Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What would you do?

Yep.
Doin' the right thing ain't always easy, but it's always right.

I'd have to see the guy and determine whether I thought he was being truthful.

I wouldn't keep the gun, but I might certainly tell him the price went up $40 for late fees.


did similar with a kinda family member, took him a long time to get the cash to buy his Sako back.

but let him have it back at what I'd given him against it.

and if it was biz, the guy could have damned well called on day 30 unless he was in the pokey

There's only one thing to do....the right thing. Look yourself in the mirror and that guy will tell you what's right.

I'd tell him to go buy me a 1/2 gallon of FAMOUS GROUSE....come back and sit down and we'll have a shot or two....and give him the $$$$ back!

Simple!

Mebbe tell him since he was late you sent to the 'smith for rechambering to a .300 Blackout and new tactical stock?

Then I'd give it back, take the $300 and move on.

Good to see all the "do the right thing" replies here. The question was Hypothetical curiosity based on a real event from my past.

Because this choice was indeed a turning point in my life when it happened 35 years ago at the age of 19. Whether he was honest or not didn't matter. All I could think of was "What if it was my Great Grandfather's Rifle?" and he was indeed being sincere and honest about it.

I did give him the benefit of the doubt and gave it back to him. I would like to believe that this action may have helped towards some of the extremely good fortune I have had in life since. Good to see those who would do the right thing, not just for the guy wanting it back, But for themselves.

Would I do it again today? or tomorrow? Absolutely

Good Man!

I see a whole bunch of guys on here that deserve that more than I do!

Know what would be cool? If one of the longtime respected Members here on the Fire popped up and said "Hey! that was me!".

I would feel even better

I don't loan strangers money.
If he wanted to sell it, fine.

I'm w/ Ingwe. If you are willing to put up a family heirloom as collateral your motivation should be greater than the value of the object. If it is truly of importance you would not take advantage of the person extending you the credit.

Phug a bunch of losers w/ sob stories, let them feel the bern.


mike r

It's a business transactions.

The purpose of collateral is to insure you are repaid. In this instance you are being repaid, so it that regard in served it's purpose. If he's returning it late, you should be happy, after all, you are earning an extra 10 days worth of interest without any additional labor, and earn some good will in the process.

It's just good business.

Don't worry when I get as old as you are I'll be there.... I'm getting there fast.

But the above would have to be walk a mile in my shoes. I didn't take it this was a pawn shop, just a repair shop or gas station of the old days, and we were all more honest in days gone by I think. I happen to know a bit more about the story than y'all do. LOL.

Of course I'm country and prefer it that way, and as such I'm a bit... maybe a lot, more naieve. The fact he came back for it speaks worlds to me...

Yep. Me too.

And if it comes up hot, you done lost your $300.00 and the gun. Keep the cops out of it.

It seems like if he was genuinely concerned about a family heirloom, he would have attempted to contact you when he knew he was going to be late. Either way you didn't lose anything that was yours and your conscience is clear. Win-win.

Give it back. No question.

Two problems-

Phone calls are free. Why didn't he call and inform you he was going to be late? Poor upbringing or decision making.

Second, since he obviously has not been taught that his word is his responsibility to protect, I would teach him that lesson. He gave his word and failed. You have no responsibility to enable him to continue in his poor decision making.

Hold his feet to the fire since his parents never did, apparently.

Throw the Krag in the river for all I care, but hold him to his word one way or another.

how do you know he had his #, and if he was in the process of moving he could of run into some problems, how far did he have to travel to get back, might of started a new job and couldn't get away when he thought he could.

I'd ask him his position on management of public lands by the USFS and BLM. If he said public lands should be transferred to the states, I'd keep the rifle.

he could show up a yr later i'd still give it back to him, i didn't buy it, just took it for collateral, as long as i got my money back he'd get the gun back.