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Friend Damaged Expensive Item

77 replies

Starsandbutterflys · 25/03/2017 14:01

Hi some advice please

I have a silk persion rug that I have in my front room.

My friend came over with her young step daughter (12 yards old at the time) who I made a hot chocolate for which she then spilled all over my rug some time later. My friend was on her phone on the sofa not watching her. I had to pay £900 to get the stain removed it went everywhere. My friend didn't offer to make any contribution to the cleaning or take any responsibility for her step daughter's accident. She avoided me for over a month when I started contacting her politely to say that I needed to get the cleaning started. Her boyfriend (father of the step-daughter) told her to tell me where to 'stick it' (how flattering), and we haven't spoken since. Can I take her to the small claims court..? I have evidence on email acknowledging that her step daughter caused the damage

OP posts:
thatcatpigeon · 25/03/2017 14:37

£900 to clean it!! That is what insurance is for. You are wrong in so many ways (child/hot chocolate combo near your rug, blaming the step-mum, asking for the money..), not surprised he told you where to stick it!

picklemepopcorn · 25/03/2017 14:39

It is unreasonable to expect other people to pay for the repair of your valuable items, especially as they are unable to avoid using something like a rug. If you offered to lend me an expensive coat, I would say no as I wouldn't want responsibility for it. I can't avoid walking on your rug, or be completely certain I won't spill my drink on it. So I won't visit you.

ChrisYoungFuckingRocks · 25/03/2017 14:39

I'm another one who thinks that, if you have such an expensive rug lying about, especially if children come near it, then you have to expect accidents to happen. I don't think she's responsible for the damage.

3luckystars · 25/03/2017 14:41

Did you get a few quotes for the rug cleaning?

CheeseQueen · 25/03/2017 14:41

So on your other thread you're also taking your cleaner to small claims court over damaging granite, most unfortunate.

Ah, right - wind up. Thought as much.
Oh, and in case you actually are genuine - if I were your friend I'd want to tell you to stick it up your *e.
It was an ACCIDENT.

BigApple11 · 25/03/2017 14:42

Sounds like you need a Biscuit dear.

amberdillyduck · 25/03/2017 14:43

What is a persion rug?

Does it come from persio? rather than persia?

Or does it come from the land of the Daily Mail journalist?

greeeen · 25/03/2017 14:43

That is very annoying and I would be really pissed off, I also think it is rude of her not to offer any money at all. That said, it was an accident and if the rug is that expensive I would have a no children or no drinks food rule as I don't think it is reasonable to expect people to know how expensive it would be to clean. I would not take her to small claims court.

1horatio · 25/03/2017 14:44

Idk, I'm of the opinion that it was your choice to have a rug this expensive and give a child a hot chocolate whilst she was obviously in a position where spilling it would mean it would stain the rug.

We have a similar rug (I imagine) in our front room but not in the family room (because of stains...)

Idk, your behaviour seems really grabby and trashy.

TheCakes · 25/03/2017 14:46

Call Judge Rinder

paxillin · 25/03/2017 14:46

You have a rug that costs £900 to clean?! I would never set foot in your house again, I'd be too worried to eat/ drink/ breathe.

alltouchedout · 25/03/2017 14:46

This is why you have insurance (you do have insurance, right?).

happypoobum · 25/03/2017 14:46

Reported

TapOut · 25/03/2017 14:49

portiaCastis
So on your other thread you're also taking your cleaner to small claims court over damaging granite, most unfortunate

You've got your facts wrong. It wasn't the OPs thread. She just asked about the carpet on the thread and was advised to start her thread.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 25/03/2017 14:49

Do you imagine going to court is fun and are you looking for a new hobby?

If so might I suggest papercraft instead

Prickles123 · 25/03/2017 14:52

You gave her the chocolate to drink in the vicinity of the rug. You accepted the risk of the accident. I very much doubt that there is anything the parent could have done to prevent it. A court claim would be a complete waste of your time and money.

rookiemere · 25/03/2017 14:58

No to the biscuit BigApple11 ! Imagine the crumbs and how hard they will be to get out of the Persian pile.

user1490123259 · 25/03/2017 15:00

I have a better idea, throw the rug away, and spend the £900 on something life enhancing rather than something that makes your home impossible to visit and costs you friends.

Waterfeature · 25/03/2017 15:04

Why The Caps In Title?

amberdillyduck · 25/03/2017 15:05

Why The Caps In Title?

Looks better in the Daily Mail

NancyWake · 25/03/2017 15:10

Try harder next time, and do some research into dry cleaning prices first.

Devilishpyjamas · 25/03/2017 15:11

Oh fgs. No of course you shouldn't charge your friend or take her to the small claims court.

Replace your expensive rugs with lino if you're that worried about stains on the floor.

Out2pasture · 25/03/2017 15:14

Sadly you've ruined the friendship over spilled (hot chocolate) milk.
Even if I had volunteered to help with cleaning cost, I'd expect it to be a few pounds not hundred pounds or nearly a thousand pounds.

Absintheshots · 25/03/2017 15:15

It depends in which country you are. In the UK, it seems that owners are responsible of their own property and must bare the cost of damage (via insurance or their pocket).
In other countries, the person who damaged the item is responsible, and claim on their own insurance.

Blaming you for owning an expensive item is ludicrous, but there you go. I don't think you have many chances here, you can claim on your insurance but you will have to be the increased amounts. It doesn't fair that you are punished for somebody else mistake, but people don't take responsibility here. It makes no sense, but there's nothing you can do.

Maudlinmaud · 25/03/2017 15:16

The land of the daily mail journalist Grin x 1000000