Broken frame

[Mat38]

Hi all,

Unfortunately on the last night of my 7 night stay at an airbnb I had an unfortunate experience. 

The room was situated at the end of a very narrow hallway at the top of spiral stairs, with a door halfway through. As I opened the door my bag must have caught onto a frame hanging on the wall, causing it to fall and break in some areas. The painting is fine, however the frame is damaged. According to the owner this is an 80 year old painting, although the original price is not high he mentioned restoration costs of 500€.

I understand this is my fault, although completely accidental, I told the owner straight away and cleaned up what I could. However I do also feel that a valuable item should not placed in such a vulnerable position when receiving guests. 

500€ seems extremely high, what do you feel would be a reasonable course of action in this case? Reimbursing the original cost of the painting does seem fair to me, but obviously this is not something that can just be replace either.

Any help would be appreciated.

Matt

[Mark116]

500E seems an exhorbitant sum for a frame, since you say the painting itself wasn't damaged.  I would ask the host for some kind of verification/authentication on the cost that has been quoted, and if this isn't forthcoming, then I would go to airbnb. 

[Craig178]

I absolutely agree. I did not want initially to address this issue, but it sounds reduculously expensive for a frame. Before paying a penny, a guest should ask for the receipt or for credible appraisal of this frame. Even if it really costs 500 euros, the host should not be placing such valuable item in a place where it could be easily broken. I can only imagine the stress of the guest.