Gifts to return/pay for on 'break up'

paulineb_2

As I said before she owes him zilch.

Southend1

Homeagain wrote: »

Good evening everyone, bit of a dilemma for which I need some advice or even just general thoughts.

My daughter who turned 17 a few days ago was given 3 rather expensive birthday gifts by a boy she had been seeing but was not really happy with. He is a sweet boy but clearly not right for her. She has now decided to 'break up' with him and told him today, offering to return 2 of the gifts to him and pay for one of the items which is perfume. Unfortunately she has opened and used the perfume so this cannot be returned, the other 2 are jewellery items. The problem is that he demanded that she pay for all the gifts he bought her - approximately 80.00. She has been saving her babysitting money and has about this amount in her account. Whilst I am pleased she is acting morally over the issue - I don't believe that she should pay for the gifts - she should return those that are unused (no doubt he will be able to take them back for a refund) and pay for the perfume. I know that legally she does not have to do anything but again, morally she is right to return them and pay for the perfume - not just pay for them. What do you think?

A gift is a gift. Morally, she has no obligation to return them or pay for them (unless she was saving breaking up with him until after her birthday in case he bought her something good!!)

However she will probably feel better about it if she returns the jewellery.

If she would prefer to keep the jewellery and is happy to pay for it then that could be the way forward.

Ultimately she needs to do whatever she feels is right. Only she can know what's right in this particular situation.