Real-life MMD: How much should my friend pay me?

fordred

Did you buy at that shop because you had the voucher to use (and was it going to expire soon)? If so, and you didn't have any other plans for it, then let her pay half of the discounted price, as the voucher was going to waste anyway.

If the shop you bought it from was the cheapest one, and you coincidentally had a voucher for the shop, then she should pay half of the total.

If you're sharing furniture, how are you going to decide who gets what when you move out?

reluctantworkingmum

looks like a very bad start to a flat share relationship. take this as a warning and get out now....

anotheruser

I can't really add any more to what others have said.

However if it's a cash voucher then there isn't really anything she can do as you are still paying your part... the voucher is still worth money.

But yes, you should have bought things individually. You buy the fridge, she buys the washing machine. Then it's easy to split up when you move out.

19lottie82

I'd use the voucher then split the cash cost 50/50 with her, I'd feel like a right tight ar£s if I didn't!

gwapenut

It depends. If the voucher means you need to shop at a place where you're paying "over the odds" for the goods, but with a discount, then it's not fair for her to pay the full amount on an overpriced purchase.

I'd say you should look at the best price you can get the item (or equivalent for), split that in half (ignoring any voucher), and she pays that "half the best price" amount towards the purchase.

eg. Say you got a food mixer from House of Fraser for £100 because you had a £50 gift card. If that same food mixer was £60 from Amazon, she should expect to pay half the £60 cost - why would it be fair for her to pay £50, which is half of the House of Fraser cost, but nearly all of the Amazon cost, just so that you can use a gift card for free?

This is probably what doublemummy is implying too! If it would not have been her choice, it is just an excuse for a freebie to be spent at someone else's expense.

cazpost

Why don't any of the posters ever talk to each other? This dilemma has come about because of a lack of communication between the 2 people involved. The problem can only get worse once they start getting utility bills,buying food etc. Can you imagine the arguments about who gets the Clubcard points! Clearly the friend doesnt understand that the 'voucher' was cash, rather than a discount and that the full price should just be divided equally. Why are they buying furniture together though? This will definitely be a bone of contention if they decide to seperate later. Discuss options and decide on costs BEFORE you spend any more money !

zctlm35

As others have said, if you both wanted that item and it didn't cost more just to be able to use your voucher, then your voucher is your half of the total and she should pay for her half. I would also agree with others that you should buy separate things to roughly the same value, rather than go 50:50 on each item, as it will help to be able to split things up when you move on.

alggomas

It is amazing how people do things without asking and assume their take on the situation is correct.
Person buys furniture before asking and saying a voucher was was used and wants 50% of the total purchase price! She should have bought something for herself. However this is not the question.
If the friend suggests 50% less the value of voucher then this is the way to go. Think carefully in future before doing things and tell your friend/partner in future.
I have known one or two couples having a blazing row because one has bought an expensive hifi system with money given to them to set up home WITHOUT discussion!

louisajoyce

I would say that 50/50 stands no matter how you paid...why would it suddenly become anything else? The voucher is yours, not yours and hers. Some people are strange around money...let it be a lesson to you!

SashaReid

Lets face it, moving house is never cheap and any help you can get towards those costs are greatly received. However, you didn't have to pay for the voucher, so you are not out of pocket for that expense. If you wanted it for yourself, then it shouldn't have been offered towards joint goods, then the expectation that your house mate pays half. That should have been the agreement before you made the purchase. In addition, as others have said, splitting the furniture will be a pain when you go your separate ways, so is probably best you cover this item in its totality, that way your voucher bought you what you wanted or needed and saved you some cash, you won't have to share it when you move out and you will be on good terms with the person you are about to live with, trust me, that is more valuable! win win all round!