Q&A for How to Ask a Friend to Return an Item They Borrowed

Confront them in person. If they still refuse, tell a reliable adult.

Consider how you asked for it -- were you polite or accusing? Your manner may have disturbed this person or maybe they thought you had given it, not loaned it. Then, consult your parents if you know they could help you retrieve it, but also be aware of the results (how he will react). If you plan to do this on your own, ask him why he will not give it back. At this point be understanding as well as bold and confident about retrieving your possession. You may need to make it clear that it was only ever a loan, not a gift.

Tell him that along with the money, you gave him your trust. Explain what that means to you, and what it means if he loses your trust. Do be understanding if he has a valid reason, though, as you don't want to lose his trust either.

Your property is yours. If you have exhausted all social means, it is time to make a choice: either forgive and forget, or pursue the matter in court. Eventually, anyone can be forced to answer for their actions. Get legal counsel, build a solid case and don't give up.

It depends on the value of the item. If the item is more on the expensive and valuable side, then try asking for it back. If it is something of little value (to you), then you should probably leave it alone.

Continue to ask them, if they don't return it, then go to their house and tell them it's yours and you need it back. If they don't give it back, tell an adult if you're in school, or contact the police. It's yours and that's technically stealing.

This is more complicated than asking a friend to return a borrowed item. If you exchanged the items with no expectation of ever unexchanging them, then it was a fair trade and that person essentially owns the item. However, simply talking to your friend can be helpful. A lot of friends would be understanding with the situation and trade you back willingly. If they don't want to trade back then there might not be much else you can do, except to be more careful with what you exchange in the future. If you both traded expecting to return each item in the future, just ask for your item back.

Legal matters depend on the laws of your country. In general, though, if you can prove ownership, the law will be on your side. Be prepared that it might take a lot of effort, and money, before you start down this path.

I would confront him about it. Make sure he did it on purpose before you get your mom involved. If he did it on purpose and refuses to give them back or admit it, I would let your mom handle it.

Call your friend when she's at home and say, "Can you put the jacket that I lent you last month in your backpack so tomorrow at school I can pick it up?" Or, call your friend and volunteer to swing by her house to get it.

Ask your parents to talk to his parents.

Ask for it back. If she won't give it to you, tell her parents. If that doesn't work, threaten to call the police and report her for stealing.

If you know what they look like and their first name, call the police and they will probably look for them. They will also look for the car using the plate number and a description of it.

Ask politely for the money back and contact the police if she refuses.

I find it very unlikely that they will still have them, and know where they still are if it was 30 years ago. But if they do, I'm sure if you asked nicely they would give the medals back and apologize.

Technically, yes, though you're friend may be confused if you bought it FOR you as you stated above. Clarify that you did NOT intend to give her the phone permanently.

Obviously you expect them to be returned to you at home, but it doesn't sound like that's going to happen, so I'd just suggest going to pick them up if you need them back. Don't lend anything else to this person if the 10 minute drive bothers you that much.

Tell her that that's your pen and you are the one who controls what happens with it. Try to tell her face to face in public, and if that doesn't work, then either tell her parents, or get a new pen and forget about it.

Just ask them if they're done using it. If they say no, tell them that you really need to use it yourself, so you'd appreciate it if they could get it back to you soon.