Dd13 has a Nintendo Switch that stopped charging a few months ago. I booked it in for repair because I've bought her a new game for Christmas (she hasn't asked for this game tbf or pestered for me to get the Switch fixed but she does use it a lot when it works and I didn't want it gathering dust after how much I paid for it in the first place). I was really shocked that the repair job was going to cost £80, but decided to go ahead anyway.
Just had an email from the repair shop to say the Switch had been water or food damaged and needed a new chip, so the total bill is now £140
. I really didn't expect this bill so close to Christmas and I'm kicking myself for booking it in now.
DD has ADHD, so can't help being careless in some respects (doesn't mean I'm passive about it though). I did a lot of research into extremely tough military grade, water resistant, drop proof laptops for her birthday this year because I know how careless she is, yet she managed to damage the screen within a couple of months. I'd paid extra for warranty, but apparently that particular break is not covered because it can't be done by accident and must have been done by bending the screen back forcefully and applying a lot of pressure. Her laptop is still useable with the damage so I've just left it as it is but I'm really cross about that.
I know the standard response is 'make them pay for it' but she doesn't have any savings and doesn't get pocket money (doesn't ask for any, very occasionally goes out for lunch with friends and I give her money then).
So I'm thinking I should withhold the repaired switch until she's made some effort to earn it back. Any ideas? What would you do in this situation? How much would you pay for chores?