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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Feel friend is taking advantage

118 replies

hedgehogcrochet · 26/03/2017 21:44

Trying to limit details as could be outing.

DH and I are friends with another couple who have had bad luck with work and have often been unemployed recently. Friend A was trying to sell things to make money and I felt pushed in to buying something. Friends seem to think I earn loads of money due to my qualifications but in fact I work in a badly paid profession. Anyway, I agreed to buy the object to help her out and it was something that I would potentially use.

Her partner, Friend B accidentally just mentioned that the item is in fact broken and a repair company says nothing can be done to fix it. I realise I was naive and stupid to assume it worked but now what do I do? I really want to get rid of said item as DH has just been made redundant so need any extra money. However I've had a look on EBay and working items are selling for less than she asked me for. I know there is nothing I can do but AIBU to be pissed off to feel tricked into to buying something that is broken? I suspect I am and need to learn from the experience. I feel cheated though

OP posts:
Rubies12345 · 27/03/2017 00:24

Judge Rinder?

CactusFred · 27/03/2017 00:24

Hopefully, OP, there is one of those repair cafes near you? The one here fixed my mum's old sewing machine for a small donation and I've been using it ever since no probs.

And as for your 'friend' - ditch the bitch.

HorridHenryrule · 27/03/2017 00:27

My partners ex friend stole something from his van that was £4 from the back of his van. He cut him off after that yes he was struggling but don't lie or steal all he had to do was ask and he would have given it to him. If your so called friend needed £50 you would have given it to her but instead she decided to lie and take your money. What does your husband think about these piss takers. Its up to you but I think your a mug if you continue that friendship.

HorridHenryrule · 27/03/2017 00:28

I just read your update keep going you don't need it.

tabbymog · 27/03/2017 00:30

I sew, clothes (self only) and household furnishings. This kind of DIY can really save you a lot of money and you don't need an expensive electronic machine. I think you'd be doing her a real favour by giving her a sewing machine for her next birthday.

RustyPaperclip · 27/03/2017 00:30

Hah I do have a soft spot for Judge Rinder! He is an MN fan is he not?

tabbymog · 27/03/2017 00:34

But what ADish suggested is best. Smile

chastenedButStillSmiling · 27/03/2017 00:36

Another one agreeing with ADish

Sorry if it's a lot for you to swallow, but fifty quid spent now will (apparently) save you £££ in the future!

AuroraBora · 27/03/2017 00:46

What a bitch. Cut her out of your life. How rude to assume that because you're richer than her (in her eyes) you should pay for meals out etc and be taken for a mug.

Sewing machine wise... I'm another saying keep it. Does it definitely not work? Have you sat down and had a go? If you have the space they can be quite useful. Or if you don't then you could resell it and recoup some of the money.

emmyrose2000 · 27/03/2017 03:32

Friend B now denies knowing it was broken. I really don't want to fall out with him as he is lovely but it feels inevitable

He is NOT lovely. Not at all. He's a scam artist who deliberately defrauded you out of money. Ditto Non-Friend A. Cut them both off. They're scum.

Do you have any mutual friends? If so, I wouldn't be quiet about this. I'd make it known loud and clear what these thieving con artists did. If nothing else, it might prevent someone else from being scammed as well.

Would it be possible to sell it online as suitable for spare parts? Some people only need certain parts to fix their own machines and it might be cheaper/easier for them to buy a whole, but broken, machine than to take their own machine to a repairer.

Graphista · 27/03/2017 03:52

How long have you known them?

But yes not friends con artists and users!

Strictly speaking you could perhaps go to police/small claims but I don't know if it's worthwhile. See if you can get it repaired but have no more to do with this low life pair and make sure others know why.

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 27/03/2017 04:50

She's lost your friendship for the sake of £50. Be glad to be free of this mooch.

myusernamewastaken · 27/03/2017 06:57

How on earth do people allow themselves to get in these situations....i struggle to say no sometimes but even so i wouldnt end up with stuff i dont want just to support a friend....you need to toughen up Op or this will happen again.

TheFullMinty · 27/03/2017 08:04

Another vote for Adish 's response. I have been in a similar situation and it is awful. Dump these cretins and leave them to their own entitlement, if this is how they treat their friends they won't have many for long.

LaContessaDiPlump · 27/03/2017 09:23

How on earth do people allow themselves to get in these situations.... How helpful!

Minty, people on here get upset if the word cretin is used (even if you didn't mean it in its original, horrible form and just meant to say 'idiot').... I've seen people get ripped a new one for using that word on threads before, so be warned!

HunkyDory69 · 27/03/2017 09:34

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

RhiWrites · 27/03/2017 09:47

£50 is a cheap price for finding out this person isn't a friend. She's a user. Have nothing more to do with her.

LastMincePie · 27/03/2017 10:17

Definitely look at getting it fixed as the right person might be able to get it working again.

Even if you can't, I would be so tempted to 'accidentally' let slip to mutual friend that you did manage to get it fixed and sold it on gumtree/Fb/eBay for £100 WinkJust to drive ex-friend crazy. But then, I'm pretty petty!

tabbymog · 27/03/2017 11:02

Hunkydory

I did read the thread. I simply meant the OP give the broken sewing machine - if it is broken - back to the fraudsters to send the pair a message about their behaviour. Not to spend any more money on them, that's for sure, it's despicable what they've done to the OP.

HunkyDory69 · 27/03/2017 11:30

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

HarrietSchulenberg · 27/03/2017 11:48

I would look into getting the machine fixed as there's not really that much to go wrong, maybe the motor or a switch, perhaps even just the plug's fused.
Then I would while away a few hours making cheery bunting in the vilest colours I could find and festoon her house with it while she's out. If you could add letters to spell out "You are a scamming bitch and you owe me £50" then so much the better.

MipMipMip · 27/03/2017 12:16

Ok, that's a pretty basic machine but given its age it's probably fixable. Older ones are easier to repair!

Where abouts we you, sure someone can suggest a local repair shop.

tabbymog · 27/03/2017 12:23

HunkyDory69

It could be I have a nastier mind than others, I knew what I meant! Sometimes a taste of their own medicine might get through to people like that, but ADish was much more sophisticated.

RustyPaperclip · 27/03/2017 13:32

I do like the bunting idea Grin

I'm in London

MipMipMip · 27/03/2017 13:46

Ok, I can't help but sure someone can. I'll ask Twitter contacts for suggestions.

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