Moral Dilemma - Friend Broke My Tennis Racquet String

LLarry David on 05/01/2017 - 14:11
Last edited 05/01/2017 - 15:51 by 1 other user

Hello revered OzBargain community,

No, I'm not asking for advice on how to invest $500,000 or whether I should put myself into debt by buying an $80,000 car to impress work colleagues… this is far more important!

A good friend/housemate of mine (let's call him Durian) was planning a social tennis game with friends. Durian realised at the last moment however, he did not have access to his racquet, which was unfortunately situated in the leafy suburbs of Dingley Village, some 45-60 minutes away. As a friend and housemate, I felt the urge to help him out of a pickle, and offered for him to use my racquet. For full disclosure, the strings on this racquet were quite worn, but still functioning as strings should.

Durian proceeded to use my racquet for one night a week, for approx. 2-3 weeks, until… disaster struck! He broke a string, and I found myself in a Larry David-esque moral dilemma.

One one hand, Durian is a good friend, the strings were aging and it was bad luck that the string broke.

Playing devil's advocate, by intending to help Durian I've suffered loss and become at a disadvantage.

So my question is, should Durian be responsible for re-stringing my racquet, or as I suspect, is it my obligation as an ethical friend to let it slide?

EDIT/UPDATE

As expected, it's a landslide that Durian is not responsible for the re-string. Good to get it sanity checked that smelly Durian isn't having one over me.

However, a third poll option to consider; would it be reasonable (assuming I pay for the re-stringing) to expect Durian to complete the logistical exercise of taking the racquet to the store, as a token gesture and show of good faith for breaking the string? What a world we live in.

Poll Options

  • 39
    Durian should be responsible for the re-stringing
  • 303
    It is unreasonable to expect Durian to pay for the re-stringing
Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Savas on 05/01/2017 - 14:14
    +149

    Okay, I need to get off OzBargain now

    • ChillBro on 05/01/2017 - 15:30
      +98

      You can log out any time you like,
      But you can never leave.
      guitar solo

      • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:26
        +7

        Call of the day!

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:26
      +3

      Absolute guy you are.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 05/01/2017 - 18:28
      +9

      Okay, I need to get off OzBargain now

      Here's a safe space for you.

      • ozhunter on 05/01/2017 - 18:39
        +10

        Ugh, I fell for it lol.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2017 - 18:52
          +8

          almost but checked the hovering link lol Good one Mcduck.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:06
        +2

        Durian once mischievously linked me to porn in a similar way. You guys would get along.

  • dasher86 on 05/01/2017 - 14:15
    +38

    Well we first have to establish how long you have had the racquet for and how much game time you have used it.
    Now compare that to the game time that Durian used it for.
    Work out the %s and apportion the cost of re-stringing.
    Then man up and pay for it yourself.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:26
      +2

      Nohohohoho!

      • dasher86 on 05/01/2017 - 16:34

        I would pay for the re-stringing myself but…that doesn't mean that Durian is off scott free.
        i'd make him get prices to re-string the racquet and be responsible for it to be repaired.

        I'd pay the charges but he has to do the monkey work as i don't want my time inconvenienced.
        After that tell him to meet you at a pub where you buy beers for each other.

        • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:40

          Durian is actually a very good man who has agreed to take the racquet to the store for me. It's actually for the William Olympics, an event we have in the Rigs of the William household whereby we have a series of events to determine who is the best athlete. Durian took out FIFA but I won the 100m sprint, with the 3rd competitor, Stivan finishing 2nd in both events. We're currently tied on 4 points each with Tennis approaching so I need to practice otherwise the experience from Durian's 2-3 sessions might push him to the lead!

        • dasher86 on 05/01/2017 - 16:42
          +1

          @Larry David:
          Haha if i was Durian i'd sabotage you by taking my sweet time to get it repaired =P

        • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:45
          +1

          @dasher86: Anything's possible, it is Durian after all!

        • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:50

          @dasher86: Also Dasher, who do you think will win the William Olympics? Will Durian's sneaky tactics get him over the line? Stivan's consistent 2 point behaviour? Or perhaps my good friendship will be enough to secure the win?

        • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:07

          @Larry David: Stivan took out Digital Darts last night. Durian choked, likely on his own taste.

  • Diji1 on 05/01/2017 - 14:17
    +38

    the strings on this racquet were quite worn, but still functioning as strings should.

    That's what they do right up until they break.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:27
      +2

      I'm sorry but that is call of the year!

      • Knightelf on 07/01/2017 - 10:59
        +1

        That's a bit early to call on the fifth day of January

  • MeesusEff on 05/01/2017 - 14:22
    +4

    if he still wants to use it, wouldn't he just go get it re-strung and continue about his routine?

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:27
      +1

      He's an absolute Durian of a guy, that's why he won't.

      • MeesusEff on 05/01/2017 - 16:31

        haha. if I was Durian, i would probably have restrung it when it happened if I wanted to keep using it.

        But if he had the thick skin to return it, I wouldnt expect him to foot payment for re-stringing. But I would be a bit miffed that it wasnt at least offered, but I will take it as a lesson learned to not loan items to him again.

        • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:47

          Durian used my Parmesan cheese last night as well. He's eating me out of house and home. Although, he did buy me a bottle of Captain Morgan and Stivan a bottle of Paleo Vodka for Christmas, so he may be sharpening up his act.

        • MeesusEff on 05/01/2017 - 16:57

          @Larry David: ayyyy those 2 pressies sounds like a pretty good 'payoff' , if you didnt get him anything :P

        • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 17:00

          @kza2610: And Durian wouldn't even have any when I offered him some on NYE! He said it's mine. Durian might be a smoky for Australian of the Year!

  • holdenmg on 05/01/2017 - 14:22
    +6

    If Duran Duran borrowed my Tennis Racket and returned it broken, I would have got them to autograph it and put it on eBay by now. lol

    • ms_caz on 05/01/2017 - 14:31
      +2

      tennis racquet guitar!

      • holdenmg on 05/01/2017 - 14:33
        +4

        Still usable as Air Guitar…

        • StewBalls on 05/01/2017 - 15:18

          I like your glass is half-full thinking…

        • holdenmg on 05/01/2017 - 15:21

          @StewBalls: A glass half full of Grange. lol

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:28
      +1

      Absolute track.

  • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 14:25
    +6

    You should get the maximum value out of the broken strings by smashing the racquet on Durian's head. Then go pay for the restringing yourself. ;)

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:28
      +2

      Joyce would not be too happy about that to be honest. Diaz would be though!

  • hell0 on 05/01/2017 - 14:27
    +21

    I hate Durian, tastes awful but other people love Durian, I guess Durian is a divisive fruit.

    However, in regards to your issue. You handed him a racquet that was as good as gone and was only a matter of hits before the strings snapped.

    You're question is like asking us if your friend owes you new printer cartridges as the printer ran out while he was printing a 5-page document.

    I don't think you are living life in the OZbargain spirit, you seem more like a Kath Armstrong - No1. Cheapskate devotee.

    • dazweeja on 05/01/2017 - 15:23
      +4

      +1 for the printer analogy. Unless there was evidence of some sort of abuse, Durian is not responsible.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:28
      +2

      Durian is as divisive a person as he is a fruit!

  • AdosHouse on 05/01/2017 - 14:58
    +6

    Or option C) Wait until there is some bargain sale on tennis racquets and unnecessarily buy a racquet that is worth way more than you need or will ever use.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:29
      +1

      Absolute OzBargain of a comment.

    • BartholemewH on 05/01/2017 - 23:53

      Buy 6, one comp racquet and one spare each for yourself, Durian and Stivan. Never do a bargain by halves.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:07

        Durian would probably ask to borrow and break the strings on all 6 racquets!

        • BartholemewH on 06/01/2017 - 20:02

          You're right, buy 12 to be safe.

  • LaProblematique on 05/01/2017 - 15:06
    -1

    I understand giving it to him for a one off occasion but why wouldn't you get him to pick up his own racket if he had planned on playing for multiple times?

    You're an idiot for letting him use it more than once (personally I'd never let anybody use my rackets), should have told him to take an 80 minute round trip if he wanted to hit the court.

    Enjoy coughing up $40-60 for a new restring - I'd ask your flog mate to cough up and contribute seeing how he couldn't be assed getting his own after the first time.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:30
      +1

      I don't agree with a lot of that post, but agreed he is an absolute flog of a mate!

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2017 - 15:07
    +17

    no wonder aliens dont visit us.

    • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 15:11
      +1

      They are already living amongst us and posting problems to OzBargain.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:30

      I'm living with one, and his name is Durian.

      • spedohero on 05/01/2017 - 22:34
        +3

        I am living with one, and my name is Durian.

        • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:09

          That's ironic because Durian does like to wear speedos up on the Jordan, Level 23.

  • ozhunter on 05/01/2017 - 15:13
    +4

    Did you deliberately loan him a worn out tennis racquet in hopes of it breaking so he will have to pay for it to be restrung?

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:31
      +8

      I actually encouraged Durian's parents to have Durian as their first child so it eventually culminated to the day where I could screw him over with my ailing strings.

      • ozhunter on 05/01/2017 - 19:15
        +1

        That's exactly what I thought had happened.

        • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:11

          Do you do hunting in Oz? Perhaps I could commission you put a hit out on Durian.

      • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 19:18
        +9

        Ah so you were stringing his family all along. What a racket.

        • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:11

          Durian does come from a broken family so I guess the stringing along part makes sense.

  • StewBalls on 05/01/2017 - 15:13
    +23

    Interesting…no bikies options???

    Just out of curiousity though, did you impose any conditions on the loan…or were there no strings attached? :P

    • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 15:23
      +14

      I think Larry David is a bit high strung I wouldn't blame him for feeling tense from this volley of replies. Hopefully it can be settled out of court.

      • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:32

        Two calls for the price of one! Absolute day!

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:32

      I'm sorry to the other posters, I may have gone early, but this is the official call of the year!

    • shaiguy on 05/01/2017 - 17:13
      +1

      It's a bit of a backhand when you have served your friend a racquet with old strings and smash them with the repair bill.
      I mean it's not a game where the rules are set and you can expect them to match your moral standards.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:12

        That was almost a great pun, but Durian has a terrible backhand. His tennis coach Peter Murphy used to get very frustrated.

    • kiitos on 06/01/2017 - 09:20
      +2

      What did Durian say when he returned the racquet? Or had the catgut his tongue?

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:13
        +2

        Durian had actually taped the string back together thinking I wouldn't notice. He needs to wear the deuce cap for that one.

  • Scab on 05/01/2017 - 15:19

    You're friends with someone named Durian?

    • StewBalls on 05/01/2017 - 15:20
      +2

      Sounds nicer than Stinky…

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:33
      +1

      I should be hit with a tennis racquet for even being friends with a guy named Durian!

    • terrys on 15/01/2017 - 12:06

      At least he hails from Dingley Village, not Dingley Dell. I'd be wary of lending that one a jar in case it gets filled with treacle.

  • John Kimble on 05/01/2017 - 15:20
    -1

    Sounds like a lame version of Russian Roulette? The strings were bound to go at anytime…you potentially inconvenienced him by lending him the racquet if the strings broke at the start of his most recent session (as it would have left him racquet-less).

    Were you using it inbetween the times he was using it? If so, then you definitely pay. If not, then you still pay, but at best maybe he could pay a small percentage (like 10%) or buy you a beer as a gesture of goodwill considering he only used it 2 or 3 times?

    Why did he keep using it after the first time? You said it was just a once off to avoid a round trip???

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:34

      I think it's been well established that both myself and Durian are a couple of see you next Tuesday's for our behaviour!

  • NotCheap on 05/01/2017 - 15:24
    +4

    Let us examine a couple of facts:
    1) Durian proceeded to use my racquet for one night a week, for approx. 2-3 weeks
    2) he did not have access to his racquet, which was … some 45-60 minutes away.

    :zoom in on 2-3 weeks:
    :zoom out, then back in on 45-60 minutes away:

    Durian is a lazy bastard that although had ample time to, couldn't be bothered getting his own racquet.

    I say its on him to contribute to the re-stringing and tbh, he should have offered when he returned your bustedass racquet to you.

    Has he gone and picked up his own now?

    Cheers

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:34

      I think we have found the man who can topple Donald Trump at the next election! Absolute man of my heart.

  • dazweeja on 05/01/2017 - 15:26
    +1

    In your situation I would:

    1. Pay for my own strings
    2. Buy this T-shirt as a practical joke.
    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:35

      I am going to buy this shirt and photoshop the ONE TRUE DURIAN's face onto said shirt.

  • slow on 05/01/2017 - 15:30
    +1

    You should rephrase your request as "a string broke whilst we was using it", rather than "he broke it"

    Racquets should be restrung periodically so he was just hastening the inevitable

    On the other hand if I was borrowing someone's racquet repeatedly and a string broke, as a gesture and way of saying thank you I would offer to contribute towards the restring. Just like if I borrowed someone's car repeatedly I would wash it before returning it even if it was dirty when I picked it up

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:36
      +1

      Calls 000 Hello, Police? There's a guy using semantics against me on OzBargain.

  • bion83 on 05/01/2017 - 15:31
    +2

    it cost about $30 to get it done just split it 50/50 and move on

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:36

      Absolute commercial mindset!

  • BlazinPast on 05/01/2017 - 15:59

    invest the money you would have spent on the racquet for your car as first impressions count

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:36
      +2

      The old cross reference! YOU ARE A VERY GOOD MAN!

  • Ryanek on 05/01/2017 - 16:01
    -2

    I cringed at the word Durian. That is by far the worst fruit I've ever tasted and it brought back flashbacks of me trying it with beer at some street market in Malaysia.

    • scrimshaw on 05/01/2017 - 16:24

      The trick is to refrigerate it and it will taste like slightly off ice cream.

      Or, eat it when you have a stuffed nose. Will taste nice but you won't smell it.

      and remember, Malaysia Boleh

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:38
      +1

      Thanks for the invite to Malaysia, Ryanek! Not good mate!

    • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 17:20

      Did your Malaysian friends tell you the folk maxim that durian interacts badly with alcohol and may even kill you? Consider yourself lucky. ;)

      • bluesky on 06/01/2017 - 05:03

        Its an urban myth, right? I heard about this too.

        • retiredfeline on 06/01/2017 - 09:00
          +1

          Probably. However durian is rich in sugar and adding alcohol to the mix may tip somebody vulnerable off the edge. Maybe that's how it started.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:15

        I wish someone told my string that if you interact with Durian you may get broken.

    • StewBalls on 05/01/2017 - 19:47

      I actually really like durian…with sticky rice it's bloody awesome!!!

      You just have to harden up & get past the smell, but once you do it's worth it for the flavour & smooth, creamy texture.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:15

        Joyce! I didn't know you used OzBargain!

  • InfraRed on 05/01/2017 - 16:04
    +1

    Cut Durian up and turn them into a smoothie

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 16:37
      +1

      I'll cut Durian up and use his limbs and body parts as the ball in my next tennis match.

  • mskeggs on 05/01/2017 - 16:59

    Durian should offer to organise and pay for the restringing, if that is straightforward. Otherwise, at least buy you a case of beer/box of chocs, with an apology that he hasn't had it done.
    If neither of these things happen, you should get it restrung and not mention it.
    If Durian neglects something else you lend in future, it would be reasonable to make a bit of a comment of, hey mate, if you want to borrow my stuff you are welcome, but please return it in the same condition.

    • Larry David on 05/01/2017 - 17:02

      Mskeggs with the proactive and problem solving approach! I had said in another comment Durian might be a smoky for Australian of the year, but I think you've gone into front-runner status! Thank you!

    • retiredfeline on 05/01/2017 - 17:20

      And hopefully after the beer/chocs it will be love all around again.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:16

        Oh it will be love alright…

  • DarkOz on 05/01/2017 - 18:34

    Why can't you, Guava, pay 50% and your friend, Durian, pay the other 50%?

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:17

      During doesn't like to share.

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