Hello
Can I ask your opinion?
I have had a lovely Pilates studio built and my daughter gave me a beautiful vase to put in it as a gift. It was expensive and she chose the colour to match the decor. It was very special to me and looked lovely with white lilies whilst I’m teaching,
I have had a carpenter in the studio putting up shutters.
I cleared all the studio beforehand putting all my equipment in the middle so he had access around. I put my vase in the middle of my equipment to protect it so it was buried.
Sadly, I went with a coffee for the guy and saw my vase just left by the door broken. No mention was made and when I pointed it out to the guy he just mumbled something about a piece of metal that I use to open the windows falling on the vase and breaking it.No apology, nothing.
I had deliberately made sure that he had least 3 foot clearance around the studio nothing was in his way as far as I could see.
I owe the cost of fitting the shutters and he is sending me a bill.
Would it be churlish to deduct the cost of the vase and explain the reasons why or should I just accept that these things happen?
I’m going to replace the vase if I can - it was a ‘one off’ but it’s the fact he didn’t seem to care.
I know that should have moved the vase out of the studio but the guy has always been careful when he has done work before.
I’m so upset that vase is broken