Landlord's dog bit my shoes... What the compensation should be?

[joycesyi]

Hello. My boyfriend rent a room and lives together with the landlord. Yesterday when I was visiting him, the landlord's dog come into his room and bited my shoes. My shoes was broke totally, I just buy it less than a month and had wore twice. It's absolutely new and I bought it at 700 hundreds dollars. I asked the landlord to pay for this. I told her where I bought the shoe online and she can check the price which is clearly show on their website: exacately the same style, same brand online. But I didn't keep the E-mail receipt so I can't prove how much I paid. So the landlord don't want to pay that much. My question is: I think whatever amount I paid, eventhough it's a gift I received. If you broke my shoe, you should buy me a new exacately the same. But she says she would pay at most $200 because I've wore them twice and there is "depreciation". How ridiculous? I think the landlord should pay the same amout/value of the shoe at least. So I want to know what the correct result should be ? Thanks so much! Joyce

[Lexus]

If the facts are true the LL is duty bound to compensate for the loss you have suffered. Either she has to pay off the price or buy the same brand. It seems that she cannot take the advantage of deprecation because it is not put for sale. The LL should take a gentleman dealing and compensate you in a proper manner. You may have a mediation talk with the LL and settle the matter amicably

Originally Posted by joycesyi Hello. My boyfriend rent a room and lives together with the landlord. Yesterday when I was visiting him, the landlord's dog come into his room and bited my shoes. My shoes was broke totally, I just buy it less than a month and had wore twice. It's absolutely new and I bought it at 700 hundreds dollars. I asked the landlord to pay for this. I told her where I bought the shoe online and she can check the price which is clearly show on their website: exacately the same style, same brand online. But I didn't keep the E-mail receipt so I can't prove how much I paid. So the landlord don't want to pay that much. My question is: I think whatever amount I paid, eventhough it's a gift I received. If you broke my shoe, you should buy me a new exacately the same. But she says she would pay at most $200 because I've wore them twice and there is "depreciation". How ridiculous? I think the landlord should pay the same amout/value of the shoe at least. So I want to know what the correct result should be ? Thanks so much! Joyce

He "bited your shoes"? Your "shoes was broke"?

Without a receipt it's understandable that a person who talks as you do is trying to pull a fast one on her. It's highly doubtful you paid $700 for your "broke, bited shoes".

[sandyclaus]

Originally Posted by joycesyi Hello. My boyfriend rent a room and lives together with the landlord. Yesterday when I was visiting him, the landlord's dog come into his room and bited my shoes. My shoes was broke totally, I just buy it less than a month and had wore twice. It's absolutely new and I bought it at 700 hundreds dollars. I asked the landlord to pay for this. I told her where I bought the shoe online and she can check the price which is clearly show on their website: exacately the same style, same brand online. But I didn't keep the E-mail receipt so I can't prove how much I paid. So the landlord don't want to pay that much. My question is: I think whatever amount I paid, eventhough it's a gift I received. If you broke my shoe, you should buy me a new exacately the same. But she says she would pay at most $200 because I've wore them twice and there is "depreciation". How ridiculous? I think the landlord should pay the same amout/value of the shoe at least. So I want to know what the correct result should be ? Thanks so much! Joyce

There is no doubt that the LL owes you to replace the shoes. The problem here, however, is because you do not have a receipt showing the amount you paid and when you bought them, you cannot prove the value of those shoes. Without solid proof, the LL can only estimate a value based on what you are telling them. And yes, there would be depreciation, even on shoes you have worn only twice. Plus, there is the possibility that what you have are knock-offs, or you bought them at a discount retailer, so even a price you find on a web retailer's site may not be accurate.

If you want anywhere near the amount you claim you paid for the shoes, you will have to produce the receipt that proves the amount paid and when you paid it. If you chose to sue them to recover the cost of the shoes, this is exactly what a judge would demand from you.

And just a suggestion here - if you were emailed a receipt, then you should easily be able to contact the company you purchased from to obtain a duplicate receipt. Remember, no receipt means you end up having to take what the LL is giving you.

Were you wearing the shoes when the dog bit into the shoes?

Did the dog just bite the shoes, causing them to break, or did the dog chew on the shoes a bit?

Were the shoes leather or plastic or ??? Some dogs won't try to chew on hard plastic.

Did you in any way antagonize the dog? Maybe you had your legs crossed and you were jiggling your ankles, causing the shoes to look enticing to the dog?

Was the dog alone in the room with the shoes if they were not on your feet? Suggestion: shut the door so the dog isn't tempted to do anything to any possessions in the room

So really, did you buy the shoes or were they a gift you received? Your original post is not clear.

You wore the shoes.

They depreciated.

You cannot prove their cost. They could be knock-offs.

Sounds like you want cash.