Imho, it sounds like your friends confused loaned with gifted. Since this has happened on multiple occasions with different people, perhaps you should make your intentions more clear.
Mistakes I’ve made
Lending out audio gear!
Loaned a turntable to a relative- he tossed it in the trash when he was done with it and switched to cd
Loaned a turntable to a friend- he has no idea what happened to it
Loaned a receiver and cassette deck to a relative- he bought a mini system and threw out my gear
Loaned another receiver to a friend- got smashed
what “why did I do that” moments have you had?
Loaned a turntable to a relative- he tossed it in the trash when he was done with it and switched to cd
Loaned a turntable to a friend- he has no idea what happened to it
Loaned a receiver and cassette deck to a relative- he bought a mini system and threw out my gear
Loaned another receiver to a friend- got smashed
what “why did I do that” moments have you had?