Has my neighbour stolen my buggy?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I mentioned to my neighbour that I was planning to sell my double buggy which I no longer use.

She has two small children and expressed an interest. I was surprised because she has a double buggy but I agreed she could look at it and test to see if it would fit in the boot of her car. I brought it out to her and left her to inspect it and try fitting it in to her boot.

When I looked out of the kitchen window, I noticed she'd driven off with the buggy!

I made sure I was outside (on the pretext of putting rubbish in the bins) when I saw her return later and asked how she got on with trying out the buggy? She informed me she loved it and would like a second buggy to keep in her car but didn't have the money (I was asking for £50), could she pay me a fiver a week? I agreed.

This was three weeks ago. I've seen her once and asked if she could give me the first instalment but she said her husband hadn't been paid. Since then I think she's been avoiding me

What would you do? I'm pathetic at confronting people.

Go round and take the buggy back, obviously! What else would you do?

Send her a letter asking for payment, giving her 7 days to pay up. Cheeky mare! Or speak to the police, it's theft after all. You only handed it over for her to look at, not drive off with and keep.

That is unbelievably rude. You need to go over and take it back!

Bloody hell - how cheeky! Ask for the buggy back, and say that you're prepared to wait, say, 2 weeks for the £50 or you'll put it on eBay

I think you'll have to take a deep breath and confront her. I can't believe she just drove off with it! I would say that it's obvious that she can't afford it (maybe in a nicer way) and could you please have it back. I know that's not easy but she can't just take it. You'll be forever annoyed with yourself if you don't pluck up the courage to confront her. Do it!
Best of luck.

Just say you've found another buyer so can you have it back

Thanks, you're all right of course, I need to get a grip of myself and ask for it back. My heart's pounding just thinking about it. I hope it doesn't turn into a row. I have visions of trying to wrestle it back off her, she's quite a strong looking woman.
I'm wondering if posting her a note might be easier as suggested by Watching.

She will ignore the note. Ask for it back or write it off

Tell her you need it back as someone else is willing to pay you the £50.

Right she's back now so I'm going over there.
Will update.

Knock, tell her you have another buyer for the buggy with money upfront and have come to collect it. Take someone with you if you have to.

Come on lass she's taking the piss and hopes you'll just go away.

Well that didn't go too badly, although I didn't actually get the buggy back .

She apologised and gave me £10 towards what she owes me and has said her husband will give me a free haircut in his local salon. I've agreed even though I hate having my haircut.

I've withheld the raincover and drinks holder anyway so she won't be getting that yet and I don't think I'll send her a Christmas card this year.

Is the haircut payment for the buggy, or as an apology for not paying..?

Does that mean you'll get the rest of the money plus haircut, or is the haircut instead of the rest of the money??

I hope the haircut is on top on the remaining £40.

Tbh I would have refused the £10 and asked for the pram.

You do know you will have to chase her up for every single £5 installment.

Not worth the hassle.

The hair cut will cover the rest of the cost of the buggy. I agreed to that I'm afraid. Obviously, I'm a fool with Mug written on my forehead but at least it's something.
Must get more assertive.

Yes but you didn't advertise 'buggy. Will swap for haircut.' You wanted to sell it

This woman has brass balls.

Rock up on a Saturday morning with the whole family "Right, we're here for our haircuts, who do you want to do first"

I'd go in and insist on a cut and colour rather than just a cut, it's not any cheekier than what they've offered. Play their game and make it infinitely more expensive than you originally charged

FFS.

Very tempting Purple My children could all do with a proper haircut.

Yes, I've never encountered brass balls like it, Fluttering.

I've always fancied highlights instead of dumping Nice and Easy ash blonde on my head. Might be worth a try.

She's a canny one isn't she

So they're getting something worth £50 for £10 and whatever the 'at cost' cost of a haircut is without profit.

I wonder if he'll have the cheek to hint at wanting a tip as well...

I don't think I'll send her a Christmas card this year.
That's brilliant. I don't think I'd send her one either!

You need to get some balls tbh. She saw you coming.

Woman up, get round there and say that actually no, a haircut is not acceptable currency and if she can't give you the remaining money you are taking the buggy back.