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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Who is right Dh or me regarding paying?

95 replies

Lipz · 02/05/2020 13:14

A couple of weeks before lock down we hired 2 gym equipment pieces for 4 weeks.

When the date came round for collection the company contacted me asking if I would hold onto the items till things settled as they were not allowed to travel to collect them, not allowed to enter house, non essential company. I told them I wouldn't be able to afford to keep them indefinitely, they said there would be no charge.

I think I should give something towards having them here, as I'm still using them, however I wouldn't be able to pay the full amount, but was thinking half of what it would have cost to hire.

Dh thinks pay nothing, he said they said no payment, if they wanted payment they should have arranged something, he said I'm only using them because they are here, I wouldn't have hired them for this long. He said the items would be sitting in their shop because they can't hire out anything.

Am I being unreasonable to want to pay something?

OP posts:

newbiefrugalgal · 02/05/2020 13:27

But the OP was returning them, she is only using it because it is there otherwise she has paid for what was agreed.

1066vegan · 02/05/2020 13:30

You've got no legal obligation to pay but I can understand why you feel that you should. I don't think there's any clear cut right or wrong here. I think the best option would depend on your own financial circumstances, the size of the company that you are hiring the equipment from and how adversely that company is affected by the lockdown (which I guess is pretty impossible to know).

1forsorrow · 02/05/2020 13:30

I think it would be a nice gesture to give them something, you have benefitted from having them. If you are struggling for money then there is no need but if you are OK for money I would. Lots of small companies aren't going to be there after this so I'd be happy to support them.

kmc1111 · 02/05/2020 13:31

Definitely fine not to pay. Personally if I’d been using the equipment a lot I think I’d offer a small amount, maybe 10-20%, just for wear and tear, but not if it wasn’t being used near daily or wasn’t something where wear and tear is much of an issue eg. weights.

FizzyGreenWater · 02/05/2020 13:31

No way would I pay!

For all they know, you could have hired the kit to train for an event which is now of course cancelled, and you're now left peering around two hulking great cross trainers filling your sitting room for weeks on end every time you fancy watching a re-run of 'Bake Off'.

You would actually be not unreasonable to tell them they must collect or you will not be able to store for them any more - of course you wouldn't do that, but just pointing out that it's not necessarily a case of you getting a 'better deal'.

Original poster

Lipz · 02/05/2020 13:33

Lots of great points made, going to have another chat with dh now. Thanks so much for the advice

OP posts:

OchonAgusOchonO · 02/05/2020 13:34

But the OP was returning them, she is only using it because it is there otherwise she has paid for what was agreed

Yes, she has paid what was agreed. However, she said she couldn't afford to continue to pay the full price. So I suppose for me, it boils down to why she was returning it. If she was returning it as she'd had enough and didn't want to continue to use it, fair enough, don't pay. However, the fact she's continuing to use it suggests to me that it was being returned due to cost rather than not getting benefit or enjoyment from it. So if she's happy to continue using it and can afford to make a partial payment, I think it would be a decent thing to do.

SharonasCorona · 02/05/2020 13:36

Drippy: weak, ineffectual, or sloppily sentimental

InfiniteSheldon · 02/05/2020 13:37

I think it's a lovely gesture of support for a small company you can tell the paid from the unpaid on threads like this some of the responses are just plain nasty

Chochito · 02/05/2020 13:39

You don't need to pay. A small gesture would be nice, if you can afford it.

In the same way, when the hairdresser reopens I'm going to give them the tips from the missed appointments, as I've been earning as usual during lockdown.

pocketem · 02/05/2020 13:40

They've told you not to pay
You are providing free storage for them - you could charge them

Carolduckingbaskin · 02/05/2020 13:42

As a small business myself - what you can do is make sure that you give them a great review online and refer them to any friends who may want to hire similar equipment.

Nomorepies · 02/05/2020 13:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request.

OchonAgusOchonO · 02/05/2020 13:43

@SharonasCorona - Drippy: weak, ineffectual, or sloppily sentimental

That's downright nasty. I hope you never need support.

Dyrne · 02/05/2020 13:44

I’m just intrigued at the concept of hiring gym equipment...

Likethebattle · 02/05/2020 13:45

I wish I’d hired some stuff.

BendingSpoons · 02/05/2020 13:46

I would pay them something. You are getting benefit from them and supporting their business. If you can't afford it then fine, you are not under any obligation, but if you can afford it then I would.

Likethebattle · 02/05/2020 13:46

@dyrne look up fitness takeaway that’s the one in my area. It means you can change around and also stops you buying an exercise bike then using it as a clothes horse.

Bibijayne · 02/05/2020 13:47

Your DH is right here. The company have said no charge.

BatShite · 02/05/2020 13:49

I wouldn't pay under the circumstances. You might have got more use from the items, but it was because it was more convenient for the company, so both have benefitted really.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 02/05/2020 13:49

Unless you've worn it out or damaged it then no, I wouldn't pay extra.

They know it's there, they'll pick it up when they can, they're not actively "losing" money on it because they can't hire it out to anyone else.

Seems like you're trying to do a nice thing but honestly I wouldn't bother.

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow · 02/05/2020 13:50

If it's small local gym i would happily give them some token donation. And a nice review if you are happy with them otherwise.
Not everyone gets the grant and not everyone gets the loan...

Maryann1975 · 02/05/2020 13:51

I agree with @OchonAgusOchonO. Small companies are going to be massively hit because of the pandemic and forced closure. Many will go out of business and their owners and staff may well be struggling to put food on the table for their Own children.

If you can afford to pay a small amount to the company for having the equipment for longer, I think it would be kind of you to do so. Pay it forward.

If you have been laid off or are self employed and therefore not being paid through this time, it’s completely different, but if you are still earning as normal it would be a kind gesture to pay a percentage.

Rezie · 02/05/2020 13:52

I wouldn't pay. If I had some extra cash and was feeling charitable then I might give a donation. But there is no need to pay anything.

SpilltheTea · 02/05/2020 13:57

There's no need to pay. You're storing them for them.

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