BellaBoo

Unless it's immediate family I don't loan items to anyone anymore. I learned that the people that ask to borrow are the type people I don't want to be around. They expect you to want to lend them items. When someone asks me to borrow something I just say my rule is to never a borrower or lender be.

Sdwill

I learned early not to loan any of my stuff out. My husband had loaned one of his tools to his best friend. Several weeks later the tool was returned but it was returned by another person. Seems 4 people borrowed this particular tool when we only loaned it to one. I also caught my FIL loaning out MY log splitter the other day. I inherited it after my dad passed away. We don't use wood heat but my FIL does and our deer camp does. So I kept it since we cut the wood for FIL and deer camp and we store it in a barn on the farm. I walked in at my FIL's the other day and he was on the phone with someone. After he got off he told me that the guy called to see if he could borrow the wood splitter and he would be there the next day to pick it up. I went livid. I told him it was not his to loan out and anyone that wants to borrow it needs to talk to me. Luckily I knew who was borrowing it and they will fix anything that breaks on it. I have this problem with by BIL, he will use stuff of my husbands and then fuss at my husband when it breaks or his best one... "you are out of welding gas". My husband welds about 3 times a year. That tank of gas should last many years, not 6 months.

BRenea

I pretty much refuse to borrow anything...if I can't afford my own I just do without! I hate lending things out because 90% of the time it comes back damaged...if it comes back at all! As many of you have said, family and friends can be the worst culprits! The only person I loan sewing tools to is my MIL, she always returns it promptly and fixes or replaces damaged item. But then again, she is a quilter and I think we are a pretty honorable group.

chris_quilts

As a teacher, I always asked for collateral. My students were not amused but I asked for a shoe in exchange for a pen or pencil because they wouldn't leave the class with only one shoe on their feet. My principal was okay with this as he had taught some of my students before I started at the school. The parents were another matter altogether but eventually they did understand the rule.

Wintersewer

I am waiting to get my Bernina 910 back right now. I was surprised that my neighbor asked to borrow it to take to a camp with her grandchildren. I don't like to lend my things, but I said OK because the little girl had started an AG doll dress at my house the day before they left. They have been back 4 1/2 days and I have not heard a peep about it. I am getting worried that something happened to it. I think my friend has a big fat nerve keeping it so long, in any case. I guess I'll have to call her. I certainly will not lend her anything again.

bearisgray

Hope you get it back okay! Does make one wonder when the return is slow - if at all.

I don't like to tell people what I have invested in things, but sometimes people have NO idea what they are asking for.

Would your neighbor have asked you "Hey, can I borrow $500 (or whatever the machine cost) for the weekend?" And more importantly, would you have said "Yes"?

The more responses I read, the better I think my idea of asking for collateral (damage deposit?) is a good one!

Another thing I think might be useful - the names and phone numbers of rental places!!!