What would you do if this happened to you?

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

Your going along in life and one day you get an email from someone you haven't spoken to in a very long time, nearly a decade! They used to be a good friend, in fact you helped them get through their AFF training which created a special bond. In appreciation, they buy you a RIG as a gift! You were of course overwhelmed but appreciative and they insisted you deserved it! So you took it...

Now it's MORE than a decade later, and you get the email! The email is very STRANGE in that it SUDDENLY demands the IMMEDIATE return of the RIG or there will be legal action taken. COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE. The reasoning seems to be that they would like to now give it to someone else who somehow or another deserves it MORE than you do now. After talking to them on the phone they said, it was OK... they were sorry about the demanding letter and it's ok to keep it. Seemed to be wrapped up.

Later that night, another email... they CHANGED their mind again, claiming the attorney told them to demand it back anyway. but you didn't take it seriously...

You never thought it was a LOAN.. it was ordered custom fit for you, you picked out the colors, it's been yours for more than a decade! What's more is you've put hundreds of jumps on this rig...

Then 3 more days go by and a new email comes, a "friendly reminder" to return it ASAP.

Now it would seem that this isn't some kind of sick joke and the demands for the Rig keep coming. It would SEEM that legal action may be pending.... Now your halfway across the country from this person, who seemed to be your friend once.

I GOTTA KNOW WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I couldn't believe when I heard this!!!!
personally, I figure that it was a gift and that they don't have the right to demand it back! but perhaps I'm lacking some sort of hidden skydiver etiquette in my opinion?? What do YOU think?

Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air,
Dawn Suiter

[DrunkMonkey 0]

IIRC, a gift means that ownership of the property is irrevocably and permanently transferred to the recipient. Lawyers, care to confirm?

[mailin 0]

I would offer them money in the form of what it is currently worth - after a decade and hopefully many jumps they may change their mind.



Jen

Arianna Frances

[unformed 0]

That's not a friend in any way whatsoever. I don't really know what I would do. If I was well off, possibly just give it back to them and tell them to never contact me again.

Legally I don't think there's anything he can do about it. A gift is a gift is a gift.

Then again, on the other hand, if he's being really rude, part of me would want to just tell him to go fuck himself, and bring the lawyers.

This ad space for sale.

[ChrisL 2]

Tell the person that you are very sorry for what has happened to them over the years to change them from a generous, giving person into some kind of freaked out creep.

Then tell them to kiss off and see how far they can stuff their lawyer up their ass.

__

My mighty steed

[ladyskydiver 0]

A gift is a gift. Unless it was in writing that should such a time come as they felt it should be given to someone more worthy (whatever that means). But coming back a decade later? B.S. I'd contact a lawyer myself and talk to them about it and see what's said.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Rebecca 0]

Possession = 9/10 of the law, right?

It's yours. No court will give it back after a custom order and 10 years of ownership and use.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[PrairieDoug 0]

Maybe this is one of those cases where you can take the "high road" without being a doormat. You've already gotten the best years outta that rig. If I were in your shoes and had other rig options, I'd return the rig with a smile and tell the person not to contact me again under any circumstances.

BTW, it sounds like ther person may have some mental health issues. (Not saying that judgmentally, it just helps provide some perspective.)

Doug

[tigra 0]

Even though he probably has no legal right to it, I would give it back (assuming I still had it of course).

I guess that's not what most people would do, but in my opinion, it was an excessively generous gift from someone who was not a family member or significant other. Gifts like that rarely come without some strings. If he wants it back now and that's the end of the obligation, at least I've had the use and enjoyment of it for ten years. Truthfully though, if my exboyfriend had demanded I return any of the generous gifts he bought me when we were together (and he was pretty generous) I would probably have returned them too. I would think he was a jackass for asking, but I would have returned them. I guess I wouldn't want to feel like I "owed" him anything, and I wouldn't lower myself to his level by fighting over "stuff"!

You asked about "skydiver ettiquette" which IMO is something totally different. When a skydiver does another skydiver a favor, like giving away used gear or selling it on very favorable terms (priced well below its value, easy payment plan, that kind of thing) the expectation, stated or otherwise, is for the recipient to "pay it forward" when they have an opportunity to do so. If the recipient instead turned around and sold it for a profit, that would be against "skydiver ettiquette".

[masterrig 1]

I'd contact an attorney. Or, tell the person who gave you the rig as a GIFT to pack sand and quit contacting you or you'll slap them with harrassment. That was a gift. It's yours. The person who gave it to you is SOL. IMHO


Chuck

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

Quote

When a skydiver does another skydiver a favor, like giving away used gear or selling it on very favorable terms (priced well below its value, easy payment plan, that kind of thing) the expectation, stated or otherwise, is for the recipient to "pay it forward" when they have an opportunity to do so. If the recipient instead turned around and sold it for a profit, that would be against "skydiver ettiquette".

and perhaps, here is where the REAL truth is behind it...

honestly I'm sure giving it back wouldn't have been a problem at all if it weren't for the "method" they used to ask for it back!

[GTAVercetti 0]

I am pretty sure that after 10 years, it is yours.

Keep it. That is no friend.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[davedlg 0]

It almost sounds like there is someone else behind the scenes pulling the strings...

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

It almost sounds like there is someone else behind the scenes pulling the strings...

Yeah it sound like a SO or maybe banruptcy is bringing this up. The "friend" must be on some hard times to need a 10 year old rig back. I don't buy the "I am going to give it to someone else" crap.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[skybytch 273]

Quote

Maybe this is one of those cases where you can take the "high road" without being a doormat. You've already gotten the best years outta that rig. If I were in your shoes and had other rig options, I'd return the rig with a smile and tell the person not to contact me again under any circumstances.

I'd agree. Why stress over it? Life's too short for that.

Petty people like the "giver" in this instance will get their's in the end - karma's like that.

[Vallerina 2]

I would sell it to a friend for a dollar!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

I would sell it to a friend for a dollar!

Ooo, that's good.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[TrophyHusband 0]

tell him to stick it in his ass.

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[tigra 0]

The method is bizarre, so is the fact that 10 years have gone by and that back when the gift was given, nothing was said. You know, like "Consider this a long term loan!"

I'm not saying he's got a legal or ethical right to it, but like a few other people, I wouldn't want to fight over it. Its just too petty! Give it back and never accept a "gift" or favor from this person ever again.

[JUDYJ 0]

No way this side of reasonable and logical can they assume you still have the rig or that they have a right to ask for it back.

It's obviously YOUR rig or they would not be asking for it back. Acknowledging anything keeps this fire burning.

Just my thoughts~~

IF you are going to be Stupid - you better be tough!

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

The method is bizarre, so is the fact that 10 years have gone by and that back when the gift was given, nothing was said. You know, like "Consider this a long term loan!"

I'm not saying he's got a legal or ethical right to it, but like a few other people, I wouldn't want to fight over it. Its just too petty! Give it back and never accept a "gift" or favor from this person ever again.

It is not worth the fight for sure. So....

IGNORE THEM.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[sabr190 0]

Since I only keep a rig about five years, I would tell them they are shit outa luck!

If I did still have the rig, I think "Industrial Shredder" comes to mind.

"The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few, or the one" - rehmwa

[freeflir29 0]

If I still had it..........I'd ship it back immediately. COD. Not that they have any right to ask for it but FUCK THEM.

[tigra 0]

OMG! I actually agree with Clay!

I'm a little frightened!

[selbbub78 0]

That's really ridiculous. It was custom made, and wanted to give it to you in the first place. Why in the world would they be so inconsiderate now? I would send them a nice e-mail back, stating what was said in the phone conversation, send the e-mail and block his/her e-mail address, so they can't contact you ever again.

or just tell them that you did sell it for a dollar to a friend, that's a great idea as well
CReW Skies,

"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone
"The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote)
"The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM