Real-life MMD: Should I cough up to avoid cheap seats at the theatre?

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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I cough up to avoid cheap seats at the theatre?
My brother and I want to see a West End show. I would rather pay full whack for top seats, but he earns less than me so doesn’t want to shell out. Our mum suggested I subsidise his ticket, but I feel like this is unfair and he’s being difficult because he thinks this is the likely outcome. Should I cough up?
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My brother and I want to see a West End show. I would rather pay full whack for top seats, but he earns less than me so doesn’t want to shell out. Our mum suggested I subsidise his ticket, but I feel like this is unfair and he’s being difficult because he thinks this is the likely outcome. Should I cough up?
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Note: Please remember that these are real-life Money Moral Dilemmas and while we want you to have your say, please remember to be nice when you respond.
If you have a real-life money MORAL dilemma, email [EMAIL="MMD@moneysavingexpert.com"][email protected][/EMAIL]
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Forcing him into paying more than he can afford could lead to disastrous consequences.
Only other option is to sit separately.
Say it's £40 for a cheap ticket and £70 for the best seats; look at it as being £100 instead of £70 (which is how it'll work out if you pay the difference for him) and ask yourself if it's worth paying an extra £60.
Or spend a tenner on the lottery and see if you can win enough to treat both of you to the best seats!
Alternatively, if your brother's pride wouldn't be wounded then it's absolutely reasonable for you to pay the difference for the expensive seats. Would you rather he got into debt?
However, I've been to three West End shows and each time sat in the cheap seats, and still been able to see everything without any problems. Provided the cheap seats are not restricted view, why not save yourself some money too?
If he wants to go cheapest and you want to go most expensive, see if he's willing to pay to meet in the middle with the mid price seats. If there is one price difference, then can he afford to go halves on the price difference between the 2?
If paying for the cheapest seat is a stretch for him, then I'd suggest he should buy the DVD of the show instead.
We saw a show a few years ago - mid range, small seats with no padding and all we wanted to do was stand after an hour on those things. Wished we'd bought the DVD and saved ourselves £100.
If none of those appeal, find another friend to go with if you aren't willing to contribute to your brothers ticket.
I totally agree !
I'd actually be really upset if I agreed to go to the theatre with a friend, and they ordered £90 tickets. He's let you know he can't stretch to it, and you can't force him to pay more than he is willing to. At a minimum, you should try to go half way. Either offer to split the difference (so £55 for my show above), or you should sit in seats somewhere in the middle, around the £55 price tag.