Oh my poor Gorillapod!!

[Canadian Mum]

I bought a Gorillapod, after all the great suggestions and endorsements here at DPS. It came... I LOVED it... used it for some good projects, and sometimes just to play! lol...
So, I go to a banquet with my neighbour and her family, and some other women from town. Well, my neighbour's son, who is 12, decides that he is going to play with my Gorillapod. Fine. Should be fine. He is just bending it into different shapes and keeping himself amused. I ask him to be gentle with it, as it was new (less than 3 days old).
So... I'm sure you can guess where I am going with this...
About half way through the night, he puts it down and seems to have lost interest. I don't think anything of it... and just carry on. So... the next day, I pull out my camera and gear to download the pictures. I take my Gorillapod to set on the table. I tried to stand it like a basic tripod... and the one leg won't hold. It bends even under the empty weight. I get looking at it... the stupid kid broke one of the joints!! There is a small crack on one of the joints... so now it won't hold anything!! I am really not very happy!
I am not sure how to handle this now. I know that if I tell my neighbour that he broke it... she will deny deny deny!! I could go to the husband - after all it was him that told the kid to put it down - then the wife said he couldn't hurt it anyways... so relax.
ARGH!! My poor Gorillapod!!

[RexK_Cozumel]

I would ask them to replace it. but that is just me. You could also build your own gorillapod. I saw a link to a tutorial here on DPS that showed you how to build one from copper wire. just a thought.

[Liz Caldwell]

Eeaps, tough call.... I'd ask for the replacement, but if they say no I'd just accept it and buy another one... Now, if I said "Back up ma' toy, yo!" and the kid played with it anyway, and broke it.... oh, mom better go get the check book, cause that's not cool.

[Liz Caldwell]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

I would ask them to replace it. but that is just me. You could also build your own gorillapod. I saw a link to a tutorial here on DPS that showed you how to build one from copper wire. just a thought.

Isn't the price of copper wire really high right now? I'd imagine the cost of the wire would be more than the Pod

[chrismar]

I would probably tell them too. I know, I know, everyone thinks their kid is perfect, but if they're reasonable people they should offer to reimburse you.

... or you can call Joby and do a couple of things:

1) Be honest and see what they have to say. They might cut ya a break and send you a new one.

2) Tell a white lie and say it came to you broken.

[Canadian Mum]

I think I will mention it to the kid first. I know that he will feel pretty bad. Then I will wait and see if he mentions it to his mother. I will be seeing the kid today... and his mum tomorrow...
yeah... thats what I will do. Then when I see the mother tomorrow... and have my camera gear with me - minus my poor Gorillapod... she will either already know because he fessed up... or because I will let her know.
Things are kind of strained between his mother and I right now (long story... but the basics are - I am a grown up and she is stuck in the grade school mindset)... so I hope that she doesn't become over protective mama bear!

Thanks for the sympathy and suggestions!!

[Saralonde]

I'd mention it, too. Some mothers get really defensive over their children, even when their kids are wrong. It's a shame because it could be a good learning situation for him. I'm sure you would be somewhat understanding if he were to 'fess up and be admit it and he would get an important lesson in responsibility. At 12 he's old enough.

[Canadian Mum]

So I told him when I saw him at my children's school. He didn't look very happy. He apologized right away, and asked what had broken. I am pretty sure he will tell his mother when she gets home from work. I didn't say anything about him replacing it, but I have a feeling that he will bring it up before I do... so I will wait and see.

[prrs4me]

I think you should also mention it to his parents. They know he was "playing" with it and should be held responsible. They should use it as a lesson to their son about being responsible and doing the "right thing". Gorillapods are not cheap and you should not have to buy the replacement yourself. If they are ethical people they will offer to pay. If not.........oh well they are still your neighbors but now you will know what to expect from them in the future.

[Nobie]

I would just begrudgingly buy another one and consider it a lesson learned. The only real thing that will come out of raising a stink, is that you're a stinker.

...hahahaha, I just made that up.

Really though, I would just buy another.