What would you do... the great surfboard swapout

[twinklebug]

I have a delimma, stay with me here

Last summer DH borrowed an old 8' long surfboard from a not-so-close friend (this guy had picked it up at a yard sale for $5.) The ugly thing has been camped out in front of our home for over a year now as the owner said he didn't want it back unless DH could somehow swap it out for a short board.

Last month DH did some research, went to Newport and traded it out for a new (even longer & uglier) longboard and a cute used shortboard covered in "cool" stickers. DH told DS that this shortboard was his to keep. DS fell in love with it admiring it, modifying hte stickers & cleaning it every day. Mind you there was no $ involved in this transaction as the board was a collector's dream. The only funds involved were in buying leashes and gas to/from newport on two occasions and at the end of last summer when DH put $100 or so into the old board to have it repaired..

Today the not-so-close "buddy" stopped by and reclaimed the shortboard as his. DS doesn't know and will be heartbroken when he comes home from his sleepover.

The question: I need to get mad but WHO do I get mad at: DH as he never should have told DS the board was his or the buddy for refusing to take the old board back and then suddenly wanting this one... or lastly... myself for wanting to get mad at all

 

[CraftyMouse]

I think the buddy has every right to claim the shortboard. He said he didn't want the old one back unless it was traded for a shortboard. Your husband traded it for a shortboard so that should go to the friend.

I would try not to get mad at all, but it probably would have been best if your husband has asked the friend if he wanted the shortboard before offering it to your son.

 

[floridafam]

I'm not sure who's right here. I guess it is his since it is a shortboard but couldn't you have just gotten another short board that wasn't so special to your son and given it to the boy?

Why did you let him take it? Did he just walk into your house and grab it?

 

[kimmikayb]

Hmmm, I might not getting all of this but why did you let the friend take the shortboard? He left the other board and didn't want it back. Yeah, he said that garbage about it being traded for a shortboard but why should you or your DH do that work for him? He could have traded it himself. My thoughts are, he abandoned his property, so it was yours to do what you wanted. If anything, I would have given him the other long board. That's what he left with your DH. Maybe I don't understand all the politics of boards.

 

[ADisneygirl]

Hmmm, I might not getting all of this but why did you let the friend take the shortboard? He left the other board and didn't want it back. Yeah, he said that garbage about it being traded for a shortboard but why should you or your DH do that work for him? He could have traded it himself. My thoughts are, he abandoned his property, so it was yours to do what you wanted. If anything, I would have given him the other long board. That's what he left with your DH. Maybe I don't understand all the politics of boards.

I tend to agree with this post. While he did say that "if" your husband traded the long board for a short one then he wants it, what I can't understand is why was it your husbands' responsibility to do the trading for him? What benefit did your husband get from this transaction? Seems he did the driving, paid for the gas, made the trade, cleaned it up and now the buddy waltzes in and takes it??

Doesn't make sense to me, but if it were me I'd forget about being mad, ditch this so called friend and stop storing his stuff, and get your son a different used short board for him to work on.

 

[agnes!]

I'm not sure quite what I think about all this, but one thing I do know...
Your DH has to tell your DS, *not* you.

Btw, how exactly did this friend get the shortboard ? Who gave it to him, you or your DH? Inquiring minds want to know...
(And maybe your DH owes your DS the shortboard of his desires.)

agnes!

 

[AprilShowers]

Yep, the "friend" is a jerk. He lets you store his property cause he doesn't want it anymore. Mentions that IF it can be traded for a short board, then he wants THAT one.

I don't think so!!! Your DH did all the work in locating this short board, it's his.
In the end though, I guess it's your DH's fault cause he allowed this so-called friend to walk off with your DS's board.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks everyone... I'm feeling a little better now that DH and DS had a talk, however, DH promised to get the board back by Saturday... We'll see.

I dug and got a little more info: The reason this all happened in the first place was because the first board was bought by the friend as a toy but turned out to be too big for him to handle. He had told DH that he didn't care if he ever got it backand he'd take $5 for it, but it was DH's idea to swap it for a short one. He got a great deal 2:1 (although the shop owner was seen dancing after the trade ) This great deal caused DH to tell the buddy about the board's value/the swap. I suppose I should just be grateful he's not asking for $1K

To answer the question, no, the buddy didn't waltz in and take it. He drove over & DH handed it to him in the driveway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Why would your dh give a man a board without talking to your DS first?
That is disrespectful considering your DS has been working on the board.

 

[Mermaid02]

I think your dh owes your son a new board.