To want my glasses back?

[FlexibleFi]

More of a WWYD than an AIBU.

I went to a wedding June. I and three other friends from university days (14 years since we graduated) were invited and booked an AirBnB for a long weekend. We don't see a lot of each other but we have a WA group and message every few weeks. It was a lovely opportunity to catch up.

After years of being really hard up, I had a significant job change this year and for the first time splashed out on a few special things — including a rather fancy pair of designer glasses instead of Specsavers basics. The glasses are for reading and computer work, I don't need them for ordinary things. They're quite a mild prescription. All three friends at the AirBnB tried my posh spex on. One, I'll call her Rachel, commented that we must have the same prescription because she could read perfectly with them. She joshed me for spending so much money on them. A couple of times over the weekend, when I'd left them sitting by my phone or book, she'd borrow them to read something without asking.

We had a great busy and boozy weekend and when I got home I couldn't find my glasses anywhere, so I messaged the group to ask if anyone had picked them up accidentally. All said no. I messaged the AirBnB owner to ask if they'd been left there. No. Searched the car, searched everywhere. No sign of them. I'm not someone who often loses things.

Then this Sunday Joanne, one of the others in the wedding group sent a screenshot from FB of Rachel reading a menu in a restaurant while wearing a pair of glasses that look just like mine. Joanne commented 'Well now we know where Fi's glasses went, LOL' on FB. By the time I managed to get onto FB (ancient account I rarely check) the image had gone — but I had the screenshot.

I messaged Rachel, sent her the screenshot and said it looked as if she'd found my glasses, could she post them back to me please. She's replied saying they're her glasses: she liked them so much that she's bought a pair exactly like mine. I don't believe it and neither does Joanne. Rachel's recently split from her long-term partner and she talked a lot while we were away of how difficult she's finding things financially at the moment.

They were £300. I could claim on travel insurance (I have annual travel insurance) or on my household contents, but then I'll have to pay more for premiums for the next few years.

Joanne has said she'll get involved if necessary but I don't want to ruin memories of a lovely weekend. I can't immediately afford to replace the spex with the same (I have a holiday booked and that will eat up my budget for the next month or two) so I'll have to order a pair of cheap prescription readers on the internet. WWYD?

I've just had a thought. I am always losing my glasses and they always turn up in the most unusual of places - down the back of a sofa, under other furniture, and they often turn up in places that I have already investigated thoroughly (no idea how they got there!). Rachael has already said that she bought a pair like them because she liked them so much, so I guess that it's her word against yours - and you have to take her at her word, don't you?

Another thought: if you pursue this you could end up looking as though you are pursuing the one member of your group who comes from a less advantaged background. it's quite common, for example, for working class people to be accused of stealing when something goes missing.

I have changed my mind and think that you should forget about it.

Her two so-called friends are bullying her. From the language used by OP guessing this has been the case for a while. And yes, even though no-one on this thread knows Rachel almost everyone is ganging up on her and assuming she is guilty. I have read some incredibly unpleasant things here aimed at a complete stranger, even though there is no proof she did anything! I don’t know if she’s reading this or not, but am guessing OP and Jo the Stirrer have drawn her attention to this thread - “look, see, all these people who don’t you think you did it, so obviously you must be guilty!”. That is the main reason I am posting on here - I hate bullying, so if Rachel or anyone else who is being unfairly targeted is reading this then they know not everyone is mean and small minded. As for the police, there is no proof whatsoever even if Rachel can’t produce a receipt. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. The only way to prove that they are OPs spex is if she personalised them in some way, or if any optician can confirm they are exactly OPs prescription (assuming Rachel’s prescription isn’t the same). But even the most bored, underworked rural plod isn’t going to do that. The police aren’t going to waste their time on a case that would be immediately rejected by the CPS - it’s only a win if it’s a successful prosecution.

This could possibly work too.

Unless, of course, they aren’t OPs glasses. OP has gone very quiet. I wonder whether Rachel has produced a receipt and OP is just too embarrassed to post an update?

She posted today at 11 -just a few hours ago. She posted an update last night. Some people can't sit on MN 24/7. Or don't actually want to and have other stuff to do. No point in blathering on about absolutely nothing if there's no change 👀

@DestructoCat you would get some credit for trying to play devils advocate and defend Rachel if you weren't so bitchy about everyone else who thinks she has taken them.

Much like a bully herself.

Exactly.

😂

You know the saying point the finger and you will find three pointing back at you?

I don’t see how she is being bitchy. perhaps I should go to specsavers.

No need for Specsavers these days, just borrow some from a friend.

You won't meet the OP there if you do

which they have pointed out........😎........ 'several times'. 🙄

Easy way to prove it. Take the glasses to an optician and have them tell you the prescription

Minuscule chance you have the same one as her...

This may be difficult if Rachel refuses to be marched by the OP to an optician to prove she is not a thief: or to put herself in a position where if she handed them over the OP would just nick them on her once she had a hold of them?

So how would you suggest the OP would get them off of Rachels face to do this.

Rugby tackle her to the ground, whip them off, and just keep running?

Or just steal them?!

Do you think some pps need to go to specsavers

Eye do. 👓

That works too.

True - I just wonder if, after all this, if Rachel then gave her proof she was wrong, would OP even own up to it? Last update I saw was OP saying that Rachel wouldn’t have bought the spex because they don’t suit her as much as OP who ‘can take strong looks’ whereas Rachel, it is inferred, is not only working class and poor but also uglier than OP! Well, that’s enough for me - case closed! 🤣

How much change would you get from £300 if you went to Specsavers for a nice pair of spectacles?

Is there that much of a price difference between the two stores (one being the store OP frequented) that you would be at pains to point out that you don't shop at Specsavers and to imply that Rachel couldn't possibly afford the same pair?

£300 isn't beyond the realm of some people or considered way, way, way, extravagant - now if it were £3000 then there may be a case to ponder.

Why does the OP assume Rachel cannot afford £300 too? Unless the OP has seen her bank account balance. There is always the credit card as well.

from the OP "Rachel's recently split from her long-term partner and she talked a lot while we were away of how difficult she's finding things financially at the moment. " My new glasses cost me a little over that and, while I am in no way short of money, I thought hard before buying them

my specsavers specs were >£300 I would be really hacked off if someone pinched them.

She did not say that, you are making things up in your head.