How should I handle this?

[ntburns22]

My DD6 saved her money to buy the Highschool the Musical DVD. Well we let friends of ours borrow it for the car while they were on vacation. They gave it back yesterday and the DVD has scratches so deep it won't even play. I have a feeling they let their 4 year old handle the DVDs in the car. Should I say something? My DD is very upset and I know she will say something to the 4 year old. They are in a cheerleading day camp together starting tomorrow. Should I just casually ask if it played ok for them because we are having problems with it and mention the scratches?

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I would. Play it casual and see what they say - either they noticed and hoped you wouldn't or they really don't realize that it was damaged. If they don't offer to replace it I'd just chaulk it up to experience and not let them borrow stuff again. If it were me - I'd then replace my kids dvd myself.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I would quietly say something to the parents and ask them to replace it, since when it left your hands it was just fine, but when it came back it was unplayable.

If they refuse to replace it, then I would replace it for your DD and neve let them borrow anything like that again. If they ask why, I'd say it was because you have a policy of not letting things that are easily damaged (like DVDs) get borrowed.

TOV

 

[SleepyMom]

Should I just casually ask if it played ok for them because we are having problems with it and mention the scratches?

I would do this right away, the longer you wait it might seem worse when it finally does get brought up. Hopefully they will offer to replace it. If they didn't I would replace it myself, six is awfully young to go through the saving for it and then have someone else destroy it for them. Your DD was very nice to loan out something she worked hard to get, I would hate to have this experience ruin that for her.

 

[Serena]

I would quickly replace it without saying anything.

 

[ntburns22]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I think I just might drop an email asking if they had any problems with it because we are having problems with it. I told my DD the next time we were out I would get her a new one.

 

[Daxx]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I think I just might drop an email asking if they had any problems with it because we are having problems with it. I told my DD the next time we were out I would get her a new one.

Good way to handle it. If they ignore the email, don't push it further and just replace the DVD yourself.

From here on in, institute a "no loan" policy on CD's, DVD's, etc.! We have one b/c we don't want to have to deal w/our things getting ruined by someone else!

 

[tiggersmom2]

I would quickly replace it without saying anything.

Yep, me too.

 

[Sherri]

I would be willing to bet for the amount of money it would have cost them to replace it themselves, they wouldn't go throught the embarrasment of returning a ruined DVD to you. I think they must not have known and I bet when you casually mention it them they will be more then happy to do the right thing and replace it.
I think the way you are approaching it is just right.

 

[anewvance]

I agree. I would email them not expecting to get a new copy from them but just to let them know. Like the pp's said, ask them if it worked ok for them because you are having problems now and you think it is from the new scratches in the dvd.

 

[DISUNC]

I would quickly replace it without saying anything.

Me Three! A damaged DVD is not worth getting everyone upset over!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am with the "chalk it up to experience" posters here.

When you lend something like that to kids... well... That is kind of an assumed risk.

It is possible that the parents really are unaware of the damage. I know how it is traveling with kids, luggage, electronics, toys, etc... Controlled chaos at times I am sure.

I might let the parents know about it. But I would not want this to be a 'negative' at all in your friendship.

PS: You will want to remember this next time you are tempted to lend something out for kids!!

 

[hydster]

Do you have a Hollywood Video store near you? Here they have a disk cleaning machine and it's a good deal....better than buying a new one. I don't know if it can take out the scratches on that dvd because I can't see it but it might be worth a try to get it cleaned first and if not then replace it.

Honestly I don't think I'd say anything to the friends who borrowed it but I certainly wouldn't allow them to borrow anything again.

 

[ntburns22]

I can't replace it that quickly. I live in a rural area and I am not going to spend $30 here in town to replace it. It is going to have to wait until we drive to a Wal-mart or Target which are both a little over a half hour a way. I did want to say something because even though I told my DD not to say anything I know she will. She is going to be with the girl all week at day camp starting tomorrow.

I am at fault too. DD offered her DVD. But I should have mentioned something about letting their daughter handle the DVD. Our DD isn't even aloud to handle DVDs.

 

[miss missy]

For me, not worth the 20 bucks! Just replace it and learn not to lend them out again. Keep it simple and pick your battles.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Contact the manufacture. Some will replace them if you send them the defective one.

 

[Cantw8]

I would just buy another copy and make a mental note to not loan anything else to these friends....I wouldn't want to cause hard feelings with my friends over a DVD, life's too short

 

[luvdzne]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I think I just might drop an email asking if they had any problems with it because we are having problems with it. I told my DD the next time we were out I would get her a new one.

I think that is a good way to handle it. I find DVDs and such are not a good thing to lend out as not everyone handles them with care.