Recently I went on a $1500 trip/course because a friend of a friend of a friend had death in the family and couldn't go. This person sent out an email to try and find someone to take the space, but was unsuccessful. The day before the trip they then sent out a last ditch email to the organizers asking if they could donate the space to someone who otherwise could not afford it. They also mentioned that it was to the point where they simply did not want the spaces to be wasted. An in fact, they had 2 spaces to get rid of worth $3000.

So, through friends, I found out about the trip the day before, expressed interest, and by the time the registrations were sorted out and I was "officially" going it was the morning of departure - I had to prepare/pack and leave by 7pm that night!!

Anyhow, it was a great trip and I had lots of fun. While I certainly could afford something like it, it's something I would likely not have ever treated myself to. While I think they are happy that the spaces were not wasted (I also found a friend to take the second space on this short notice), I feel somewhat guilty that I went on this lavish trip free and didn't even know them personally!

So, my question is should I pay this person something to help cover their $1500 losses for my portion of the trip? Or buy them a small token gift like a restaurant gift certificate? What would be an appropriate amount? My friend who used the other space doesn't seem too feel obligated to do anything.

Lance

I would certainly send a note of thanks, and also a token gift - like a basket of fruit or a boittle of wine. This will let them know that you are truly appreciative. In your note make it personal - what was it that you especially enjoyed about the trip, people you had a chance to meet, what you learned in the course, etc.

A gift certificate won't hurt and would be a nice gesture. Not obligatory but a nice gesture nevertheless.

I would spend at least $200 or more on them, but that's just me. One of those baskets of fancy crap people don't normally buy (caviar and weird imported jam and such) with a nice wine stuck in, and then a gift certificate to a nice restaurant.

That's just what I'd do personally, but yes, some sort of gift along with a gift certificate somewhere would seem to be a nice way to say thank you.

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I think that if you can afford to reimburse them, you should. I think it's reasonable to pay less than they paid, but perhaps you could pay half or three quarters what they paid. You say you could afford it, so that would be the ethical thing to do.

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