A BC tribunal case about a Costco purchase may be a cautionary tale about not overlooking financial matters with your friends.
PM and YM are “former friends,” who, as a publicly posted tribunal notice states, went to Costco together.
PM, who initiated the case, says some of the items they purchased were “solely” for YM’s use and that YM agreed to repay him for the items but didn’t.
YM denied PM’ claims, adding that she gave all the items away after PM told her to, adding that she doesn’t owe him anything.
In the spring of 2023, PM stayed briefly in YM’s home. On April 23, the two went to Costco together. PM bought the items that the dispute was about using his credit card.
PM claimed he purchased two items, including a pack of women’s razors and a vacuum, for $341.58 solely for YM.
YM disagreed, saying that her vacuum broke in the spring of 2023, and she couldn’t afford to replace it. She said the two of them agreed that PM would buy a vacuum from Costco for her to use, and then they would return it for a refund. YM further states that PM bought her other items she didn’t want and couldn’t afford while they were at Costco.
She claimed PM said he’d pay for everything and that they could figure out the vacuum later.
Shortly after the BC Costco visit, the friendship broke down. PM moved out of YM’s home, and YM stated that the night before that happened, PM consumed some of the food and supplements purchased from Costco.
She added that he “packed a ‘significant amount’ of the other Costco items to take with him,” which PM didn’t deny.
On April 30, 2023, it was agreed that PM’ friend would pick up the Costco items left at YM’s home.
YM told PM she’d “put everything that you bought out, including the Japanese knife and coffee grinder and stuff from today.”
Later, YM texted PM, asking,” Could you send me a picture of the bill so I know what I owe you for the items that won’t be returned? No rush.”
On May 4, 2023, PM emailed YM to say that his friend couldn’t get the items.
He said, “If you need it gone, you can put it outside [with a] free sign.”
YM did as instructed on May 11, putting all the Costco items, including the vacuum, outside with a free sign. That same day, PM emailed YM, saying he hoped to arrange another pick-up by his friend. YM responded on May 14, confused, since PM said to give the items away.
PM later told the tribunal that YM could give the items away just as a “last resort.”
Due to this sequence of events, the tribunal ruled against PM, dismissing his reimbursement claims.