To say 'I told you so'?

[bullbeatsbear]

Much longer story cut short:

Two years ago FIL (a lovely man but an authority on everything in the world) urged us to invest in a 'winning stock'. His relative is involved in the company and said a big project was due to go ahead.

I looked into it and said no. We were called 'foolish' for missing out on the 'chance of a lifetime' and urged to change our minds. Other relatives invested their savings. About ten people, from a 21-year-old investing a recent inheritance to an 89-year-old aunt investing almost everything she had.

I am an investor and knew enough to identify this as a volatile (penny) stock in a very volatile sector. I urged FIL to take measures (such as issuing a stock loss order). He didn't like being 'told' and said he knew what he was doing. Didn't take any measures.

Project was denied planning permission and share dropped by 70% overnight. Recently the appeal was rejected and shares dropped more. Doesn't look like the project will go ahead.

Now FIL is doggedly giving us 'helpful' advice on how to invest our hard-earned house deposit. I have been polite with my 'thanks but no thanks's up until now. I know it's none of my business how others spend their money and that everyone involved was an adult. I also shouldn't rock the boat as this whole thing has been swept under the carpet. But I am DYING to say something.

WIBU to say something?

[MissMuesli]

YABU, they already know. I would gloat in silence personally

[Binkyridesagain]

Gloat in private.

[magicturnip]

Yabu. How would you like it of boot on other foot?

[animaniac]

YABU, saying I told you so won't achieve anything except making people feel even more daft than they probably already do. And your FIL sounds like a massive know-it-all so wouldn't make much difference there I wouldn't have thought.

[Dackyduddles]

He will find a way of being right, gloat privately

[LaurieFairyCake]

Ask after the 89 year old

And then the 21 year old.

Basically just carry on asking with an innocent face how they all are (individually to make a point).

Then the fuckwit will know what you mean without having to say anything.

That's a fuck of a lot more polite than I would be. I'd be snorting derisively and saying stuff like 'cos all your other investments have worked out'

[bullbeatsbear]

I don't want to gloat, but I DO want him to realise that dispensing advice about things you know nothing about can be harmful.

Although I am pretty sure after this no one will listen to him ever again.

[DoJo]

YABU - I feel sorry for the 21 year old who now has no inheritance and the 89 year old with nothing to show for their savings. They may be adults and understand the risks to some extent, but it sounds as though your father in law gave them the hard sell which can be difficult to resist esp from a family member.

[bullbeatsbear]

Yes DoJo - it was a hard sell and difficult to resist as a) FIL is very authoritative and b) the prospect of a fast fortune was so tempting.

[DoJo]

That's the problem - I don't understand people who are no enamoured with themselves that they would risk their family's money on a project like that. Does your Father in law even show remorse for their losses?

[Crinkle77]

As others have said gloat in private. People are blinded by the thought pound signs and unfortunately there is no such thing as a sure thing. If something sounds too good to be true it normally is. Luckily you had more sense but keep it to yourself.

[CharityFunDay]

YwouldnotBU to tell FIL to piss off in no uncertain terms.

YwouldBU to rub your relatives' noses in their own misfortune.

[LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti]

I wouldn't say anything to the other people involved, but I would say something to your FIL. Because well-meaning or not, he has taken in two fairly vulnerable people and they have lost money because they trusted his pretensions to authority.

It sounds to me as if he hasn't learned from it so needs it hammering home.