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

  • syousef on 05/01/2017 - 18:34
    +3

    Clearly he should buy you a new racket, pay you a restocking fee, buy you a car and a house, and be your butler for life. Anything less and he is getting one over for you.

    Next moral dilemma: Peanut Butter or Vegemite?! I feel like the Vegemite is getting one over me.

    • SilentBob on 06/01/2017 - 08:56

      Why not both? Not together. Eww

      • syousef on 06/01/2017 - 08:58

        Because it would taste like something coming out of my digestive tract rather than something fit to go in.

      • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:18

        Hey buddy, I'll see you at the Oscar's next year.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:17
      +1

      Finally someone who sees my point of view! Thank you syousef

      • syousef on 06/01/2017 - 16:15
        -1

        Someone didn't. I got a downvote. For a joke. This place is funny. I guess they don't need jokes huh?

  • Hirolol on 05/01/2017 - 18:58

    isnt durian a fruit.
    anyone else thing that or just me?
    im probably saying the name wrong arent i…

    seriously you guys shoulda paid half, yes the strings were worn but hes using it like its his own for the last few weeks.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:19
      +1

      You are my Hiro!

  • Tech5 on 05/01/2017 - 18:59

    Just don't worry about it too much. Between friends, this really isn't worth it. Take it and get it fixed yourself :) "Durian" will know you are doing it, and will have it in his mind that you are doing it because you are friends.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:20

      Maybe I can guilt Durian into having a heart attack and my string will finally get the revenge it's so desperately wanted.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/01/2017 - 19:06

    Id string this out and make him feel at fault with this at every opportunity you can and remember to keep this ace up your sleeve for future reference on loaning him gear.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:20

      Durian might go to Ripponlea and pick up some more gear for JAIM!

  • kungfupanda on 05/01/2017 - 19:07

    Since you are aware of the aging string… did you subconsciously lend him the racquet hoping Durian broke it so you could get him to at least felt guilty and perhaps repair it with new one?… hmm …

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:21

      I'm subconsciously a bad MF.

  • Randxyz123 on 05/01/2017 - 19:14
    -1

    Strings break all the time. You said it yourself the racquet basically was due to be restrung.

    Your housemate definitely owes you a beer or several. Whether that means restocking the fridge with a slab or the next time you are at the pub drinks are on him probably does't matter.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:22

      These strings hadn't broken for 7 years, albeit, I hadn't used the racquet in 7 years.

      • MelCheapo on 06/01/2017 - 16:00

        Accept you haven't used the thing in 7 years and just don't need to restring it. Money saved, friendship saved. For bonus points offer to give the frame to Durian for a beer. You get rid of something that was about to cost you money and get a free beer!

  • MessyG on 05/01/2017 - 19:20
    +2

    It just doesn't get any more Ozbargain than this.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:22

      Thank you for helping me achieve my life goal!

  • BertieBrown on 05/01/2017 - 19:53

    An alternative might be that you could both sit down and attempt to restring the racquet yourselves and you could learn a relatively (considering you probably aren't in a position to restring racquets as vocation) useless skill.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:22
      +1

      Durian would probably try and strangle me with the string knowing what he's like!

  • CandyMan on 05/01/2017 - 20:10

    First decide which strings are more important - freindship strings or racket strings

    Then find a great deal on rackets or racket strings and post on here on ozbargain.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:23
      +1

      I've made my decision, and it's racquet strings. See ya Durian!

  • murkywater on 05/01/2017 - 20:28

    You need to make a strong investment with a high ROI -_-

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:24

      I made a strong investment into Durian with a high ROI, but I was left disappointed.

  • fastnbulbous on 05/01/2017 - 20:37

    This would make for a good episode of Curb your enthusiasm

  • anat on 05/01/2017 - 20:40
    +1

    I like you OP. Good attitude.

    Maybe you can borrow Durian's racquet for a few weeks then slowly over time it becomes yours. Win, win.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:25

      Maybe I can borrow Durian's racquet and slowly after time steal his identity so he no longer exists at all.

  • Baebs on 05/01/2017 - 22:13
    +1

    Ahh the classic tennis racquet dilemma.

    Seriously though I don't get it, he had 2-3 weeks to grab his own racket but never bothered to - sounds like a dick friend to me.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:26

      Durian is a bit of a sloth.

  • Donaldhump on 05/01/2017 - 22:18

    if it was on the verge of breaking, and it would have happened to you eventually, its not nice to make him pay.

    Imagine if you borrowed my car which has done 99k kms, and the clutch goes. I wouldn't make you pay, unless you were in punchbowl with Trent doing sick burnouts that caused it.

    • Larry David on 06/01/2017 - 14:26

      If you were my uncle I would be scared. Hummer and a chickenfeed all in one.

  • 50cent on 05/01/2017 - 23:18

    Is this Durian Rider you speak of?

    • shtewe on 06/01/2017 - 10:26

      Carb the (profanity) up and get on with life!

  • apey2000 on 05/01/2017 - 23:57
    +1

    This is too controversial for me at this time of the night, but here's a good risoni recipe!

  • Plug on 06/01/2017 - 00:26

    Just go buy a new racquet ffs.

  • SilentBob on 06/01/2017 - 03:00
    +1

    Just go halves in the cost of restringing?

  • orly on 06/01/2017 - 03:54
    +1

    Take every waking opportunity to bump/swing by into Durian inadvertently. Script reads as follows: "Hey durian, remember that time I borrowed you my racket? Could you do me a solid and lend me your….(fill in the blank with various items on each occasion)" Continue until friendship is completely exhausted and over and he learns never to borrow other people's belongings.

  • Vampyr on 06/01/2017 - 05:44
    -1

    Username checks out.

  • Herbert1955 on 06/01/2017 - 08:42

    I wouldn't do anything for awhile. If you go and get the racquet restrung, he'll just use it again and again and again. Leave it for awhile and see if he goes and gets his own Racquet. If he goes and gets his own Racquet then get it restrung for yourself. If he is nagging you to get it restrung (for himself)tell him he's to get it restrung if he wants to use it (& he can pay for it). See what happens. It can be expensive to get restrung. It just depends who you take it to and what sort of string you have put in.

  • JajaMinx on 06/01/2017 - 09:59
    +2

    Is this post a freaking joke?

  • onlyletters on 06/01/2017 - 11:02

    You giving the tennis racket to him, you have accepted part responsibility, so no its not fair that you ask him to re-string a racket that was already half worn. If he smashed it on the ground then it would be a different story.

  • JetLi on 06/01/2017 - 11:15

    Come on!!!

  • Zelic on 06/01/2017 - 11:51
    +1

    My deepest condolences for your racquet. Here's my advice. Obtain a medium/large size shovel and dig a hole 30cm deep to 1m squared. Build a bridge which covers the freshly dug area from one side to the other and then "get over it". Losing a friend over a tennis racquet… Stop being a lil bitch.

  • uggugg on 06/01/2017 - 12:05

    Am I the only that can hear the Curb Your Enthusiasm music playing while picturing this scene.

  • THICKnSLOW on 06/01/2017 - 12:58

    Lend Durian your towel, and your jocks too when you need to buy new towels and jocks.

  • Gnosh on 06/01/2017 - 13:16

    The fairest way to settle this would be for you to ask Durian to replace the string, but at your cost.

    • LaProblematique on 06/01/2017 - 14:25

      You can't replace a single string, they're not strung like guitars.

      • Gnosh on 06/01/2017 - 21:50

        Fair enough. Well, the strings, then. :)

  • Daabido on 06/01/2017 - 13:18

    Make Mr Pitt pay for it.

  • ireadtermsofuse on 06/01/2017 - 14:29

    Man, your friend stinks

  • secondstory on 06/01/2017 - 14:52

    Is it me or does it almost seem like there was some sort of implied inside joke in this thread that I have just completely missed?

    • blehgg on 06/01/2017 - 14:57
      +2

      yes there is

  • bdl on 06/01/2017 - 15:30

    Something smells a bit wrong

    • JajaMinx on 06/01/2017 - 16:27

      Well… it's Durian afterall.

      It does have a pungent smell.
      However, it's sweet and creamy when you put Durian inside your mouth.

  • UncleCheapSteam on 06/01/2017 - 15:53

    Cheap racquets can't be re-strung, ask Durian to buy a new one.

  • kaz8743 on 06/01/2017 - 16:30
    +4

    i hope i never meet OP in my life. This post is so absurd, its shameful to read it , we live in a world full of materialism, greed and selfishness it seems. racquet string over a friend . OP u got some issues man. I'm sorry but i hope u get better.

    • ozhunter on 06/01/2017 - 16:53

      And then he updates the post with a 3rd option. Seems to be kind of person who would count every single cent when splitting anything. And then he tries to cover the whole thing up with humor lol.

  • OzBestDeal on 06/01/2017 - 16:30

    How much is re-string a racket anyway?
    I had similar situation in the past and my friend offer me to re-string without hesitation. I didn't even ask.

  • fufufu on 06/01/2017 - 17:23

    On a side note, I need to restring my racket and the options are just…overwhelming.

    Synthetic, nylon, cow gut, tension, main strings, cross strings, the guy who's doing it, the equipment he's using, if his gf left him the night before…

    There are too many variables and choices. I don't know what to do. Send help.

  • backpaqer on 06/01/2017 - 17:49

    Did you stipulate that stairway to heaven NOT be played on said racquet?

  • odgaf on 06/01/2017 - 18:58
    +1

    regardless of the outcome, perhaps you are highly strung, take special care not to snap when getting served, and maybe get your tennis elbow looked at

  • gimme on 06/01/2017 - 19:16
    +1

    4 seconds of my life I'm not getting back

  • lordezekiel on 06/01/2017 - 19:41

    I would just go to a local op shop and buy a replacement racquet for like <$5

    Any decent friend would not return a broken item to you without some sort of compensation…

  • ozeebee on 06/01/2017 - 21:15

    Is your friend Jerry Seinfeld?

  • Kranbone on 06/01/2017 - 23:04

    Take that racquet to the curb, but NOT with any enthusiasm.

  • musicinbed69 on 07/01/2017 - 05:33
    +1

    This sounds like a case for Judge Judy

  • NeoWilson on 07/01/2017 - 09:56

    Is this one of those questions where you are actually Durian?

  • montorola on 07/01/2017 - 13:27
    +4

    This Durian guy must be really mischevious.

    Everywhere I've been in South East Asia, they have signs saying they don't want him in hotels, taxis or the like.

    • retiredfeline on 07/01/2017 - 13:31
      +4

      He's a prickly character and stinks. But he's also smooth when you know him. You either love him it hate him, no two ways about it.

  • dirtykent on 08/01/2017 - 01:39

    Strings were gonna break anyway. Fix it yourself

  • explosion on 08/01/2017 - 13:11

    Durian must pay you $80000 to buy car and should give you $500000 for investing !

  • Eeples on 28/12/2017 - 15:50

    Have a conversation with Durian…

    If he wants to keep using your racquet then he needs to pay for its restringing.

    If he doesn’t want to keep using it then you pay for the restringing. (make it clear to him that if you pay for the restring he can’t borrow the racquet anymore).

    If he chooses the latter then don’t offer him your racquet when he doesn’t have one.

    EDIT: a bit late; op might have been killed by a Durian by now.

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