Today, I am feeling just a little bit fed up.

This year, I’ve had to bin a carrier that when it came back was broken and had to file Small Claims Court proceedings for another. That is two carriers (ironically the same model of carrier) that we have to right off in the space of just a few months. They will cost us around £150 to replace.

Small Claims Court is a last resort. I have had to do this 3 times in nearly 13 years. Each time, I have to account for all the actions I have done to try to resolve the issue, pay a fee (that’s taking money away from replacing carrier) and hope. The court has found in our favour each time. Sadly, that doesn’t mean we get paid. For the first two, the carrier was returned or the fees paid. But for the most recent claim, although court has found in our favour; the defendant has not responded, paid fees, returned sling or contacted me. They now have a County Court Judgement against them. This effects credit score etc and will show up if they want to get credit.

The sling library is run around my family and my teaching job. I do it because I want to help. Unfortunately, not everyone who uses the library seems to understand this, or that by not returning sling on time, they are preventing us from helping others and adding an extra layer of stress that isn’t needed.

All I ask, if you borrow a sling, look after it (I don’t mind if it gets dirty) and return it on time! Oh, and pay what’s due.