Can my old friend sue me for a computer she gave to me?

Question

My old friend and I have had a falling out. There has been alot of contact on her part and very little on mine. The most recent contact by her was through her mother calling to ask for an old laptop back that my friend had given to me some months ago. This is what happened; back in August/September my friend bought herself a new computer because her current one was messed up, the wi-fi didnt work, it was rittled with viruses, and it could not even read or burn cds. My friend had offered to let me get a computer with her HHGREGG credit card seeing as they had a special 0% financing offer available. Unfortunately when we got to the store we realized that the offer had expired. My friend then said to me, " You can have my old computer". So that was that. She gave me the computer, I took it home and used a few times with it directly connected ethernet. The computer was so slow it was more of a hassle to use it than not so I put it away. Now yesterday, her mother calls my phone asking for the computer back. I told her it was in storage and that the computer is worthless. She then asked me why didnt I give it back to which I replied "I didnt think to give it back..." Anyway I told her I would call her next week if I find it. After that I received a message from my old friend with something that looked like a makeshift agreement, basically saying that I agreed to give her mother the computer by 7/14/13 and if I do not comply then she will file a civil suit against me to recover the computer valued at $899.00.
Now mind you, this computer is from 2006, the wifi doesnt work, the disk drive doesnt work, and it is riddled with viruses so there is no way that it is worth $899 as a matter of fact I took it to a computer store and he told me it was worth nothing to him but he would take $50 off another computer for me if I traded it in.

So sorry for such a long story but my question is does she have a case? Should I return the junky computer or hold on to it off of principlal. Would I be within my rights to request the remainder of my belongings that still remain at her house in exchange for the computer? Any thoughts/advice welcome!!

Thank you!

Answer 1

First of all a 2006 computer is NOT worth $899.00 she is talking crap. She cannot demand anything from you, you return when you are available/or can.

If you feel like she is trying to get you in some problem, tell her you meet her at the Police station.

If she does not want to meet you at the Police station, refuse to see her.

She cannot make you do anything.



PS:

For the remaining of your belonging get the Police to go with you and give her that piece of crap back with the Police, contact the Police and explain all of this.

Don't let her bully you.

Answer 2

It seems like you are making a simple issue very complex. You aren't using the computer, you say it's useless, it's just sitting in storage- give it back to her and all problems are solved! She did a nice thing letting you have it, and even if she's being nasty about it now, it costs you nothing to return it.

Answer 3

It depends if you had actually signed the "make-shift" contract