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What should I ask for when a friend breaks an old vacuum I lent them?

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My friend messaged, "I dropped the vacuum on the stairs. I'll replace it," then sent a link to a used model for $80.

Mine originally cost $250, five years ago. It still worked well, and I wasn't planning to replace it. The damaged handle has left me without a usable vacuum; I haven't had the damage assessed yet. A new version of the same model is listed at $230.

I felt relieved that she'd offered to put things right, then disappointed by the used replacement. I don't know its condition, and she hasn't checked it in person either. But asking for $230 seems as though I'd be getting a new appliance to replace something with five years of use.

Would you ask her to help arrange an assessment first, look for a comparable used replacement together, or agree on a contribution towards a new one? We're trying to settle it between ourselves. I want a working vacuum back without turning her mistake into either an upgrade for me or an unwanted bargain for her.

Discussion

3 community replies

An assessment could reveal a repair option before both of you assume replacement is necessary. Agree beforehand on any assessment charge and ask the repairer what the damage means for safe use. You don't need to attempt a fix yourself to avoid looking demanding.

The $80 listing is a proposed solution, not proof of what a comparable replacement costs. Its age, condition and suitability still matter. Looking at it together would be more useful than accepting or rejecting it purely because $80 is far below the original $250.

You weren't shopping for a new appliance before the accident. That inconvenience belongs in the discussion even though the old vacuum wasn't worth its original price. Conversely, five years of use matter when comparing it with a new $230 model.

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