Does an item left in my home become mine to handle as I please?

[pam]

Spin off the original question, are you responsible for the safe keeping of an item left at your house until the owner comes back for it? If something is broken or lost after it was left and before it is return/claimed, what happens?

Personally...I would be replacing it.

[Bini]

Personally...I would be replacing it.

I would put the item aside, out of reach from my toddler, and out of the way all together to avoid accidental breakage, etc. I would let my friend/family member know that it's been put away safely and that it's ready for pickup. If I end up seeing that individual before hand, I'll bring it with me and drop it off with them. If I don't see that person again (due to long distances or whatever) and they don't bother to pick it up in a timely fashion, I'll tell them that I can do two things: (1) ship it and they pay the cost of shipping, or (2) I'll donate it if they don't want the item anymore.

[Guest]

Spin off the original question, are you responsible for the safe keeping of an item left at your house until the owner comes back for it? If something is broken or lost after it was left and before it is return/claimed, what happens?

For me, it's a matter of best effort. I'll take care of the item as if it were mine. If it breaks/lost after all that, it's not my responsibility to replace because I'm keeping the item as a favor. It is the primary responsibility of the owner to care for his own stuff. Now, of course, if I was stupid and put the item where the dog can reach it, it's my responsibility if the dog eats it and I will feel obligated to replace it. Not because I'm responsible for the stuff, but because I'm responsible for the dog.

Edited February 17, 2014 by anatess

[Bini]

For me, it's a matter of best effort. I'll take care of the item as if it were mine. If it breaks/lost after all that, it's not my responsibility to replace because I'm keeping the item as a favor. It is the primary responsibility of the owner to care for his own stuff. Now, of course, if I was stupid and put the item where the dog can reach it, it's my responsibility if the dog eats it and I will feel obligated to replace it. Not because I'm responsible for the stuff, but because I'm responsible for the dog.

I actually agree with this.

I'm talking more about if I let my kids play with something that isn't theirs and it breaks - I'm responsible to replace it. That said, I am not a free holding cell for forgotten items and if I'm to hold something for an extended amount of time, I consider that a favour.

[pam]

For me, it's a matter of best effort. I'll take care of the item as if it were mine. If it breaks/lost after all that, it's not my responsibility to replace because I'm keeping the item as a favor. It is the primary responsibility of the owner to care for his own stuff. Now, of course, if I was stupid and put the item where the dog can reach it, it's my responsibility if the dog eats it and I will feel obligated to replace it. Not because I'm responsible for the stuff, but because I'm responsible for the dog.

Not you personally anatess, but I've seen how some people take care of their own stuff. Heaven forbid I should ever leave something at their home.

[Guest]

Not you personally anatess, but I've seen how some people take care of their own stuff. Heaven forbid I should ever leave something at their home.

Oh yeah... for sure! If I leave something in one of these houses (like my in-laws!) I can pretty much just prepare myself that it is a hopeless situation. But, sometimes, I get surprised...

Now, if you leave something at my Mom's house, there's a big likelihood that not only are you going to get your stuff back, you'll get it in better condition than when you left it... which can sometimes be a bad thing. Like that "ripe" and ripped security blanket that somebody leaves in my mom's house might get returned patched and smelling of lavender... terrorizing the poor child!