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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not pay for friend to get her phone fixed after I smashed it?

507 replies

katie3347 · 16/09/2018 11:17

Friday night me and my friend went out for drinks.
We were stood at the bar and I turned around quick and knocked my friends phone out of her hand,it hit the floor and smashed the screen.
It's still working but the screen is totally cracked.

She was a bit upset saying she didn't have insurance and couldn't afford to get it fixed.
I can't afford it either and shouldn't she have had insurance on such a expensive phone?
Anyway I haven't mentioned it since ..aibu to just not mention it again?
I know she probably expected me to pay to get it fixed but it was a accident and she was the one who let go once I hit her arm.

OP posts:
Gabilan · 16/09/2018 13:39

Tempered glass screen protector, good case and insurance... take responsibility for your own belongings. Accidents happen, not OPs fault her friend hasn't taken responsibility for protecting her phone

In future, she may decide that the best way to protect her belongings is not to hang out with clumsy cockwombles who don't take responsibility for their actions and offer to pay when they break stuff.

MN seems to be obsessed with insuring stuff. Just don't hang out with clumsy fuckers.

TwoBlueShoes · 16/09/2018 13:41

If I accidently bump into a display in a shop and break something, would I not have to pay because it was an accident or the shop has insurance or...?

No, you wouldn't be expected to pay. It would be the shop's responsibility to ensure that displays are properly secured.

notapizzaeater · 16/09/2018 13:42

Instead of going out next time stay in and give her the money you'd saved ?

foxotterhare · 16/09/2018 13:43

You don't bash into someone by turning around quickly unless you fling your body around - something you just don't do in a crowded space or even a public space unless you're pissed. You were a prat to do it OP. You should now take some responsibility at least.

MaisyPops · 16/09/2018 13:43

KeeVee
If my friend had protective covers and screen protector and I sat on it and broke it (for example) then I'd have zero issue paying for the full repair. That's my fault. Or they had it protected and I knocked it off a table onto my patio and it smashed. Again that would be my fault.

If the friend has taken no steps to protect their device, gets it out in a crowded bar and drops it when knocked then in my eyes they are the ones who are at fault.

If it's a good friend then I'd offer something but it's their fault for not taking reasonable steps to protect their device. Say they took their unprotected device to a local band night & someone bumps into them and it smashed, is that the random persons fault or the person who chose to get their expensive, unprotected device out in a busy place? I'd say it's the device owner for failing to take the most basic steps in looking after their property.

foxotterhare · 16/09/2018 13:44

don't do without twisting your head to check who is behind you

You take risks like that, you pay for the phone or take responsibility for the wine all over someone's top etc.

Losingthewill1 · 16/09/2018 13:47

Your a bad friend tbh

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 16/09/2018 13:47

I would pay. That’s what responsible grown ups do.

ClaryFray · 16/09/2018 13:49

If you hit another person's car accidentally you'd have to pay. If your child broke a window of a neighbours accidentally. You'd have to pay. Accident doesn't mean oh well. You should have been looking where you were going.

Omgineedanamechange · 16/09/2018 13:50

Can’t believe people are saying you shouldn’t pay for accidental damage! If you accidentally hit another car, you pay, if you accidentally damage something in a shop, you pay, if someone accidentally injured you, you could sue, and they’d pay. Why is this any different

peonysandhotcrossbuns · 16/09/2018 13:54

You shouldn't pay, she should have had a cover on it.

PUGaLUGS · 16/09/2018 13:56

Yes you should pay. You knocked it out of her hand. Accident or not, you caused the screen to smash.

KeeVee · 16/09/2018 13:56

MaisyPops

I feel differently. I would feel bad in the situation OP describes, so I would offer to pay something, even if it's only £20 towards it at a later date. I can't imagine not feeling a little guilty about it, and I would feel better giving my friend something back, even if it was mostly her bad judgement/poor planning.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 16/09/2018 13:58

Pay for it!

It was an accident but it was your fault - if it was the other way round, I'll bet you would want the money off her.

If you want to stay friends, you will offer to pay, even if you have to do it week by week.

KeeVee · 16/09/2018 13:58

No, you wouldn't be expected to pay. It would be the shop's responsibility to ensure that displays are properly secured.

Really? I've been in a lot of charity shops with ornaments on shelves and table displays etc that have noticed saying that if you break the display items, you pay for it. I don't know about "proper" shops.

BewareOfDragons · 16/09/2018 13:59

Would you expect your friend to give you money if the situation was reversed?

That is your answer here.

Stopandlook · 16/09/2018 14:00

I’d pay. But then I don’t have phone insurance so wouldn’t expect anyone to.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2018 14:02

A lot of "proper" shops (including Liberty's of London) have signs that tell you you pay for anything you break as well.

Kittykat93 · 16/09/2018 14:02

Of course you should pay! I'd be upset if you were my friend and you didn't even offer half.

KnotsInMay · 16/09/2018 14:03

“No, you wouldn't be expected to pay. It would be the shop's responsibility to ensure that displays are properly secured.”

Plenty of shoes expect you to pay if you accidentally trash their stock.

If someone bangs into me in a bar when I am standing still and spills 2 glasses of wine, I expect them to replace them. Or at least offer.

Insurance doesn’t mean that people can cause accidents with no liability or responsibility.

Look at the car example. If I accidentally bash someine’s car, yes, they are insured, they claim on their insurance. And then because the accident was my responsibility, their insurance company comes to MY insurance to cover the cost. So ultimately, via my insurance, I pick up the liability, I take responsibility.

Some very shallow, selfish thinking in this thread.

glintandglide · 16/09/2018 14:03

I wouldn’t pay either. Fuck their signs, what can they do? They’re daft if they think I’m paying potentially hundreds or thousands for accidentally smashed goods Hmm

glintandglide · 16/09/2018 14:04

And I would pay for my friends screen! Not for the shops China though

TeeBee · 16/09/2018 14:06

Of course you should pay for it. You broke it!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/09/2018 14:06

Just to be clear, re the shops - if you accidentally knocked into a display, or if you fell for whatever reason, it's unlikely they would charge you. The signs are meant for those who pick up the goods and then drop them.

KarmaStar · 16/09/2018 14:06

Op clearly doesn't like the majority of posters on here,those with a sense of decency,who feel she should offer half.so has disappeared?
Even if the phone was insured,the excess would be hefty.
Come on op,you should pay towards it.

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