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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I shouldn't have to pay for this right??

154 replies

picolata · 15/04/2022 09:25

Arranged to collect a second hand rabbit hutch on 4 legs. Had previously asked for dimensions but they hasn't given any.
When I arrived the lady said "I can't help you lift it as I'm pregnant." Fair enough (but would have been useful to know in advance as I would have asked someone to come with me but hey ho I didn't check either).
I said I'd give it a go and would see how heavy it was. Turns out very.. I tried to lift it but as it is big only 3 legs lifted off the floor. I pulled it towards me a couple of inches to see if it could be pulled towards the car. Turns out not and by pulling it and the leg not dragging with the hutch a nail popped out a bit. It is basically it is a very heavy hutch on 4 thin legs.
It was also going to be a tight squeeze in the car. I suggested a few things eg, if she has a screwdriver I could take the legs off and take them separately. She said she didn't.
I said unfortunately I'll have to leave it.
She said she wasn't happy about the damage I'd caused to the hutch. Given it is not brand new I'm not convinced that it wasn't already like that. Plus surely a hutch should withstand that kind of movement, it's not as though I moved it in a forceful way, just checked if it was movable. Am I being unreasonable to walk away in that instance?

OP posts:
AnnUumellmahaye · 15/04/2022 18:20

@Illwithdisappointment

I personally think the seller should haveade it clear it would need two people to carry it and that the OP would need to bring someone because she (the seller) is unable to help. If I sell something and it's big/heavy I will always make this clear and state that 2 people need to lift the item (unless I know myself or partner can help).

The seller sounds rude.

How does the seller know if she's selling to 6ft of muscle, or a 4 ft waif that would struggle lifting a handkerchief. The buyer can see it's a large item, it's up to them to sort the logistics, not assume the seller will be able to help with lifting.
Philisophigal · 15/04/2022 18:32

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn at the user's request.

KosherDill · 16/04/2022 13:41

@Illwithdisappointment

I personally think the seller should haveade it clear it would need two people to carry it and that the OP would need to bring someone because she (the seller) is unable to help. If I sell something and it's big/heavy I will always make this clear and state that 2 people need to lift the item (unless I know myself or partner can help).

The seller sounds rude.

Agree. I always include this info and stress that two will be needed.

TiptowThroughTheToadstools · 16/04/2022 13:50

YABU if you didn't know the dimensions before you went, you could have either pressed her for them, or brought a measuring tape. You shouldn't have tried to move it on your own either.

You damaged it, so you should pay for it. If you think its easily fixable, arrange again to collect and bring someone with you.

neverbeenskiing · 16/04/2022 14:46

You agreed to buy the hutch without knowing the dimensions which was daft. You turned up unprepared, with no one to help you lift it, which was also daft. You then made the daft decision to try to drag it, causing damage to the hutch. You then decided you didn't want the item, refused to pay and didn't return to fix the damage you caused. So having wasted her time you left the seller with a broken item that she will now struggle to sell to anyone else. YABU.

Jeannie88 · 16/04/2022 18:23

Who doesn't have a screwdriver? If I was selling I would say no worries, you tried! Doesn't sound like much damage, just legs which clearly must have been weak. If I was buying I would say sorry, will come back with help. X

lifeisshitwithateenager · 16/04/2022 18:29

You were right to walk away. She was being unreasonable. There are ways of talking and or discussing an issue and she sounded unnecessarily confrontational

Badhairdayagain · 16/04/2022 18:31

No don’t pay. She sounds like a right bitch. Life lesson for her. Manners count 😆

woodhill · 16/04/2022 18:34

£70 is ridiculous

I sold one for a £5 which was 2 storey. Yanbu

Fuzzyhippo · 16/04/2022 18:36

As someone who runs a Guinea pig sanctuary I pick up hutches regularly, but if I had damaged it I would feel I'd have the responsibility to take it home. I'd be so embarrassed. If I were in your situation I would've come back with someone else to help carry it. Hutches are easily fixable so I would've done the repairs myself

BritWifeInUSA · 16/04/2022 18:37

I wouldn’t have driven over there to buy something without knowing the dimensions. What if it didn’t fit in your car?

Ohmygoshyoudontsay · 16/04/2022 18:52

It was a shit hutch that couldn't be moved without breaking. If she is going down that route charge her for the wasted petrol in going to see a hutch that wasn't fit for purpose.

Shitfuckcommaetc · 16/04/2022 19:03

People saying to pay....pay for what?! The price of a hammer so the seller can knock the nail back in place?

Tbh it sounds very poorly made if nails are popping out

flashpaper · 16/04/2022 19:10

YABU OP. Someone did the same thing to me once. Arrived 3 hours late, couldn't fit it in his car, asked for a screwdriver and then broke what I was selling. He said he'll have to leave it and ran off, leaving me with a broken item that I couldn't sell on. I was livid. I know you said it was minor damage, but you still turned up unprepared and then broke the item. You should have offered her something or offered to come back with someone who could have helped you move and transport it.

LidlMiddleLover · 16/04/2022 20:14

You did not confirm the size so you went in a vehicle that was too small You then broke the item trying to load it Yes you should pay.

Dnaltocs · 16/04/2022 20:34

You break it, you pay.

CHML1976 · 16/04/2022 20:59

I’ve sold heavy items before. I’ve always collected the money first and left them to battle it into the car. Once money changes hands it’s their responsibility. She should have done that and suggested to you to leave a deposit, and arrange another for you to collect with help. Whenever I sell, I aii Koi wats tell them if the need a larger vehicle or help. I wouldn’t worry. Move on.

Dillydollydingdong · 16/04/2022 21:06

YANBU. The item is unsuitable and you can't use it. No obligation on you to take it or pay for it.

Ottersmith · 16/04/2022 21:50

No way. Just leave it. She could have been more helpful but wasn't.

Longleggedgiraffe · 16/04/2022 22:30

Yes, you should have to pay for it. You broke it. The fact that she didn't let you know you would have to bring someone to help is neither here nor there. You should have left it and come back with help and a bigger car. And I don't understand why you turned up without knowing the dimensions. That's something you could have insisted on knowing before you even went.

Mandyjack · 16/04/2022 22:55

If you was pulling it like that not surprised it broke. But agree she should've mentioned it was very heavy and stated that she couldn't help

Adirondacks123 · 16/04/2022 23:11

Well, caveat emptor, you should have asked the questions. However you had not entered into a contract to buy it. By moving it however and potentially damaging part of it your then become liable. I would have offered a fiver for them to fix the nail and walked away

maria57 · 17/04/2022 01:06

You should have asked the questions needed to know whether you could manage to pick it up on your own or with someone else. Also you should have asked the questions to know whether you could get the hutch into your car.... You should have been more prepared. You have dragged the hutch and damaged it in someway...she aint gonna walk on egg shells with you because of this.

Redebs · 17/04/2022 07:20

If you drag a heavy hutch, you will damage it. They aren't supposed to be dragged. 'Popping a nail' can't just be fixed by hammering it back, because you will have loosened the structure and it will need fixing.
I have never seen a hutch with removable legs either, so not sure what use a screwdriver would have been. The seller isn't responsible for your mistakes.
You need to pay up, get it collected and apologise to the seller right away.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 17/04/2022 09:24

@WildCoasts

It sounds like it's just a nail that needs banging back in? I'd have told her I'll leave it and come back later with someone to help lift it - and pay her for it on my return.
Exactly this