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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I shouldn't have to replace my colleague's umbrella?

154 replies

PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 11:49

One of my colleagues is notoriously tight-fisted - the sort who steals biscuits from meeting rooms, is always the first to help himself when you buy treats for the office yet whatever he buys never gets offered around.

He is also very proud of the fact that he's never bought an umbrella for years as he has a collection of ones he's found on the train! He keeps about 3 of them in his drawer at work. The other day it started bucketing down and I had no umbrella so I asked if I could borrow one. After much deliberation he gave me the oldest one he had but I was grateful anyway as it saved me from being drenched.

Unfortunately it was also a windy day, and just as I got home, it got caught in a gust of wind and turned completely inside out. I examined it and it was pretty much wrecked. I apologised to my colleague the next day and explained what happened and he's insisting I buy him a new one, and "not one of those cheap jobs from Primark"!

AIBU to think I shouldn't have to? It was an ancient one he found on the tube years ago and he has plenty of spares! Or, if I'm going to replace it I don't see why it should be with a brand new brolly when it wasn't new to begin with. And no, it's not that he can't afford a new umbrella (he is single, on a good wage and has no mortgage) or that he's a collector of antique umbrellas!

OP posts:
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6
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 19/05/2017 11:52

I think you probably should replace it, but not with a new one. If he wasn't so tight, he'd let it go, but he is who he is.

pipsqueak25 · 19/05/2017 11:52

can quite understand why he's single Grin i wouldn't buy one either for the tight fisted git, he's 'stolen' them from other people any way !

blackteasplease · 19/05/2017 11:52

No, don't replace. Laugh in his face. Or say "next time I find an old umbrella on a train I'll give it to you"

ClaudiaWankleman · 19/05/2017 11:53

I would probably just get him one of those cheap ones from Primark. I do think you should replace it (whether or not he paid for it in the first place is irrelevant - you would've replaced it if it had been a gift), but a like-for-like replacement should be given - and a brand new umbrella for an ancient one is fair.

MarklahMarklah · 19/05/2017 11:54

Tell him you'll replace like with like and wait until you next find an abandoned umbrella.

Halfbakedpie · 19/05/2017 11:54

Smile sweetly and say earnestly, "Of course, the next one I see left behind on my travels I'll grab for you, I'll look out for a fab one, thanks!" - replacing like for like it's very fair imo

Highalert · 19/05/2017 11:55

Buy him one from the pound shop. Tell him you found in on the train.

User06383 · 19/05/2017 11:55

eBay! Yes, you should replace it but not with a nice one.

Maybe this?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361548067899

TheMaddHugger · 19/05/2017 11:56

New One. Hellz NO. Get one from a second hand shop and call it even

Original poster
PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 11:56

I should also add that in addition to the umbrellas he keeps at work (now down to 2), he's also said he has a few at home. So it's not like he'll be getting wet anytime soon!

OP posts:
Fliptophead · 19/05/2017 11:56

He loaned you an umbrella and you broke it. Who's being tight here? I'd buy him one comparable to what he had. He didn't steal the unmbrella he found it.

kaitlinktm · 19/05/2017 11:57

I would get him the cheapest replacement - it was obviously a shit quality one anyway if it blew inside out at the first sign of a breeze.

Actually no - get him this one.

To think I shouldn't have to replace my colleague's umbrella?
FadedRed · 19/05/2017 11:57

Pound shops sell umbrellas. You can truthfully say that it wasn't from Primark. I would also put some pinholes in areas that cannot be detected until he tries to use it, and maybe snip some of the stitching holding the fabric to some of the spokes, if you can do that in a way that won't be noticeable.tightfisted git

Fliptophead · 19/05/2017 11:58

None of the other stuff is relevant (no mortgage, buscuit hogging etc).

DeanKoontz · 19/05/2017 11:58

Erm, yes, you should replace it. He lent you something and you broke it.

However, I wouldn't be buying him cakes again.

ChildishGambino · 19/05/2017 11:58

Get him the one that looks like a frog?

Original poster
PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 11:59

Technically I didn't break it, the wind did, but I'd happily get him one from the Poundshop. But he's specified "not a cheap one", which I think is rich considering he never paid for it in the first place. And finding one on public transport is not the same as being given one as a gift and it having sentimental value.

OP posts:
KC225 · 19/05/2017 11:59

Agree with the others, say charmingly 'Of course I will replace it and I'll shall get it where you got it'

I hate working with people like that.

Next works party, if there's a karaoke invite him up for a duet to Rhianna's Umbrella

kaitlinktm · 19/05/2017 11:59

No no - this one! Grin

To think I shouldn't have to replace my colleague's umbrella?
pinkmagic1 · 19/05/2017 12:01

I would get him a pound land one too.

TheWitTank · 19/05/2017 12:01

I would replace with a pound job from Primark. I couldn’t resist.

Halfbakedpie · 19/05/2017 12:02

Actually, Google ' theft by finding', give him a printout and condescendingly explain that of course you won't be replacing stolen goods Grin

kaitlinktm · 19/05/2017 12:04

And remember this when he needs a favour from you. I know strictly speaking he could ask for a replacement, but it leaves a bad taste. I would buy him one and give it to him publicly

("You know that umbrella you found on the bus and lent to me? The rubbish one which blew inside out on the way home? Well you insisted on a replacement, so here it is. Still, at least I know better than to accept favours from you in future".)

Show him up for the tight-arsed git he is (but I am very petty).

Hillarious · 19/05/2017 12:05

Please, please, please buy kaitlinktm's!

Hillarious · 19/05/2017 12:06

Even if it costs £££££££s.