What is the right thing to do? (long)

My IL's gave us their used furniture 3 years ago. They had recently downsized their home and had two storage units full of stuff. After they gave us the furniture, they were able to downsize to 1 storage unit.

The furniture consisted of a 20-year old bedroom set, a 15-year old dining set, a 15-year old couch and oversized chair set.

When DH got his job in NY, we asked them if they wanted it back. They said 'no way'. We moved it all to NY.

Recently, we moved again to a smaller apartment. All that furniture had to go. It took us nearly 2 months to sell it and we discounted it every week until it sold. We made about $550 on all of it.

MIL just told us that she figures we owe her $800 for the furniture.

DH and I want to tell her to fly a kite. They gave it to us, we moved it, we saved them storage fees, and it's 15-20 years old.

What do you think?

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Take a Hike!!!

eta: it cost you money to take it off their hands! How rude!!

Message edited 7/25/2007 11:17:02 AM.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

if i made money off of it - as in above and beyond whatever it cost you to move it, etc.. - i'd give some $$ to them from the proceeds. i definitely wouldn't pay $800 when you didn't get that much for it when you sold it. since it's your IL's - i think a lot of this depends on your and DH's relationship with them and what sort of impact telling them no will have. sometimes it's worth it to bite the bullet to preserve a relationship even if you know you are right....

ETA: I agree w/ the other posters that you were given the furniture, so you don't technically owe them anything. Plus, you offered to give it back and they didn't want it and didn't mention wanting $$ if you sold it. My opinion on what to do is based more on the fact that it is your ILs and I assume you want to preserve the relationship. If you don't care about that - or think they are ppl u could level with and not have any problems w/ afterward - than go for it!

Message edited 7/25/2007 11:49:41 AM.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

You were GIVEN the furniture- it was not a loan. Take a hike lady

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

I also want to add that they didn't give you the furniture to sell for them, they gave it to you because they couldn't use it and didn't want to pay for storage. In fact, they used you for storage instead of putting it in storage.

So at a rate of $100/mo, you may want to send them a bill. NERVE!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Posted by CkGm

You were GIVEN the furniture- it was not a loan. Take a hike lady

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Ok, good. We're not being ridiculous. Now, I have to get DH to tell her that.

I would gladly given them the proceeds if we had made any on it. No one was interested in paying what we originally asked and we kept reducing the price as we got more desperate. The furniture had a country style to it so I'm sure that had a lot to do with it.

ETA: I would love to send her a bill. FIL is reasonable, he knows he came out ahead by giving it to us. It's her we can't get through to.

Message edited 7/25/2007 11:54:40 AM.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

You owe them nothing. It was given to you as a gift and, even, when you offered it back, they refused. They have no claim to the money you received when you sold it. The furniture was yours to do with as you pleased.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

WOW! That's pretty ballsy.....

I would simply tell them to STICK IT!!!!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

I'd give them the $550 I made off it and call it a day.

It's ridiculous that she's even asking for $ since she GAVE you the furniture when they were looking to get rid of it.

But, to shut her up & move on quickly I'd send the profits to her.

If you have an "open" dialogue with her I'd suggest confronting her and letting her know your position on the matter and go from there but if you want to wash your hands of it.

Send the $. It's not worth $1,000 to argue over it.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Wow that is crazy. Didnt you say above you asked them if they wanted it back and they said no.

Well since they said no then you have every right to keep that money. You dont have to give them a dime.

I cannot believe she told you that you owe her money. Your DH will hopesully say something.....

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

you owe them nothing. and i can't believe she would tell you that.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Posted by JennZ

Posted by CkGm

You were GIVEN the furniture- it was not a loan. Take a hike lady

I totally agree. She gave them to you and then didn't want them back. You are free to do what you want and don't owe her a penny!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

i understand it's sticky because it's your il's.

this is a place for dh to step up and remind his mother that they gave the furniture to you.

how rude!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

You don't owe them a dime!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Sounds to me like maybe they're in a bit of a financial hard place.
I would ask them about it- maybe they're embarassed to ask you for money?

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

that is so tacky tacky ! Tell her to go get a job!

Message edited 7/25/2007 12:48:38 PM.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Now that you made money off it all of the sudden she wants it?!?! That's BS if you ask me. Not to mention you offered to give it back to her. Tell her to go fly a kite.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

take a hike lady!

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Ladybug63

I'd give them the $550 I made off it and call it a day.

It's ridiculous that she's even asking for $ since she GAVE you the furniture when they were looking to get rid of it.

But, to shut her up & move on quickly I'd send the profits to her.

If you have an "open" dialogue with her I'd suggest confronting her and letting her know your position on the matter and go from there but if you want to wash your hands of it.

Send the $. It's not worth $1,000 to argue over it.

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. The furniture was a gift, they asked if the inlaws wanted it back and they said no. If the inlaws chose to take it back, then THEY could have sold it and made some $$$, but they didn't, ship sailed, tough poop.

MIL probably didn't realize that she could get anything for the furniture. I also agree that you saved them money.

My sister leaves her car here, I always put gas in it when she needs it (about 1x per month) one time I didn't get a chance to and offered her $20, she didn't take it. Well, she b!tched to my mom about it and DH threatened to charge her $3/day to keep it here ($1/day cheaper than the long term lot) that shut her up

So, if they don't give it up, send them a bill for storage fees, I like that idea

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

Totally take a hike. Not only did they GIVE you furniture that was from the year of the flood, you asked them if they wanted it back before you relocated.

Had they wanted the $$ they should of went through the inconvenience of selling it themselves.

Not to mention the fact you've been saving them $$ on storage fees and you didn't "make money" from the deal.

Re: What is the right thing to do? (long)

How did she find out you sold it????

Remind her you offered it back to her so you wouldn't have to incur the xxxx amount of dollars to lug it here....then tell her to do the math and realize it cost you much more then you received