Would you charge a friend for a defrosted freezer?

[christmastreewithhairyfairy]

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

I would never do an insurance claim for such a low value loss. There will be an excess on your policy anyway and your premium will definitely increase as soon as you make a claim. It’s foolish to use insurance unless it’s for something major and very costly.

We use professional sitters I always tip on top (normally an extra day's pay) as good house sitters are very hard to find and I want to ensure they prioritise my bookings over others (which they do)!

I’d definitely let it go.

In what world is the food in one’s freezer sensitive information? Her friend accidentally opening it does not indicate that OPs friend is the kind of person who would go through your nightstand or bathroom cupboard.

I'd be gutted, but I wouldn't take payment. Especially if she was a good enough friend to be in my house and trusted with my pet.

You can’t even consider taking money for an absolute accident when she was doing you a huge favour.
My darn children are always doing the same, I am usually here though to save the contents though.
It was an accident, if you charged me, I wouldn’t be happy 🤣

I would also invoice you for pet sitting services 🤣 as a result of having to pay for an accidental error

So maybe you’re not actually a pushover but you have some very grabby friends? Something to mull over perhaps. Your behaviour seems entirely reasonable to me. It was an accident. It’s not the end of the world and she’s a valued friend.

If I were your friend I would not accept the payment for the pet sitting.

What do you mean?

Nor would I, for the same reasons.

I would only give a gift to someone who’d looked after the cat for free.

I wouldn't accept the payment from her either. She's a friend.
Shit happens.

I read the title as CHANGE a friend for a defrosted freezer. I was intrigued to find what brought that on. I'm quite disappointed. 😂

No I wouldn't. Our freezer if you put something in a particular place it closes, looks like it's closed and some point in the next half hour pops very slightly open. It can be really hard to tell unless you know the freezer that it isn't fully closed.

If I'd done it; it would probably depend a bit on their circumstance. I've a couple of friends who I know that would be a major financial issue, or they have specialist food (think allergies) in their freezer which is both expensive and hard to get hold of, so I'd probably offer in those cases without being asked.

I used to work as a cat sitter. One of my clients ALWAYS got me a cat-themed gift too! A gorgeous bone-china mug and little bags and purses too. I'll never forget their generosity and it was precious that they saw me as a friend caring for their 3 precious babies (no human children).

Why are people talking about her doing me a huge favour? Are people missing the paid part?

This happened to us, they’d removed the plug from the socket to plug something else in and forgot to plug it back in. Came home from our holiday to £200 worth of meat defrosted and blood everywhere. These things happen, we let it go!

I wouldn’t pay a friend for a favour, nor would I expect to be paid. A gift is fine.

Do not claim on your house insurance for defrosted freezer contents on their own. The fact that people suggest this just shows how much people don't really understand insurance.

It's designed to reimburse you as part of a larger claim.

They won't refuse you if you did claim and I have absolutely seen people claim £150 freezer insurance and get paid their £50 after their excess but putting a claim on your insurance record- any claim- will push up your premiums for five years after. You'll pay back more than the £50. And that's not even the fault of the insurance companies its how the model works- the people who claim freezer contents often claim a fence panel a year later or broken glasses the year after that. So you will get the quote prices of someone who is likely to claim often.

Insurance is there to protect you against big losses that will make big impacts on your life. Not the little ones. I wouldn't suggest claiming for anything under £500 generally.

Anyway... I have 2 updates

1. The whole fridge/freezer isn't working so we're now sure it wasn't her fault, it's a piece of crap and I am having fight with the rental agency to get it replaced
2. Friend sent me some money (I had already said she didn't need to) so now I will send it back

Storm in a tea cup 😂

Great update and friendship. Hopefully the appliance will be replaced quickly.

Tbh i think it would depend on my circs. If I could afford to let it go I would but if money is tight Id take her kind (and responsible) offer.

It was a genuine accident.

You were paying her so no, not a ‘huge favour’ and no need for gifts, but it was an accident related to the pet sitting, she was honest about it.

Accidents happen. I think this sort of thing is part of the risk you take needing people to come in to your house for pet care.

In her shoes, I would now bring you flowers if you decline the payment.

CROSS POSTED!

Sorry about your freezer, god to know you have an honest friend who was willing to be honest and take responsibility.

Op has already paid her for pet sitting, also not charging her for leaving her freezer open and costing op £100. On top of it, she should be getting a present for friend?

Op has already paid her for pet sitting.