We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Money Moral Dilemma: Should Carrie return her present?
Comments
-
could she go to the shop to see if its in the sale? that way if it is she could return it and buy it again and use the money left over.... but tell her friend about it though, otherwise its a bit too underhand0
-
I'd be a bit surprised if a friend bought an expensive present when I barely had enough money to live on, would maybe show they didn't know me that well! But a gift is a gift and I would not want to offend by returning it.0
-
Take it back, no hesitation from me!One hundred years from now it won't matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like but the world may be a little better because, I was important in the life of a child.0
-
MSE_Penelope wrote: »Carrie got a designer dress from her friend Samantha for Christmas. Samantha gave her the receipt in case the dress doesn't fit. Carrie loves the present, but is a bit broke and could use the £400 she would get from returning it. Should she return it without telling Samantha?I'd be a bit surprised if a friend bought an expensive present when I barely had enough money to live on, would maybe show they didn't know me that well! But a gift is a gift and I would not want to offend by returning it.
I think there's a big difference between being a bit broke and barely having enough to live on.
Even if Carrie is a bit broke she should deal with her situation herself and not use a present kindly given to her by a friend as a 'bail out' means.Herman - MP for all!0 -
If she has somewhere to wear it then do so, once. Then get it cleaned and put it on ebay.
She can tell her friend if she thinks she would understand. If not, keep quiet and then say you put weight on. Make sure you get a picture of you out in the dress or at the very least wearing.
A £400 dress is quite possibly a very embarrassing and thoughtless present. If her friend doesn't know how broke she is I would be surprised,Sealed Pot challenge 3 - #969
20ps and £2 coins and other bits.
July grocery challenge £167.40/£175
NSD challenge July 9/100 -
I will return the dress but will feel guilty afterwards for a week or so. I will probably confess to my friend at some point.Debts at :idea: moment £31,500
[STRIKE]Debts as @ 28 June 2009 £15,654[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]Debts as @ 25 July 09 £7,264 [/STRIKE]:j[STRIKE]Debts as at 8 Sept 09 £6,590 [/STRIKE]:T Debts as @ 10 October 09 £5,976:j:j
Official Debt Free Wannabee- Nerd Club Member Number 742..........Longhaul supporters club member-Number 72
Proud to be dealing with my debts! Love this forum :grouphug:0 -
Of course she should return it , her friend must have been daft in the first place to spend £400 on a dress , she can return it and buy something similar for under £50MSE_Penelope wrote: »Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on:Should Carrie return her present?
Carrie got a designer dress from her friend Samantha for Christmas. Samantha gave her the receipt in case the dress doesn't fit. Carrie loves the present, but is a bit broke and could use the £400 she would get from returning it. Should she return it without telling Samantha?Click reply to have your say
Previous MMDs: View All
0 -
She should tell her friend that she saw the receipt, but in her current financial state, cannot accept the gift. Then its down to her friend to give her the option of taking it back, and the moral issue is shifted. Booyah. X0
-
She should keep it. Being broke is a huge dent to your confidence and a new designer dress may just give her the confidence/perk boost that she needs. It might even be useful to get a better job with
People hide their finances very well so a friend can easily not know about someones financial difficulties.
She should really get to the bottom of why she is broke and come visit :money: and get adviceNew PV club member. 3.99kW system. Solar Edge with 14 x 285W JA Solar panels. 55° West from south and 35° pitch.0 -
If I were Carrie, I'd talk to Samantha (if I could prise her away from a man!) about the situation. I'd explain that I LOVE the dress and I'm extremely grateful for her generosity, but that I could REALLY use the cash, would she mind...? I'm sure Sam would rather her friend had something that would be more helpful to Carrie and wouldn't mind at all. I know I wouldn't be upset.
This actually happened in one of the earlier Sex and the City episodes. Someone (I think she was called Susan) gave Carrie an expensive Cashmere scarf for her birthday. Carrie was profuse in her thanks and praise for the gift, but said "Actually I'm really broke - would you mind if I exchanged it for the cash?" The other character said "Oh, yes, sure." and wasn't annoyed at all. I think they even had a bit of a laugh about it.
Happy new year to all Moneysavers - hope it's a good one for you. x0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454K Spending & Discounts
- 244.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.3K Life & Family
- 258.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards