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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you charge a friend for a defrosted freezer?

88 replies

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:32

A friend looked after our pets (paid) while we were on holiday. We came home to find the freezer fully defrosted, she owned up to opening it and it clearly didn't close properly. Not sure exactly how much was lost but probably over £100. She's offering to pay but given she is a friend and it was an accident I'm leaning towards saying no. If it was a professional I'd probably think differently. I'm curious to know what others would do.
YABU = take the money
YANBU = let it go

OP posts:
nmsi · 09/08/2025 10:33

I wouldn't accept the payment from her either. She's a friend.
Shit happens.

BerryTwister · 09/08/2025 10:32

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:56

For a friend though? Most would do a little present, have you never seen those boxes of fudge in gift shops saying thanks for looking after the cat?

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I would only give a gift to someone who’d looked after the cat for free.

nmsi · 09/08/2025 10:32

Fountofwisdom · 09/08/2025 10:11

I would never do an insurance claim for such a low value loss. There will be an excess on your policy anyway and your premium will definitely increase as soon as you make a claim. It’s foolish to use insurance unless it’s for something major and very costly.

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Nor would I, for the same reasons.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 10:31

SheReallyLikes · 09/08/2025 10:28

I would also invoice you for pet sitting services 🤣 as a result of having to pay for an accidental error

What do you mean?

Pomegranatecarnage · 09/08/2025 10:30

If I were your friend I would not accept the payment for the pet sitting.

HundredMilesAnHour · 09/08/2025 10:30

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:57

Thanks, I'll likely do this tbh. I was curious to know if I was being a pushover because I have been told I tend that way. I definitely have some friends who would take the money or demand it even

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So maybe you’re not actually a pushover but you have some very grabby friends? Something to mull over perhaps. Your behaviour seems entirely reasonable to me. It was an accident. It’s not the end of the world and she’s a valued friend.

SheReallyLikes · 09/08/2025 10:28

I would also invoice you for pet sitting services 🤣 as a result of having to pay for an accidental error

SheReallyLikes · 09/08/2025 10:27

You can’t even consider taking money for an absolute accident when she was doing you a huge favour.
My darn children are always doing the same, I am usually here though to save the contents though.
It was an accident, if you charged me, I wouldn’t be happy 🤣

whitewineandsun · 09/08/2025 10:23

I'd be gutted, but I wouldn't take payment. Especially if she was a good enough friend to be in my house and trusted with my pet.

Mauro711 · 09/08/2025 10:21

MolkosTeenageAngst · 09/08/2025 09:59

Why was she going in your freezer? If the pet food is stored in there and she accidentally didn’t shut it properly then I would let it go. If she was being nosey and just having a root around in your freezer to see what kind of food you keep then I would charge her and never trust her in my house again as who knows where else she was having a nose.

Edited

In what world is the food in one’s freezer sensitive information? Her friend accidentally opening it does not indicate that OPs friend is the kind of person who would go through your nightstand or bathroom cupboard.

Plastictreees · 09/08/2025 10:18

I’d definitely let it go.

Chenecinquantecinq · 09/08/2025 10:12

We use professional sitters I always tip on top (normally an extra day's pay) as good house sitters are very hard to find and I want to ensure they prioritise my bookings over others (which they do)!

Fountofwisdom · 09/08/2025 10:11

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:54

That is a good shout, we will check!

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I would never do an insurance claim for such a low value loss. There will be an excess on your policy anyway and your premium will definitely increase as soon as you make a claim. It’s foolish to use insurance unless it’s for something major and very costly.

starfishmummy · 09/08/2025 10:07

I'd take it as a chance to give my freezer the good clear out it desperately needs, lol.

But seriously, it was an accident so in your shies Id let it go too. If friend is uncomfortable about it, maybe just mutter "thats what insurance is for" - even if you're not claiming, friend doesn't need to know that.

ScreamingBeans · 09/08/2025 10:06

No I wouldn't charge her.

It was an accident.

She was doing you a favour.

It could change the friendship if you charge her. Just subtly, but enough to spoil a good friendship. Not worth it for £100.

MCF86 · 09/08/2025 10:04

I wouldn't be able to replace that much in one hit so it would depend. Batch cooked meals that account for half my meals this month, yes I'd have no choice but to accept some money from her - but I'd hate doing it! If I'd be ok just replacing a little bit, then I'd thank her for the offer and turn it down.

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 10:02

She wasn't staying at ours no

OP posts:
Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 10:01

She opened door accidentally looking for fridge to store some half used cat food. I doubt it was being nosy. If so she will have been very disappointed 😂

OP posts:
doodleschnoodle · 09/08/2025 10:00

It was an accident, I wouldn’t let a friend give me money for this, especially as it was done while helping me out. Although my friends and I don’t generally pay each other for pet sitting, we just get the other a present or something at the end assuming it’s just popping in a couple of times a day to feed cats or something.

Was she staying in your house to look after pets?

Lemonadeat8 · 09/08/2025 09:59

Why was she rooting around your freezer anyway? Was she looking to take food? Where else has she been snooping?

I would accept the money for the inconvenience of the clean up and the replacement food. Then I wouldn’t have her help again.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 09/08/2025 09:59

Why was she going in your freezer? If the pet food is stored in there and she accidentally didn’t shut it properly then I would let it go. If she was being nosey and just having a root around in your freezer to see what kind of food you keep then I would charge her and never trust her in my house again as who knows where else she was having a nose.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:58

BIossomtoes · 09/08/2025 09:57

Those are usually instead of payment, not as well as.

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No not ‘usually’, clearly it’s different for everyone.

BIossomtoes · 09/08/2025 09:57

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:56

For a friend though? Most would do a little present, have you never seen those boxes of fudge in gift shops saying thanks for looking after the cat?

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Those are usually instead of payment, not as well as.

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:57

Katflapkit · 09/08/2025 09:47

If you are worried about the friendship then clearly it is worth MORE than a £100. Reassure your friend, that you know it was an accident and accidents happen. It was a kind gesture to offer the £100 but as appreciative as you are you cannot accept. Let's put it behind us - we'll laugh about it one day.

Thanks, I'll likely do this tbh. I was curious to know if I was being a pushover because I have been told I tend that way. I definitely have some friends who would take the money or demand it even

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:56

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:53

Present? Is payment not considered enough?

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For a friend though? Most would do a little present, have you never seen those boxes of fudge in gift shops saying thanks for looking after the cat?