Should she replace it? Part 3

[Langarg]

I can’t believe we have a part 3 🤣 this has provided some lighthearted entertainment at a time where I’m feeling really let down by someone I considered a good friend. So thank you! I have posted an update on thread 2, will post it here also.

I have sent the following text message ‘Having reflected on what you have said, how the airwrap was lost/broken or otherwise is irrelevant. I considered asking you for pictures of the broken airwrap or asking to speak to your sister to ask her what happened but it will get us nowhere. All that matters is I am down a Dyson airwrap and I want a new replacement. You’ll need to either transfer me the £399 tonight to pay for this or purchase it yourself from boots and send me the email receipt this evening. You can then sort out with your sister whether she is going to contribute to the cost of it. We can then put this behind us’

I have no interest in maintaining the friendship after this for obvious reasons. I am worried that she’s seen the thread (how can she not have 🤣) and knows this fine well so will have no intention of replacing it sadly.

I don’t think I’ll ever get the truth (was there even a wedding at this rate?! 🤣) all that matters to me now is getting a replacement airwrap!!!!

I might have been tempted to let it go for a 10 quid item for a good reliable friend but neither of these things are the case so you are doing the right things. Lies upon lies, even blaming her husband for not picking it up! Great start to a marriage….. deffo keep going 500 quid it not peanuts. Tbh I’d be dubious if it did reappear it would be trashed. If the story is true, op should never ever have lent something that wasn’t hers to lend, you lent it to bride, not to be passed about. If sister broke it sister should pay bride, but that’s not your problem!

Or rather than “chalk up to experience” just make a police report and make an application to small claims court to have her wages garnished for the cost. She has actually covered herself in glory, she has patiently waited, listened to the cheeky fucker’s lies, and persistently tried to politely but firmly ask for her expensive device back.

OP would be well within her rights to be very angry and publicly expose her in their friend group to try and get her expensive belongings back. Detailing her experience on MN, which is anonymous is not going to out the cheeky fucker unless she details her cheeky fuckery publicly which I doubt she’s broadcasted.

The clue's in the name: "Small" claims. 🙄OP doesn't have to chalk this up to experience at all - CF needs to be taught a lesson. OP can claim the cost (to her) of the AirWrap (£500) plus costs (at the very least the filing and hearing fees) and Statutory Interest at 8%. CF would have got a bargain (and not trashed her reputation) if she'd simply bought OP a new like-for-like model from Boots because it's currently on offer at £399.99 (and CF would get Advantage points on the purchase). Instead, she's likely to pay more than just shy of £400 - all because she's too immature and selfish to face up to her responsibility.

Hi OP’s cheeky fucker friend or sister 🤡

Did you mean to sound so spiteful? No, OP doesn't have secure boundaries because she's spent years bending over backwards to appease "friends" like the CF bride. That's the whole point. This thread has emboldened OP to stand up to someone who has shown zero respect by lying and lying and lying. How is that a bad thing? The steps she's taken like ringing the hotel to clarify her item hadn't been handed in to reception and getting her friend on the record in the (now very likely) event of pursuing a small claims to recover the amount are perfectly reasonable. What would you have her do? Tell her friend to pay her back £1 a week? Or say don't worry about it at all, let's go out next week and I'll pay, my treat?

Indeed. I thought people like CF were as rare as hens' teeth in real life, but it seems there are some other equally amoral CFs (still mercifully in the minority though, thank goodness).

@Langarg
Judt had an email from Boots. The on line offer on the Airwrap finishes today. Someone needs to get their skates on.

No, the overwhelming majority of people on MN are NOT criticising OP for venting her frustration about having her expensive possession stolen from her and being repeatedly lied to about it - only the tiny minority who seem to share CF's absolute lack of morals are doing that.
This shouldn't be difficult to understand.

Yes cheeky fucker better hurry up or she’s going to be out £500 rather than £399. She’s an absolute idiot. @Langarg message her and tell her the offer ends today so she better send the money immediately or she’s going to have to pay an extra £99.00 🤣🤣🤣

and guessing that small but vocal minority are CF and CF’s sister using different accounts 🤣🤣🤣

The Small Claims court (now called something different, I think) is the way to go, OP. It’s surprisingly easy to do. You can do it online. Your texts prove you’ve tried to sort things out amicably. It doesn’t matter whether she was negligent and lost it, or whether she stole it. Put a claim in for £500 for the non-return of your property. Once she gets the letter, she might well pay up before it gets to court.

OP you are absolutely not behaving unreasonably. Just think if the tables were turned how she’d react? I bet she wouldn’t let this go! I think we all know in our heart of hearts that she has stolen it. She may have even sold it! But either way, she’s lost a friendship.

As the friendship is over, you have nothing to lose taking her to the small claims court.

langarg have you heard from her since your last message?
I guessing not.
Im cringing for her.

Agree

Those texts completely prove your case that she borrowed it (not a gift) with intention to return and for whatever reason she has not returned it.
So I'd send a message at end of today, if no (reasonable) repayment plan sent today, to say unfortunately you need to start a small claims process to ensure the matter is resolved, you'll be doing that Monday unless the £500 is sent before that.

I do hope you arent doubting yourself and focussing on the miniscule amount of naysayers compared with the overwhelming amount of posters who support you. I posted a thread myself and had overwhelming support but all i could focus on was the tiny minority who didnt. I know what its like as a people pleaser - you cant help but focus on the critical voices. But try to be logical - there are I think 3 out of hundreds of people who are supporting you - and its AIBU so there are always, ALWAYS, contrary people for the sake of it. Have faith in your reasonableness. You have been beyond reasonable and patient.

Thank you for this! She still didn’t reply to my message. I have sent a further text message this morning telling her that the deal from Boots ends today and asked that she please either transfer me the £399 or order it and forward the confirmation email. I’ll await her response but I have a funny feeling I’m being ghosted!

It might be time to mention small claims court to het OP.

For £500 I would be looking at the small claims court, or at least the threat of it.

I don’t think there’s going to be a response from the airwrap thief now by text.

I suspect the only way you’d have further conversations with her about it is by calling her withholding your number or knocking on her door for a face to face chat. You should have someone go with you if you do knock the door, not to be intimidating but for your protection if this does go to court someone to witness this madness.
good luck!

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/small-claims/making-a-small-claim/

I think the small claims is the only option if CF doesn’t respond today. This is going to be a very expensive hair do for her to definitely take a shine off her wedding! Lol

So sorry OP 😔
How awful for you.... Not just the loss of your airwrap, but also to be treated so badly by someone that you thought was a friend.

I agree! Go round there!! Tell her you're going to report her to the Police for theft. SO bloody out of order.

You have to initiate small claims court application now. You dont have to tell her if you dont want to. She isnt responding to you (which helps your case). Just do the application (it wont take long), and sit back and try to forget about it.

I expect she will pay up before it gets to court - most do. She will see a copy of your application that will have all your evidence and she will know she will lose and end up paying more money.

You may be reticent because you think it is more drama - but actually its the least dramatic response, because you fill it out then sit back. No more back and forth. I had to do it recently with my landlord after months of back and forth and lots of drama. It just resolved itself then super quick and easy with no fuss. I actually wish I had done it ages prior.

How do people sleep at night?! doing CF stuff like this.

I'm so sorry for you OP. Irrespective of the cost of the item, your 'friend' lied and then lied some more and then lied again, oh and lied some more! Hardly a 'friend' is she; just permanently trying to save her own skin. She clearly is thinking that you're the kind of person who will just say 'oh well, never mind'...and it'll get forgotten with no consequences.

Well, unfortunately for her, she's lost a good friend. And sadly for you, you've now got to save/fork out for a new Dyson.