Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you charge a friend for a defrosted freezer?

88 replies

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:32

A friend looked after our pets (paid) while we were on holiday. We came home to find the freezer fully defrosted, she owned up to opening it and it clearly didn't close properly. Not sure exactly how much was lost but probably over £100. She's offering to pay but given she is a friend and it was an accident I'm leaning towards saying no. If it was a professional I'd probably think differently. I'm curious to know what others would do.
YABU = take the money
YANBU = let it go

OP posts:
QuarkQuarkPoshDuck · 09/08/2025 09:34

I'd let it go.

Good pet sitters are like gold dust!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:35

let it go

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:37

QuarkQuarkPoshDuck · 09/08/2025 09:34

I'd let it go.

Good pet sitters are like gold dust!

Usually I'd agree, but right now I have other pet sitters. I'm more concerned about the friendship!

OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 09/08/2025 09:41

I’d take half what they offered (assuming they can afford it) and give them their usual present for pet sitting (chocolates or flowers or wine) Then move on.

MidnightPatrol · 09/08/2025 09:44

No I wouldn’t. It was an accident.

GoodVibesHere · 09/08/2025 09:45

Why did she open the freezer? Was she staying overnight at your house?

Katflapkit · 09/08/2025 09:47

If you are worried about the friendship then clearly it is worth MORE than a £100. Reassure your friend, that you know it was an accident and accidents happen. It was a kind gesture to offer the £100 but as appreciative as you are you cannot accept. Let's put it behind us - we'll laugh about it one day.

feathermucker · 09/08/2025 09:48

I’d let it go.

Pippa12 · 09/08/2025 09:50

I wouldn’t taint a solid friendship for £100. We have home insurance that covers accidental defrosted freezers.

ScrambledEggs12 · 09/08/2025 09:51

Check your electricity usage. I accidentally left our chest freezer open for a couple of days. Thankfully and miraculously nothing defrosted, but it cost a bit in electricity!

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:53

burnoutbabe · 09/08/2025 09:41

I’d take half what they offered (assuming they can afford it) and give them their usual present for pet sitting (chocolates or flowers or wine) Then move on.

Present? Is payment not considered enough?

OP posts:
Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:54

Pippa12 · 09/08/2025 09:50

I wouldn’t taint a solid friendship for £100. We have home insurance that covers accidental defrosted freezers.

That is a good shout, we will check!

OP posts:
ShodAndShadySenators · 09/08/2025 09:55

I would let it go, it was an accident.

However a bit late for this time, but I recommend those freezer alarms that sound if the door's left open for however long. We got one after DS had left the door open a couple of times (I think he did close it but too quickly and firmly and it bounced back). They are worth it for the peace of mind, never mind the financial loss and inconvenience of having to bin and replace defrosted items.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:56

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:53

Present? Is payment not considered enough?

Show quote history

For a friend though? Most would do a little present, have you never seen those boxes of fudge in gift shops saying thanks for looking after the cat?

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 09:57

Katflapkit · 09/08/2025 09:47

If you are worried about the friendship then clearly it is worth MORE than a £100. Reassure your friend, that you know it was an accident and accidents happen. It was a kind gesture to offer the £100 but as appreciative as you are you cannot accept. Let's put it behind us - we'll laugh about it one day.

Thanks, I'll likely do this tbh. I was curious to know if I was being a pushover because I have been told I tend that way. I definitely have some friends who would take the money or demand it even

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 09/08/2025 09:57

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:56

For a friend though? Most would do a little present, have you never seen those boxes of fudge in gift shops saying thanks for looking after the cat?

Show quote history

Those are usually instead of payment, not as well as.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/08/2025 09:58

BIossomtoes · 09/08/2025 09:57

Those are usually instead of payment, not as well as.

Show quote history

No not ‘usually’, clearly it’s different for everyone.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 09/08/2025 09:59

Why was she going in your freezer? If the pet food is stored in there and she accidentally didn’t shut it properly then I would let it go. If she was being nosey and just having a root around in your freezer to see what kind of food you keep then I would charge her and never trust her in my house again as who knows where else she was having a nose.

Lemonadeat8 · 09/08/2025 09:59

Why was she rooting around your freezer anyway? Was she looking to take food? Where else has she been snooping?

I would accept the money for the inconvenience of the clean up and the replacement food. Then I wouldn’t have her help again.

doodleschnoodle · 09/08/2025 10:00

It was an accident, I wouldn’t let a friend give me money for this, especially as it was done while helping me out. Although my friends and I don’t generally pay each other for pet sitting, we just get the other a present or something at the end assuming it’s just popping in a couple of times a day to feed cats or something.

Was she staying in your house to look after pets?

Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 10:01

She opened door accidentally looking for fridge to store some half used cat food. I doubt it was being nosy. If so she will have been very disappointed 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
christmastreewithhairyfairy · 09/08/2025 10:02

She wasn't staying at ours no

OP posts:
MCF86 · 09/08/2025 10:04

I wouldn't be able to replace that much in one hit so it would depend. Batch cooked meals that account for half my meals this month, yes I'd have no choice but to accept some money from her - but I'd hate doing it! If I'd be ok just replacing a little bit, then I'd thank her for the offer and turn it down.

ScreamingBeans · 09/08/2025 10:06

No I wouldn't charge her.

It was an accident.

She was doing you a favour.

It could change the friendship if you charge her. Just subtly, but enough to spoil a good friendship. Not worth it for £100.

starfishmummy · 09/08/2025 10:07

I'd take it as a chance to give my freezer the good clear out it desperately needs, lol.

But seriously, it was an accident so in your shies Id let it go too. If friend is uncomfortable about it, maybe just mutter "thats what insurance is for" - even if you're not claiming, friend doesn't need to know that.