Roommate needs a manners lesson

Dear Harriette: I recently asked my roommate to return a dress because she works near the store where I purchased it. She came back, saying they would not accept the dress because it appeared to have been worn. I didn’t wear it, so I found that strange. The dress is now sitting in my closet in the store bag.

Today, I received an e-mail with pictures from a recent party, which showed my roommate — surprise! — wearing the dress. I have proof she wore it, so, with this proof, is it fair to collect the money for the dress? I would have received a full refund if she had not taken this liberty and then lied about it. My other roommate thinks I should just let it go, but she deceived me outright. I want my money. How can I get it without making a bad situation worse? — Shayla, Chicago, Ill.

Dear Shayla: The main issue here is deceit. You should definitely approach your roommate with the evidence and ask her why she wore your dress, tried to return it and then lied about what happened. Everything about her actions reeks of the reality that you cannot trust her. You can ask her for your money back, but it’s unlikely she’ll pay.

In the future, put a lock on your closet and your bedroom door. This may seem extreme, but you already have the proof you need to protect your valuables. Next time, don’t forget to handle your own business!