given a cast off that’s worth a lot of money

[Bagitup]

I’ve name changed for this.

About two years ago my friend was having a clear out and asked me if I wanted a bag. She hated it but I really liked it. I use it lots and have been given loads of compliments on it.

A woman I work with is really into bags (mulberry, Pravda etc) and was always going on at me that she thought the bag was worth a lot of money because she thought it was real ostrich skin

I never paid heed to her but my mum commented recently that she had looked at the bag and she was convinced it was real ostrich.

Cut a long story short and the bag has been checked and valued and it’s real and worth thousands.

I have absolutely no plans to sell it. My friend bought it at a market abroad and thought it was a fake.

Do I tell her it’s real? Do I keep schtum?

Guessing it's a Hermes? I would tell my friend as I would feel guilty knowing and not telling her. If I was friend though I wouldn't expect it back. Depends if she needs the money though I guess she may want it back if she does.

@wigglypiggly

Good idea. Maybe it’s not worth as much 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t know the first thing about bags and leather

When I see an Ostrich I think 'what a beautiful amazing creature' not 'that would make a nice bag' .
So I think you are unreasonable to even own such a thing.
Selling the stuff at inflated prices encourages the market in such items. Why did your friend buy it if she hated it ?

@KurriKurri

Have you never bought something and changed your mind?

OP I have zero plans to sell the bag - I love it!

Just make sure it's properly insured under your house contents policy for the amount you quoted (£4500) you may need to insure it as a separate item for both inside and outside the home/when travelling.

People eat ostrich steak.

When I see a cow, I think, what a fascinating creature! Give me a lovely steak though........... I drool.

Ask herself if she would have given it to you had she known.
I would imagine the answer would be no, so I would tell her.
Since she is a friend,
Had you bought it on eBay for a song, or someone you didn't know, fine,
But she s a friend.
And I would offer to give it back.

But then the idea of an ostrich skin bag repels me.

You love the bag that is all that matters. It's value only matters if you want or need to sell it.

People are omnivores, top of the food chain, predatory animals.

Not everyone chooses a Vegan lifestyle.

Frenchfancy - the value matters if she has to pay to replace it.

I would give it back. In fact- you have to give it back.

it’s ostrich skin.

I'd sell the bag and donate the money to a charity that helps animals/birds.

Have you never bought something and changed your mind?

I don't think I've ever bought anything that I then decided I hated - I generally only buy things I like. But you say your friend did - so now I know some people do this and my question is answered. Thanks.

have absolutely no plans to sell it. My friend bought it at a market abroad and thought it was a fake.

For cheap? Why would they sell her genuine bag at a fake price?

Maybe she got it somewhere else? Or maybe your valuation is wrong?

I suppose morally speaking, especially if your friend could do with the money, the right thing to do would be to tell her. But......... my morals can be non existent sometimes

She gifted it to you/passed it on. Neither of you knew the value at the time. She could just as easily have handed it to a charity shop and she'd be none the wiser that way either.

You definitely need to tell her and offer it back. Why would you not? She's your friend.

Because she loves the bag?

You definitely need to tell your friend and give it back. It’s dishonest to know it’s true value and withhold the information op.

Your friend may really need the money

On the basis that if I had given away something worth a lot of money without realising I would be kicking myself for ever more but not expect it back, I also wouldnt give it back.

Its yours now and its not as if you are planning to sell it, you are doing exactly what the gift giver wanted and using it as you love it.

That said, I would probably keep quiet about its worth on the basis that I wouldnt want to be seen to be rubbing her nose in it.

I would tell her. I would also suggest selling it and going on holiday together. But I couldn't cope with owning a £4500 handbag. I'd constantly be anxious about losing it. and I'd constantly be thinking of all the things that need done in my house that I could do with the money! But it would feel wrong to sell it and keep the money too.

Your friend may really need the money

Then she should have checked it out before giving it away!

I wouldnt expect anyone to return a gift to me if it turned out to be worth a fortune, my mistake, their win. As for "I would sell it and give the money to charity" yeah....sure you would :o

I wouldn’t give it back or tell her. It was a present.

I would tell my friend and give the bag back because, you know, she is a friend and friends don’t try and cheat each other.

I’m quite surprised at all the comments on here. I wouldn’t hesitate to be honest.

That poor ostrich who ended up as your handbag.