AITA for refusing to pay for a girl’s coat that my boyfriend accidentally donated?

Imagine finding a forgotten jacket in your closet, left behind by a near-stranger who keeps promising to pick it up but never does. For nine months, you play the patient host, only for your boyfriend to accidentally donate it during a spring clean. Now, the owner’s back, fuming, demanding $250 and crying theft. This Reddit tale dives into a messy clash over a lost coat, sparking debates about responsibility and fairness that’ll leave you picking a side.

The OP, caught between good intentions and an angry demand, stands firm against paying for the jacket. With Reddit buzzing over who’s really at fault, this story pulls us into a whirlwind of forgotten promises and donated goods. Was the OP wrong to refuse payment, or is the jacket’s owner out of line? Let’s unpack the drama that’s got everyone talking.

‘AITA for refusing to pay for a girl’s coat that my boyfriend accidentally donated?’

This jacket saga is a textbook case of misplaced responsibility. The OP’s efforts to return the coat—multiple messages, open invitations—went ignored for nine months. Then, an honest mistake by her boyfriend led to its donation, and now the owner’s demanding cash. Dr. Jane Adams, an expert on personal boundaries, notes, “You’re not obligated to compensate for someone else’s negligence” . The OP’s refusal to pay is grounded in fairness—she isn’t a storage unit.

The owner’s claim of theft is a stretch. Legally, property left unclaimed for extended periods—often 30-90 days, depending on local laws—can be considered abandoned . The OP gave ample opportunity for retrieval, making the donation reasonable, if accidental. The owner’s $250 demand ignores her own inaction, which fueled the mishap. Her accusations sound more like frustration than a valid claim.

This situation reflects a broader issue: accountability for personal belongings. The OP’s good faith contrasts with the owner’s negligence, yet her aggressive response escalates the conflict. Dr. Adams suggests clear communication to resolve such disputes—here, the OP could offer to help locate the jacket at the donation site, as Reddit suggested. Documenting all prior messages strengthens her case if threats persist.

For now, the OP’s stance is solid—she’s not liable for an abandoned item. She should save all communication and, if harassment continues, report it.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit brought the sass, serving up a lively mix of snark and support for this closet caper. It’s like a yard sale where everyone’s got a hot take on who owns what. Here’s the unfiltered scoop from the community:

Redditors rallied behind the OP, calling the jacket owner’s demands absurd and her inaction the real culprit. Some suggested snarky comebacks, while others urged checking donation sites. But do these takes capture the full story, or are they just piling on the shade?

This tale of a donated jacket and a $250 demand leaves us pondering responsibility, fairness, and the perils of forgotten stuff. The OP’s refusal to pay sparked a Reddit firestorm, and now it’s your turn to weigh in. Was she right to stand her ground, or should she have done more to save the jacket? What would you do if someone demanded cash for their long-lost item? Share your thoughts—let’s keep this conversation zipping along.