To try to replace my friend's evening bag? HELP!!

[lesley2460]

I borrowed a Monsoon evening bag from a friend a couple of weeks ago - stupidly stuffed too much stuff in it and the lining has broken and cannot be repaired as it was stitched to the metal of the bag. I want to replace it for my friend but would prefer to just not tell her that I wrecked it and just find the same bag again. Have trawled ebay and everywhere on the net but just wondered if anyone has this bag:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BN-Beautiful-Monsoon-Pearl-Clutch-Bag-Grey-Silver-/130795252921?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item1e74012cb9&nma=true&si=87aOH1p5k3qwtDyWgnIlHXMVcfw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

hidden at the back of their wardrobes and would consider selling it! I'm desperate as she's a lovely friend but can be a bit anal about things and I don't want to upset her if I can just replace it.

How much was it new? Show her what you've done and give her the full retail price for it :( This is why I never borrow. I ruin everything :(

I would be honest, offer to buy a replacement of her choice.

I'm sure if she is a friend she will understand how upset you are and how you have tried everything to resolve the situation.

Honesty is best policy.

Give her what she paid for it.

And bunch of flowers as apology

I agree - honesty is the best policy. For all you know she may have gone off the bag/ already have a similar one/ have her eye on something else.
I think you should apologise and offer to buy new bag of her choice ( within reason!)

Why don't you buy the one you've linked to?

That listing has ended so she can't buy it.

I'd cone clean and offer full value or a replacement of her choice. She might jump at the chance to choose a new one.

Have you actually taken it to a tailor to ask about repairs? A specialist should be able to replace the lining for you. But I agree with the others ^^ that you should 'fess up and apologise, offer to replace etc.

I'm with the tell the truth offer the money and flowers -I would be happy with that if you were my friend, to be fair I wouldn't take your offer to be honest I would just say no worries!

I'd come clean and either buy her a replacement of her choice or give her the money. You never know, she might not even like it and you could've done her a favour! (It is lovely though, actually).

These things happen and people generally understand that when they lend things to others. It's when people are dishonest and try to cover up the damage that people get funny IMO.

I'd take it somewhere to be beautifully repaired/relined in silk - couldn't bear to throw such a lovely bag away.

Be honest promise to repair/replace.

I would be more pissed off if you tried to fob me off with asecond hand one instead of the one I lent you tbh

Thanks everyone, think that's what I'll do. I've been to several place to try to get it repaired but because the lining was stitched to the metal they say it's irreparable :( I think I will give her a Monsoon gift card, then she can't really refuse it!

Liz Jones in the Mail went to a handbag repair shop. Here are the details of where she went. They repaired her old Mulberry, Marc Jacobs, etc.

For The Handbag Spa at the Furniture Clinic, visit furnitureclinic.co.uk, or phone 0844 879 3691 or 01207 279963.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2234867/LIZ-JONES-FASHION-THERAPY-Can-handbag-hospital-save-old-battered-bags.html#ixzz2DVknjVR5
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HTH

Thanks for that link, have emailed them but expect they'll charge an absolute fortune - will let you know!

Just return the bag to her with a gift card inside and an apology.

You're so lovely, I was asked by face to face a friend of a friend if she could borrow an outfit for an event. It came back via the mutual friend, unwashed and covered in crisps. Without even a note to say "Thank you I had a lovely time'

I was beginning to think that I had been in someway socially clumsy with this relative stranger but none of you lot up thread have said "Ditch the bag and say nothing...."

Make sure you tell your friend the different options that you tried, I'd tell you not to worry but be secretly pleased that you'd thought about it .

asked face to face by a friend of a friend still a terrible sentance.

I agree with all of the above - honesty is the best policy. My sister & her husband borrowed a large hard sided suitcase of mine for their honeymoon. They stuffed way too much into it and the lock broke. They bought me a new one & were so apologetic. At the end of the day, all you can do is apologise & offer the money for a replacement. Accidents happen & if you lend someone something there is always the possibility of this happening. I am always amazed when I hear of people lending things on condition that it doesn't get torn/damaged/lost/something spilled on it. These things happen to your own things, so could just as easily happen to a borrowed item by accident.

If you can't replace it, just apologise and offer to buy her a new one at full retail value. You can't do anymore than that. It was an accident. These things happen. I'm sure she'll understand.

I would contact Monsoon themselves with your dilemma, they might have one lurking in storage somewhere...

Otherwise explain to your friend and ask if she'd like money, replacement or it mending.

Tbh if something was really precious to me I just wouldn't lend it to anyone, not even my best mate. This for me includes a handful of delicate dresses, my wedding shoes and certain bits of jewellery. Accidents happen! Your friend might feel the same.