My problem, and, what is the fair decision?

[pazarus]

Hi. I don't know where else to post this, but I feel like I need an impartial 3rd party opinion on an issue I am having with some friends of mine. I am writing this hoping someone out there in DU likes to play the role of arbitrator. Thanks in advance for any help!

Here's the issue:

Three people (Abner, Carl, and Ergedres) have been living in a four bedroom apartment for a year. The fourth bedroom (the largest) has just become vacant last month. They all felt like if one of the three wanted it, they should have first dibs on it. Abner and Carl said they didn't. Ergedres did not make a decision.

While Ergedres was on vacation, a fourth person, Sedrik, was introduced to the house. Carl, acting as intermediary and house spokesman, told Sedrik that based on Ergedres' past decision to take the cheaper smaller room, Sedrik would most likely get the big room. Carl said it was still Ergedres decision though, and when Ergedres returned he asked her.

Ergedres, having never met Sedrik, mulled over the decision for three weeks. Finally, Carl gave Ergedres a deadline to decide, at which point Ergedres decided to take the bigger room. Carl and Sedrik were surprised, and Sedrik had already bought furniture for the big room, and decided to not move in unless it was to that room.

Ergedres feels entitled to the room because of seniority in the house. When pressed for a decision, Ergedres decided to take the big room.

Sedrik feels that Ergedres' period of indecision warranted a lack of interest. Sedrik had the impression Ergedres didn't want it, and planned accordingly.

So, my question is: In the interest of being fair, who deserves the big room? As a side note: who is to blame for the situation?

I hope there are some opinions out there. It's a tricky situation.

[TK421]

1. This makes my head spin a bit, but I think Carl should get the room

simply because HE was the intermediary.

[pazarus]

5. ... but he doesn't want it...

...Although, I will offer it as one of those "everyone's equally unhappy" solutions, like that fucking gang of 14 decision.

[short bus president]

2. simple solomonic solution...

either paint a dividing line down the middle of the room and share it, or cut both roomates in half.

[pazarus]

3. Ergedres offered to do 6 months/ 6 months

but Sedrik said it wouln't work. I think one of them is ready to cut the other in half.

[eyesroll]

4. C'mon, just suck it up and pay for the LSAT prep course instead of hitting

us up...;-)

Besides -- Ergedres deserves the big room. Carl gave her a deadline. Ergedres evidently made this decision before the deadline (albeit at the last second, but that doesn't factor in). She met the conditions for taking that room. In terms of "blame" -- Sedrik bought the furniture before he knew for sure he'd be getting the room. He took a gamble and lost.

Edited for pronouns.

[pazarus]

9. ...and now they are sitting at a table

...and A has to sit next to C, but not next to E or S. A is twice the age of half of the sum of the ages of S and C, and two years older than E.

Who gets the big chair at dinner?

[eyesroll]

14. The one who sat in the middle row on the boat, not next to A if S was also

in the front row.

Duh.

[tjwmason]

6. Ergendres gets the room

But gets a kick up the rear-end for being slow.

Sedrik's point about the period of indecision is not valid - once a dead-line was set Ergedres made his choice, before that point the question was open without specific dead-line. To side with Sedrik is to change the rules half-way through.

[tjdee]

7. Why did Ergedres take almost a month to decide? That would piss me off.

That would piss me off beyond belief. It's not that hard of a decision. Do you want the big room or not? It kept everyone in limbo and is pretty inconsiderate, considering someone is waiting on that decision.

Sedrik shouldn't have started shopping without a final decision, and Ergedres should get the room because of seniority--but I wouldn't be suprised if Sedrik backed out.

[readmylips]

8. Carl's fault. Bad manager....

Carl should have put the offer and deadline of reply on paper to each person. First one to submit entry, gets the room. In case of a tie, let the two contenders flip a coin. Carl please learn some simple managerial skills.

[Gormy Cuss]

10. Abner is to blame.

Seriously, it sounds like Carl screwed up by leading Sedrik to believe the big room was available and Ergedres was selfish in waiting so long to make a decision, although she does deserve the big room and ought to take the lead in finding a replacement for Sedrik.

Sounds like it's time for a review of the house rules.

[ahem]

11. "Carl gave Ergedres a deadline to decide, at which point Ergedres decided

to take the bigger room"

Despite the fact that she was slow to decide, Ergedres did decide by the deadline given to her. It's not her fault that Sedrik made an assumption about getting the larger room.

So to answer your questions:

In the interest of being fair, who deserves the big room?
Ergedres, for the reason stated above.

Who is to blame for the situation?
Well Carl led Sedrik to believe that he would most likely get the room without knowing Ergedres decision, but Sedrik acted (buying furniture) before getting confirmation. The blame would either be shared between Carl and Sedrik, or ultimately go to Sedrik. But...

While Ergedres was certainly not being considerate of her roommates when taking so long to decide, everyone should have demanded a reasonable (short) deadline for the decision ahead of time. Ultimately it sounds like shared blame all around.

(BTW, this sounds like one of those ethics questions for a class.)

[trof]

12. I think you made those names up.

Especially Ergedres.
;-)

[pazarus]

13. Ergedres gets that all the time...

And Abner thinks Sedrik's name is spelt funny.

[mcscajun]

15. Ergedres gets the room...and Carl gets the blame for giving

Sedrik assumed information rather than plain facts.

[miss_kitty]

16. Sedrik made assumptions. That's his problem

Egredes had, as an extant resident, the right to take her time, as long as no deadline had been given. Sedrik is shit out of luck, in my opinion.

No one is to blame. If someone is being given an indeterminate amount of time to make the decision, it is incumbent on those whose situation depends on the decision to wait for that decision to be made.

If Egredes had not made the decision by the deadline, THEN it could be assumed she would stay in the small room.

[pazarus]

17. Thanks for all the opinions

So far Ergedres seems to have the most support for claim to the room, with a strong rebuke for being inconsiderate.