Dispute with Siblings over How to Split Price of Gift

LSenorUmberto on 21/12/2017 - 11:55

I am having a small dispute over the price of a gift, OzBargainers please weigh in.

My 2 sisters and I always give our parents a gift and split the cost 3 ways.

This year I was responsible for purchasing the gift and bought an item from JB Hifi.

I had recently taken advantage of the 15% off gift card offer - I had bought 2 $100 gift cards for $85 dollars each.I had intended to use these on personal items for myself, but as I was purchasing the gift from JB Hifi, I thought I may as well use it on the gift.

Either way I will save $30 by using them and there was no point in saving the gift cards for another time.

I requested that each of my 2 sisters transfer my 1/3 of the full price of the gift before the gift card discount was taken into account as the gift cards were my own business.

What happened next is one sister read the receipt and saw that I had used the cards. After explaining to her my discount she is refusing to pay 1/3 of the full price and wants only to pay 1/3 of the price after the gift card discount. I feel this is unfair as I bought the gift cards to advantage myself.

What does Ozbargain think is the right thing to do? Stick to my guns or relent?

Poll Options expired

  • 49
    Insist on splitting the full price
  • 1118
    Share the bargain and collect only the reduced price
General Discussion

closed Comments

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:46

          @John Kimble: The word would be PROFITING! profiting from someone else's expense. In this case, his siblings.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 19:47
          +2

          @aspirepranesh: No, it not. Profiting means he comes out ahead. He does not here.

          It's not sharing a discount. If he didn't use the gift cards, they would all have paid the same amount.

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:50
          +3

          @John Kimble: In this case, did they ask him to use his discounted gift cards? NO! If he went to them and said, hey… I ve discounted gift cards which I got for my nintendo stuff and I can use them if you guys want to. If not, we can buy them at full price and split the difference. That way, all 3 are on the same page and decide how to spend their money. And OP still has his gift cards left for his nintendo stuff. The word in this case is SHIFTY.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 19:52
          +4

          @aspirepranesh: He was upfront about in the OP. If he wanted to be shifty, he would have lied.

          He didn't buy the gift cards for the purpose of this gift. So the intent to "rip off" his siblings was not there.

          Everyone is bagging him for not sharing his discount (which I agree has some merit), but on the flip side too, why isn't anyone upset the sister is trying to force him to share his discount if he doesn't want to either?

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:54
          +1

          @John Kimble: Where exactly was he upfront?? nowhere in his comments does he say that he shared the usage of gift cards with his sisters or how much exactly he paid for the $200 item! His sister noticed it only AFTER she saw the invoice!

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:55
          +1

          @John Kimble: He even admits to the following above - What happened next is one sister read the receipt and saw that I had used the cards. After explaining to her my discount she is refusing to pay 1/3 of the full price and wants only to pay 1/3 of the price after the gift card discount. I feel this is unfair as I bought the gift cards to advantage myself.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 19:56

          @aspirepranesh: The invoice would have just said x amount was paid by gift cards. It wouldnt have said he got a 15% discount on said gift cards. He voluntarily disclosed this information.

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:57
          +1

          @John Kimble: No one is bagging him for NOT sharing his discount. It was his choice to use his cards the way he wanted to. If his sisters had forced him to use his cards, there maybe there is some smypathy for the OP.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 19:58
          +1

          @aspirepranesh: what do you mean, that's the whole argument of most people here…

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 19:58

          @aspirepranesh: Yeah, he could have just said yes, I paid for x amount with gift cards and not mentioned anything about the deal on the gift cards.

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 20:01
          +3

          @John Kimble: There. This is what I am talking about. He CHOSE to use his cards intended for his nintendo stuff. Now if I am so short of cash, why would I use it on something else other than what I bought it for initially?

          The whole issue could have been avoided if he went on to use his cards the way he intended to. instead he chose to use it on something else and didnt disclose the information with the others.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:03

          @aspirepranesh: Yes, true.

          But people here buy gift cards with no purchase in mind all the time because of a deal, know it will benefit them in the future.

          The issue here is people are upset that this seemingly affects family and people generally say don't let such small things cause issues between family. Which is a valid point.

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 20:10
          +5

          @John Kimble: To squabble over $30, I wouldnt do it with my close mates or family. That… I agree with everyone. But the events are a consequence of OP's decisions. In life, everyone has to deal with the consequence of their decisions.

          I have a friend who buys me JB gift cards through his employer (not JB) and it takes him roughly 20 mins to do this every time and he has done this for me and also for other friends of mine about 10 times in the last year and not once he has charged me extra for his time and effort. And I have seen the portal myself and I know how long it takes to process one. I am grateful to have someone like him who values me than charging me for his services or wanting to profit of me.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:14

          @aspirepranesh: I agree with everything you say except that last profiting bit, I still don't think it's profiting.

          If this happen every year or regularly, then yes it would be taking advantage of people, but there is no evidence of this here.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:26

          @aspirepranesh: In relation to your friend, don't you feel a bit guilty? Unless you already make up for it some other way?

          The OP had to go spend his time and money going and buying the present, why isn't this a factor? Why isn't this sister saying "oh okay, fair enough you pay a little less, you had to go buy it whilst I did nothing".

        • Blitzfx on 21/12/2017 - 22:18
          +1

          @John Kimble:

          I feel like this might help your argument, because a lot of people don't understand simple maths.

          So this hinges on OP spending the entirety of the gift cards, one way or another. Assuming the gift is $200 for simplicity:

          Both scenarios where OP savings weren't stolen:

          Scenario 1 - used gift card for christmas present:
          Cost of christmas present to OP: $36.67 (200/3 - 30)
          Saved: $30

          Cost of Nintendo cards for OP: $200
          Saved: $0

          Total Spent: $236.67
          Total Saved: $30

          Scenario 2 - used gift card for Nintendo:
          Cost of christmas present to OP: $66.67
          Saved: $0

          Cost of Nintendo cards for OP: $170
          Saved: $30

          Total Spent: $236.67
          Total Saved: $30

          Except now what has happened is that the sisters have felt entitled to the $30 and each taken 1/3 of it due to their selfish greed.
          Ultimately, you end up deciding where you like to draw the line with this bs.

          You can potentially have a situation where you saved $3000 on a car purchase, and the next time the 3 of them go out for a meal and split three ways, they can demand $1000 from OP. This is $3k saved by OP and has nothing to do with the actions past or future with the sisters.

        • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 22:22
          +2

          @John Kimble: mate, there are areas where I excel at. For example, I work closely with car dealerships and have a good relationship with my clients outside of work and I help my mates with deals thro my contacts in the industry to get better deals. I have no regrets about spending a few minutes to help my friends or family out. I dont see why I need to feel guilty about my friend helping me out when he approached me initially saying he could get me a little discount.

          And I don't expect anyone to do anything special for me just bcoz I help them out. I guess it comes down to what I value, money or relationships and I chose the latter.

          And going back to the OP, if he had explained that to his sister before he bought it, maybe your argument is valid.

        • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 22:27

          @aspirepranesh: Fair enough.

      • rompastompa on 21/12/2017 - 19:41

        OP is receiving 200/3=$66.67 instead of 170/3=$56.67

        So, each sister is paying $66.67, while OP is paying $36.67 ( ~$170).

  • foxmulder on 21/12/2017 - 17:47
    +1

    I will personally happy to split $170 into 3 for family and pay full price on $30 card for myself.

    By the way, nobody notice on how $170 divide by 3 is $56 each, how on Earth they are going to split remaining $2? OP can open a whole new post of this issue.

  • coco1458 on 21/12/2017 - 17:53
    +1

    You bought the giftcards to save yourself money, but then used it to save money on a gift that's shared between yourself and your siblings. How I see it is that if you're going to share the cost, you're going to share the discount.
    It's like a netflix subscription, if the admin of the account gets discounted giftcards then the discount should be shared between all payers. It'd be incredibly selfish to just reap all the benefit + in the end you're going to get found out

  • fruxo on 21/12/2017 - 17:59
    +4

    Clearly you should share the actual cost. Your sister is 100% correct.

  • GarrusVakarian on 21/12/2017 - 18:06
    +1

    just get more gift cards and spend it on yourself. problem solved. If the deal for the gift card is over, then just get over it. Not worth burning family relations over a measly $30

    • Hirolol on 21/12/2017 - 22:53

      She needs them now because Nintendo has a sale on.
      She needs to stock up on Nintendo cards even though she doesn't need them now

  • Baysew on 21/12/2017 - 18:10
    +1

    You can still ripoff share the full cost with the other sister, if that makes you feel better.

  • Toons on 21/12/2017 - 18:15
    +6

    it's Christmas, you don't try and pull a shifty on family, if you were planning on using them later then you should have done that and ponied up the cost as agreed.

    If one of my siblings had tried that i'd have left them to it and went and bought something myself to teach them a lesson

    Last year i got my brother (his family) something that should have cost 15K in normal circumstances but i was able to let them have what they wanted for $700

    I can't recall asking for anything out of it the business was happy to write off the loss to help out. Turned a bad Christmas for them and the kids into a good one.

    • Hunter14 on 21/12/2017 - 19:23
      +1

      If you don't mind sharing, I'm super curious to know what you got for $700 that normally cost 15K?

      • Toons on 21/12/2017 - 19:27
        +5

        if i could say what it was i would have put the post above somethings are just kept in family

        • Hunter14 on 21/12/2017 - 19:45

          Fair play to you!

    • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:38

      This. This deserves an up vote.

  • Quantumcat on 21/12/2017 - 18:33
    +9

    This post makes me feel so good about my own family!

  • Topdog on 21/12/2017 - 19:05
    +3

    Your sisters are bitches. They should be giving you the share of the item you bought at its retail price. I can't belive they are doung this right before xmas. Refuse to share the gift. And give it to your parents as a gift just from you. When they have nothing to give them poke your tounge out at them. I can not belive they are doing this over $10 each. What is this world coming to.

    • foxmulder on 21/12/2017 - 19:10
      +9

      Reverse psychology. Does this thing work?

  • edwardcr on 21/12/2017 - 19:09

    What a lot of stuffing around about something so trivial and inconsequential!

    I think you all need to find yourselves a new family, and start acting like rational human beings.

  • Hunter14 on 21/12/2017 - 19:14

    They are family. Don't be that guy. Share the love. It's like using an entertainment book voucher on a meal for 3 and getting them to pay you 1/3 of the full price before discount.

  • DingoBilly on 21/12/2017 - 19:23
    +3

    You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

  • aspirepranesh on 21/12/2017 - 19:28
    +7

    You decided to use the discounted cards out of your own accord. You could have used it for your Nintendo e gift cards. But you chose to use it. You make the decisions, but you don't want to face the consequences of it, now that you got yourself into this. I could even possibly throw it out there that you may have vouchers available for the Nintendo cards and simply trying to make money off your family bcoz money is tight for you… Bcoz you're trying to make more money via bitcoin! I'm so glad that you're not my sibling!!

  • Gotchas on 21/12/2017 - 19:57
    +8

    Siblings in our family always fight over not accepting each other's money

    • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:12
      +1

      That's because your money is worth peanuts.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/12/2017 - 21:46
      +1

      Are they marked bills?

  • Wiede on 21/12/2017 - 20:06
    +1

    I know who is getting coal from Santa this year

  • johnno07 on 21/12/2017 - 20:10
    +5

    Give the OP a break - clearly this is only their 12th Christmas.

    • pegaxs on 21/12/2017 - 21:43
      +1

      And on the 12th day of Christmas, my siblings paid to me, $200 for a card from JB…. :D

  • BarginGrabber on 21/12/2017 - 20:15

    It was agreed to be a 1/3 split not "Well if you find a discount, you get to pay less!"

    • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:17
      +2

      He didn't find a discount, he paid his portion with discounted gift cards. Looks like most people here don't think it's any different or think in the end he would be paying less which is the issue, but I argue it's slightly different.

      • BarginGrabber on 21/12/2017 - 20:19
        +1

        I agree it's extremely petty and I wouldn't have made a big deal about it.

  • lainey13 on 21/12/2017 - 20:17
    +1

    If anything like my sibling then they'll dredge it up 10 years later and make a massive fuss about it and you're reminded of why you don't hang out with them at all….

  • sleet on 21/12/2017 - 20:22
    +2

    Family are number 1 to me. Money is never an issue when it is with them. They are your family, treat them nice and they will do the same.

    • John Kimble on 21/12/2017 - 20:28
      +3

      I want to join your family haha

      • sleet on 21/12/2017 - 22:46
        +1

        Haha we can adopt you xoxo

        My family has looked after me. My turn to return the favour when needed.

  • sillyguy on 21/12/2017 - 21:01

    Jeez is it even worth arguing with ur sisters over 30 bucks, and then asking strangers for advice???

    It’s Xmas, come on!

  • cdaddy on 21/12/2017 - 21:13
    +2

    We hit a new low

  • Realtightarse on 21/12/2017 - 21:27
    +6

    This is what i would do to save my dignity.
    1… Buy gift cards at reduced rate and get sisters to chip in at face value of the gift cards….. IF they don't know what you actually paid for it.

    2… If they know how much you really paid, and you try to charge the full $200 you will look like a complete scrooge (bit of a prick too) . You will NOT save any money in the long run because for the sake of $20 they will scrutinize any further transactions for the next 20 years and always demand a receipt to make sure you haven't got something with a huge discount (and you could have pocketed future savings like a true OZbargainer)

    Your siblings won't forget what you did and you will most likely not be included in further group presents.

    Lesson to all:

    I have given my sisters electronics / furniture etc for free, but 1 sister sold the lawn mower i gave her , on gumtree (didn't give me a dime). I wasn't hugely pissed off, but next time i get another good freeby it won't got to her, it will be another sister. Who lost out now?? Yes its the sister who made $50 on a lawn mower but is now not getting my $500 fridge. Its just maths and you may be losing more than $20.

    Still, be kind to your family, they will be there for you for the next 50 years.

    Now go buy you sisters some discounted eneloops.

    Peace man.
    Merry Christmas.

  • kaleidoscope on 21/12/2017 - 21:55
    +1

    Gift cards or coupons are your assets. By right it should split between original price or the price any of your sisters could have purchased. Its the same way you’d claim tax return on full retail price for a purchase you combine with gift cards or discount codes (e.g. ebay).

  • Franky23 on 21/12/2017 - 21:57
    +12

    I'm the bargain hunter in the family. I regularly use my research, knowledge and Ozbargain to the benefit of my family members. It's my bro in laws bday on Friday, I used the JB gift card deal, price matched a PS4 pro with a competitor and used the cards to purchase it on behalf of my sister. I passed on the deal to my sister and chased it up for her because she has two young kids and is time poor. Whenever I go there she puts out food, offers tea and invites me into her home as if it were my own - it's the least I can do for her. If I had kids, I would want to set an example of acting selflessly and trying to help others…even if it's a small gesture like passing on a saving.

    Reading the responses I think you know you did the wrong thing but you're digging your heels in the sand. Sometimes, we have to swallow our pride and admit we're wrong. It will give you a lot more credibility in your siblings eyes…and to the users on this forum

    Have a good Christmas.

  • TurkishDelight on 21/12/2017 - 22:11

    Just accept what they are happy to pay mate. She is your sister.

  • smuggler on 21/12/2017 - 22:11
    +2

    What a troll thread….

    You're trying to lowball your sisters by not telling them you got a discount from the gift. What a seriously dishonest and greedy thing to do. Your parents must be so proud. lol

  • Choc0 on 21/12/2017 - 22:28
    +1

    Should've gone to Harvey Norman and used the Amex cash back. They'll never know by reading the receipt.

  • wkd on 21/12/2017 - 22:31
    +1

    -$30 or having to deal with angry siblings every christmas.

    thats a hard one

  • [Deactivated] on 21/12/2017 - 22:34
    +3

    Think I found a picture of the the OP actual face

    • Hunter14 on 22/12/2017 - 03:04

      Believe it or not, George isn't at home so please leave a message at the beep…

  • BartholemewH on 21/12/2017 - 22:57

    Return the gift and buy your parents a $8k cruise on your own. Boom! Headshot.

  • dufflover on 21/12/2017 - 23:01
    +2

    OP hasn't really talked about how their family relationships with the sisters are like in the first place. A lot people assume it'll start a bit of a shit fight over just $30.
    It's very different if it's already a pretty cold relationship to begin with and this is just a mandatory yearly ritual.
    (it's sad, but it happens)

    • wkd on 22/12/2017 - 11:59

      if the relationship was already rocky, why would you use a discounted giftcard if you know it wont end well. its like adding fuel to the fire

      he should have asked his sisters if it was ok to use his discounted giftcard before buying the present.

      if they said no, then he could have paid without the giftcard and none of this would be a problem

      • dufflover on 23/12/2017 - 13:46

        if the relationship was already rocky, why would you use a discounted giftcard if you know it wont end well.

        Well they didn't know that at the start. Their fault for letting slip the receipt then lol

  • komododragon on 21/12/2017 - 23:17
    +3

    If I am the parent, I don't want any more presents from you and your sisters.

  • outlander on 21/12/2017 - 23:47
    -1

    People don't understand what money is. I'd let this one go, and let one of your sisters make a poor choice with the present next year that you can nit pick.

  • ItonezI on 22/12/2017 - 00:01
    +2

    Stop being a tight wad

  • enzioFirenze on 22/12/2017 - 00:05
    +1

    JFC mate, they are your blood, not saying you shouldn't be a tightass, but there's a place for everything and this ain't it!

  • Bluberry on 22/12/2017 - 00:07
    +1

    For (profanity) sake!!!

  • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2017 - 00:08
    +4

    You should have directed then to the gift cards…. I cry everytime an OzBargainer let's their family get retailed.

    Hand in your OzBargain license please.

    • Realtightarse on 23/12/2017 - 22:39

      I agree dyl. Family just call me now if they are about to make any purchase (electronic) , as i will know where to send them.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/12/2017 - 23:48

        I'm too lazy for that tbh, I don't want to be someone's personal shopping assistant.

        I just ensure they know there's places they can look (ie staticice, OzBargain) before paying retail price. As long as they know how much extra they're actually paying, it's not an issue for me.

        In this case, if the siblings knew the cheaper gift cards existed but were too lazy to bother with them I wouldn't have an issue. In reality they didn't know they existed and OP knew this but didn't say anything. That's all I have an issue with.

        tl;dr: I'm not saying OzBargainer should be personal shopping assistants for relatives, I'm just saying make sure they actually know how to tell if they're being retailed or not.

  • mranderson978 on 22/12/2017 - 01:06
    +1

    I have a little thought experiment for you, to help you make up your own mind what you should do.

    Imagine you bought a $900 RRP gift for $300 on ebay.

    Then you tell your sisters that the gift was $900 and can they both give you $300 to split the gift please, thanks very much sis. Love you!

    Now you have an awesome present for your Dad, and oh, you made $300 profit from your sisters too!

    • Blitzfx on 22/12/2017 - 08:52
      +1

      Except that is a bad analogy and isn't anywhere near the same.

      OP spent $170 on gift cards.
      Not splitting the savings = $36.67 spent by OP. That is a loss of $36.67
      Splitting the savings = $56.67 spent by OP. That is still a loss of $56.67

      Op is in neither state making any gains or profit.

      You and a lot of other people like to misuse and throw around the word profit. That is about as accurate as someone calling you a scammer when you found someone's $0.05 that was dropped on the floor

      • mranderson978 on 22/12/2017 - 19:57
        +1

        I deliberately amplified the amount of the gift and the amount saved to show the principle of ripping off others - even if it's only a couple of bucks.

  • Goliegosh on 22/12/2017 - 01:27
    +1

    Don't screw money from family, share the bargain

  • heidisapirate on 22/12/2017 - 01:37
    +1

    This sort of thing is okay but only under certain situations.
    The fact that you bought the card on discount to use on a split gift makes it a bit shifty that you'd want to pay less. It's like if the item was on sale and you still wanted your siblings to pay the regular amount.
    Would be okay if you had a gift card that had been gifted to you and you used that as your payment.

    The difference is that a gift card that has been paid for in full price (or gifted to you) is still the same amount of money, however a gift card bought on discount kind of means that the gift is discounted, and you're not abiding by the equal split of the cost.

  • Mrgreenz on 22/12/2017 - 02:29

    Hope this is a troll lol

  • try2bhelpful on 22/12/2017 - 05:05
    +8

    I’m currently overseas with my siblings and we are all falling over each other to make sure we pay for, at least, our fair share. The thought of trying to stiff my siblings, especially for such a trivial amount, is abhorrent. I hope your parents have an ironclad will because you guys are headed for court.

  • bhm133 on 22/12/2017 - 05:54
    +1

    Never ever screw over family. What you did was deceitful.

  • Slippage on 22/12/2017 - 06:14
    +3

    Return gift, do your own thing. I don’t think the idea of joint presents is personal. I’d prefer 3 smaller gifts that meant something, than an single expensive present.

    Eg: a $300 dyson Vs cooking class(es), Knife block/set &fancy towels.

    P.s. haven’t spoken to siblings in 3-4 years, because of similar cr@p like this.

  • AppleLime on 22/12/2017 - 06:36

    Can you have peace to do that to your own siblings? How would you parents feel if they found out what you did? If I were your sister, I would have given you the $30 and don't even bother to say anything. i would want my parents to be happy when receiving gifts.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2017 - 06:58
    +8

    Should’ve bought the present at retail and kept the gift cards for your own personal transaction. The moment you used the gift cards on the present the right thing to do became split the actual cost of the gift cards.

    • Blahness on 22/12/2017 - 10:15
      +1

      simply and well said

    • blehgg on 22/12/2017 - 11:31
      +1

      this.

  • JuryWheel on 22/12/2017 - 07:17

    What a dog effort!

  • citybargainhunter on 22/12/2017 - 07:36
    -2

    OP is a true OzBargainer. Kudos.

    • Blahness on 22/12/2017 - 10:14

      that's offensive to the rest of us ozbargainers

  • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2017 - 07:36
    +1

    OP I too was like you but marrying into a Chinese family, who showed me how to be more generous.

    You go from trying to shaft family and friends like you did, to running to pay the dinner bill before they can.

    Its liberating.

    • John Kimble on 22/12/2017 - 07:51

      That sounds like the opposite of liberating…

    • pegaxs on 22/12/2017 - 09:40
      +3

      Wow. I married into a Chinese/Vietnamese family and it is the complete opposite. As the bill is arriving, everyone is gone before that thing lands on the table.

      And they wouldn’t think twice about shafting family members. It’s like a sport to them on who can rip off who the most…

      • blehgg on 22/12/2017 - 11:27

        Wow ~ I'm in a a chinese family and its more like everyone's fighting over who pays the bill.

        Guess its different per family………

        • buckster on 22/12/2017 - 13:20
          +1

          Must be the vietnamese element?

  • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2017 - 07:38

    I wonder if the OP agonises over splitting an amount no divisible by 3, such as $200?

  • LPV569 on 22/12/2017 - 08:02
    +1

    No way should you profit from your siblings. Very sad relationship you must have. It’s a Christmas present for you parents for goodness sake. How mean spirited you appear to be. No question the actual cost should be split equally. Life’s too short, you need to reflect on what is truly important, your relationship with your family or $20.00? Merry Christmas and goodwill to all men, being generous and kind I believe that is what Christmas is supposed to be about.

  • Spartan on 22/12/2017 - 08:08

    No wonder families are messed up these days. It's always over little things, over money and being dishonest. Gift was for your parents..share the discount you selfish #$*@..it's Xmas.

  • shangoz on 22/12/2017 - 08:11
    +2

    Oh man, buy 10 times worth of the gift for your two sister and tell them don't need to pay this time, your family relationship is much important then small amount of money.

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