WWYD DH's Friend and Damages

[hannamaren]

Can you do a patch job of some kind that will be cheaper?
But, otherwise, I think you have to charge the friend. Sounds harsh maybe to your H, but if it was the reverse you would understand. And if it was a stranger, you would charge.

[monkeybutt]

I know it was an accident, but I'd expect friend to cover the damage.

It's not like he damaged something in the trunk that can be hidden. I would probably be more willing to let something go unfixed for a bit if it was hidden.

[Deleted]

That's a lot of money for a repair. How badly is it damaged?

Personally, I am not a huge car person. I prefer my car not to be damaged, but $300 is a lot of money and it was an accident. I probably would not ask a friend to pay that kind of money since it would not be a big deal to me.

If it is a big deal to you, he offered to pay so it doesnt' hurt to ask.

[yellowbrkrd]

Would you be willing to split the cost with the friend? I would feel terrible asking a friend to pay that much for an accident but I would also be pissed to have to pay for it myself....

[littlemermaid]

It would have been cheaper to rent a UHaul!! I think your husband has to take some responsbility too since he was the one who decided to use his brand new van to help his friend out. How about if friend pays for half of the damages and you and your husband cover the other half.

[EmilieMadison]

I'd split the cost. It was an accident, and both of them had a hand in it.

[Becca]

I am surprised there is even a question. Friend damaged your car. Friend was in the vehicle because your DH was helping him. Friend acknowledged the mistake and offered to pay. Of course you should ask him for the $300.

[lindyanne]

I would split it. If I was that worried about how the inside of my car looked, I wouldnt have agreed to allow things in my vehicle in the first place.

[amity]

Aug 23, 2012 21:19:24 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

I'd split the cost. It was an accident, and both of them had a hand in it.

I agree that this is a fair compromise.

[puppiesandrainbows]

I'm assuming when you say "livid over this" you are angry with your husband for not wanting to ask his friend to pay for the damages, correct? Because if you're livid at the friend, you're overreacting. It was an accident, accidents happen.

Your friend should pay for the damages, yes. However, if he truly can't afford, maybe he and your husband could split it. While the damages are your friend's "fault", your husband also assumed some risk when he consented to help the friend move.

[OscarQ]

At a minimum the friend should split the costs with you. And heck yes, I'd be pissed that my H was all it's NBD about $300 damage to an obvious spot on a new car.

[mollybrown]

Aug 23, 2012 21:19:25 GMT -5 Becca said:

I am surprised there is even a question. Friend damaged your car. Friend was in the vehicle because your DH was helping him. Friend acknowledged the mistake and offered to pay. Of course you should ask him for the $300.

I agree with this. I wouldn't expect my friend to eat $150 because they were doing me a favor.

[aurora]

I would probably have DH approach the friend and explain that the cost of repair is $300 and ask to split it (the friend did offer, after all, and this might make your DH feel more comfortable about asking). In the best case, friend offers back to pay the whole $300 and everyone is happy. But even if he just agrees to split, you've made a compromise with DH and you get your car fixed.

[raangoli]

I also agree that splitting the cost is the best way to go.

[ECB]

I'd split the cost.

And have you pointed out the inconsistency w/ your DH about how he doesn't care about ripped leather but won't let the kids eat in there? If not, point it out.

[ejpint]

He offered to pay. Tell him it's $300. If he balks, and you're comfortable, offer to split it. But if I jacked up someone's car when they were doing me a favor, I would feel awful, and I'd be happy to pay $300 for them to fix it.

[Deleted]

Where is the $300 estimate from? The dealer?
I'm not sure which piece you are referring to, but if its the center console that has a storage slot under it, have you looked at it to see if you could take it apart and repair it yourself?
Or try an upholstry place. H got a seat repaired at an upholstry shop and it was about 1/8 of the cost. Technically its suppose to be treated (I think for fire?), but for that small of a thing, I would go for the cheaper repair. They should be able to match your leather.

[slug*bug]

I think the right answer is for your DH to ask for the $300. Were I the friend, I'd feel horrible and happily pay the $300.

If your DH is not game for asking for the entire repair cost b/c he feels partly responsible, I think splitting the cost is also reasonable. But your DH needs to be the one behind the request.


Geez...as the friend, I'd like to think I would've thought to borrow an old pickup truck than to move furniture in my friend's leather upholstered vehicle...

[MixedBerryJam]

Aug 23, 2012 21:19:24 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

I'd split the cost. It was an accident, and both of them had a hand in it.

This, exactly. My neighbor broke a side window in my car with a rock mowing her lawn. I felt badly that she felt so badly and we split the cost. She wasn't doing anything reckless, so I didn't think she should be fully responsible.

It also enhanced our neighborly relationship, and I bet offering to split the bill with the friend would, too.

[aspentosh]

I see both sides. If I were your H, I wouldn't feel comfortable asking for the money. If I were the friend, I'd want to pay.

That being said, I agree with VC- split since they both had a hand in it.

[pitterwoo]

definitely the split. I feel like your H assumed some risk when he okay'd using the new vehicle. Also, I like the idea of trying to get a better deal on the repair. Replacing a peice of leather probably doesn't need to cost that much.

[curbsideprophet]

I would probably ask for the $300.