Hello,

So today I had to retrieve my pressure washer from my brother in law who had borrowed it a few weeks or a month ago and had not returned it. First of all, I was hoping he'd return it without me having to go to his house and get it back. Second, the gas tank was empty.
I also let him borrow my yard trimmer until he bought one. That was a year ago. Not sure I'll ever see it back.

Maybe I am an old fashion 47 year old, but I always return what I borrow better than I found it.
Examples:
I borrowed a motorcycle trailer and my bud told me one of the lights was inoperable and he was trying to trouble shoot it. I purchased and installed LED marine grade lights and re-wired the trailer.

I borrowed a cargo trailer and some tarps from another buddy since I was moving some furniture from point A to point B. One of the tarps got ripped from the road/wind. I purchased 2 oversized tarps and a gizmo from Harbor Freight that is a tennis ball, attached to a telescopic antennae attached to a magnet, that way, you put one on your hitch, the second one on the trailer tongue and when the balls get together, you know you backed it up correctly.

I remember a buddy borrowing my truck once and bringing it back with a full tank. Nice. Same thing I would've done.

Again, Am I old fashion with old fashion values and expect too much in return? Or returning borrowed items in a timely manner and in the same or better condition as when you borrowed it is the normal thing to do?

Thank you for letting me vent.

Every time I borrow something I do the same thing.....return it better than borrowed. It's just a simple way of saying "thanks" for the courtesy of them letting you use their stuff.....simple in my mind really.....I've detailed trucks I've borrowed, repaired machinery, actually disassembled and powdercoated my neightbors entire walk behind leaf blower prior to returning it, replaced a faulty control valve on a log splitter, replaced rotted pivot pins on a York-rake.....etc, etc.....I make my sons help me with the repairs and explain why we're doing it as well....I want to instill the same sense of appreciation in them so they'll (hopefully) do the same when they're grown.

Conversely, almost every time I've let something of mine go on borrow it's come back with an issue.....trailer damaged multiple times.....draw bar disappeared on more times than I can count....truck gas empty.....Hyd hose nicked & leaking on bucket truck.....stuff just disappears without a trace....

It's even harder when it's family.

When I loan stuff out I just never expect it back now, just like money.

My uncle is a welder/fabricator so I have an entire workshop to pick through and borrow stuff. I learned the hard way that you take care of the stuff you borrow better than you would your own tools, especially when people need those tools to make their livelihood.

My father would never ask to borrow anything, he would buy a tool even if it was something he may only use once,and all his tools were immaculate. People knew this, and a friend borrowed an old paraffin fired heat gun from him which was brass and quite tarnished. Upon the return of the item it had been polished up so well,you could use it as a mirror. Most people take advantage, but there is the odd time when people go the extra mile.

Another example is where I borrowed a pair of plastic trestle table legs from my shift partner to cut a big sheet of wood on. Using a circular saw, I cut through one of them. It was still very useable, but I felt guilty and went and bought a brand new pair and gave them back to my shift partner. I now own the cut ones, so if anyone wants to borrow mine, I shall be rather fussy on there return

Its all about values
Growing up and having nothing i was taught to respects other peoples property.
I always return stuff in better condition then when i borrow it
If someone one does me a solid i also take care of them
I always over tip (its seems no one tips in florida )
I treat people the way i want to be treated