1-900-Hustler BBHMM Edition: How do I ask to be reimbursed?

Dear Cubicle Hustler,

I hope you can help me.  I was supporting another team at a client event they were hosting.  The person planning it wasn't organized and at the last minute, she realized that she forgot music.  She needed an iPod with Pandora or Spotify to stream a playlist for the event.  I had my iPod on me, so I charged it, set up the playlist and let her AV person hook it up for the event while I went on about my responsibilities.

The day of the event, the AV person tells me that my iPod battery died and wouldn't charge.  Since I've gotten it back, it's completely broken and won't even turn on.

Is there any recourse? Can I ask the person organizing to be reimburse for my iPod?  Is there a polite and professional way to say "heffa run me my money"?  This sucks.

Signed,

My earbuds are just for show

Hey there earbuds,

You're right.  That does suck.  Well played in going above and beyond to support the team during their (poorly planned) event.  Moves like that build relationships and earn you a lot of internal goodwill.

That said, eating the cost of an expensive electronic device is well past what it takes to be a good team member.  Your personal property was broken during work use so the company should reimburse you for it.  Now, if you go to that person and ask to be reimbursed, you will probably encounter some hand wringing, denials, suggestions on ways to fix it, and all manner of other excuses that still leave you riding the subway actually having to listen to your fellow passengers instead of pretending they're not even there.

So instead, don't ask, tell.  Take away the opportunity for debate and just go ahead and let her know what you're doing, confirm only the details you need to.

"Jill, my iPod got broken at your event so I'm going to expense a new one and have it billed back to your department, what's your cost center code?  If you prefer to have your admin handle the billing directly, just let me know."

That answer is straight to the point, non-confrontational and takes away the opportunity to debate the merits of your iPod needing to be replaced.  This puts the perpetrator on notice of both the problem and your proposed resolution.  It also gives her the opportunity to input if necessary.  

Now, it should go without saying, but just in case it doesn't - do not use this opportunity to try to come up.  Get a comparable iPod at a reasonable price.  If you had an iPod nano, do not bill the company for a brand new iPhone 6S Plus.  That's just triflin and we hustlers are better than that.

Got a question of your own?  Email me antonia@cubiclehustler.com and we'll figure out how to solve it