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Original poster

Paying for smashed TV

169 replies

Lovelilies · 19/05/2017 10:49

Help quick!
Bit of a dilemma. DS (3.5) playing at friend's house this morning with her DS also 3. I live 2 doors down and had just nipped home for something. The TV got smashed. The Mum says she saw my DS throw a toy plane at the TV.
Background, their TV got smashed last week when the 2 boys were alone in their lounge, it was assumed the other boy did it as he has 'form' for breaking things. My DS likes to play with him. He's pretty non verbal so have to go by what my DS says.
Now I wasn't there when it happened this time. My DS says the other boy did it. I do realise he's 3, and may tell fibs. I don't really think my DS did it, but like I say I wasn't here and the other Mum says she saw it.
So I have given her £230 (what she thought he TV cost).
Now her dick head partner is kicking off saying it cost £320 and I need to give them more money..
help!! ConfusedSad

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 19/05/2017 18:48

As you've bought them a new one you're presumably entitled to the 'old' (one week old) one plus guarantee, paperwork etc so you can see if it can be repaired. You've paid for t.

thethoughtfox · 19/05/2017 18:50

Isn't it a bit odd than in the few moments you were not there, it conveniently got broken? At that time she was in sole charge of the children. This was her responsibility.

Original poster
Lovelilies · 19/05/2017 19:01

Right, just caught up (I think!)
I'm 100% sure it's not a scam. I didn't see the first broken TV, but I did see them putting up the new one the other day.

As soon as it happened today I said I'm so sorry and asked how much it was. She said she thought £230 (her DP bought it). I said I'd pay for it. She didn't ask.
So I transferred the money into her bank account, she gave me the details.
The screen wasn't cracked but the picture was all messed up I don't know how to describe it, it was obvious it had bee hit by something. She said it was a metal toy plane (I saw it, my DS had it in his hand when I went over to see the TV). I know it sounds a bit far fetched!

I think she was probably in the kitchen when it happened, that's where she was when I left. I also think she's blaming my DS as she's scared of her DP. But I don't know as I wasn't there, so I have to assume she saw him as she says she did.

She must have messaged/called her DP who's then kicked off and said it cost more.
I said to her I don't want to fall out, she said she was just worried about her DPs reaction. I said to her to tell him to sort the insurance if he's that worried.

Her DP hasn't been round, and she's been ok with me since (saw her in the garden earlier).
I won't let DS go over there without me, her DS is always throwing toys around anyway, it's a bit annoying! Plus I don't want any more broken TVs.

OP posts:
Blimey01 · 19/05/2017 19:11

Wow this must be a con. Two TVs smashed in a week??? Very suspicious!!

Willow2017 · 19/05/2017 19:54

The picture could be pixalated because the Ariel wasn't in properly not cos it was broken. You should ask to see the t.v. before they get a new one bet it's working fine.

SweetLuck · 19/05/2017 20:04

Yes, mine looks a mess when the connection isn't working, are you 100% certain it was broken?

TheRealPooTroll · 19/05/2017 21:32

muckypup my child has asd and doesn't particularly like throwing things - they don't all behave the same way Hmm
The friends child lives there and plays there all the time yet the tv only gets broken when the op's child is there. Does no-one find that strange? Why are people still suggesting it is more likely to be the friends child even though the mother saw the second incident? It must be because he's non verbal so must like throwing things? Hmm
Op your friend did a nice think watching your ds and you really need to pay the full price for what he has broken. And be thankful your friend has sucked up the cost of the first tv because she didn't actually see your son do it. Because from what you've said it seems most likely that he broke that one as well. I don't blame the dp, or the friend, being cheesed off that they've had 2 tv's broken in a week!

lottiegarbanzo · 19/05/2017 21:38

Generous and sensible OP, sounds like a good resolution in the circs.

I really think the issue is whether her lack of supervision - which is where responsibility for the breakage lies - was negligence, or a one-off unforeseeable accident (except it wasn't a one-off...).

And clearly, the other problem is her fear of her 'DP'.

I'm really impressed that you've resolved it while managing to stay friends with her - as the most likely outcome was a fall out that left her isolated. So Smile to you.

TheRealPooTroll · 19/05/2017 21:45

Just saw your update op. You say your friends child throws things everywhere. If that's the case don't you find it a bit strange that her tv only gets broken when your ds is there?
I'm not sure how you, or anyone on this thread, can justify partially replacing something your child has broken.
Blaming the mum for not supervising well enough when she was in the same room is ridiculous. Maybe that could be argued for the first tv (which you haven't paid for) but how many people keep their 3yos in the same room at all times? They're not toddlers.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 19/05/2017 22:13

When my toddler throws any sort of toy or item, or uses it dangerously it's confiscated. Seems a bit convenient that your ds had the offending toy in his hand when you returned...Hmm

Willow2017 · 19/05/2017 22:20

Very convenient, the mum let him keep it for 10 minutes!

I still think it was just the ariel knocked out a bit, if there wasnt a mark on the screen how the hell did a toy break it?

If the other child has a history of breaking things its very convenient that both times ops son was there the huge tv on a wall was broken!

TheRealPooTroll · 19/05/2017 22:28

Also if you think your friend is capable of lying that she saw your ds do something with her own eyes (basically gaslighting your ds if this isn't true) you clearly don't think much of her and her abilty to look after your child. Why have you been leaving him in her care?

Tapandgo · 19/05/2017 22:51

Sounds like a con to me. They should have insurance and kids should not have been left unsupervised.
If TV had fallen on your child and injured him - would she and her bully partner have accepted responsibility? I doubt it.
2 broken TV's in rapid succession.......odd.
Broken TV with screen intact.......unlikely.
No way would I have paid.

TheRealPooTroll · 19/05/2017 23:08

Do you have kids Tapandgo? Do/did you keep your 3 yo in the same room as you at all times? I honestly know no-one who does this.
In nurserys children of that age are only required to be in earshot of an adult. A 3 yo should be able to be left without deliberately breaking things.

Treasures · 20/05/2017 02:54

MuckyPup "children on the spectrum love throwing things"

You do know that not all people on the spectrum are the same, right?

Not all ASD people love throwing things, just the same as not all non-ASD people love throwing things.
Please don't state such idiotic things as if they are a fact.

Treasures · 20/05/2017 02:55

FWIW I think you've been more than fair OP and wouldn't be giving them any more money.

duxb · 20/05/2017 03:41

If your DS had broken the tv by throwing a sball metal toy, surely said toy would be taken OFF him to avoid any further accidents?

I think you've been had OP. Please don't give them any more money.

Jengnr · 20/05/2017 04:29

My son threw a ball at our tv. It didn't smash the screen but it did smash the picture. You could see the impact when it was switched on. It was weird.

Paying for smashed TV
Paying for smashed TV
Original poster
Lovelilies · 20/05/2017 06:14

That's what it looked like Jen, only half the screen though.

OP posts:
Tapandgo · 20/05/2017 06:32

poo - yes had kids, and wouldn't have left them unsupervised - especially if one had been known to smash TV's - and would have been even more alert if I had someone else's kid in the mix.

Fliptophead · 20/05/2017 08:28

Yeah it doesn't actually break the glass just fucks the inside.

spidey66 · 20/05/2017 08:39

Who's to say she has got it insured, is claiming on the insurance, but is making a quick buck out of you on the side?

TheRealPooTroll · 20/05/2017 11:38

Well I think that is unusual Tapandgo I know no-one who keeps their 3yr old in the same room as them at all times. Did you take them to the loo with you?

ThouShallNotPass · 20/05/2017 11:41

I had my huge tv repaired for £65 in a local tv repair shop. I know it's done now but can you offer to see if you could get it fixed? Could have saved you £100+.

These days everyone is so quick to just bin high value stuff and buy new instead of getting a repair. I've had washers, driers, computers, TVs and fridges repaired that have lasted years after. (Even when it was dying of old age!) If anything, for the small price of a repair you could get yourself a nice shiny new telly worth £320.

muckypup73 · 20/05/2017 12:46

Treasures, ok some children on the spectrum throw things, its very common, so no not idiotic, perhaps bad choice of wording, whats your excuse?

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