Money Moral Dilemma: My son's friend borrowed his bike and it got stolen - should his parents pay?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My son cycled to a friend's house and left his bike there - his friend agreed to store it so my son could collect it a few days later. In the meantime, his friend borrowed it to pop into town, left it unlocked outside a shop for five minutes and it was stolen. The bike cost £350, was two years old and wasn't covered by my contents insurance. Should I ask the parents of my son's friend to replace it, as he borrowed it without permission and didn't lock it up, or do I replace it as his friend obviously didn't intend for it to be stolen?

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DullGreyGuy

How old are said kids? 

AndrewDerek

In this situation, parents need to be in charge of the situation and take responsibility. It was someone else's property and it was stolen, so they should compensate the owner for the loss.

bluelad1927

 I think the owner needs to take responsibility  for the bike accepting any risks whilst it is not in their possession

roubiliac

Shouldn’t have left it with his friend

Giraffe76

I doubt the son thought his friend would borrow it but as he did then the friend should assume responsibility as he was the one that was using it when it was stolen. The fact that it was only for 5 minutes doesn't matter. Like someone has said I'd like to know the age of the son and friend as that would be able to give us a bit more clarity to the situation but with the information we have I'd either be trying to get the whole cost of the bike back or maybe if they want to keep the peace then ask to go halves as a compromise 

HannahNP

Your son's friend definitely need to replace the bike. 
Either themselves or their parents. 
Responsibility is a value needs to be learn at any age.  
Being accountable for their mistakes can safe them fir bigger things later.
They took the bike without permission and didn't bother to look after it 

Rd1994

Absolutely the friend’s family should pay. He left it without locking it up and without asking permission. People suggesting the owner should pay are mad?! 

PadreM

YES......!

Jason9091

A mistake was made when the decision was taken to not insure the bike.

A second mistake was made when the bike was left with someone young/careless/unreliable.

A third mistake was made when the bike wasnot locked up while unattended.

You have to way up these factors. It also depends on the age of the children.

Penelope_Gib

Split the bill. These things happen.