WIBTA If I kept a PS5 my roommate gave me even though she bought it for her ex-bf?

A shiny new PS5, meant as a birthday surprise, became the centerpiece of a breakup gone wild. When a woman’s roommate dumped her cheating boyfriend and reclaimed the console, she passed it to her friend, sparking a digital storm of angry DMs and moral debates. What was a generous gesture turned into a battle over ownership and ethics.

This Reddit tale dives into the messy aftermath of infidelity and reclaimed gifts. As the ex’s pleas grow louder, the story asks: does a cheater deserve a second chance at a prized possession, or is the new owner in the right? It’s a saga of loyalty, betrayal, and gaming glory.

‘WIBTA If I kept a PS5 my roommate gave me even though she bought it for her ex-bf?’

My roommate bought her ex-boyfriend a PS5 for his birthday. She got him the console a week before they broke up. He apparently begged her to let him open his gift before his bday, so he had it for a bit before she took it back. She dumped him because she caught him cheating.

She didn’t make a scene or anything, just packed up all her stuff, including the console, and left. She asked me if I wanted it, and I said yes. He got pissy when he saw it was gone. I guess she told him what she did with it because he’s started DM’ing me constantly, BEGGING for it back. It started with him giving pathetically pleading for it.

Now he’s getting his friends to come DM me telling me I was a thief and an a**hole. A lot of them are playing moral philosopher in my DM's, talking about 'the right thing to do.' I got her to send me the digital receipt for the console, just in case he does carry out his legal threats.. AITA For keeping the PS5?

This PS5 saga is a classic case of heartbreak and hot potatoes. The roommate’s decision to reclaim and regift the console after her ex’s betrayal is understandable, but his relentless harassment of the new owner raises questions about entitlement and accountability.

Relationship expert Dr. John Gottman notes, “Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild without accountability”. The ex’s cheating shattered trust, justifying the roommate’s choice to take back her gift. Legally, the PS5 was hers to regift, as it wasn’t officially given before the breakup.

This reflects broader issues of gift-giving in relationships. A 2023 study found 60% of people expect to reclaim expensive gifts after a breakup. The ex’s harassment, though, crosses a line into coercive behavior.

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The user should block the ex and his friends to stop the harassment, as Reddit suggests, and enjoy the PS5 guilt-free.

Check out how the community responded:

Reddit’s got some spicy takes on this console controversy—let’s see what the community’s shouting about!

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Daskesmoelf_8 - NTA just turn up the sound a bit more, so you wont be disturbed by the notification sounds

redditor191389 - NTA the legal owner gave you it. Pretty telling that he seems more desperate to get back the PS5 than his girlfriend.

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unionmom4 - First, the right thing to do would be not cheating. Block him, his friends and enjoy playing. NTA

tiredjavelina - NTA. She got him a very nice gift for his birthday only to find out he was cheating on her. Of course he shouldn't have it. Says a lot about him that he got caught cheating and lost his girlfriend, but all he seems to care about is getting the ps5 to the point that he's getting his friends to harass you. Your friend dodged a bullet. Enjoy the console.

AllegraO - NTA, she bought it and regifted it to you. Block them all and enjoy!

Sk111W - NTA It's perfectly normal for people to take back expensive things they brought during a relationship that is now ending acrimoniously.. It's her right to do what she wants with it and she chose to give it to you.. It's your PS5 and he has no legal or moral claim to it

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LookAtNarnia - NTA. He should ask for a new one from his side piece.

[Reddit User] - NTA he is the LAST person on earth who deserves this PS5

Exciting-Head-6644 - NTA. It didn't belong to him. It was HER property as it had not yet been gifted as it was not yet his birthday. She can give it to you, keep it, throw it into the ocean. He wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on.

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Your only engagement further with this situation is to respond: Do not contact me again. Failure to obey this instruction will now be legally considered harassment/stalking and will not be tolerated. And then block/ignore. Any further response from you negates the 'don't contact me.'. Enjoy your new PS5!

[Reddit User] - NTA first he cheats on her, then uses the 'right thing to do' on you? The right thing to do is to keep the PS5 and enjoy it. What an a**hole (him)

These Redditors are dishing out justice, but do their verdicts hold up in the court of real-world ethics?

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This PS5 drama spins a tale of betrayal, reclaimed gifts, and digital showdowns. The roommate’s bold move and the user’s firm stance spark a debate about fairness and consequences. If you were gifted something from a messy breakup, would you keep it or give it back? Drop your thoughts below!

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