Verbal agreement not honoured...?

Question

I agreed verbally with a friend to sell her the phone I got wih my new contract for £100. She promised to pay a month later but no payment came.

We are now at a year later and despite several friendly reminders I still have no money.

She now has a new phone. So I've at least asked for the old one back seeing as I never got paid. But no answer.

I really need advice on this, I don't want to lose her as a friend but I don't want her to get away with it.

Serious answers only please...

Answer 1

I think you have to see her in person and tell her what you feel. If things does not work out still, you can't call her a friend. If you can't trust somebody with little things how much more the big ones. Better stay away from her company and make her feel that she is wrong...

Answer 2

They say that a verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it is written on.

Sorry, but your friend has basically nailed her colours to the mast.

There is no reason why you should stop being friends, but I think you need to think carefully before letting her "borrow money" (which includes having things before she pays fro them) in future.  

Answer 3

If shes your friend then surely you can say to her give me my phone back. Jesus.

Answer 4

To be honest how can you call her a "friend"?? I think that you have probably asked her ten times or more so you can either try to recover it legally but without witnesses etc I would think that you have very little or no chance, so I would just say to her if thats all that our friendship means to you, forget it. If it gets rid of a ponce £100 is cheap, just treat it as a lesson and move on.

Answer 5

This is Honest answer how can u call him/her a friend if she/he is treating u a friend. If she/he is truly a friend of u she/he will pay u.

Answer 6

Hi There,

Yeah its gets tricky when money and friends are involved.  I have had a couple of situations where it put a big strain on the relationship when my friends owed my money, but would not pay.  Eventually I just had to let it go for one and the other friend did pay up.  

Someone once said to me "whats worth more.  the money or the friendship?"  I said obviously the friendship, but I also thought I dont know if I want a friend that wouldnt honour and agreement.  

So either you can say you know I would be glad to let you keep as a that phone as a gift and just let it go.  If you value the friendship enough or you can just talk to her directly and ask her for a date of when she will pay you.  Maybe even just state that its putting a strain on the relationship and ask her if she has any intention of paying you.  Then again may be easier just to say I would like my phone back since you dont have the money to pay for it.

hmm not sure if that was helpful

Answer 7

this is awful for you. I have been in a similar position- i lent my friend quite a bit of money on my credit card as she was broke. she now has money but seems to have forgotten about the debt. i didn't say anything because i was embarrassed and it now feels too late. I really wish I had said something now because I really resent it- if you don't want to end up resenting your friend, you need to be straight with her. I would advise person to person rather than by text, email etc. Maybe when you are at her house, ask her there and then for the phone- could be an uncomfortable few minutes but at least then you have it back.

and then sell it on ebay

Answer 8

Talk to her about the verbal agreement and see if you can come to some terms about it.  

This is an important lesson you have learned - either get payment for something up front, or get it in writing because verbal agreements these days are meaningless.

Answer 9

It sounds like you've been caught by this girl - I hate to say it but you really dont have any comeback as verbal agreements arent concrete proof of an agreement.

I think you'll have to cut your losses and just forget about getting your money

xx

Answer 10

looks like you are either going to lose a cheap friend or an old phone. The decision is yours  

Answer 11

It may be time for a more stern reminder, let her know that you guys had an agreement and that it's been a full year later, which is more than enough time for her to have come up with the money, especially if she was able to buy herself a brand new phone.

If possible, you should speak to her in person or at least over the phone about this, so that she can't ignore you or pretend she didn't get the correspondence. I would also throw in there that you will pursue legal action if you don't get the money or the phone. I know you don't want to lose your friend, but she's not a very good friend if she's jerking you around like this and at the very least it may scare her into making good on her end of the bargain.