Fair way to share petrol costs

cuteangel24

thegirlintheattic - I will ask that they contribute, and if they disagree i will have to say we all use public transport. Having a car can be more hassle than good sometimes!

cuteangel24

Bangton - No worries, be as honest as you like! I agree they are calling the shots because of my car. Without my car we all did used to go to town. We could have gone out of town on public transport, but it was too much hassle so they didn't do that. With my car its easier for them to get there and go to places they didn't go to before.
I will probably have to resort to public transport, if only so they can see and remember the difference, and how it was before my car.
One friend arranges between the others what they want to do, and then texts me what the plan is. So this time she said "everyone wants to go to Redditch, so you'll have to bring your car, but don't worry we'll all contribute so it's not expensive for you."
The last time we met she didn't mention everyone contributing, i think she wanted me to ask them all myself. The other time their "contribution" was £2 each for using the car for the whole day. I don't think they've ever asked if i mind, i think they just assume i'll be happy with it.

Bangton

cuteangel24 wrote: »

Bangton - No worries, be as honest as you like! I agree they are calling the shots because of my car. Without my car we all did used to go to town. We could have gone out of town on public transport, but it was too much hassle so they didn't do that. With my car its easier for them to get there and go to places they didn't go to before.
I will probably have to resort to public transport, if only so they can see and remember the difference, and how it was before my car.
One friend arranges between the others what they want to do, and then texts me what the plan is. So this time she said "everyone wants to go to Redditch, so you'll have to bring your car, but don't worry we'll all contribute so it's not expensive for you."
The last time we met she didn't mention everyone contributing, i think she wanted me to ask them all myself. The other time their "contribution" was £2 each for using the car for the whole day. I don't think they've ever asked if i mind, i think they just assume i'll be happy with it.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel for you on this one. I don't think they are deliberating using you for your car but it is certainly looking that way and they are certainly taking that into account when they arrange these days out...which they shouldn't. It's not their car! And it's not them having to drive!! It's all very assumptive.

Nip it in the bud hun before it goes on longer and gets harder to do

JodyBPM

Honestly, I don't think its unfair for you to pay one fifth of the petrol on a night out if there are five of you going, and I don't think that trying to get your friends to pay what it would have cost them on public transport so that you get to make a profit is fair either!

I do think its unreasonable, if you are travelling a longish way for them to not offer to contribute towards petrol, though.

When I was your age (and admittedly this was a fair while ago, so petrol was cheaper), I wouldn't charge my friends if I was driving anyway, and giving them a lift was just a short local drive to pick them up/drop them off, with the main part of the journey that I'd have to do anyway. I'd probably be bought the odd Pepsi, though. Longer journeys (say 10 miles plus each way), petrol costs would be split between all the people in the car, myself included.

Next time they ring to ask you out, then just say that you'd rather have a few drinks and not drive, and arrange to go somewhere that everyone can get to via public transport. If they're not keen on this idea, then I would suggest they're more interested in your car than your company!

pinkshoes

I'd just arrange a night out as normal, then when they suggest the car, say you can't give them a lift, as you have to drop your mum and her friends off somewhere, so will just meet them there.

If they kick up a fuss, say that your mum and her friends are paying all your petrol money and expenses to chauffeur them, so given they never cough up any petrol money, you're taking the paid option!

caeler

Sorry but suck it up or don't give lifts. We've all been in this situation. Your friends will remember you when their circumstances change and they will repay you in kind then. If they don't then they not friends worth having.

barbiedoll

The next time that your friend tells you that you "have" to bring your car because they all want to go to Redditch, tell her that it's not going to happen because you can't afford the petrol. If she says that they will all contribute, then tell her that they will have to do so at the start of the evening, otherwise they'll be going nowhere. Get your petrol after you have picked the last friend up......don't go anywhere until you have their money. If you wait until the end of the night, everyone will have less to give you!

People who don't drive often have no idea of petrol costs, they think that you can put a tenner in and it will last all week. If you're running around all over the place, let them know what it costs and charge them accordingly. If you need £15, then tell them that it's going to cost them £3 each, no money, no lift. (You can't really expect them to pay your share, it looks like you're profiteering!)

Either that or when you see them, arrange to meet them there. You can still drive there and back, I don't see why you should have to suffer public transport, there's nothing healthy about it! At the end of the evening, just say goodbye and get in your car. If they want a lift, tell them that you have a tiny amount of petrol to last the week and you can't use it ferrying them around because you can't afford it.
You don't need to be confrontational, you just need to be firm. They're taking advantage, probably not intentionally, but they need to be told!

JodyBPM

cuteangel24 wrote: »

The other time their "contribution" was £2 each for using the car for the whole day.

But how much petrol did you use? The "whole day" is irrelevent, as you're not hiring your car out by the hour, but assuming you used £10 worth of petrol between 5 of you, £2 is a completely reasonable contribution. Indeed if you only used £10 of petrol, to charge them any more would be unreasonable on your part.

jazabelle

I agree they should put in to petrol costs, but think you should contribute towards a journey too. I realise you pay for everything else - but it's your car, why should they have to pay for that?

When I used to take my friends places we'd work out a petrol cost then divide it between everyone going, including me.

But you do need to speak up.

claire16c

I agree with the above in that you paying for a portion of the petrol is ok - although having said that, my friends used to normally buy me drinks when we were out if I drove, as I was the first one to get a car.

One friend was great with giving me money - often far too much and wouldnt take no for an answer. But then another never gave me anything. So I either stopped at the petrol station on the way - even if I didnt really need any, or say 'sorry I cant drive as cant afford to put any petrol in my car', and then shed finally offer.

But if after doing stuff like that or giving massive hints they still arent contributing, then you either need to speak up or shut up so to speak! Dont ask dont get

and yes your insurance seems expensive. Do you mean your Dad is the named driver on your car and his? Isnt that illegal? But anyway, that means you arent earning any no claims bonus of your own - and if youre paying that much surely you might as well be? I also use Direct line. I pay under £400, and only have 3 years no claim although driving since I was 17. Other companies quoted me around £700.