I unfortunately don't have a whole lot of tools, but when I do loan them out, I make SURE they know what the deal is. I make it a habit; when I borrow something, I bring it back in the same if not better shape. I've been known to wash the tractor I borrowed when doing landscaping work at my house. It always came back to the owner clean, full of fuel - no matter how much was in when I received it - and even replaced or fixed some of the things I noticed when using it. I once bought a new tire and rim for it. They may not notice, but I'll sure know it.
My brother-in-law asked to borrow my pushmower one time to cut his front yard. He just had a tree cut down and the stump ground. Stupid me thought he would at least rake the yard before he run the mower over it.......nope. I could hear the mower hitting wood all the way to my house. Needless to say, that was the last time he borrowed it, and I told his wife to make an investment in their OWN mower. She was mad that I told her that, but later understood when they had their own.
