Redditor Asks If She Is Unreasonable For Requesting Roommate To Pay The Full Cost Of AC Unit

"it’s just the principle of the matter"

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• June 17, 2023

When people share expenses for items they purchase together, it can sometimes lead to tricky situations if one person decides to part ways. This scenario often arises when roommates or close friends buy shared items, such as furniture or appliances, but then one of them decides to move away.

The question then becomes: should the person who remains expect the departing individual to reimburse them for the full price of the item? This situation raises various considerations and differing opinions.

Like in the following situations, OP (40 F) has an 18-year-old son who recently started college.

He lived in a dorm with a teammate whose mom bought them a personal air conditioner. OP paid half of the $150 cost. Later, the son and two other teammates found a place off-campus, so they couldn't room with the teammate anymore.

The teammate's mom returned $75, saying it was a partial refund since her son will take the AC unit to his new apartment. OP expected the full amount and expressed their disagreement. The mom claimed the unit's value had decreased due to use and that both boys benefited from it. OP wonders if they are in the wrong or if the mom is being unfair.

OP's son living in the dorm with a teammate. Where roommate's mom decide to purchase a personal air conditioner for them, and OP sent her half of the cost

The roommate's mom returned $75 as a partial refund for an AC unit, which her son will take to his new apartment. OP expected the full amount of $150

OP is waiting for a response from the roommate's mother

Considering that the air conditioning unit has been used, the other mom has acted reasonably

OP is in the wrong

Considering the significant value your son derived from the air conditioner during the summer months, receiving a partial refund of $75 seems like a fair deal

The reimbursement of $75 should be seen as a generous gesture, as the other person was not obligated to provide any refund

If OP wants control over ownership, they should buy their child a new air conditioner.

The offer of partial reimbursement indicates that they were willing to contribute, and having access to the air conditioner for several months is still beneficial

The mother's gesture of returning $75 was actually quite generous, considering the circumstances

OP is somewhat in the wrong for insisting on the full amount

OP's son benefited from the air conditioner and therefore should not expect a full refund

It is a fair offer

OP's expectation for a full refund is deemed unreasonable, given the shared use and depreciation of the AC unit. Her assumptions about the other family's finances are deemed irrelevant and inappropriate.

The situation calls for a focus on fairness, communication, and empathy. What do you think?

Damjan