Never a borrower or a lender be

[Razzmatazz13]

Originally Posted by glatt

I don't lend money. But I've had problems with loaning out tools. I don't do that any more either.

The people who don't have the tools don't know how to use them properly, so they are more inclined to break them. Plus, they don't value the tools since they didn't pay for them or work to maintain them. This one friend was the main problem, and he ruined it for anyone else who might have borrowed anything since then. It's been 15 years, and I still remember each of the 3 tools I let him use on different occasions and the poor condition he returned them in (or never returned them at all.) I've forgiven him in my mind and we're still friends, but it's amazing how I still remember.

I no longer lend books unless I intend to never see them again. People always wreck the crap out of my books!

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

... Even if I didn't have to ask for it, it's a pain in the ass if it's every week. ...

Sounds like you need a preemptive strike. At the beginning of each week, ask him if you can borrow $5. If he says no, you'll have a reason to reciprocate. If he hands you the money, you'll have it to lend to him when he asks.

[Razzmatazz13]

sexobon, that's genius!!

[nowhereman]

2 photographer friends and I borrow gear from each other for assignments. We're all pros, and know how to handle equipment costing lots of money. (We also understand the "you break it you bought it" principle). I loaned a meter once in school - 5 minutes later it hits the floor. No damage, (whew) but never again.

[xoxoxoBruce]

There were lots of people who would have paid me back if they had lived, that's the curse of old age. For a couple of them, it was worth a few hundred to keep them away, though.

I always make sure they know if it was a loan or gift. A gift, I don't want to hear any more about it. A loan however requires acknowledgment, preferably repayment but at minimum an excuse/apology.

I could borrow thousands on a hand shake, no problem. The thing that made me nuts was borrowing change from a cow orker. I'd write myself three notes for fear I'd forget to pay them, and die of embarrassment when they called me on it.

[DucksNuts]

You're such a sweetheart, Bruce

[xoxoxoBruce]

I'm not the sweetheart you're looking for. You can go about your business. Move along, move along.

[DucksNuts]

Rejected again

[xoxoxoBruce]

Nah, never reject you Duckie, just pointing out you're mistaken.