · 08-27-2013, 04:11 PM

You should have brought up the cost of fuel. Sorry, but you made a mistake in that regard. Have two stories on fuel expenses. First one was when we were traveling with a family member to a family function about 300 miles away. As I was fueling up they offered me a $20 bill??? I thanked them but told them no thanks , the trip is on me. The second story is when my sister and brother-in-law took us for a ride on their boat. When we got back to the marina he stopped to fill his tanks. The attendant asked me how much I wanted and I referred him to my brother-in-law. The bill for fuel was $1500.00.

**JohnRR** · 08-27-2013, 04:16 PM

It's kind of late to be thinking about it now.

Hikerdogs · 08-27-2013, 04:27 PM

Since none of us were there we don't know the circumstances about how the group decided to travel and stay together. If you simply announced that you were taking a trip and they asked to go along some compensation may be in order. On the other hand if you invited them it's a bit much to ask them to pay up after the fact.

An invitation could have been an off hand comment saying something like "We're going to have a great time. You should think about joining us" that was interpreted differently than you meant it.

You also have to consider that you would have used the same amount of gas whether or not they had been along. You would also have had to clean the coach whether or not they had been there.

Think carefully about the circumstances, the extra expense, and the extra labor you might have incurred due to their presence. If it's minimal let it slide. The lesson learned should be if you intend to travel with friends and relatives in the future be sure to have an understanding as to everyones responsibilities before you leave.

djbmsu · 08-27-2013, 05:57 PM

I did not read in the OP any place that he invited the friends to go. Having said that the time to discuss costs are Before the trip not after. IMHO

jesilvas · 08-27-2013, 06:03 PM

Money is something we all deal with. I hate money but too bad.
If they get upset being asked about money, they are cheap and don't need to go anymore.