That Neighbor You'll NEVER Plow Out / Snowblow Again !

[chopped]

:thumbsup:

 

[Sticklizard]

I moved out of the snowbelt 30 years ago but my parents haven't. After a storm my dad cleaned what he could get with his blower but left the pile by the street left by the city plow for later when he could go out and shovel it down enough for his blower to handle. When he went back out he found a neighbor had come by with their much larger blower and took care of it for him. You bet he thanked him. I would too if I knew his address... I don't like my 87 yo dad going out and doing that stuff.

A neighbor let me use his Kubota to cut grass on our 10 acres. I brought him 5 gallons of diesel in a new can for him to keep. I have my own tractor now but not a brush hog yet. He volunteered that I could keep it on his property so he can keep an eye on it - of course I left a key and he's welcome to use it if he ever needs it. I still try to call before heading down to our property to see if they need stuff from town, saving them a 1 hr round trip if they do. We seem to have nice neighbors by the site of our future home and we want to keep it that way and to be one of them!

 

[JEH412]

Just a bit of humour not completely on topic

My son 17 at the time had the chor of shovelling driveways (2) and walkways (3) when we lived in town before he moved out on his own. One day after about 16 inches of the white stuff as he was bundling up to head out and shovel, he asked me what I was going to do when he moved out about all the snow. I replied I would buy a snow blower. He asked why I didn't buy one then and I replied I already had a model I would get at least another year out of.

He moved out the following spring. It was good while it lasted.

:laughing:

I did the same thing with our son. The year he moved out I bought my first tractor and plow to do the driveway. Of course, he asked why I hadn't bought one before that. With a completely straight face I told him it wasn't needed before that ... he was not amused.

Now that he's a homeowner he's been paying me back in spades. The current project is insulating and drywalling the basement. He's our only child, and the father of our grandson, so I'm more than happy to help where I can.

John

 

[srs]

My wife is an optometrist (eye dr)
From my understanding - In your situation, if she bills the insurance company she MUST collect the co-pay. brian

His wife is a chiropractor, with her office in the house. This year I had a pinched nerve in my neck. I asked her about it and she said no problem, come over and I will take care of it. Turned out all I needed was heat and ice. But before determining that, she had me come for three office visits, which did no help, and she not only charged my insurance, but also made me pay a $30 copay each time.


Couldn't she have paid the copay out of her own pocket using cash? If not then explain to CARL BERT why she had to charge the co-pay and then slip him some cash for doing the snow removal.

 

[beenthere]

The specific case I was thinking of was when one of my friends was out doing his regular customers - some guy flagged him down and asked how much to clear his drive. My friend told him a price and the guy agreed, and my friend did the job. When asked for payment, the guy said, "I don't have any money" and went inside. My buddy finished his customers, then came back and proceeded to build K2 on his driveway. And yes, I think it's hilarious.

JayC

With that explanation, a bit easier to find the humor in it.

 

[KewlTracks]

One winter night on my way home, a ball joint broke on my car disabling the car on the spot. It was an extremely cold night. I stayed in the car for approximatley 15 minutes, waiting and hoping someone would stop to offer a lift to a pay phone or offer their cell phone to call a tow truck. After no one stopped, I decided to walk to the nearest gas station to make the call. After making the call and walking back, I sat in the car waiting for the tow truck to arrive. I am sure 300 cars went by between the time the car broke down and when the tow truck arrived, and no one stopped except for one lady, who stopped and asked if she could help just before the tow truck arrived. That experience really stuck with me. I was surprised that this young, little lady stopped to check on a broken down vehicle at night when probably 200 guys went by and did not even think to stop and ask if they could help push the car aside or make a call or anything.

Another interesting story is that I have purchased the land where I now live approximately 6 years ago and built my house over the past 4-5 years. A couple of the neighbors came by a few times to check on the progress and to give their opinions on how things should be done but never offered a helping hand. For the last two previous winters, I shovelled my driveway (350' long) and I never had a neighbor offer to clear it with their snowblower or anything no matter how much snow there was (I was not expecting it either but it would have been nice ). Anyway, in January I bought my tractor and during the third or fourth snowfall I was away on business so I didn't clear my driveway for a couple of days. When I got home I discovered that one of the neighbors, had cleared the snow at the driveway entrance and by the mailbox... I thought that it was soo funny since no one ever helped or offered to help, and now that the help isn't needed, the neighbor cleared it without asking. I wonder who is looking for a favor! Interesting world we live in!

 

[hink]

I live on a private road thats 1 1/2 mile long and do the snowblowing the whole road. there are around 30 residences on this road that are summer homes on the lake. the road association pays for all my diesel fuel, and I also due 7 driveways for my neighbors. Two of my driveways are paying customers the other 5 are just great neighbors. One in particular will buy me and my wife red sox tickets, or celtics tickets. The other neighbors always invite us to cookouts all summer long. these are the best neighbors and I help out most of them anytime.

 

[Sackett2]

When I lived in North Dakota I had a Sears Lawn tractor with a blower on it. I would drive out my driveway left turn down the sidewalk to the end of the block, turn around to the other end of the block and back to my drive. clean it out and work on some of the neighbors, depending on how much time I had. I always took care of the elderly down the street. Had a neighbor who was younger than I and wouldn't shovel his side walk even when it was easy.
Anyway, I never expected to get paid, but sometimes earned cookies.

 

[MarkV]

Interesting topic. I help a neighbor out with some lawn care, like aerating and dethatching once or twice a season. This year he asked me if I could remove the piles of plowed snow in his driveway with my loader. I did so, took about 3 hours and he thanked me. I don't do it expecting money and wouldn't take it if it were offered. He's my neighbor, and I also do it for the simple pleasure of SEAT TIME.

The problem I had was this. His wife is a chiropractor, with her office in the house. This year I had a pinched nerve in my neck. I asked her about it and she said no problem, come over and I will take care of it. Turned out all I needed was heat and ice. But before determining that, she had me come for three office visits, which did no help, and she not only charged my insurance, but also made me pay a $30 copay each time.

Am I being petty? I was fine with her billing the insurance company, after all thats what I have it for. But I thought the $90 in copays were excessive. Is her time more valuable then mine?

I would really like to hear what some of you think. Be honest.

Carl first off I don't think you are being petty. I also possibly understand the Chiropractor's situation though. I am always willing to help out a friend or neighbor when I can. What I will not do is give away what I do professionally. That is how I make my living. It is what pays my rent and feeds my family. It is not a hobby or fun for me after all these years. Plus if I do for one how do a say no to the next. If you move snow for a living I would never do it for free. If you like to play on the tractor and help out the neighbors thats different. Just a different perspective to consider.

MarkV

 

[Carl Bert]

My wife is an optometrist (eye dr) and freebies are a tough call - just like plowing snow, once you do it for free its hard to start charging even if you really need/want to..

My wife gives close friends and family (mom/dad/sister/niece) free eye exams - BUT they normally take us out to eat or something like that in return..

From my understanding - In your situation, if she bills the insurance company she MUST collect the co-pay.. If the insurance company audits her and finds she was not collecting they can cancel their agreement and possibly try to recollect their payments..

SO - she either needs to do it for free or do what she did..

I look at is this way - in both situations there is only time (no real materials) involved for the chiro and an eye exam, which is easy enough to swallow.. BUT my wife looks at it that its the expertise you are getting they lessen their profession by giving it away for free all the time

brian

If you look at my profile you will see that I own a Medical and Dental billing company, so I am more then familiar with insurance company rules and regulations. The statement you just made is about the same as saying "make sure you cross the street at the corner, or you will get a ticket for J walking"

One of my clients, who does 12 Million a yr in dental work (he owns 8 offices), does not charge a single one of his patients copays. He was actually audited last year(by an ins company) and didn't have a problem. Reason being because there are many different legal reasons around copays. One being hardship, another would be "I billed her and she never payed" and the list goes on.

So when a doctor tells you that they MUST charge copays, thats just an excuse they use to make themselves feel better about charging you.