Friend borrowed shoes and ruined them

BunnieJ

So, I let a friend borrow an old dress of mine for a party a few months ago (it doesn't fit me anymore). I have matching shoes, so I let her borrow those too. I don't have a problem with lending items to friends and I felt a bit sympathetic as she had no money to get something for herself.

I've had the shoes for about 3 years and they're my "going out" heels. They cost £40 which was quite a lot at the time, but they've been a great pair of shoes. I admit they weren't perfect, but any wear and tear was barely noticeable. Now the suede is covered in dirt/scuffed in places and the heels are covered in black and white marks and scuffs. Also, the inner part of the shoe (not inside, but the bit that runs along the inside of your foot) is all wrinkled and creased.

For various reasons I could only collect the shoes today and she told me she had worn them twice. I'm one of the worst at ruining shoes, but I was shocked at the state of them. I was a bit taken aback so I just collected the shoes and went home. I'm not sure if I should say something to her as I don't want to make it into a big deal

I know now to be more cautious when lending my things, but now I'm stuck with a pair of ruined shoes :-( I was planning to wear them to our Christmas party this weekend, but I think they're too damaged. I've tried cleaning them with a suede brush and the heels with a sponge and some household cleaner. Any suggestions?

TIA

Takeaway_Addict

I wouldn't do anything bar not lending to her again, its not worth the agro mentioning it to her or anything.

*Robin*

Pop over to the Old Style board - maybe someone on there knows a trick you could use to hide the marks?

Oh, and be thankful this 'friend' didn't persuade you to loan her your life savings!

warehouse

I lent a DVD to a friend once and it came back in a ridiculous state. Rather than ruin a friendship I let it go and NEVER lent him anything again. Do the same.

elona

Have you tried steaming, holding them over kettle or aiming steam from iron over them?

BunnieJ

*Robin* wrote: »

Pop over to the Old Style board - maybe someone on there knows a trick you could use to hide the marks?

Oh, and be thankful this 'friend' didn't persuade you to loan her your life savings!

I was thinking I'd just leave it and not lend her an thing again, but I'm really annoyed about the shoes I will check the Old Style board for some tips now. It's not like she just takes all the time, I've borrowed her shoes, she's given me lifts to the supermarket etc. She's really nice, so perhaps that's why I didn't expect her to ruin my shoes.

BunnieJ

elona wrote: »

Have you tried steaming, holding them over kettle or aiming steam from iron over them?

My mum suggested this, but I haven't tried it yet.

theoretica

You could give the shoes to her for Christmas?

BunnieJ

theoretica wrote: »

You could give the shoes to her for Christmas?

I guess...but I've taken them back now. Plus I have the cost of buying a new pair of shoes to replace the ruined ones.

*max*

Don't ruin the friendship over it. They're 2 year old shoes, even if they were pristine when you lent them. People's feet are all different, even when the same size - we don't all walk the same, posture, weight... In your shoes (pardon the pun!), I wouldn't say anything but I would refuse to lend things that can be damaged beyong repair through normal wear and tear. Ie: a toaster is ok, shoes are not.

I know if I was your friend I would have offered a replacement if I'd damaged them that way. But hey. Not worth sacrificing an otherwise good friendship over this.

nickyhutch

Seriously? I wouldn't lend a pair of shoes out and expect them to come back in the same condition, so there's no way I'd lend my favourite, or some that are to match something in particular, or aren't easily replaced.


If I'd been your friend, I'd have insisted that I pay for replacements, but unless you're wiling to go back and mention it to her now, I'd say it's too late to lose a friendship over.


They're shoes. They don't last forever. Suck it up and don't lend shoes out again.