Would you pay for it?

[Cantw8]

yes I would offer to pay for it. If the offer were turned down, I would give a gift of equivalent value perharps in the form of a gift card. That's just the way I am. If that were my home and my XBox, you never would have known it was broken because I would never have embarrassed my friends by telling them they broke something of mine.


edited to add: I do think your friend should turn down the offer to pay

 

[suzannen]

Well, I will take the OP's word that these people are close friends since she does not want to damage the relationship. So, if that is indeed the case, then I would assume IF the XBox was already broken before the incident, the FRIEND would have said "don't worry about it, it wasn't working properly anyway." I'm a little surprised by the number of folks who instantly thought "scam" if these people really are friends.
Anyway, I would definitely offer to pay for anything that I or any member of my family was remotely involved in breaking and hope that the wife can find the warranty so it's not necessary. Keep us posted.

 

[momrek06]

yes I would offer to pay for it. If the offer were turned down, I would give a gift of equivalent value perharps in the form of a gift card. That's just the way I am. If that were my home and my XBox, you never would have known it was broken because I would never have embarrassed my friends by telling them they broke something of mine.

What a nice friend you are, Cantw8! ...and it is so very true!

 

[Banshee]

I would find it odd that they would leave it out during the party...anyone could have tripped on it, it could have been spilled on, etc. Do you know that it was working prior to the party?

I would pay to get it fixed, but would not pay to replace it. Falling on its side should not have ruined it.

I agree with this we dont have x-box but we do have a going on almost 2 years old playstation2 the little skinny one, that has been through the wringer stepped on dropped basically really abused by the kids and it run's like a champ.

 

[sha_lyn]

Nop I wouldn't pay for it. I would tell them to claim it on their insurance, along with chiropractor bills for your DH. They served alcohol, they waxed the floor, they left the Xbox out where it could get damaged.

 

[Cindyluwho]

If your dh was acting reasonably and fell I would think the hosts would be more concerned that a guest hurt themselves at their home (not for fear of being sued, but for fear that a friend was injured). Wow.

This is the part that I question. Was her DH acting reasonably? She said there was a lot of alcohol at the party and that he was goofing around. Was her DH stumbling drunk or was it an accident? Until we know that how can we say who's at fault? Once again, if he was out of control then I'd be coughing up some dough.

 

[jenm2878]

I think you should pay to have it fixed, but not necessarily for a new one. Accident or not, someone elses's property was damaged and the person who broke it should offer to make it right. I know the man who accidently slid into my car last winter didn't mean to, but I still expected him to fix the damage. JMHO.

 

[CEDmom]

Unless someone walked over with a hammer and smashed something in our house I would never expect them to pay for something that broke while they were over. It was an accident plain and simple. However, in your position I'd have offered to replace it as well and just hoped they didn't take me up on the offer.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Unless someone walked over with a hammer and smashed something in our house I would never expect them to pay for something that broke while they were over. It was an accident plain and simple. However, in your position I'd have offered to replace it as well and just hoped they didn't take me up on the offer.

I'm with you.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

i would pay for it and be done with it. you said your DH was goofing off. If My DH would be doing so, i would pay for it. It was his fault, but that is just us.

 

[figment52]

Yup!

I'd offer three times, then quit...unless it was someone who obviously would have trouble replacing the item. Then I'd just leave them the money and not take no for an answer.

One kid broke our wall! Seriously, there was a big hole in the wall by the pool table, which we didn't notice for months, because...

He and my idiot son got the extra paint and painted a piece of paper to match the wall and GLUED it to the wall, then put a chair in front of it. One of those tall pool-chairs. DH found it one night when he and buddies were down there and moved the chairs.

I swear my kids (and their friends) are THE biggest doofuses on the DIS. The kid owned up to it, and apologized for breaking the wall and for the cover-up. I never got the *real* story on how it happened. Maybe when they're older, they'll 'fess up. Dopes.

...but I paid for the repair.

Even though they should have just fessed up to it, if you are going to cover it up I give him extra points for painting the paper to match the walls. I would have never thought of that.

 

[JPN4265]

i would offer and assume they'd decline. In fact, I'd be ticked if they accepted. I might say dh has to go to chiropractor because he tweaked his back falling on your waxed floors. I was wondering about those bills.

How about some personal responsibility, her husband was running in the house. If it was a child, he would get a spanking and his allowance would go to pay for the damage.

 

[Hedy]

Was DH hurt? Was DH drunk? Does DH have medical bills that they should be making a homeowner's claim for?

 

[RadioNate]

This is the part that I question. Was her DH acting reasonably? She said there was a lot of alcohol at the party and that he was goofing around. Was her DH stumbling drunk or was it an accident? Until we know that how can we say who's at fault? Once again, if he was out of control then I'd be coughing up some dough.

He wasn't stumbling drunk...he actually drove home. Yes he was being silly. He was running to change the song on the stereo because people were 'booing' and screaming somebody change it. Yes he was being overly dramatic about it but the fall was an accident. For the record he wasn't the only person running for the stereo. The owner of the house and 2 other guys also were trying to get to the stereo quickly. This isn't a big house. The stereo was about 10ft from where DH was sitting. It was just a freak thing.

Actually, when I asked the host the next day if the Xbox was ok he said "yeah, what happened with that?" because he was too drunk to remember.

They are good people, while I don't know if it was working properly before I can't imagine that they would ever think "hey it got bumped at the party and since they offered to pay for the damage lets just let him think he broke it and we'll get $400"

Like I said in the OP we ARE paying for it. My DH DID take responsibility. Because the friend was upset it got knocked over, I offered to replace it if necessary IMMEDIATELY after it happened. And when the friend came over to our house the next day we discussed it again saying to please let us know if it doesn't work and we will replace it. It simply tipped over, it wasn't like it was a hard drop. I actually didn't expect it to be broken. I don't know how that ISN'T taking responsibility. I am NOT trying to get out of paying for it. While it was an accident and completely unintentional, I know full well my DH was being silly and if he had been more careful he may not have slipped.

It does boot up but won't read games, his wife is taking it to a repair place to see if it can be fixed. We will pay for any repairs.

And in my friend's defense they aren't demanding that we pay for it. They aren't being angry and do understand it was an accident. While DH has a bruise - it really wasn't that violent of a fall...it was a slip and then he slid into the Xbox, which tipped over onto his side. There aren't any medical bills. Even if there were I wouldn't ask my friends to pay them. It was a freak accident.

 

[RitaZ.]

Radionate~ It sounds like you and your friends are handling it well. Some of the responses here make it sound like your DH is/should be on trial.

 

[famofsix]

Radionate~ It sounds like you and your friends are handling it well. Some of the responses here make it sound like your DH is/should be on trial.

If you were friends with us I would tell you thanks for the offer to pay for the damage but I just so glad your DH didn't get hurt. Don't worry about the X-box we've got it covered.

But if you offered to pay and they accept the money I would not give any more thought. Just pay and then have a party at your house. Maybe they will break something at your house before your check clears and you can call it even.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

He wasn't stumbling drunk...he actually drove home.

 

[ilovepcot]

I didn't think "friends" accepted money for *accidents*. In fact, it troubles me that they (apparently) have shown no concern for your husband's possible injuries.

 

[Mono~rail]

Judge Judy doesn't have a Dis user name so I'm letting her borrow mine to post her "opinion."

The hosts of the party served alcohol at the party or at minimum allowed alcohol to be served at the party. When people drink they get silly. Besides the silliness that would already be going on because it is a party, the alcohol adds to it and decreases judgement. The hosts knew alcohol was being consumed inside their home so therefore they bear some responsibility for any damage sustained on their property.

Responsibility should be split 50/50 - since each side shares equal responsibility. RadioNate's husband was drinking and goofing around, and the hosts of the party allowed alcohol to be consumed at the party inside their home.

If RadioNate's Dh suffered any damages that he needed to seek medical care for, he should pay his own bills. The hosts of the party should pay to have the XBox fixed or buy a new one. Each would be taking 50/50 responsibility by taking care of their own expenses (even if the expenses aren't equal). That's what happens when you act irresponsibly - someone gets the short end of the stick.

If RadioNate's Dh didn't have any medical expenses, he and the party hosts should split repair costs on the XBox 50/50.

Now, get out of here and don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining!

 

[stinkerbell_&_Co]

Now, get out of here and don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining!

OP-Go with your gut. Only you and DH know your friends and their intent.

I think accusing them of trying to scam a new Xbox is harsh, as is accusing your DH of being drunk and clumsy.

In the end, you are the only one in this thread that was there. Do what you feel comfortable with. Next time you have a party together, you may want to make it an outside gathering...LOL