Money Moral Dilemma: Should my neighbour pay half the cost of replacing the saw they often borrow?

nomadicpensioner

You showed generosity in lending the saw. That's a good neighbourly attitude. Buy a new saw, and keep lending it for free. But ask your neighbour to borrow things he has and you don't. If he agrees, you will end up with a relationship of mutual generosity, which is worth more than the cash involved. If he doesn't, then you both become aware this is a one way relationship, and he'll probably stop asking to borrow your saw. If he asks again though, it's time for a conversation about neighbourliness......

oldnewhand

It somewhat depends on whether the neighbour asked to borrow the saw or you offered to lend it, but whichever it was I wouldn't want to cause ill feeling by suggesting any recompense. However, presuming you have a good relationship with your neighbour you could slip into general conversation that you have something to saw but have found your saw needs replacing but you've got expensive time ahead of you (or similar scenario) and see if there's a reaction. It may or may not !!!!!! a conscience but could help stop the grudge from festering. Good neighbours are worth keeping.

04Felix15

Don’t build up no big story 
simple say the saw is broken do you want to go 50/50
on a new one and we can both use it. 

If your neighbour said no, than politely say ok. 

When you get your new saw you know what to do. 

It’s for sole use only. 

Have a great day! 

Groom

Depends on the price of a new saw. Perhaps tell him that the old one is broken and you can't afford to replace it, so would he be prepared to go halves to buy a new one. Or tell him your's has broken and you are going to have to borrow a friends! 

landlady_vb

It’s a difficult one as you don’t want to come across as a git, yet it’s not just the cost of a new saw, it’s the blades and maintenance. 

Many times I’ve lent my tools to folk, only to have them returned chock full of sawdust - and with blunted blades. 

If you were to buy one, he’d no doubt hear you use it. Awkward. 

Maybe tell him you had to borrow one as yours had broken? See what he says?

retired19

Why not be radical. Buy yourself a new saw and give the old one to the neighbour. Explain that means he won't have to ask you for a loan anymore as he's now got his own saw. (I assume it's still working just not as well as it did). That way you have a new saw which you would have had to buy anyway, you don't have to loan it out and he can use the old one that otherwise you would have had to dispose of. Best of all you stay on good terms as he thinks you're very generous 

Bonnypitlad

I don’t know how old you are but you should have learned that if you lend your tools you should expect them to be returned damaged or not returned at all. A neighbour who has to constantly “ borrow “ an item shows what type of person they are (unprepared) and likely to abuse equipment that is not theirs 
I suggest you donate the unserviceable saw to your neighbour explaining that it has been worn out, he can have it if he’s prepared to have it refurbished 
Buy your new one and dodge any requests from the neighbour to borrow the new one.
Don’t tell porkies that you don’t have one!, I think the neighbour will be able to hear when you’re cutting up your pallets 

Lowry1986

Your neighbour needs and uses the saw as much as you do and I would expect him to come to the conclusion that the need to replace it is as much his responsibility as yours. Use an handsaw short term and wait and see. Will he then make you an offer or in fairness to you offer to buy a replacement?
If not then I reckon he is a pretty inconsiderate sort of neighbour.  Replace the saw yourself and tell him you have been advised that it's for light use only or find some other excuse for not sharing it.

soulsurferone

I had a £120 chop saw from B&Q. My neighbour used to borrow it quite often, and then I lent it to a friend. My friend totally trashed it, but offered the money to replace it. That's what good friends and neighbours do.

honestcove

Say to him: “hey buddy you can have my old saw as a gift because you’re my friend” . With luck you’ll never have to see him again. But if he comes back to you and says: “hey buddy that gift you gave me is now broken, can I have another one please” then you really know now there is something wrong with him, tell him to get lost and never see him again. Win:Win