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Elementary School-Aged Kids
DC’s friend broke something expensive - WWYD
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Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
lol, I guess you are not familiar with apartment prices in ny. We own an apt with an 8.5 mil zestimate in ny and it’s a great loft space but probably smaller than your house. Now, be prepared to be even more shocked - many wealthy ny’ers RENT their multimillion dollar apts in ny, OWN their cheaper, but still multimillion dollar vacation homes in the Hamptons or north fork, AND keep thousands of dollars worth of wine, vinyl, cigars or whatever at both locations. |
Anonymous
Are you OP? Subject line says this is OP’s kid’s friend. |
Anonymous
OP, this has happened in our house before. Do not have this kid inside your house again, because now you know how that kid thinks, and that kid is okay with damaging stuff at your house, for whatever reason (likely lack of discipline, could be jealousy, who knows or cares, really). You need to play at their house or outside only. Some parents are users when the kids are elementary age. They know their kids are destructive. It is not common, but if the kid has done something like this before they absolutely WILL do it again, if given the opportunity. In our case, it was a girl about the same age that would destroy or take things. The parents of course never said anything to us, and we rarely had playdates at their house (you guessed it, they had very few toys). You better believe if the roles were reversed, those type of parents would be making a hugely disproportionate big deal out of the situation, to this day. (and they do!) In other situations, the parents learned of what happened (before we did!), called us themselves, and offered to replace everything that day - so now you know there are two types of parents (entitled and not), and their respective kids act accordingly, because that is what they are taught at home. This kid is not your problem. Don't have him inside your house any more. If it were me, I would ask for half the replacement cost. I mean, they don't sound like good friends anyway, or above board people, so what have you got to lose? They will defend their kid, no matter how wrong, to the end, to their kid's detriment. |
Anonymous
Then OP can afford to fix fancy hobby item. |
Anonymous
PP here. That was my first thought. That is why I said half value. Plus, OP should provide a written estimate to replace because I have seen some people around here get crazy with what they THINK their stuff costs. |
Anonymous
Her friend lives there, too, so friend can also afford to take responsibility for her child’s destruction. |
Anonymous
If you live in a multi million dollar NYC apt, just fix this yourselves. Asking your friend to pay is awkward and tacky. Especially if you are asking them to pay over a thousand. Just no. That isn’t reasonable. That is more than my car insurance deductible. There is always a chance expensive items will be broken or damaged: by you, your spouse, your own kids, guests. It’s the risk of ownership. You insure items you don’t want to risk footing the bill to replace or repair- for Whatever reason |
Anonymous
I think she said in the OP that they can both afford this. I think it’s more about getting the friend to admit she is a bad mother and her kid belongs in a juvenile detention center. |
Anonymous
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I would ask them where they got their quote as it’s significantly cheaper than what you’ve found- and you’d love to use their repair person. That way you’re not asking for money but you’re letting them know it costs more.
If they demure after that I’d let it go and pay.l myself. |
Anonymous
| I have a husband with the same hobby and he would be livid. Those components are so expensive, and they are also specific to the particular turntable, so an a general estimate for one isn’t necessarily what it would cost to replace on your particular model. They also are things you would typically have to replace, not repair. A turntable is out because it’s stereo equipment, but the kid should have never lifted the lid. I didn’t read all the posts, but hopefully OP gave the friend the actual replacement cost, maybe with a very brief explanation that it is specific to that model. |
Anonymous
Not at all. OP, are you living in a $3m 2bd/1ba on the UES with all your junk out in the living room? |
Anonymous
No, not OP - but the post makes clear that OP is friends with the parents, too. So you can have people over with their little kids and run the risk of this happening. |
Anonymous
| Not reading the whole thread, but an item that expensive should be insured. If it can't be fixed for the friend's offered price, then your insurance should cover the loss. |
Anonymous
| If you care about the friendship, let it go. If you don’t, pursue for more $. You aren’t owed the replacement value. It’s used! You are at least half at fault for leaving the item out and without clear instructions that day to not touch. Even in an apartment, why wasn’t it locked in the bedroom? The kid is immature and parents should have taught him not to touch things at people’s houses, but it’s also your fault. Musical equipment is tempting. Not an excuse, but you should have put it away. I wonder if your son even talked it up to the friend. |