OT: reimbursement. What would you do?

[Tink-aholic]

Hi all. This isn't a WDW topic, but it is about my budget. I'm hoping I can get some advice.

I am in the middle of a divorce and I am the only support for my 15 year old son. I am a teacher and get paid at the beginning of the summer for the entire summer (I already have that money). But, I have to budget it carefully.

In May, my son was in a tournament in TN (we live in NH). The coach for the team paid everyone's airfare on his credit card and asked to be paid by each parent for their own child's ticket, with the understanding that we would fundraise to reimburse ourselves. I paid the coach $433 in April. I also know that I am one of only two parents who paid at all.

I am actually on the board of the organization and know that we raised enough funds for full reimbursement. The coach received the reimbursement money for all of the tickets at the end of May. I asked him about my reimbursement three weeks ago, and he said he would look into it.

Two weeks ago, I got an email from him (also sent to the other parent who paid) telling us that he checked and received reimbursement for both of us and would send out a check right away. I sent back an email thanking him and told him I would watch for it. He sent back an email stating that I could always donate it to his family's vacation fund. I sent him one back stating that if I did that, then our own vacation fund would be woefully short. We have always had playful, tongue-in-cheek banter, so I didn't think anything of it. The problem is, I still don't have the check.

Part of me thinks it is okay to wait for it, because I don't actually need it right now. But part of me is angry because the coach doesn't know that I don't need it. We are leaving in two weeks to drive to WDW (very budget trip using old park hoppers and DVC points that will expire anyway), and that money was going toward the trip.

So, do I ask him for the money again, and if so, how? Or should I wait longer? I really value these people as friends and am kind of surprised that this is happening. I am also upset that all of those parents who never paid are actually better off than I am now. It's almost like I am being punished for doing the right thing.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Allison]

He owes you the money, so there should be no reason you shouldn't ask again.

In fact, I would give him a call and offer to come by his house to pick up the check.

 

[tinkarooni]

I find it easier to say things in e-mail than face to face so this would be fairly easy for me, although not so much in person. If I were you I would just drop him another e-mail but put a time limit on it. For example I would say, "Have you had the chance to drop that check in the mail? I was really hoping to have it before we went on vacation in two weeks." This gives a reasonable time limit and if he already has the $$ he probably just hasn't gotten around to it, especially since you didn't place any type of urgency on it. This will give him a time frame you expect to receive it instead of whenever he gets to it. Good Luck

 

[tlh0726]

I would definitely be following up with him as to where the check is.
Two weeks to write out a check, drop it in the mail, and you to receive is plenty of time.
You paid him when you were suppose too, now he can do the same for you.

 

[mrsklamc]

He owes you the money, so there should be no reason you shouldn't ask again.

In fact, I would give him a call and offer to come by his house to pick up the check.

This.

 

[SandrA9810]

If you were one of the ones in charge of the fundraiser money, why didn't you keep your portion and the other parent keep her portion of the money that was paid to him?? No reason why he should've gotten paid twice in the first place.

I would be stopping by his house/business and asking for the check in person.

 

[Tink-aholic]

If you were one of the ones in charge of the fundraiser money, why didn't you keep your portion and the other parent keep her portion of the money that was paid to him?? No reason why he should've gotten paid twice in the first place.

I would be stopping by his house/business and asking for the check in person.

Unfortunately, we weren't in charge of the fundraising money. We just worked our tails off to make enough (about $22K in six weeks). The money was raised and then distributed to the people who had receipts for paying, His credit card showed paying for 7 team members, so he got that money back.

I have told him that I need the money before. I guess I'll just have to do it again. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Kika]

For example I would say, "Have you had the chance to drop that check in the mail? I was really hoping to have it before we went on vacation in two weeks."

I think this is a good idea.

Sorry you have had to wait so long and hope you get it soon!
Let us know how it goes.

 

[WheelCEO]

"i havn't received the check yet and wanted to see if you had sent it out, i'm worried it may be lost in the mail".. simple enough

 

[libraryfreak]

We just worked our tails off to make enough (about $22K in six weeks).

Wow! What did you do???

 

[Tink-aholic]

Wow! What did you do???

We are extremely lucky to have a terrific sponsor who gives us four Pavilion Club Level seats to a Boston Red Sox game. They are the best seats in the house, and include waiters who come to take your order, free parking pass, and a tour of Fenway Park. We raffle those tickets off.

We also do car washes and yard sales, but that is our biggest money maker by far.

 

[txvjc]

"i havn't received the check yet and wanted to see if you had sent it out, i'm worried it may be lost in the mail".. simple enough

agreed...i would email/call/text and say the same thing

 

[lnh'smom]

Need the money or not, it's yours. I would be calling him really quick!

 

[crisi]

"I need that check, we are going on vacation next week. When is a good time to stop by and pick it up?"

If he says its in the mail, tell him to cancel the one in the mail and you'll pick it up. You need to get it into the bank and have it clear before you leave town.

I'll bet he just hasn't gotten around to writing it. I'm sitting on two girl scout checks that need to be sent into council that I keep forgetting to send it. Time passes quicker than you think it does and you are going to stick that in the mail "tomorrow" - and somehow the library books are overdue and you still haven't gotten to the bank.....

 

[Kellydelly]

I would call him and ask him where the check is. Don't mention that you are going on vacation and that is why you want the money. It isn't any of his business what you plan to do with the money! He may think you need it for something frivolous if you mention a vacation. Just call him and ask him if he mailed the check, that you have been watching the mail for it.

 

[Halle]

I'd call him and tell him that you're concerned because you HAVE NOT received it! Then I'd pick it up as PP recommended.

 

[dreamin_disney]

"i havn't received the check yet and wanted to see if you had sent it out, i'm worried it may be lost in the mail".. simple enough

yes say this(quote above) and tell him you'll just pick it up if he hasnt mailed it out yet. Maybe he was serious about his vacation and used it and figured he'd pay you later

 

[sk!mom]

I would call him today and say, "I'm going to be running errands later and would like to stop by and pick up that reimbursment check. What time is good for you?"

If he hedges or says they won't be home. Then I would say, "that's fine, I'll come by first thing in the morning. See you around 9:00 in the morning. Thanks!"

Don't give him a chance to put you off or offer to mail it again.

 

[LMC]

You could tell him you need to come by and pick up your money so you can go buy groceries and some back to school clothes for Johnny.

 

[Tink-aholic]

I just wanted to let you all know that he just came over and paid me my money. I sent him an email with the "just checking up to make sure it isn't lost in the mail" and offered to come by his house to pick it up. Got a call from him today and he came over tonight. It was exactly how some of you said -- he kept meaning to put it in the mail and just never did.

Thanks for all of the advice. Glad this one was a happy ending!