Poll: Am I in the right here?
- Thread starter Fooz
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I'm sure many people hold the view that he shouldn't pay you, and I'd agree.
I am one of the few friends I have with a car (as most of them live in SF and use public trans) but occasionally when they want to go out for late night bar hopping etc they will hit me up for a ride (as buses stop around midnight). My policy is that I'll help them out no problem, as I'd rather they call for a ride instead of getting a DUI, but I'll ask them for a contribution to my gas bill. My friends have no problem helping out, but it's arranged before hand.
Also, if you consistently give him rides and he never helps out, then of course he will expect it (and for free none the less). I'd say arrange it ahead of time, don't spring it on him after the fact (especially when he didn't even benefit from the ride).
Not to say he wasn't being a douche by initially saying he was at a petrol station to begin with, then he was at a pub, and then you couldn't find him, but still...
I am one of the few friends I have with a car (as most of them live in SF and use public trans) but occasionally when they want to go out for late night bar hopping etc they will hit me up for a ride (as buses stop around midnight). My policy is that I'll help them out no problem, as I'd rather they call for a ride instead of getting a DUI, but I'll ask them for a contribution to my gas bill. My friends have no problem helping out, but it's arranged before hand.
Also, if you consistently give him rides and he never helps out, then of course he will expect it (and for free none the less). I'd say arrange it ahead of time, don't spring it on him after the fact (especially when he didn't even benefit from the ride).
Not to say he wasn't being a douche by initially saying he was at a petrol station to begin with, then he was at a pub, and then you couldn't find him, but still...
Nope. You agreed to pick him up and he agreed to pay petrol money. You didn't pick him up therefore voiding your oral contract. He should pay you for the lift to his theory test, though.
Let's take a look at your story from an investigative standpoint, just as if you were taking your friend to court over the money he allegedly owes you.
To top it all off, you have already admitted that you have set a precedent to give him lifts for free:
At no time in your original post did you mention a preexisting agreement between you and your friend that states that your friend would give you money for petrol. However, when challenged about the attitude that you gave your friend, you responded with:Master Steeds said:
These two accounts don't match up. Already, your plaintiff's argument is falling apart. The case is not looking good for you.
To top it all off, you have already admitted that you have set a precedent to give him lifts for free:
Are you in the right? Absolutely not. According to your original witness statement, you had no agreement with your friend regarding payment. You only claimed that you had demanded payment from your friend after cross-examination, and at no time indicated that your friend agreed to the terms of contract. By law, you are operating at your own risk, and assume all responsibility for costs induced. Furthermore, your friend had no reason to believe that he should pay you due to the precedent set by you multiple times of you giving him lifts for free.
If I were your friend, my thought process would basically go:
I feel douchey for going somewhere else but he said he'll drive here. I should buy lunch or something to apologize.
He got turned around and is just gonna head home? Sucks but I guess I can't blame him. Better find another ride.
He wants me to pay him for a ride I didn't get? Fuck off! It's nice that he put in the effort but that's completely idiotic.
He's pissed at me over this bullshit? My mind is blown. I guess it's time to find a new friend who doesn't act like this.
Edit #2 is right. Nothing is free in this world, especially not money. If I call a cab and he doesn't take me where I ask, I'm not paying for the effort. If you want to be paid for a service, that service had better be delivered. Dealing with friends does not change the basic nature of business.
I feel douchey for going somewhere else but he said he'll drive here. I should buy lunch or something to apologize.
He got turned around and is just gonna head home? Sucks but I guess I can't blame him. Better find another ride.
He wants me to pay him for a ride I didn't get? Fuck off! It's nice that he put in the effort but that's completely idiotic.
He's pissed at me over this bullshit? My mind is blown. I guess it's time to find a new friend who doesn't act like this.
Edit #2 is right. Nothing is free in this world, especially not money. If I call a cab and he doesn't take me where I ask, I'm not paying for the effort. If you want to be paid for a service, that service had better be delivered. Dealing with friends does not change the basic nature of business.