Loaned money to a friend - i want it back

k8elou

Not sure if I am posting this in the right place, its my first post and its quite hard to get the option of "new thread"


I wondered if anyone here had submitted any claims online to recover owed money from a friend, or "so called friend". Scenario is I booked a holiday for next year, checked with said friend as to whether she wanted me to book her flight and she said yes (she was going out with my nephew who was also coming on the family holiday), I have messages on my phone say to go ahead as proof. Anyway she split up from my nephew and so is now no longer coming on the holiday but she wont pay me back for the flight. I also have emails saying she will pay in instalments but now she has said she isn't paying. How can I force her to back it back? Its only £176 but its the principle, why should I have to pay for it. Can I do a claim online and also bill here for the court costs? Is the success rate high or is it going to cost me more money that I am going to lose? She has a job and so does have an income. I think she lives with her parents currently.


Thanks for any advice.

Arleen

If she doesn't want to pay and doesn't care about her credit file then you will spend 1k+ trying to collect it, and maybe without success. If she does care and can pay it, fill through money claims for 176+ court costs and, well, hope she pays up.

robber2

Nothing you can sensibly do to force the money out of her. Maybe trying to shame her into coughing up is your best bet; Call round and explain to her parents, post on her facebook page etc.

good luck

Rob

FailedTeacher

No experience but Arleen picks out what I'd suggest - court fees could cause more harm than good and could stress you out.

Maybe suggest to her you will consider small claims court and see if that opens a dialogue.

If principle matters to you, spend the money but please manage your expectations.

On a personal note, sucks when these things happen but on small sums of money I tend to just walk away and learn from that experience. I've had horrible experiences trying to get money back from friends that have had social and mental health consequences.

Let us know how it goes,

Kindest Regards,

Carrot007

Arleen wrote: »

If she doesn't want to pay and doesn't care about her credit file then you will spend 1k+ trying to collect it, and maybe without success. If she does care and can pay it, fill through money claims for 176+ court costs and, well, hope she pays up.

£25 for money claim online initial costs so not 1k+ right away.

And not much more if you wanted to go further. 1k+ is unlikely to be the costs for failure.

FailedTeacher

Be good to get some clarity on the fees but I thought it was close to 1k personally.

Arleen

Carrot007 wrote: »

£25 for money claim online initial costs so not 1k+ right away.

And not much more if you wanted to go further. 1k+ is unlikely to be the costs for failure.

That's why I said trying to collect. Getting CCJ is only the very first step to even starting the collection process, and op wanted to know what he can do to force it.

elsien

Fees for initial claim.

https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/court-fees
Wouldn't be worth trying to enforce if you win and she doesn't pay, but the threat of action might be enough. Have you tried sending a letter before action?

tykesi

This has got Judge Rinder written all over it. Then maybe Jeremy Kyle for good measure.

Enterprise_1701C

Have you got her on Facebook or the suchlike? Start discussing it on there, especially if any of your friends move in the same circle, name and shame.

If you want to go through the small claims court you get the fees refunded IF you win, but she might turn round and claim that you discussed things between you at another point and you agreed she need not pay - these things happen. If she is inconsiderate enough to just not pay the bill then what else is she willing to do to avoid it?

robpw2

tykesi wrote: »

This has got Judge Rinder written all over it. Then maybe Jeremy Kyle for good measure.

I was going to say that

However

one - what terms were agreed?
two when did you say the money had to be paid by?
three as the holiday is next year - are you able to get someone to go in her place -surely the change of name will be cheaper than the court fees and aggro of trying to pursue a claim?

I would recommend you do all you can to mitigate your losses now

Ps i wouldn't advise harassing her on Facebook as some have suggested