Another question?
By keasling
@keasling (723)
United States
June 27, 2008 11:10pm CST
Ok, say you plavce your cell phone on a table. A two year old comes and spills water over the cell phone. As we all know water voids any and all warranty/ insurance that one may have. Should the parent of the 2 year old help pay for it?? If the parent had been paying attention to their child they would have know they were getting into things, or should you just pay for the phone yourself? I thought about putting this in the cell discussion but when thought about it it truly is a parenting situation. Obivously the two year old did not purposely ruin the phone but should you eat the cost yourself for putting the phone where you thought it was safe at? What if it was a lap top???
2 people like this
7 responses
@surveygrrl (1270)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Gosh that's a tricky one. I would say it was a 2 year old. If you set it where a 2 year old could get it I would say you have to pay.
When my daughter was one I had set my cell phone on my desk and I had a drink sitting next to the desk. Out of the room for 30 secods and she had my phone on the couch and the drink on top of it. Luckily it was almost time to renew the contract.
You could alwys ask the parents of the child. They might feel bad that it was their baby that killed your phone.
Good luck getting a new one.
@faln_angel1205 (1192)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I have to agree, because if you know there are children around it should be kept up out of the way, just like you wouldnt leave medicine or something dangerous on a table with a child around. As for would i say the same thing if it was a laptop, yes because again, you could move it to antoher place, maybe not as easily like a cell phone which can go into your pocket..but it still could be moved. I think in most situation though, an honest discussion with the other parent about how you feel, should at least bring her to be willing to pay half or a portion of some sort.
@keasling (723)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I would agree with you if i had it on the coffee table. I had this on a high table and the parent know that the phone was left where it was left. This parent was also asked by another that she watch her son around the table. Lucky for me the cell company went ahead and replaced my phone at no charge. I am counting every blessing for this.
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
29 Jun 08
Honestly, i would say the owner of the phone or laptop is the one responsible, mainly because it is only smart to make sure that things of value are kept well out of reach of toddlers - if you know they are going to be around!
I guess you could always ask for the parent to 'help' pay for some of the cost but in the end it really shouldn't have been left where the toddler could get hold of it.
I've had similar issues with my nieces - my daughter knows not to touch but my nieces never listen & will touch anything they can reach.
However, if you have accidental damage on your home & it's contents then you might be able to get away with a new phone using that insurance, which should cost a lot less - so maybe the mother of the toddler would be happy to help cover the excess cost for your insurance!
@keasling (723)
• United States
29 Jun 08
This toddler pulled the chair up to get to my phone. It was all an accident and everything but I truly believe that a parent should be watching their child. He was in a high spot and she knew there were cups with drinks on the table. To me I would have gotten him down instantly and got him out of the situation. I believe you need to start dispicpling at this age so they will know right for wrong. Even with the cell phone out of the picture, does the two year old really need to be allowed to make a mess. Why not teach him that spilling things out of a cup is not approiate behavior.
@rrdj71 (696)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I told my husband the other day I think they should start making more waterproof items such as cell phones and laptops,etc. I have ruined 2 cell phones in 2 months because of the fact I take it with me when I work out and of course the sweat had ruined them both. But I NEED to have my cell phone with me at all times. So believe me I know. It is frustrating.
@slyvixen42 (926)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I would say it's the parent's responsibility to at least help pay for it. It was an accident, but even accidents have consequences that people have to live with. I think you could argue responsibility either way but it would be proper for the parents of the child to help pay. That's just my opinion.
@latriciajones (846)
• United States
28 Jun 08
i would let the parent know that she has to help me pay for the phone. thats one of the main reasons i watch my kids wherever we go becuase i cant afford to be paying for things that they might do or break that doesnt belong to me.
@mansfield2008 (15)
• South Africa
29 Jun 08
I will certainly class that as negligence on your side if you knew their was a 2yr old around or any children for that matter.YES, I will say you are liable for all charges relating to the damages.A 2yr old will stay a 2yr old until he/she turns 3.just exploring life.The same applies to a laptop.
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Hmmm, I guess I would just eat the cost. Yum Yum.
