A Gift That Seemed Good In Theory, But Turns Out To Be Useless - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 11-18-2012, 12:51 AM

Your thoughts?

My brother gave me a Roku LT for my birthday. It came from Amazon. I looked and they cost $49.99. He thought that I would be able to see things streamed from Netflix on my tv. The thing is, my tv isn't equiped for large print software like my computer. Just because the tv screen is bgger doesn't mean I'll be able to see things easier. According to my brother the Roku LT is simple to set up. I had to have my mother set it up because of my vision problems. She had a hard time setting it up. I couldn't see the different things displayed on the tv, ie: the keyboard with letters that are in a different order than a typical keyboard, menus, etc. My mother seemed to expect me to be able to see it. We weren't able to complete the set up because of some problems with Netflix, my fault.

My mother hates setting up electrontic stuff. She feels her time is valuable and that it's wasted. She doesn't like that she doesn't get paid for it. I do thank her and appreciate whenever she sets stuff up. When electronic stuff is hard to set up she gets angry, curses and starts pounding on the keyboard. She finally left today pretty upset.

I don't know if the Roku LT can be returned and/or if my brother will resent it if I ask. I thanked him for it. There was no packing slip that came with it, but I do have the original box it came in. It came in late October. I feel bad that I can't see it and feel pressured into bieng able to.

Nighthawk76 · 11-18-2012, 12:55 AM

I would just keep it and tell him that you really like it. Then there is no hard feelings. Also its the thought that counts.

Janice · 11-18-2012, 07:28 AM

I would tell him that it isn't equipped for a blind person. For him to give you something electronic and complicated to set up wasn't so logical on his part. He knows you're blind. I would tell him that it's a waste to just leave it connected and ask him for the receipt. He should understand. Any decent person would. You're not doing anything wrong. You know how fussy you're brother is with his kid's gifts. Call Amazon. They often have return shipping stickers. If not, find out the address and mail it back; then order yourself something that you love.

janet42 · 11-18-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shine

I would just keep it and tell him that you really like it. Then there is no hard feelings. Also its the thought that counts.

That's right. That's what I do. I have a large family and most of my bothers and sisters have kids, so I always appreciate things that they do for me, since my mom died, big or small.

Waterston_Fan · 11-18-2012, 12:07 PM

Unless your mom has already told him about it, I do agree with Janice.

I understand the idea of sparing ones feelings but in this case, what's the point of using something that won't work? Also, what if he asks about it or wants to see how it works?

I don't know if there is a 30 or 90 day return but you need to make sure it's not too late.

JamesG · 11-18-2012, 12:49 PM

Yeah, it makes no sense to keep something that one cannot use.

I simply just thank the person that gives me something that I have no use for and then I see if someone else wants/needs it or I just throw it out if I cannot return the item/s.

You don't have to tell your brother that you "really like it," just tell him that you appreciate the gift but you cannot use it due to your vision. Then find out about what's involved in returning/exchanging it for something that you can use.

Janice · 11-18-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janet42

That's right. That's what I do. I have a large family and most of my bothers and sisters have kids, so I always appreciate things that they do for me, since my mom died, big or small.

Why go there? Jenny appreciates the fact that he gave her a gift. For her to just keep a gift installed that she won't use is ridiculous, especially when it cost 50 bucks. I'm sure her brother can handle the truth. If he can't, then he's the one with the problem.

AKA · 11-18-2012, 02:49 PM

I agree. My family are "if you don't like it, take it back to the store" people. That's why we keep the receipts when we buy gifts! We know that we're not always going to strike gold when we shop for loved ones, and know that even though the person can't use the gift, it doesn't mean they don't appreciate it or feel loved from the gesture. "It's the thought that counts," right?

robyrob · 11-18-2012, 05:55 PM

i'd ask him to come over and try to help set it up

- either he will be able to get it working in a way that you can actually use it, or he will see first hand that it isn't going to work and maybe he will offer to return or exchange it for you.

Mr. Television · 11-18-2012, 06:01 PM

Yea I would just tell him the truth. It's a waste of his money too if you can't use it. And then he'll probably ask you about it and you'll have to lie to him. It's better just to be honest.

gilligan fanatic · 11-18-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i'd ask him to come over and try to help set it up

- either he will be able to get it working in a way that you can actually use it, or he will see first hand that it isn't going to work and maybe he will offer to return or exchange it for you.

I agree. That's what I would do too.

Family Ties Forever! · 11-18-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I would tell him that it isn't equipped for a blind person. For him to give you something electronic and complicated to set up wasn't so logical on his part. He knows you're blind. I would tell him that it's a waste to just leave it connected and ask him for the receipt. He should understand. Any decent person would. You're not doing anything wrong. You know how fussy you're brother is with his kid's gifts. Call Amazon. They often have return shipping stickers. If not, find out the address and mail it back; then order yourself something that you love.

Thanks for the advice Janice.

That's a good idea to look into.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Why go there? Jenny appreciates the fact that he gave her a gift. For her to just keep a gift installed that she won't use is ridiculous, especially when it cost 50 bucks. I'm sure her brother can handle the truth. If he can't, then he's the one with the problem.

That's right. Thanks Janice. I appreciate the gift my brother gave me. I told my brother when I got it thank you. I also thanked him for the birthday card as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

i'd ask him to come over and try to help set it up

- either he will be able to get it working in a way that you can actually use it, or he will see first hand that it isn't going to work and maybe he will offer to return or exchange it for you.

Thanks. My brother lives in Florida though and I live in Texas.

11-18-2012, 12:51 AM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	A Gift That Seemed Good In Theory, But Turns Out To Be Useless Your thoughts? My brother gave me a Roku LT for my birthday. It came from Amazon. I looked and they cost $49.99. He thought that I would be able to see things streamed from Netflix on my tv. The thing is, my tv isn't equiped for large print software like my computer. Just because the tv screen is bgger doesn't mean I'll be able to see things easier. According to my brother the Roku LT is simple to set up. I had to have my mother set it up because of my vision problems. She had a hard time setting it up. I couldn't see the different things displayed on the tv, ie: the keyboard with letters that are in a different order than a typical keyboard, menus, etc. My mother seemed to expect me to be able to see it. We weren't able to complete the set up because of some problems with Netflix, my fault. My mother hates setting up electrontic stuff. She feels her time is valuable and that it's wasted. She doesn't like that she doesn't get paid for it. I do thank her and appreciate whenever she sets stuff up. When electronic stuff is hard to set up she gets angry, curses and starts pounding on the keyboard. She finally left today pretty upset. I don't know if the Roku LT can be returned and/or if my brother will resent it if I ask. I thanked him for it. There was no packing slip that came with it, but I do have the original box it came in. It came in late October. I feel bad that I can't see it and feel pressured into bieng able to.
	__________________ Jenny

11-18-2012, 05:55 PM	#9
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	i'd ask him to come over and try to help set it up - either he will be able to get it working in a way that you can actually use it, or he will see first hand that it isn't going to work and maybe he will offer to return or exchange it for you.
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11-18-2012, 06:01 PM	#10
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Yea I would just tell him the truth. It's a waste of his money too if you can't use it. And then he'll probably ask you about it and you'll have to lie to him. It's better just to be honest.
	__________________ Sonny

11-18-2012, 12:55 AM	#2
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I would just keep it and tell him that you really like it. Then there is no hard feelings. Also its the thought that counts.

11-18-2012, 07:28 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I would tell him that it isn't equipped for a blind person. For him to give you something electronic and complicated to set up wasn't so logical on his part. He knows you're blind. I would tell him that it's a waste to just leave it connected and ask him for the receipt. He should understand. Any decent person would. You're not doing anything wrong. You know how fussy you're brother is with his kid's gifts. Call Amazon. They often have return shipping stickers. If not, find out the address and mail it back; then order yourself something that you love.

11-18-2012, 12:07 PM	#5
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	Unless your mom has already told him about it, I do agree with Janice. I understand the idea of sparing ones feelings but in this case, what's the point of using something that won't work? Also, what if he asks about it or wants to see how it works? I don't know if there is a 30 or 90 day return but you need to make sure it's not too late.

11-18-2012, 12:49 PM	#6
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,159	Yeah, it makes no sense to keep something that one cannot use. I simply just thank the person that gives me something that I have no use for and then I see if someone else wants/needs it or I just throw it out if I cannot return the item/s. You don't have to tell your brother that you "really like it," just tell him that you appreciate the gift but you cannot use it due to your vision. Then find out about what's involved in returning/exchanging it for something that you can use.

11-18-2012, 02:49 PM	#8
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	I agree. My family are "if you don't like it, take it back to the store" people. That's why we keep the receipts when we buy gifts! We know that we're not always going to strike gold when we shop for loved ones, and know that even though the person can't use the gift, it doesn't mean they don't appreciate it or feel loved from the gesture. "It's the thought that counts," right?