Concertgoer cancels on friend for hospital shift, she demands she pay $80 for ticket she already paid for: 'I found out 3 hours before'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 12, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

Flaky friends can be the worst, but sometimes they flake with good reason.

While there are plenty of annoying people who will use any stupid excuse to cancel plans that you have been looking forward to, others just suffer from bad luck that leads to them missing out. Maybe they get sick, they can't find a babysitter, or they have a commitment that they really can't get out of at work. There are genuine explanations for why somebody may not be able to make it, and they are generally worse to experience when you are the person who is dealing with them.

At the same time, it isn't fun to be the person who gets flaked on. It can completely change the plans at hand, and sometimes cancel them altogether. Being left to pick up the pieces can be upsetting, even if the other person has a legitimate reason for not being able to come. Nobody wants to feel like their efforts were in vain, not least when it comes to having fun. You can be left wanting some kind of repayment that may not be forthcoming. There are times when plans simply don't work out, and it is important to accept that.

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  • UND
    via Forja2 Mx

    A woman closes her eyes and clasps her hands to her chest as she stands in the crowd at a concert

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • A nurse was due to attend a concert with a friend when she was called into the hospital for an emergency shift just hours before it was due to start. She had already paid for her ticket, and her friend was initially understanding when she had to cancel at the last minute.

    However, she was in for a surprise the day after when her friend requested that she pay her another $80. She reasoned that the cancellation had cost her money as she had not had the time to resell the ticket. The nurse refused to pay, but wasn't sure if she was right in doing so.

  • Am I wrong for refusing to pay my friend back for a concert ticket I couldn't use?

    My friend bought us tickets to a concert 4 months in advance. $80 each. I paid her back immediately. Concert was last night. Yesterday afternoon I got called into an emergency shift at the hospital (I'm a nurse). I texted her right away.
    via Few_Employment5708
  • She was understanding at first. Then today she texts asking for her $80 back. I said what? I paid for my ticket. She says yeah but since I didn't go she's out $80.
    via Few_Employment5708
  • I said that's not how tickets work? I paid for mine, you got your money. She couldn't resell it on such short notice. She says if I'd given more notice she could of found someone. I said it was an EMERGENCY SHIFT. I found out 3 hours before!
    via Few_Employment5708
  • Numerous people dance in the crowd at a concert
    via Axel Gallay

    Numerous people dance in the crowd at a concert

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • She's insisting I owe her because my last- minute cancellation cost her money. But I already paid for the ticket! She says a real friend would reimburse her for the financial loss. I said a real friend would understand I had a work emergency!
    via Few_Employment5708
  • I offered to go to the next concert with her but she says that doesn't fix this situation. She's being really cold now and our group chat is awkward. Some friends think I should just pay to keep peace. But I already PAID for my ticket! Why do I owe her more?
    via Few_Employment5708
  • TL;DR: Had emergency work shift, couldn't attend concert, friend wants me to reimburse her $80 even though I already paid for my ticket.
    via Few_Employment5708
  • A woman raises her hands above her head in the crowd at a concert
    via Les Taylor

    A woman raises her hands above her head in the crowd at a concert

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • LividBass1005 That makes absolutely no sense. Did she not go bcuz you didn't go? Even if that was the case you still wouldn't owe her money since she could've went alone. Either way I wouldn't pay her anything else
    via LividBass1005
  • 6133mj6133 Demand to know why she thinks she's out $80 because you didn't go. Don't let her off that point until she realizes she's a moron.
    via 6133mj6133
  • Burksasaurus She's dumb as h I. Do you want to be friends with someone that dumb?
    via Burksasaurus
  • Hothoofer53 I think she's all screwed up
    via Hothoofer53
  • grafknives Reverse the script. She owns you money You didn't go, she did. She had the pleasure of seeing the concert at your cost. That will be 80
    via grafknives
  • Smurfy378 NTJ. She's not out that money if you already paid.
    via Smurfy378
  • anon0630 NTJ. No loss to her...
    via anon0630
  • janewp Not the j . Your friend is being weirdly unreasonable.
    via janewp
  • heathca Did she not go because you didn't so she thinks you should cover her ticket cost?
    via heathca
  • Careless_Fly4219 NTJ, pull out some crayons and butchers paper. Draw two tickets and a value next to each one. Add a picture of who it belongs too. So you paid $80 for your ticket and she pays $80 for hers. Ask her where the other $80 is from.
    via Careless_Fly4219

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nurse work concert friends ticket money entitled people
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