You can play it real casual and say hey glad you’re home. Did you get the package I shipped to you on such and such a day? Here’s my Venmo! It was $30.

I’d text them and say, “Glad I could help you out with the package. The shipping was $30 and my Venmo is [x]. Hope you had a great trip!”

Anonymous wrote:Assuming you’re currently friendly with them I’d let it go.
I do think they owe you and they’re rude not to ask you how you want payment. But I’d assume they’re forgotten and maybe you ask them for a favor next time you need something from a neighbor.

Agree

Anonymous wrote:Did they ever acknowledge that they received the item? Maybe you can reach out to say, "Welcome back! How was your vacation? I assume you received the item I shipped to you? Here's a copy of the receipt from FedEx--just let me know when you are ready to settle up." It's awkward only because they haven't proactively reached out to you to offer the money--which is really ill-mannered of them. If they refuse to pay you or act put off that you are even asking, I'd probably let it go but never go out of my way to help them again.

+1

It's a good reminder to always ask about the next step when these things first come up. It's just easier.

OP is not in that position, and a quick friendly check-in is the next best, if OP wants to be repaid (which is perfectly reasonable). A hello and then something about now that you're back, how did you want to take care of this? Or whatever works in your social context. Be brief, friendly, and do not be overelaborate -- that makes it even more awkward. Go into it with the assumption that of course they want to make it right, and don't make a big deal over it.

Anonymous wrote:They should give you a bottle of wine or gift, and thank you profusely. As for reimbursement, if you live in a wealthy neighborhood they might consider the shipping cost minor and part of the favor. I could see them being surprised by a Venmo request if you are all rich. They should have offered to reimburse you but at some incomes maybe they don’t think it’s much money.

Then they are boors.

Anonymous wrote:They should give you a bottle of wine or gift, and thank you profusely. As for reimbursement, if you live in a wealthy neighborhood they might consider the shipping cost minor and part of the favor. I could see them being surprised by a Venmo request if you are all rich. They should have offered to reimburse you but at some incomes maybe they don’t think it’s much money.

I think this is very possible and could see it being the case in my UMC area. However, they should write a note or bring a bottle of wine or something to thank you.

If you live in an expensive house, they’re probably planning to bring you something (wine, gift basket) and thinking $30 isn’t a big deal for you.

They sound absent minded if they needed this thing and now are forgetting to pay. They seem forgetful as a trait. I'd just show them the receipt and ask them to pay it and give them a deadline since they could forget without one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they ever acknowledge that they received the item? Maybe you can reach out to say, "Welcome back! How was your vacation? I assume you received the item I shipped to you? Here's a copy of the receipt from FedEx--just let me know when you are ready to settle up." It's awkward only because they haven't proactively reached out to you to offer the money--which is really ill-mannered of them. If they refuse to pay you or act put off that you are even asking, I'd probably let it go but never go out of my way to help them again.

Yes. I made sure they received the package when I saw it was delivered. They also had the tracking number. This is how I feel. They haven’t even approached us since returning. It just tl feels really strange.

So just send them a copy of the receipt with your Venmo and say something like: "I realized I didn't send this to you before, but here's the receipt for $30 and my Venmo. Thanks!" They will get the hint--and if they don't respond, then you know what kind of people they are.

Yes, this. Do it today, OP. If they had thanked you or been gracious, you probably wouldn’t care as much. But it’s going to nag at you. Send the text. They are the ones who should be embarrassed.

Definitely this. No need to accidentally on purpose run into them outside and gush about their vacation or blather about cleaning out your purse, just send the text and pics.

Let it go and don’t do any more favors again for them. Lesson learned.

Also they could have a lot going on- who knows- and this just isn’t a priority.

They should give you a bottle of wine or gift, and thank you profusely. As for reimbursement, if you live in a wealthy neighborhood they might consider the shipping cost minor and part of the favor. I could see them being surprised by a Venmo request if you are all rich. They should have offered to reimburse you but at some incomes maybe they don’t think it’s much money.

Anonymous wrote:You posted this before.

If I remember, there was someone else who did a travel shipping favor like this, but it was more expensive as complicated, and OP did get paid, and OP was mad that she got paid, because it felt like it transactionalized the friendship.

I would ask if they received the package, and how did they manage without it (since you know what it is), and how the vacation went, etc.

If that doesn't jog their memory, personally, I would not ask directly for the money. I would conclude they're a little distracted/ADHD/flaky and not put myself in a similar position again. Next year if they ask do the same thing again, politely decline.

Anonymous wrote:OP, most important ~ next time do not do any favor, where if you don't get paid back, you're going to be resentful. You have every right to be bothered by this. You also have every right not to help. Know yourself.

I would only do something like this if I was going to have zero resentment.

I’ve been in OP’s situation and you’d also feel like a jerk for not helping out!