Money Moral Dilemma: You broke it, would you pay to fix it?

debzhyams

surely its all about reasonable use.
using the analogy of someone hitting your car while driving doesnt compare to this situation. a car is meant to be on the road. if however you were driving your car through a restaurant and a plate fell on to the bonnet of your car and dented it would you expect the customer in the restaurant to pay for your car? no! because you took the responsibility to take your car into a place where it was not meant to be.
the same in this situation, if you take your laptop into a restaurant (where accidents involving food have been known to happen) then you take the risk on yourself that food may get on your laptop.
to then turn around and blame someone for having an accident and expect them to pay for something you took the responsibility for seems quite unreasonable to me

2giraffes

Al_Vampyre wrote: »

I am stunned by the number of people that seem to think that not at least offering to pay is an acceptable option here.

It's precisely because people aren't willing to accept responsibility for their own actions (and accidents!) that we find ourselves in the ridiculous nanny state situation this country is in.

Why should the person who owns the laptop (or his insurance company for that matter) have to pay out because of your clumsiness?????

The laptop owner also needs to take responsibility for his own actions - i.e. taking a laptop into an inappropriate place.......

kingkano

2giraffes wrote: »

The laptop owner also needs to take responsibility for his own actions - i.e. taking a laptop into an inappropriate place.......

Who would decide whats inappropriate or not?? You'd be hard pressed to find a chain coffee shop (starbucks etc) in London WITHOUT a couple of people using laptops inside to be honest.

chrissie55

In that situation, I'd feel responsible if I was stupid enough to waste money in McD's & then do idiot stuff.............but I cdn't afford to replace a laptop (was the owner trailing their coat there, or what?) so I'd look for a basic replacement on local Freecycle group - a great place to get rid of your unwanted stuff, or ask for other people's chuckouts. Saves space in landfill!:o

maxfactor_3

My reaction would be to run and get some tissues to mop it up and scarper quick sharp.
My lifts outside!.
Their wouldnt be any debate.I wouldnt dream of taking a laptop top in Maccy D,s.
If someone spilt a drink on my eye pod I would accept responsibility.
\Its a restaurant right,for food and drink ,spillages and mess are a common occurence.
Take a laptop in a fast food place,just stupid.
Their own fault I,d say.

eltipo

Let me see, erm NO!!!!!. Obviously you would sue Mac.D's. On the grounds that their are no disclaimers with reference to "Idiots With Hot Coffee May Ruin Your Laptop" therefore you would be ill prepared for such an eventuality and it is the sole responsibility of the establishment to remunerate you for your laptop, I would go on to insist the coffee was also replaced.

gj_piercy

id get mcdonalds to pay as they should have a seperate area for people with lap tops so they dont get damaged

Frijj

eltipo wrote: »

Let me see, erm NO!!!!!. Obviously you would sue Mac.D's. On the grounds that their are no disclaimers with reference to "Idiots With Hot Coffee May Ruin Your Laptop" therefore you would be ill prepared for such an eventuality and it is the sole responsibility of the establishment to remunerate you for your laptop, I would go on to insist the coffee was also replaced.

McDonald's would almost certainly have a use at own risk clause for anything in there premises and the accident is totally your fault as it was your bag you tripped over!

However you may be covered under McDonald's' Public Liability Insurance as the accident happened on their property. Quick google....

"Public Liability - Public liability insurance covers your legal liability to pay damages to members of the public for death, bodily injury or damage to their property which occurs as a result of business activities. For example, you might need PL cover if your work involves any interaction with the general public. It also covers legal fees, costs and expenses such as representation at any coroner’s inquest, fatal accident enquiry or other court hearing because of an accident."

http://www.abi.org.uk/Display/default.asp?Menu_ID=946&Menu_All=1,946,0&Child_ID=134

So you both don't have insurance but McDonald's do! I would assume that Ronald picks up the tab and you get a free coffee! McDonald's may then take you though the small claims to get the costs back and without Personal Liability Insurance your stuffed with the bill for every ones legal costs, but the bad PR would make this highly unlikely! Especially when you sell your story to the Sun!

Saying that though, most (newish) laptops will take a liquid spill without much of a problem. The keyboards are backed with rubber so prevent things like this from killing them. Turn it off, dry it out, clean it with good ol' WD40 and away you go. The hard drive would still be ok and could be dropped into another one worst case scenario so no loss of data.

Whats all the fuss about, accidents happen! Say sorry and move on. Pay for it? No chance

tonygee_3

If you take fragile items into public places the onus is on you to forsee any potential hazards or take out insurance to cover your loss

vickyo

There is no discussion here, it's my bag I tripped over, my coffee, I'd have to pay. There's no other answer as far as I can see. It's not a matter of whether you can afford it, it's your fault.