Should I be expected to?

Question

I just stared college today; it was my first day of classes, orientation was last weekend. I also commute to my college across town. There's this girl who keeps asking me if I can drive her because she also lives across town and has no mode of transportation. I keep saying no; I hate driving people because they take advantage of the fact that you have a car. Should I be expected to drive this girl to school? I thought that most if not all college people have cars in order to get to and from school.I feel bad for saying no but she's only willing to pay me when she has money which is bull in my opinion. Sorry that was long I just want to see other people's points of views.

Answer 1

Your car? Your rules. You are not obligated to drive anyone anywhere. And you are right. Say yes once and you might as well put a meter on your dash and an on duty sign on top because it will never end.  

Answer 2

Make her take the bus! That is what most college students do. Matter of fact, most don't even own cars! Don't be taken advantage of! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

You're not obligated to help her, but it would be nice.  How about figuring out what your average gas bill is per week, and telling her you'll drive her if she pays half?  That way, you both win.

*ETA* If she can't/won't pay, then I wouldn't take her.  Just explain to her that with the cost of gas and your loans, you just can't afford it.

Answer 4

Don't worry about it, it's not your problem whether or not she gets to school.

There must be some form of public transportation there!

She might pay you for the first little bit, but she will gradually pay you less often.  You already know that though :)

Answer 5

1] Make her pay you in advance, or no rides that week.

2] errands [ taxi service ] are not included in ride fees.

Or, just say no.

Answer 6

I also hate giving people rides, especially when their parents are just sitting home watching TV.  If you feel you should or if you want to drive her, charge her for gas, and a little more for wear and tare on the car and insurance you have to pay not her.  Tell her she goes in when you go in and goes home when you go home.  Days you do not have class she will need her own transportation, if she is late then you leave without her (give her like five minutes to come out, like arrive at her house at 7, leave by 7:05 with or without her, she pays no matter what b/c u stopped and waited).  She should pay you a day or two in advance (so if she is late, you have your money so she can't refuse to pay you), have a set rate that will go up when gas goes up, so if gas is $4.00, charge as if it is a little higher and then you won't have to go up as soon.  Mapquest to her house and too school so you know the millage, then add like $1-$5 a day for wear and tare and your time.  If you don't want to drive her, tell her she can call you by 8:30 the night before in the case of an emergency where she can't get to school  and only 2 times a month, and charge a set rate paid when she gets in the car.  If you do give her rides, will paying so much, she will soon see that it is cheaper to take the bus.  With the paying by mile, I would charge her for every mile out of the way you have to go, and then half or 3/4 of what you would be driving even without her in the car (so you kind of split it, but she pays for all extra miles you end up driving), but if you feel ok charging here from your house to hers and school for all the gas, then thats your choice.  I also commute, and we all (kids from my old high school and town) have our own rides, but do tell each other if there is ever a time when someone needs a ride just call.  We've never used each other, I've gotten a call but I had to leave for work and couldn't wait at school for my friend, but it is nice knowing we are there for each other if we need a ride,  we all have cars and one girl's dad drops her on his way to work and she just spends her day at school.  email me if you have any questions, I have a friend who always needs a ride home when we hang out or go to the youth group we help out with, I never charge him a friend does and I help him figure out fair charge b/c he over charges by like doubling it, he has to turn of the main road, drive a block to get the kid, then get back on the main road, so a mile extra (not quite a mile but we round up), so I tell him charge for the mile (based on his cars millage), then split the rest since he'd be going that way anyway, and add a little for car care.

Answer 7

She was some how responsible enough to get into college, she will be able to find a way to school.  A ride every now and then is fine... but people start to take advantage of it and soon you'll be dragging her everywhere with you, stopping here and there real quick for an errand, then there's the study group that you'll have to sit and wait around for while she's doing that.  Let her find her own way to school.  Don't feel bad.  It's your car, your gas, etc.

Answer 8

NO, do not let her take advantage of you.  Then you will wind up feeling totally obligated to drive her everywhere.  Next thing you know she will be saying "oh, can you stop here?, "I need to go here" She should have thought of transportation before she applied to college.  

Answer 9

Personally I wouldn't because of the inconvenience of having to wait for her at the end of the school day or to make sure the schedules are close enough to be convenient for both of you.  Besides, people take advantage and pretty soon it would be can we make a stop because I have to get supplies, groceries, etc.

However, your logic is flawed as to expense.  It will not cost you any more in gas (or at least extremely little because of the added weight) to drive two as to drive one.  Also, there is no way that this can add on to your student loans.  So turn her down for the right reasons.