Hey all, first time posting so thanks in advance for any insight.
I (25M), my partner (28M), and our group of friends are planning a vacation together. We found a cabin and agreed to split the cost evenly. My friend “Nat” (28F) coordinated everything and has already booked the place for a couple of weeks from now.
Here’s the issue. Before we even started planning, we told everyone we could only come if we could bring our dog. I don’t have family in-state (my partner does, but that’s a separate situation), and since our whole friend group is going, I don’t have anyone to watch him. Hiring a sitter isn’t really an option either, he’s was a pandemic puppy so he wasn’t properly socialized and gets very stressed around people he has not been around multiple times. We usually pay our friends to watch them but again they are all on the trip.
Nat shared the place we ended up booking, everyone liked it, and we agreed on the price, about $400 per person. This was the only cost shared with me or the group at the time of booking.
When Nat sent the payment request a week or two, it was $1195. I asked why there was an extra $400 and that’s when I found out about there was a separate pet fee of $395. I asked why it wasn’t included in the shared cost, and was told that since I’m the one bringing a dog, I should be responsible for that fee. I totally understand this but also feel like that should have been shared with me upfront so we would be able to decided if we could swig that extra cost.
I asked her if she thought the pet fee could be split amongst the group as we were not told upfront that there was an extra fee, but was told I’d need to ask everyone individually because they weren’t comfortable doing that.
I’ve asked a few friends, and opinions are split, some agree with me, some with Nat. One friend even said she didn’t realize we were “so strapped for cash” and would be willing to split it as a “favor,” but not because it should be shared, which felt a bit insulting. We aren’t strapped for cash per se but my sister is getting married in a couple months and we are saving to be able to afford that trip as well. Another friend sides with me and he said he would have just worked it into the total cost as otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to join and they wouldn’t have been able to get as nice of a place.
If we back out and the pet fee is removed due to us backing out, the remaining cost would go up for everyone, since our share of the house is $800 vs the pet fee of $395 if it was split.
So I’m wondering, am I out of line here? I really don’t think I am but should I be pushing back more on it not being communicated, or just accept that the pet fee is on me? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!! 😊