Real-life MMD: Should friend cough up for broken iPhone?

morverngirl

I think that if a child HAD got into difficulty near a river then everyone would of been saying why didn't they have a phone. Problem is that it was an expensive phone.

KPS77

ronangel wrote: »

No messing about here, the boy could have been seriously hurt apart from the phone. tell the parents that unless they pay for a replacement phone you will be taking out a summons against their son for assault and suing for damages and costs of his phone and clothing. he could end up with a criminal record and or fine/community service depending on his past behaviour. be polite and take a large friend who stands some distance away but can be seen, when you go to see them and be prepared for a punch in the mouth. you may get a promise to pay. explain if you do not receive money in 28 days you will take out summons without contacting them again. or you might just get the money.... choose time of seeing them carefully best in public place spoken quietly with plenty of witnesses. good luck!

I'm guessing this comment may have been posted as a joke to get people going in which case it's worked as I couldn't let it go without comment

Talk about an over reaction, bottom line is they are kids having fun, I grew up playing in rivers, pushing friends in and also being pushed in myself. Fair enough rivers can be dangerous and if parents are concerned about where their children are playing then they need to discuss this with them and stop them going there.

As for the threat of court proceedings for assault you would get laughed out of court although it is unlikely you would even get there in the first place. On the point of damages you may get some success in a small claims court but the hassle of doing this would probably not be worth it.

Tackling the next point about taking someone large with you and expecting a punch in the mouth I think that somes up the type of person you are. If you can't mediate with people without it turning ugly I suggest you take a different tack. As soon as you look threatening in a situation people will just dig their heels in more. Certainly if I was ever threatened by someone I would go out of my way to cause them more problems.

Finally to post an answer to the dilemma, I would suggest that a contribution should be made to a replacement phone I would suggest a 50/50 split. The friend didn't go out to break the phone and it may provide a good compromise to maintain the friendship in the future.

ronangel

KPS77 wrote: »

I'm guessing this comment may have been posted as a joke to get people going in which case it's worked as I couldn't let it go without comment

well at least it got somebody’s attention…. But the boy could have drowned on the serious side if he could not swim, and the phone should have been insured. But a lot of these phone policies do not cover water damage,always check the small print.

sloucho

A similar thing happened when I was 13. Me and a mate were messing round with matches, as boys do and I accidentally burnt his house down.
His parents foolishly where under insured and so became homeless without any possessions to their name what so ever.
So we did the sensible thing and came to a fair and sharing agreement and met half way, as they should it this case.

We let they stay in the Caravan at the bottom of our garden.

We still laugh about it now

Kids will be kids - consequences don't apply.

alexjohnson

I think there are two issues here.

1. I do think that unfortunately this is what happens when kids play. It would be nice if the parents made a gesture, but I don't think they are under any real obligation to do so (though I think technically the law would say otherwise).

2. This is exactly what insurance is for. You have chosen not to insure yourself fully by having a large excess, and paying a lower premium. In effect, I think on this one you have gambled, and lost. I appreciate that's not how you might think of how you have acted, but I think it's a rational way to look at it.

So, I'd say that if you want to prevent your 13 year old breaking a £530 - £700 item (or having it broken or stolen) then you either need more expensive insurance, or to accept that things are going to get broken and damaged much more frequently than if he were an adult. (Wait till he gets a car.)

JayD

Of course the other boy's parents should contribute to the cost of the phone. Boys will play boisterously but what this one did was dangerous and had financial consequences - his parents need to be aware of that and to teach him not to do such a stupid thing again.

Ebenezer_Screwj

The person responsible for this act of lunacy should be made to replace the phone, if necessary through the courts. What sort of "friend" or even human being is it who pushed your son into a river ?

janiebquick

Your son has learnt the hard way that expensive items get damaged if you fail to take care of them - and, by taking care, I include taking it out while playing with friends. You should claim on your home insurance, making a mental note to change to one with a smaller excess next year. How much is your excess, anyway?

waiax73

IMO you should demand a new iPhone from the kids' parents.

On the other hand, that's why 13 y olds shouldn't get expensive smartphones....

loracan1

ovverbruv wrote: »

The gadget show did a feature on this recently, try a bag filled with rice for 48 hours.

As to the friend paying I think you should ask his parents to pay at least half. Have you checked if you have cover on your house insurance? I got my wifes iphone covered for only £10 for the year.

I don't think anyone should be allowed to own a phone or anything small and electronic until they understand that; if it gets wet, do NOT turn it on. If it's allowed to dry out - and I mean a week or more with rice or the dessicant packs, it stands a chance of working. If an attempt is made to switch it on you have a cast iron guarantee that it will fry.

(my last phone had at least two dips in the bath in the several years I had it)

And in response to the original question - depends entirely on the events, 'mate pushed him in' has so many connotations, the first that springs to my mind is two kids mucking about, equally responsible for one of them landing in the water.