Should I just pay for this?

[Eastie77Returns]

It’s Xmas jumper day at DS’ school today. I completely forgot and only realised when I checked the class WhatsApp this morning. One mum mentioned she had forgotten so I replied to her saying not to worry, I also forgot but DS is fine about it and will be just wearing a Santa hat (unlike DD, DS is very chill about dress-up days etc at school). Another class mum then messaged me privately to say she had a spare jumper if DS would like to wear it? I said thanks but didn’t think DS was too bothered but she said it would be nice for him to wear it as someone was planning to take a class picture of all the kids dressed up. So we met at the school gate, she handed over the jumper and told DS to put it on in class. I thanked her and said (this is relevant) that I’d wash and return it to her.

I now have a message from her asking if I’d like to pay for it via Monzo otherwise a bank transfer is fine. The jumper is £17.99. The cost isn’t an issue but I’m a bit WTF as thought I was borrowing it?!

She isn't just a cf she is a fucking scammer! Tell her to do one!

This.

I'm a wuss so would probably pay - stay away from the melodrama! You could message "As you know, DS was happy not to wear the jumper: It isnt about affordability, it's that he didnt want the jumper. We accepted it under the assumption it was a loan, hence saying Id wash it and return it to you. It seems like there was a misunderstanding. I can either give you the money at pick-up or return the jumper to you. Which would you prefer?"

She'd prefer the money. Of course.
I wouldn't give her the option.

Oh come on, if she was so skint she needs this money to buy her child the only Christmas present they’ll get from her this year, she wouldn’t have a brand new £18 jumper!

Maybe bought in charity shop with original label still on (these things don't get much wear let's be honest) and thought she would make money on it. CF!

That is so, so weird of her.

Why would you pay?? Grow a pair op. Or she will know you are a walkover op.
Wash and return.

Just give the jumper back. Ignore the request for payment. It was not mentioned at any stage before or during the jumper exchange.

She seems like she was practically guilt tripping you into taking it as well. But she was just thinking about how she could charge you £17.99 for it after the event. What a great business mind she must have?!

Don't pay, she's banking on your discomfort! Return it, grit your teeth through your own emotional reaction which i would have too but which won't last long, and do what you said you'd do all along. I would imagine someone that brazen isn't going to be all that sensitive about an attempted mini-scam not working!

In future you can just pin a couple of decorations on an existing jumper.

But wow. Cheeky!

What a horrible woman. I would pay out of embarrassment but hate her forever. I wouldn't broadcast it around but if anyone ever asked me about her character I would tell them.

But it is black and white.
At no point did CF say that the jumper was for sale or she expected to be paid.
She pushed it onto @Eastie77Returns by manipulating her with the story of the ‘class photo’.
CF knew exactly what she was doing and is now manipulating further with the snide ‘if you can’t afford it’ embarrassment implication.
CFs only become CFs because people let them get away with it.
This is very black and white I’m afraid.
@Eastie77Returns - please don’t pay her. Next time she might do it to someone who really cannot afford it. Don’t embolden her.

Do not pay for it!
Cheeky fucker!
If she was selling it to you she should have specified that
A - when she first offered
B - when she kept insisting after you initially said no
C - when she handed it over
D - when you said you would wash it and give it back

she waited until she could do it over text because not even she has the brass balls to ask f2f. The amount as well! no way would she get anything like £17 on vinted, tags or not!

Do not pay for it out of embarrassment in case she tells anyone - as this thread shows of she tries every single person will be judging her instead!

If you consider being called a wet lettuce (an "insult" so mild insult its almost a term of endearment in some circs) "so rude" that probably proves the point!

Really strange behaviour. Maybe she thinks your ds has no festive jumpers? I would tell her that he already has lots and maybe give her a pack or sweets for her trouble 😅

DO NOT pay her!!!!
I wonder if she bought it in a charity shop and she thought you’d be gullible enough?
Cheeky fucker!

Just remind her that yes, paying is a problem because I didn't agree to buy it. You completely sprung that on me when it was too late.

I absolutely would not pay! I would just say, sorry you did not make it clear that you were selling it, I told you DS was fine and that's it. I will bring it back and hopefully you can sell it to someone else and please be clear of your intentions in the future.

Christmas jumpers are already 50% off in shops. They aren't worth the tag price now.

Omg silly cow.

I don’t get why you met up at school after forgetting a jumper, surely if you’re going to the school anyway you take your own? Or you phone the school, tell them Johnny Briggs has a spare jumper your Timmy is borrowing and can you pass a message onto the boys so they can get it out of Johnny's bag🤷‍♀️

Also, don't schools now keep a spare lot of Christmas jumpers? Kids grow out of them, and it's a good option for many parents just to borrow from the school.
If they don't do it, suggest it.

No, she implied your ds could borrow it

very pushy of her

This! 100%

She’s more than a CF, she’s a CC. No, not what you’re thinking (well, maybe) - she’s a Cheeky Coward.