Vacation Rant

[CityGirlintheCountry]

So about a year ago I started planning a trip to the beach. All sorts of friends expressed interest in going. It was to be a week of no husbands and no children. Just old woman hanging out enjoying each other.

Back in December I sent out a commit please email. I had 6 definites and another 6 maybes. Based on that, I rented a house that sleeps 6-8 and did the math so that if only the 6 definites showed we would still be able to afford it. I sent out an email asking for deposits from everybody and got checks from 5 of the 6. The hold out said she had some cash flow issues, but that she would send it on. This was January. It is now almost April and I still have no money from her. That's not the rant however.

This is. I made it plain in all the emails that we were picking this house and committing to it based on the 6 people that had committed. Every one of them reaffirmed that they were definitely going. I reserved the house and paid the deposit. The balance (about $1000) is due at the end of April. I found out a week ago that a coworker who was going isn't going to be able to because the class she planned to teach will be meeting that week. I thought she had checked the calendar. The class schedule is online and has been forever. I didn't check it because I don't teach in the summer. I had no idea that is when one of the short sessions met. But now she can't go for the whole time.
I got another email tonight from another of the six asking for the dates again so she and her husband can decide if she can actually go.

I have had the dates in every email I have sent her. She has sent me a couple of hundred dollars already. NOW she has to decide if she can go?!!!!

So of the six definitely can go people, one hasn't sent any money at all and one is definitely bailing out and one is waffling!!!!!!! I cannot afford to pay for the whole dang house myself. If it had been just me going I wouldn't have chosen this house. I would have gone back to my regular beach dive. What is wrong with people?! Do they not understand "Hey, I'm getting ready to rent the house and need to know if you are going or not"? At least the other six people have been honest about not knowing if they can go or not. We told the maybes that they could pay per night they were there. If there was extra money in the kitty we would use it to buy food and beverage. Now I'm likely to take a hit on the house.

I'm thinking of not giving their deposits back. They said they would go and I based the house cost on that promise.

This is why I never volunteer to be in charge of stuff like this.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I'm thinking of not giving their deposits back.

No way I would​

 

[Mahonri]

That's a sticky situation.

Good luck.

 

[WriterofWords]

Tell them the deposits are non-refundable and you won't take it out of your own pocket. These are adult women even if they aren't acting as such. An illness, a death, an injury,, a bona fide emergency yes,, I'd work with them. Just tell them: Your lack of planning and commitment does not mean an emergency on my part, I'm sorry."

 

[babylady4]

Can I say Jerks? WOW!!!

I want to do the same kind of trip but go to Europe. A celebrate turning 40 kind of trip. No hubbys and no kids!

I would tell them you are going to follow the same policies as a travel agent. Too bad, so sad and thanks for the $.

 

[debilorrah]

Anytime I have arranged these things, I have made it clear UP FRONT that their deposit is non-refundable period. People in general are flaky.

 

[seismic wonder2]

I get the same thing every year when I make the ski trip reservations.
I make it perfectly clear. "if you tell me you are going at the two week mark you WILL pay for your share!" becuase I cannot change to a smaller condo after the two week mark. I put the condo on my credit card. so I get hit for full pop in either case.

I don't take any waffling. Wafflers WILL NOT BE COUNTED! last minute people get to sleep on the floor in ther own sleeping bags and they pay the SAME PRICE as the ones that confirmed weeks before that get to sleep in beds.....There are NO DISCOUNTS for sleeping on the floor unless they tell me before hand they will sleep on the floor.

Each "family" volunteers to cook a meal....Lunch, dinner, breakfast etc.... But I cook the majority of the meals because I'm a chef and that is just the way of things...

I run a taut ship.....if you tell me you are going....you are going...If you don't show...you pay just the same.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

This is a "celebrate turning 40" trip. I have been so excited about it. Now it's turning into a huge headache. Plus, I admit to some admittedly childish hurt feelings because they don't see that this is an important trip to me. There is some residual "If you really loved me..." playing into this. Just because I'm 40 doesn't mean I'm all grown up inside.

I CANNOT afford this house on my own. There may not be any choice about giving back the deposits. The house must get paid for at this point. The problem is that I really need the rest of their money to pay for the house. I think I'm just screwed.

I don't want it to generate hard feelings. I just wanted people to get to have a fun, restful vacation with people who enjoyed them.

 

[seismic wonder2]

Quote:
RIGHT NOW!!! Make sure you tell them that you were counting on their payment to pay for the vacation house and you reserved is on their word and it it too late to back out... REAL friends wouldn't screw you over like that.

THEN IMMEDIATELY call the owners or renters and explaine the situation. Usually they can refer you to another renter an they will get reciprocated in kind so you can get a smaller place for a lesser price.

 

[WriterofWords]

Why would you let them make YOU feel bad and guilty????? Put your big girl panties on, and if you can get that deposit back you take the money and go somewhere else that you can afford with those who want to celebrate with you. PERIOD!