Redditor Asks If She Is Wrong For Asking Roommate To Pay The Full Cost Of AC Unit

When individuals share expenses for jointly purchased items, it can lead to complexities, especially when one party decides to part ways. This commonly occurs among roommates or close friends who split the cost of shared items, such as furniture or appliances, but face challenges when one person relocates.

Consider the case of OP (a 40-year-old woman) whose son, an 18-year-old college student, recently started living in a dorm with a teammate. The teammate’s mother purchased a personal air conditioner for them, with OP contributing half of the $150 cost. Later, her son and two other teammates opted to move off-campus, prompting the teammate’s mother to offer a partial refund of $75, indicating that her son would take the AC unit to the new apartment. OP expressed disagreement, expecting a full refund, while the teammate’s mother argued that the unit’s value had depreciated due to use and that both boys had benefited from it. OP seeks clarification on whether her stance is justified or if the teammate’s mother is being unreasonable.

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Source: Reddit

1. OP asks if she will be an AH for asking his son’s roommate’s mom to return full payment for the air conditioner.

2. OP’s son resides in a dorm with a teammate, whose mother opted to purchase a personal air conditioner for them. OP contributed half of the cost, as her son uses it too.

3. For this year, OP’s son moved out of his shared dorm with that teammate and decided to live with some other boys.

4. The roommate’s mom provided a partial refund of $75 for the AC unit, which her son will take to his new apartment. However, OP expected to receive the full amount of $150.

5. The roommate’s mother explained she gave a partial amount back because both the boys had already used the AC over the past summer and now the AC wasn’t even worth $300.

6. OP assumes that the roommate’s family might be struggling financially as the roommate was always cautious when spending the money.

7. OP hasn’t yet heard back from the roommate’s mother as she might be too busy managing her part-time jobs.

Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this. Read till the end to see what are other people’s opinions on this. 

8. Given that the air conditioning unit has been utilized, the partial refund of $75 provided by the other mother appears to be a reasonable resolution.

9. Just be happy with what you got and thank her.

10. OP thinks she gets full price by re-selling used things.

11. The son and other roommates were also not good with that roommate….they really ditched him last minute.

12. Given the substantial benefit OP’s son received from using the air conditioner during the summer months, receiving a partial refund of $75 appears to be a fair arrangement.

13. Does OP behave or treat people like this in general?

14. How OP’s son ditched the roommate, OP should be embarrassed to ask for the AC refund.

15. Getting half of the amount paid for the AC is a considerate deal.

16. ‘I really hope you reflect and think about what values you are teaching your son.’

17. People hope OP offered to pay for the roommate’s things OP’s son used while living with him.

18. Is it that difficult for OP to connect the dots regarding their financial situation?

19. If OP thinks her son bailing out on the roommate last minute is not an issue…she really needs to rethink.

20. The AC’s value has dropped, so the mother’s $75 offer is reasonable.

OP’s expectation for a full refund may not be reasonable, considering the shared use and depreciation of the AC unit. It’s important to acknowledge that both parties benefited from the item and that its value may have diminished over time due to use. Additionally, assumptions about the other family’s finances are irrelevant and inappropriate in this context.

Instead of focusing solely on financial aspects, the situation calls for open communication, fairness, and empathy from both sides. Both parties should strive to find a mutually agreeable solution that considers each other’s perspectives and respects the shared use and investment in the item. This approach fosters understanding and cooperation, ultimately leading to a more positive resolution for everyone involved. What do you think? Let us know your opinions in the comment section below.

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