My niece and her husband came to visit for a few days and brought their Chihuahua with them. He picked up a few fleas from our cats and she was upset. She decided to help herself to a tube of our Advantage and give it to her dog on my brand new $1000 Dining Room table. Four big drops of the medicine burned thru the layers of finish and bleached the bare wood underneath. She never asked, nor did I ever give her permission to use the medicine. In fact, I had previously told her and her husband not to use the drops because of his age, (4 months), and told her to give him a bath before they ended their visit and he would be fine once they left the house. It is going to cost $300-$500 to repair the table and we know it will never be perfect again. The other option is to order a new top from the furniture store at $800. Since I'm paying for this furniture for the next 4 years, and since she chose to do this without my permission and was careless about it, shouldn't she pay for it?
2007-03-15 01:56:14 · 12 answers · asked by wsnichols89 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
It's tough to know what to do when it comes to family. First question, how old is your niece? How good is your relationship (minus the current situation)? How financially stable is she?
When she was coming to visit, did she say she was bringing her dog?
I see your point, obviously I'd be upset too if someone damaged something expensive of mine. I think the best solution, assuming you and your niece can talk rationally without becoming combative, would be to talk to her and explain how you feel. Tell her you understand it was an accident, but that you feel she should at least help you pay for the repair. Go for the repair, not the replacement, unless you are very picky and it will bother you every time you look at it.
The most important thing is not to let something as insignificant as a table come between you and your family. I've seen family's torn apart because of ridiculously small arguments that could have been avoided.
Bury the hatchet, you'll be glad you did down the road.
2007-03-15 02:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by ski4ever1977 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course she should. She chose to bring her dog over. Then, she chose to treat her dog with medicine that did not belong to her, without your permission, and even more irresponsibility, on top of furniture. She could have treated him in the kitchen sink.
If she is like my sister, however, she'll never pay for it. My sister ruined the finish on my brand new coffee table by taking nail polish off on the table. Most of us would have used a towel or did it over a sink, but, as she is family, she didn't think she should have to pay for it even though she did this in my home without my knowledge (she used a key to get in and helped herself). She no longer has a key.
Either way, you need to decide whether or not you should risk the relationship with your family member. I chose to let it go.
Good luck.
2007-03-15 02:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Stefka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait... you haven't even bought the table yet? If the girl is over 18, then she should pay for the repairs, not for the whole thing. YOU need to pay for the table first. Who needs a $1000 table anyway... well, not fair for me to judge. If you make her pay for the whole table, then you have to give her the table... no? and then you can go buy a new one? If you don't want the table now that it is damaged, you should have her buy it off you, if you will take it with repairs, then you should make her pay for the repairs; you can't have her buy a damaged table for you, thats just unfair.
2007-03-15 02:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by James L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would be very upset with my niece, but i wouldn't just ask for the money like that. I'd tell her my problem and ask her what she would do in my place. Listen to what she has to say. If you really really can't decide then I say half it that way it's all even. Your cats gave her dog fleas. She ruined your table. Now it's her turn to help you out because you tried to help her even though she didn't listen.
2007-03-15 02:02:20 · answer #4 · answered by aless. 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think of i could point out it to my sister and notice what she has to declare. The photographer expects you to pay, so how lots do you fee him? and that i admire the thought that the only guy or woman mentioned, "the place replaced into he?" You under no circumstances pass off and pass away a working laptop or laptop-exceedingly on a table with liquids. If the photographer makes use of his coverage, then this is fairly worth your whilst, and a corporation write off, to pay the deductable. this is fairly even regardless of the indisputable fact which you sense. . .
2016-12-19 05:53:14 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HELL YES SHE NEEDS TO PAY FOR IT. TELL HER SHE NEEDS TO PAY FOR IT OR YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE HER TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. WHY WOULD SHE PUT MEDICINE ON THE DOG ON A NICE TABLE, YEA MAKE HER PAY FOR IT
2007-03-15 02:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by Supa Thick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She should at least help,BUT,lots of luck,she don't sound like a person that would do what 's right.
2007-03-15 02:14:28 · answer #7 · answered by Butch46 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, yes and YES! The fleas she got from you were a bonus!
2007-03-15 02:00:25 · answer #8 · answered by Brown'n 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but ask nicely.
2007-03-15 02:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by Dino 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if shes young, no. but if shes well off and could afford it maybe. dont so it if it was an accident.
2007-03-15 01:59:57 · answer #10 · answered by Katie I 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋