What to say to a friend?

Question

My friend recently borrowed 2 pieces of luggage for a trip. She didn't return them after the trip and used them again for a second trip a month later (without asking).

She dropped the suitcases off at my apartment last week and one of them (the new one of course) was damaged - the handle was ripped off. She left a post-it note on it saying "Sorry! The baggage claim guys were rough!". No offer to have it repaired or replaced. Basically she doesn't feel responsible for the damage because she didn't PERSONALLY damage it.

I'm willing to just let it go and forget about it (and never let her borrow my stuff again). However, my husband is REALLY angry and wants to send her an email, but I'm afraid it will escalate things.

What are your opinions on this, and if we did email her, how would you word it?

Answer 1

Your friend is just trying to pass the buck on to the baggage guy if she was any sort of friend she would offer to replace it i think you should say that she borrowed it  and broke it she should replace it good luck xxxx

Answer 2

First of all, this is very bad of her to borrow the luggage, and still return damage thing to you!

You husband shouldn't email her, because is your business. She asked you to borrow the luggage, not him!

You should call her or if you feel ashamed to do it, you can also send her an e-mail telling about your feelings!

Shened to know you are not happy with this situation, and tell her the truth!

If she is your friend, she will understand, if not, she isnt just the kind of person you should have around you!

Answer 3

Hey,

Doesn't that annoy you? People do that to me too. Sometimes I am bad about returning stuff myself but I would NEVER return something that is broken and not offer to pay for it and have it fixed, whatever that may be. But I run across so many people that have done it to me and do the same thing that your friend did. You could let it go but it sounds like you may just start problems with your husband if you did that so go ahead and send her an email. After all its only common respect to had offered to get it fixed anyway.

Word the email something like this....

Dear.. so and so

We finally received the luggage back that we let you borrow but we noticed that our brand new piece is damaged. We don't want to start escalating this out of proportion we would just appreciate you paying for the damage. We were kind enough to allow you to borrow it, we did not complain when you kept it for a long time, and we appreciate you bringing it back but we can't use it now without a hassle because its broken. Because it was in your care at the time of the incident which you admit we would appreciate you taking care of this problem.

Thanks... so and so

OK maybe law school makes my letter sound a bit cocky but I tried to make it nice..

Good luck

Answer 4

well, you knew that the bags weren't going to be under her direct supervision the entire trip going in. She was going to check her bags so you cant really blame her for that.

however, i would have said something about her keeping them so long and going on a different trip with them and not asking you. unless you have this type of friendship.. which i happen to have with several people cause we borrow each others stuff all the time. then i would have been a little annoyed that she didn't let you know a.s.a.p. about the damage that was done to the bags.  

Answer 5

I think that even though it wasnt exactly her fault, she still should have replaced the baggage. That was a rude thing to do.

Just be frank with her, and tell her that you would apprecaiate if she would replace it.

Answer 6

Ok, I'm the husband so my $0.02... I agree that this is something between my wife and her friend, but the suitcase that is damages is 'mine'. It's not about her paying for repairing it or getting me a new one, but simply taking ownership of the issue. This would be my email to her:

"I don't want to make a big deal out of this because it’s not worth it, but I think you could have at least informed us after your last trip that the suitcase was damaged. If anything that would have given us time to have it repaired/replaced before our own upcoming trip.

Also, if it was me: if I would borrow any item (especially almost brand new) and bring it back damaged, I would at least take responsibility and offer to repair/replace it, irrelevant of the cause.

Thanks"