NEED 2 VENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just discovered that all 4 of my inshore fishing rod tips are broken! Went to GI last weekend (trip from hell but that's a whole other topic!) My bro in law and another buddy had to drop me off at NO airport Sunday afternoon for me to catch a flight to San Diego for business. We had all of our poles in boat and bro n law told me he would wash down and store my gear for me. I get back and just went to pick up my gear to find that all 4 of my inshore rods are now TIPLESS!!! Talk about one pissed off, raging, coon arse right about now!!! He's not around and I haven't spoken to him yet b/c I wanted to cool off first, but is he liable or am I out $400 worth of rods?