AITA for taking my wii that my sister gave my niece without asking me first?

A visit to her sister’s house turns into a family showdown when a woman finds her missing Wii, a cherished $150 purchase, in her niece’s hands—given without her consent. Offering a $50 deal, she’s met with dismissal from her sister and screams from her niece, who claims ownership. Reclaiming her console, she faces a tearful tantrum and sisterly guilt-tripping, but stands firm on principle. Reddit cheers her on, but the fallout stings. This isn’t just about a Wii—it’s a clash of respect, ownership, and family boundaries. Was her take-back justified, or too harsh? Readers are hooked: should she have let it go, or held her ground? The console drama demands a verdict.

‘AITA for taking my wii that my sister gave my niece without asking me first?’

This woman shared her Wii retrieval saga on Reddit, detailing her sister’s unauthorized gift and the explosive aftermath. Here’s her original post and update, unpacking the heated clash.

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So basically I came down to visit my sister, and found my wii I have been looking for for the last year. I bought it in 2016 for $150 at gamestop. I heard my niece talking about it and asked is that my wii? My sister told me it was but I couldnt take it because niece plays with it all the time. I offered to let her buy it from me for $50.

So basically I came down to visit my sister, and found my wii I have been looking for for the last year. I bought it in 2016 for $150 at gamestop. I heard my niece talking about it and asked is that my wii? My sister told me it was but I couldnt take it because niece plays with it all the time. I offered to let her buy it from me for $50.

She said no it is an old game console so I didnt need it anyways. I bought this wii specifically for wii sports and nothing else, which I played religously. Meanwhile my niece started screaming ' I dont care if you paid for it. It is mine and you arent taking my stuff'.

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She said no it is an old game console so I didnt need it anyways. I bought this wii specifically for wii sports and nothing else, which I played religously. Meanwhile my niece started screaming ' I dont care if you paid for it. It is mine and you arent taking my stuff'.

Now if my sister or niece would have just asked me if they could have it I probably would have just said yes. The fact that nobody asked just didnt set right with me. I paid for this. I have been looking for it for over a year. So tell me reddit, AITA if I take my wii back with me?. Sorry for any grammar, format, blah blah blah.

Now if my sister or niece would have just asked me if they could have it I probably would have just said yes. The fact that nobody asked just didnt set right with me. I paid for this. I have been looking for it for over a year. So tell me reddit, AITA if I take my wii back with me?. Sorry for any grammar, format, blah blah blah.

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UPDATE: I took the wii and did my best to explain to my niece that I spent a lot of money on this ( it was a lot for me, and a lot for an 8 year old) I tried to equate it to how she saved for her phone, and how sad she would be if it was taken.

UPDATE: I took the wii and did my best to explain to my niece that I spent a lot of money on this ( it was a lot for me, and a lot for an 8 year old) I tried to equate it to how she saved for her phone, and how sad she would be if it was taken.

This did NOT go well. My sister made me feel absolutely terrible about taking my wii, and my niece screamed the entire time that I was not taking her stuff, and she again didnt care how much money I spent. Needless to say I still kinda feel like an a**hole, but I think I did the right thing. I'll be very happy to get home so I can finally play some wii golf. Thanks everyone for their opinions!

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This did NOT go well. My sister made me feel absolutely terrible about taking my wii, and my niece screamed the entire time that I was not taking her stuff, and she again didnt care how much money I spent. Needless to say I still kinda feel like an a**hole, but I think I did the right thing. I'll be very happy to get home so I can finally play some wii golf. Thanks everyone for their opinions!

Property rights don’t bend for family ties, and this woman’s decision to reclaim her Wii, taken without permission, is a clear stand for ownership. Her sister’s assumption that she could give away a $150 console, and her niece’s entitled outburst, reflect a disregard for boundaries, as Reddit emphasized. Offering to sell it for $50 was a generous compromise, met with dismissal, and her explanation to her 8-year-old niece about value—though unsuccessful—showed intent to teach rather than punish. The sister’s guilt-tripping and the niece’s tantrum, while emotionally charged, don’t negate the theft.

This mirrors family disputes over unconsulted “sharing.” A 2023 study in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that taking personal items without permission often triggers conflict when entitlement overrides respect, especially in sibling dynamics. The sister’s failure to ask permission set the stage for the rift.

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Family counselor Dr. Gary Chapman says, “Respecting ownership within families builds trust; assuming consent erodes it”. His insight validates her action, though a calmer delivery to her niece might have softened the blow. The sister’s lack of accountability and enabling of her daughter’s entitlement fueled the drama.

The woman should maintain her boundary, perhaps offering a future discussion with her sister to clarify respect. The sister needs to teach her daughter about borrowing and accountability.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Reddit dove into this Wii war with takes as lively as a Wii Sports match. Here’s a roundup of their thoughts, sprinkled with humor—because even family feuds need a chuckle.

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daddyskitten53 − NTA - she stole from you and that is not okay under any circumstances. It doesn’t matter what her justification for doing so is, it’s theft.

SykoSarah − NTA, r/entitledparents , smh.

seaanemoneenemy − NTA, it was yours and your sister admitted knowing this when you were looking for it and asked her about it.

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starredandfeathered − NTA - she took it without asking. Doesn’t matter what you do with it, it’s yours. You even said that you’d have let them have it, if they’d asked, but they didn’t, so don’t feel bad for repossessing your own property.

bicep123 − NTA. ' I dont care if you paid for it. It is mine and you arent taking my stuff'. What a brat. I'd take it back out of principle and sell it for $50 on craigslist or gumtree (or wherever you are). Then buy a case of beer. And enjoy every drop.

othermegan − NTA. Your sister stole from you. It'd be one thing to punish your niece for the actions of her a**hole of a mother, but clearly your sister is raising your niece to be an entitled shithead too. You were clearly willing to compromise by offering them a very low price (and the unmentioned fact that you would have just given it to them if they asked nicely).

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So breathe easy, you are morally right in packing up your wii and leaving without saying anything. After all, apparently that's how your sister thinks things are done in your family anyways. But just a tip to avoid drama and potentially a broken wii... I don't know what time you get to leave on Saturday but maybe leave early and pack it up while everyone else is still asleep/not up and about..

Lostmylogininfoagain − ' I dont care if you paid for it. It is mine and you arent taking my stuff'. ​. take it for the love of all that is good take it away from that person... ​. NTA.

ButtHurtlol − NTA. it may be petty, but it’s the principle of the matter.

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N3rdProbl3ms − Send your sister to r/choosing beggars and take it back. What a f**king rude POS raising another POS.

Pacoz_Tacoz − TAKE THE WII TAKE THE WII NTA NTA NTA.

These Reddit quips are game-on, but do they score the truth? Was the woman’s Wii grab a fair play, or too tough on her niece?

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This woman’s Wii reclamation is a gripping tale of principle over family pressure. Taking back her stolen console, she faced her niece’s screams and her sister’s guilt, but Reddit’s NTA verdict backs her stand for ownership. As she gears up for Wii golf, one question lingers: can she mend ties without losing her swing? What would you do when family takes your treasure without asking? Share your stories and weigh in on this pixelated drama!

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