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Computer Accident - resolution?

S

southerngirl87

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2008
2
0
About a month ago I was working on a project with two classmates. I had my feet up on a footrest and moved them so one of them could walk past me to get off the couch and walk into the next room to talk to another friend. I knew he had his computer on his lap before he got up, but didn't see where he put it down when he got up, so naturally i just put my feet back where they were - on the footstool. Unfortunately he had put his computer down right where my feet had been and i put my feet on top of his computer. I couldn't see his computer since mine was on my lap, obstructing my view of my legs and feet. I was busily typing away working on our project, oblivious to him getting up, beyond moving my feet so he could walk past like he asked me to.

The screen of the computer was partially damaged and has a small circle of discoloration and streaky lines (an area about 1/ 8th of the screen). I apologized profusely and felt horrible about it. He kept telling me to not worry, hopefully it wouldn't cost too much and we could maybe split the cost.

I just heard from him again this evening about the computer. He wants me to pay the whole cost - 1300 dollars - to replace the screen and wants me to pay it tomorrow. He said apple gave him this price and to talk to them if I had qualms with the cost.

Has any one else had to replace a lcd screen or had something like this happen to them?

I've had a project-mate spill a drink on my computer completely destroying it and losing all my data, a situation that was completely not my fault, and didn't make them pay. I want to spilt the cost, and estimates from other places, but he's insisting I pay the full price.

thoughts? suggestions? Thanks!!
 
Apple dont charge $1300 to change the screen in any of their laptops, even in the laptop with the most expensive, biggest screen the Macbook Pro 17", $700 sounds about right, but it could have gone up in the last 4 months, highly doubt it though.

Also can he prove you broke the screen?

Also he put it there and you just returned your feet to the place they were before so actually he's in the wrong.
 
Though you didn't do it on purpose you did it. Unfortunate situation. I don't know what I would do in either situation.
 
How long was it in between you taking your feet off the footstool and putting them back on it?

From your description it really sounds like his fault. However - you agreed at the time to pay half and that would be a good way to go.

It sounds like your classmate might have got home and been told by parents 'there's no way we're going to pay for that'. It could even be that he got home and dressed up the story to make him sound like less of a dumbass - and now his parents can't see why he would want to pay half - who knows. Either way, your initial agreement to split costs sounds equitable and honourable - so stick to it.

(Another option is to check your parent's home insurance for liability coverage - it could be that there may be coverage for this type of thing).

Also get a second opinion on the cost. If his/his parent's position is that you're paying for everything, they wouldn't necessarily look for the best price.

Which model of mac is this?
 
Based on your description you just moved your feet to let him by and he placed the laptop where your feet had been. He should have been paying more attention and not placed the laptop where you would likely return your feet.

This is just as irresponsible as placing a laptop on a seat or in the middle of the floor and expecting someone to pay for damages if they do not notice the laptop and step on or sit on it. If he was prudent he would have placed the laptop on a table, counter or desk. Without those he should have placed it in its carrying case, took it with him or made sure you were aware of its placement at the least.

Assuming the accuracy of your description is exactly as events occurred I would say refuse to pay anything now. It was nice that each of you originally agreed to half but he broke his word when expecting all the money. There is no reason to make any restitution.
 
Panel aside, Apple repairs are just expensive.

My unibody had a defective 9600 and the logic board replacement (although free for me due to warranty) had $1400 on the receipt.
 
it's the old mac book pro, he got it a few years ago

my feet were not on it for very long before the third group member blurted out "Hey hey hey your feet are on a computer!"

any suggestions on where to get a second estimate?
 
most people seem to say that it was the other guys fault for putting it there, but you didnt look before putting your feet up. you should have been more careful as well. but that aside, it was agreed to payhalf/half, explain that to them. also ask for a quote for a repair cost, and follow up on it and try to find it cheaper, but still form an authorized repair shop.
 
I agree with most of the others in this thread. It isn't your fault and since he backed out of the original agreement(splitting the cost which was extremely generous of you), I wouldn't give him anything especially with the attitude he had by demanding the money the next day. Plus his attitude of if you don't like Apple's quote to take it up with them. He was at fault, but is passing the blame to you for his negligence.

Another thing is his 2 year old Pro isn't worth the cost he claims Apple told him that it would be to fix his old Pro. A screen doesn't cost $1300 anyways.
 
I would split the cost of a panel off of ebay or some fix it place. Then both put it in. That would be me being very generous.
 
kastenbrust said:
Apple dont charge $1300 to change the screen in any of their laptops, even in the laptop with the most expensive, biggest screen the Macbook Pro 17", $700 sounds about right, but it could have gone up in the last 4 months, highly doubt it though.

Also can he prove you broke the screen?

Also he put it there and you just returned your feet to the place they were before so actually he's in the wrong.
Click to expand...


Oh yes they do. On my Santa Rosa MacBook Pro, Apple wanted $1259 from me. It ended up being under warranty for me but the first quote was close to $1300.
 
So sorry that happened...

It seems a poor choice for your friend to set his computer on a footrest. Was it actually a footrest or was it a small table or something? I mean, what if he set his computer on the floor immediately in front of a sofa where a person would logically rest their feet? Then that would clearly be 100% his fault. So, one view could be if the 'footrest' was truly a footrest, then that's like placing his computer in a place where it would logically be "stepped" on.

On the other hand, if he set his computer on a coffee table in front of a sofa and you propped your feet on the coffee table, that would be your fault.

So I suppose my determination would depend on the primary function of whatever he set his computer on. Was it specifically for feet or not?

Regardless, it seems unreasonable to demand the money so quickly. Please let us know what happens.
 
This is easy. You both agreed to pay half, and that's what you should pay.

Also, be sure to shop around for the best price.
 
It is ludicrous to let fault rest on the so called "primary" function of something. Sorry miamialley, your rules for fault are nonsense. You seem to be implying that the person who put their laptop there was in the right if they were assuming the primary function of the table allowed for this. That may be correct, but what if instead of feet it had been a cup of coffee someone was placing on the coffee table and it spilled on the laptop. On this account it would be the laptop owner's fault because the person placing the coffee cup on the coffee table was using the table's primary function.

Not only would we have to have an unimaginable number of scenarios for determining fault and hierarchies of fault (i.e. a laptop on a coffee table beats feet, but a coffee cup beats laptop), but also extremely rigid definitions of an objects primary function. Quite simply, the owner of the laptop was careless and placed his property in a position that would essentially guarantee disaster.

I have to agree with the others here. This is not your fault, regardless of what the primary function of what you were resting your feet on is. The person placing their laptop in that location would have been able to see that your feet were there before you moved for him. So, it was his responsibility to 1) put it somewhere else or 2) alert you to the fact that he had placed his computer in the location your feet previously were.

Now, in regards to paying half. That was a nice gesture. But as others have said $1300 is more than the laptop is worth. Either buy the parts and fix it yourself, or tell him to back off. To repeat what someone else said, since he backed out of the original agreement you are free to walk away from the situation. And that is what I would do. Don't let this guy take you, he will more than likely buy a new notebook with your cash in addition to making a decent amount if he sells the broken one.

To repeat, tell him to figure it out himself.
 
the mac geek said:
It is ludicrous to let fault rest on the so called "primary" function of something. Sorry miamialley, your rules for fault are nonsense. You seem to be implying that the person who put their laptop there was in the right if they were assuming the primary function of the table allowed for this. That may be correct, but what if instead of feet it had been a cup of coffee someone was placing on the coffee table and it spilled on the laptop. On this account it would be the laptop owner's fault because the person placing the coffee cup on the coffee table was using the table's primary function.

Not only would we have to have an unimaginable number of scenarios for determining fault and hierarchies of fault (i.e. a laptop on a coffee table beats feet, but a coffee cup beats laptop), but also extremely rigid definitions of an objects primary function. Quite simply, the owner of the laptop was careless and placed his property in a position that would essentially guarantee disaster.

I have to agree with the others here. This is not your fault, regardless of what the primary function of what you were resting your feet on is. The person placing their laptop in that location would have been able to see that your feet were there before you moved for him. So, it was his responsibility to 1) put it somewhere else or 2) alert you to the fact that he had placed his computer in the location your feet previously were.

Now, in regards to paying half. That was a nice gesture. But as others have said $1300 is more than the laptop is worth. Either buy the parts and fix it yourself, or tell him to back off. To repeat what someone else said, since he backed out of the original agreement you are free to walk away from the situation. And that is what I would do. Don't let this guy take you, he will more than likely buy a new notebook with your cash in addition to making a decent amount if he sells the broken one.

To repeat, tell him to figure it out himself.
Click to expand...

Ug. Coffee being spilled on a laptop sitting on a coffee table is a completely different situation and I have a different opinion related to that situation.

I wish posters would learn to disagree without insults. (i.e. nonsense)
 
Am I the only one who thinks the OP is at fault? I mean, it was a stupid decision to put the computer on a footrest, but still. When the guy left, the computer was perfectly fine. After the OP put his feet on it, it was damaged. I think fault lies with both parties, but the burden of cost should be paid by the OP, in my opinion.

Still, unfortunate situation all around.
 
I think both parties are at fault.

OP should have watched where his foot was going; I mean I would have felt something.

His friend shouldn't have put the computer on the foot stool, but again it's still the OP is at fault for not watching where his foot is going.

Now the OP said his friend said they would split the cost, which is very good on the other friends part since they are both at fault. The latter incident where the friend says the OP should pay for the full repair is unjustified considering that both parties are at fault. Work it would like an insurance company would; find the cheapest party who will repair the computer and be done with it. That cheapest may even be you. Your friend really has no right to tell you to pay for whatever repair service he wants since technically that would mean he can ask you to pay twice the amount. Again work it out. If he is truly your friend, work it out like friends would.

Simply telling him to back off or likewise is poor sportsmanship on the OP's part since he is also responsible.
 
Poor sportmanship? That "friend" acted like a jerk towards the OP. You are also saying it is both of their faults. I along with others feel the OP isn't to blame at all and shouldn't pay one dime to this guy.
 
miamialley said:
Ug. Coffee being spilled on a laptop sitting on a coffee table is a completely different situation and I have a different opinion related to that situation.

I wish posters would learn to disagree without insults. (i.e. nonsense)
Click to expand...

If you view calling your position nonsense as an insult, you need to grow a pair. If I said, "haha you're stupid," sure you would have a point. But I stated my opinion of your position and proceeded to explain why I disagree, and you offered no rebuttal other than to minimize my position because I used the word "nonsense." And the use of it was a description of your view, not your person. So please drop the forum victim persona. :apple:
 
I'd pay half like you agreed. He can't just decide to change that and then demand the money within one day. That's ridiculous. It sounds like it was an accident for which he was also at fault.

Don't let him bully you. Also, $1300 is absolutely insane. If it's an older MBP like you say, he could get a new one for that price. There are various screen repair shops that would charge far, far less.

Politely but firmly tell him you'll be paying the half that you agreed upon, and see if he'd like to consider cheaper options to Apple's ridiculous prices.
 
It does sound like it's supposed to be half/half.

His fault for putting his valuable laptop down somewhere unsafe, and your fault for not looking properly. Him asking for the full price is just absurd.

But, when it comes to the LCD replacement, get him to go get it fixed first then bill you afterwards? $1300 doesn't sound too absurd for a MBPro that's old and out of warranty. But don't pay until you see the quoted and completed LCD replacement job. That's what I would do. Get him to get it fixed first, take a look at the fixed LCD yourself, then test it out, get him to agree that it's completely fixed, and you're out of the case. THEN you pay him your portion.

Good luck :(
 
I see it as a 50/50 accident. The $1300. estimate is ridiculous and I just looked at the TechRestore website and found their overnight service to be from $350 to $650 for the MBP. I didn't see which model it was that was damaged but those prices are much easier to swallow than his price.
 
the mac geek said:
If you view calling your position nonsense as an insult, you need to grow a pair. If I said, "haha you're stupid," sure you would have a point. But I stated my opinion of your position and proceeded to explain why I disagree, and you offered no rebuttal other than to minimize my position because I used the word "nonsense." And the use of it was a description of your view, not your person. So please drop the forum victim persona. :apple:
Click to expand...

"...grow a pair." Clever.
 
don't be a nice guy. It's rarely rewarded. Tell him to get bent.. he put his laptop on a footstool that had been previous occupied by your feet=/ good luck proving fault in court.

he'll be more careful with his things in the future. Don't reward goofy behavior.

here I'll add to this...

your things are your responsibility, you don't leave valuables out hoping a thief won't see them, you don't place valuable and delicate equipment in a place that relies on others 'being careful'.. you take responsibility for your own things.. if people think you're a jerk for removing drinks from a table or putting your laptop on high shelves when you'll be out of the room screw em.
 
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