There's Generous and then There's being taken advantage of

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   dejajolieposted 14 years ago

   Ok, not sure if this is in the right category, couldn't quite find one that fits. Here's the issue...
   
   When ordering lunch at work which I seldom do, there have been a few times when a co-worker, usually the same two don't have cash on them and so they ask me to "spot" them the $ for lunch with the promise of paying me back the next day. Well needless to say I have yet to be paid back. These co-workers order out all the time, while I usually brown-bag it, you would think the sheer act of placing another order would remind them that they still owe me, but NOOOO. I hate being the one to bring things up, and wouldn't know how to do it delicately, any suggestions?

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      C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Simply tell them no. Follow your no with: "I'm on a strict budget", "Your comming off like a mooch", "whats your social security number? I want to claim you on my taxes", "Didn't you eat yesterday?" "You could stand to loose a few pounds"
      
      Oh, consider all monies given to date lost....

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         dejajolieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         lol, ok

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         Wendi Mposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Now that's funny!

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      rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well I would ask them to spot me a lunch the next time they go out so as to make it even.

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         dejajolieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         yeah at the rate I'm going this seems to be the best approach...and as Sneak said, Will not give away what I can't afford to  lose, I'll just say "we're in a recession"

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      Sa Toyaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'd straight up ask, to be honest.But my way would be cynical and sarcy- it's part of my charm.
      
      Dudes seriously, I've been waiting on you to pay me back so now could be a good time.
      
      Or wait till they absolutely need something from you and gently remind them.When I say gently I mean lave them hanging till they pay...

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   sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

   Never loan money, if you're going to give it to them just give it to them. There no need for you to have an act of friendship turn into negative stress. That said, never do it again!

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      dejajolieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is my rule of thumb for sums $20 and up, esp. when it comes to family I do not loan what I can't afford to give, maybe I should use this for small amounts too thanks Sneak.

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         sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It use to hurt my feelings when stuff like this happened. I got tired of holding a grudge, so I quit getting in this spot in the first place.

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   Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

   Personally, I don't mind asking, or even handing a person a bill.  If I know I am never going to actually see the money, I ask them to pick me up something that costs about what I loaned them.  If they ask for payment, I say, "Sure, when you pay me back for such and such." 
   
   From then on, people either pay me back promptly or don't ask for more loans.

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      dejajolieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      See I was thinking of this too, but I order out so infrequently, the chances of me saying, 'ok pay for my lunch this time since I spotted you last week' is so few and far between. For example, I did this 3x in one month (back in Sept.), twice to one person and once to another. It's now Dec. and I haven't ordered out again, and they do practically everyday. I thought of this today because one of them was asking someone else to "spot" her and inside I was saying "Good luck on getting your $ back"

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      Jeffrey Nealposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This sounds like a pretty good way to handle it.  I'm cheap, so I would tend to be forward and ask for them to pay me back directly.

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