Should I explain myself or just replace it?

Question

I'm doing research work abroad for a professor at my university. He traveled abroad last year, and bought some guidebooks that he loaned me for my trip. Long story short, the airline damaged my luggage and completely destroyed one of the books.

The easy solution is to just buy a replacement. But it would take me a while to find one, it costs $25 (yeah, I'm a cheap college student), and I'm not sure he'd ever have a use for it again so it could be a waste of money. On the other hand, if I explain the situation and ask him if he wants a replacement, I think it would sound like I was making excuses and too cheap to buy the book (his grant paid my plane ticket and living expenses this summer).

Does anyone know what would be appropriate in this situation? I'm not actually going to see him again (graduated) so any explanations will have to be done through email, which is not the best form of communication.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

You should replace it.  Why not check an on line site to see if you can get it for less than face value.  Amazon and Barnes and Noble have sites that offer new books, but also used books at a fraction of the cost.  Most used books could pass for new with very little wear or use.  If you check on line, sometimes you can even find a coupon code to use for free shipping.  You could probably replace the book for less than $10.  It's the honorable thing to do.

Answer 2

While it is certainly proper for you to replace or pay for anything you ruined, you could email him first.  Thank him for loaning you the books, (how are you planning to return them BTW?) let him know when you'll be returning them and explain that it will be one short because one was destroyed in travel.  Let him know that you are looking for a relpacement and ask him if he would rather you to send him the replacement or pay him back for it & you can send a check with the rest of his books.  

Answer 3

Proper etiquette is to buy a replacement.

Of course, if it is not an easy one to find and you aren't sure he'd care, you can explain what happened and say "I haven't been able to find a replacement yet, but I am looking and will send it to you once I find it". Then, if it really doesn't matter to him, he'll just say "Don't worry about it".  

Answer 4

By explaining what happened, and since he may not read it again anyway, you are at least showing him that you are responsible and willing to replace it.

Answer 5

Replace it.  It's the principal of the matter and it's only right.  It doesn't matter if he never uses it another day in his life it was his and it was damaged in your care.  I understand your a struggling college student but $25 is to petty to not replace it.  Replacing items is not based on how often the person uses the item.

Answer 6

I would just replace it. You could explain what happened so he will know why there is a delay in you returning his items. He may tell you not to worry about it. Unless he says that then I would replace it. Check out Amazon and eBay to see if you find it for cheap.  

Answer 7

Since it was his grant money that paid for your trip and living expenses, the best thing to do is to replace it and explain the situation.  

Answer 8

Do the right thing!  I think you should replace it whether he will need it again or not.  He did something huge for you and just because you won't see him again, I wouldn't discount what he could do for you in the future.