A year ago, I sold an expensive musical instrument to a friend. We agreed on $2500 - however, since he was strapped for cash I told him he could pay me in installments.
So far, I’ve only received $400. Yesterday, I sent his girlfriend (who was giving me the money in the first place) an instant message saying that I needed the money (which is true). She was rather short, but told me to talk to him.
So today I instant message him and ask him for the money. He tells me how broke he is, but that he can give me some money this Friday, some in a month and the rest the next month.
The problem is that I have to find a new apartment, and I don’t really want to wait until October to do so. He told me I didn’t have an option, etc. and now he and his girlfriend are mad at me.
I wouldn’t even pester them, but I need the money and I couldn’t help but notice their brand new piano and that they had a nice week long vacation on St. Croix last month (I babysat their 2 dogs for nothing, I might add).
Ok, so obviously I didn’t handle this the way I should have. How does one ask for owed money from friends? Anyone want to share a personal story? How do I rectify the situation?
The one and only time I lent major money to a friend (about $1000), I pretty much decided at the time to write it off. I was fairly certain I’d never see it again, despite his oaths of payment. He paid me maybe $400, then the checks just stopped coming.
Basically, SaxFace, you have to decide if the remaining $$ is worth your friendship. If it’s not, go ahead and pester him for either the instrument back, or the rest of the money. If it is, well, you just have to forgive and forget, and assume you’ll never get the money.
Yeah, I agree that you should ask for the instrument back. (Whether you’ll get it, I don’t know.) Then you can sell it and get the money that you need.
The question is, will he ask you for a refund of the money he’s already given you? If he doesn’t, then that’s good. If he does, tell him you’ll pay him in installments.
Thanks for the replies, guys. I thought about asking for the instrument back. Unfortunetly, it’s a heavy ass 3/4 size upright bass and I don’t have room or transport. I haven’t played it in 2 years and don’t have the energy or resources to try to sell it again. If all else fails, I’ll ask for it back though.
Athena, I really am scared to write off that much money (with nothing to show for). I think the friendship might be ruined anyway (what a bummer), so I’ll just go for the gold.
Winky, I thought about People’s Court, but I don’t have anything in writing. Hilariously, my mother adopted one of the dogs so now they only have one. I don’t want to kidnap him - too much work.
Mr. Cynical, it’s true, I’m starting to feel like they are no longer friends. It’s a shame, too.
Green BeanYeah, ha ha - that would be hilarious. I’m thinking more and more about getting it back at this point and make it clear that the money he paid was for rent. Wanna buy a bass?
Uke, so convincing, but no dice. Bagpipes, sheesh.
Sax–If all goes well in the next couple of days, I’ll be happy to help you transport it. (I am waiting to see if I can purchase my dream vehicle–which is plenty big enough to carry a bass)