Sounds like its time to get a new friend

Try a clean cloth and toothpaste. Just put some toothpaste on the scratches and rub it in real hard. The toothpaste will act as a mild abrasive but will not harm the data on the CD. It works wonders for my scratched CD's

P.S. It will only remove small scratches, not gouges...

Come on! How many friendships would you trash over $45.00. I've loaned friends things that didn't come back in the same condition and I've borrowed things from friends that didn't go back in the same condition. Sh*t happens. I've always offered to make good on them and if they decline then it's chalked up to the price of having friends. I have never insisted that a friend make good on damage to a loaned item, that's the risk of being a loaner. If the friend is close enough that I would loan my stuff to him then I am willing to write off any damage. Now if the BrodowskiTJ described the borrower as someone less than a friend I'd say that he should insist on restitution.  

use plastic polish for aircraft windows.

I personally feel that If I were to borrow something from a friend, they will get that item in the same OR better condition as when received. (that's what my daddy taught me, and I believe it to be good practice)

Can I borrow your AR this weekend?

I have heard that too, works on cd's, probably would be worth a try on dvds tool.

Yep, I've done the toothpaste trick too, and it works. Toothpaste, not just for breakfast anymore. [:D]