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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be pissed off about this unwanted microwave?

112 replies

Mallorie · 21/12/2018 19:02

We have a 20+ year old microwave - it works fine and I keep it clean but the plastic is a little yellowed and most of the markings around the dial have worn off. It doesn't bother me at all, one because I barely use it, and two, because I think it's idiotic and wasteful to replace a perfectly useful appliance for no other reason than appearance (you should see my beloved 25 year old Mercedes but that's another story).

I have a good friend who comments about the microwave every time she's over, saying 'I know you can afford a new one' (true) and 'That thing can't actually work' (not true). I think it's a boring conversation so I just sort of say mm-hmm and move on to something else.

She's only gone and bought me a brand new spaceship of a micro for xmas, which judging by the photos on the box is basically made of chrome and flashing lights and I am just getting angrier at it by the minute. It's still sitting in the nest of paper where I unwrapped it- she was so excited about it and I made the right noises when I opened it but now I just want it out of the house.

I am thinking about giving it away on freecycle or similar to someone who needs a micro, but what will I say next time she's over? I'm thinking of saying that it blew up and blew a fuse the first time I used it and that our old wiring isn't up to this massive futuristic cooking machine, which is plausible, but who knows what else of mine she'll try to replace next.

OP posts:
BottleOfJameson · 21/12/2018 19:05

I'd probably be honest. Say that you were really touched by the thought - it was so lovely of her but you're actually fond of your microwave and prefer the rustic look so you won't be using it. Since it's in it's packaging it can probably be donated to a refuge or similar.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 21/12/2018 19:05

Just use it. Freecycle the old one.

steff13 · 21/12/2018 19:07

I am microwave resistant; I've never really used one. We bought ours for $10 at an estate sale and we have no idea how old it was at that time. 11 years later, it finally died. I wouldn't have replaced it, but everyone else in the house missed it, so we got a new one. I have to say, it's amazing. It does so many things. I love it.

The new one is probably more energy efficient than the old one.

Chocolala · 21/12/2018 19:07

Sell it and use he cash to get something ou actually want.

AllKinds · 21/12/2018 19:08

Your friend was trying to do something nice, that's really thoughtful.

Totally agree on the unnecessary replacement of perfectly working items.

How about you keep the microwave for when/if yours dies, and either tell your friend (if you think she won't be offended) or just get the new microwave out when she's coming over?

Original poster
Mallorie · 21/12/2018 19:08

@MilkTwoSugarsThanks - the new one is ugly and the main thing that annoys me is being expected to get rid of something just because it's a little banged up. I'd rather give away the new one to someone who wouldn't be irritated with it every time they look at it.

OP posts:
twattymctwatterson · 21/12/2018 19:12

I very much doubt it's uglier than your yellowing, faded, 20 year old microwave. You're being weird about this. It's such an odd thing to be angry about

Santaisonthesherry · 21/12/2018 19:15

Yabeccentric to be emotionally ataached to an appliance!!.

ShinyMe · 21/12/2018 19:16

I would box it back up and stick it in a cupboard ready for when the old one packs up.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 21/12/2018 19:20

She's only gone and bought me a brand new spaceship of a micro for xmas, which judging by the photos on the box is basically made of chrome and flashing lights and I am just getting angrier at it by the minute.

You don't want it, fair enough. But it's not like she bought it to piss you off, so why bother getting angry about it?

Neweternal · 21/12/2018 19:20

Your friend is being kind. It's so insulting giving it to free cycle if you don't like the look of it take it back to the shop and exchange it for a retro looking microwave if that's your thing.

Topseyt · 21/12/2018 19:22

Yours will snuff it eventually. Keep the new one for when that happens?

I think your friend means well, but it is very presumptuous to replace someone else's household appliances. The householder concerned should be the one choosing the replacement. I'd be annoyed if someone did this to me, but think I would try not to show it.

ScreamingValenta · 21/12/2018 19:24

Another who'd keep it ready for when the old one packs in.

Philomensapie · 21/12/2018 19:24

DD 11 suggests keeping the new one on display and hiding the old one somewhere but still using it. Xmas Grin

Sitranced · 21/12/2018 19:35

Keep it in the loft for when your yellow one dies in 15 years time

Sgtmajormummy · 21/12/2018 19:35

If it’s so big, you could put the old one INSIDE. Xmas Grin

I’d also be slightly wary of a 20 year old microwave’s seals and safety level. Buy YANBU to resent being told what to do by a friend, however well meant the gesture was.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 21/12/2018 19:36

Does she come over much? Do what I did with an unwanted Thermomix and passive-aggressively leave it in its box in the hallway where it gets in the way of the front door until about March. (I eventually gave away the Thermomix to my SIL who uses it all the time, so it worked out well in the end.)

Rachelle3211 · 21/12/2018 19:39

Why not use the nice new one? You are taking this very seriously. The old one will probably die soon. She was being thoughtful.

viques · 21/12/2018 19:41

And why not philomena, MN is already the instigator of the stunt pineapple and stunt tea towel, I think a stunt microwave fits nicely into the genre!

Grumpyrealist77 · 21/12/2018 19:44

Opening xmas presents early?!?!!?
YABVVVVUXmas Wink

BlueJay1 · 21/12/2018 19:52

How very kind.
Your one probably looks absolutely disgusting, yellowing plastic (?) yuck. How sweet of her to go out of her way to buy you a new one. Sounds like you can't take a hint.

EvaHarknessRose · 21/12/2018 19:56

I don’t think you have a choice but to return it and say ‘it was a really kind gesture however it is too much. I really don’t want to hurt your feelings but I thought I had made it clear I didn’t want to talk more about replacing the microwave.’ You can’t be expected to give kitchen space to something you hate and you can’t sell it or give it away because that’s rude.

However, for safety reasons if nothing else I think you should replace the microwave. They are not to be messed with, big causes of fire and this might be what she was worried about.

SoupDragon · 21/12/2018 19:56

I’d also be slightly wary of a 20 year old microwave’s seals and safety level.

I would too I think. The new one is probably way more efficient too.

MissionItsPossible · 21/12/2018 20:00

I think you're acting a bit weird about this. Just tell her you don't want it as you want to keep your old one, give it back to her and she can get her money back. Problem solved.

LittleCandle · 21/12/2018 20:02

The first Christmas we were in our own house, DF decided we needed a microwave. We didn't have one because we had no use for one and didn't want one. XH was furious. It lived in a cupboard for most of its life. I do have a microwave now, but it still isn't used all that often. Thank your friend, move on. Leave the new microwave in its box until you need it.