Would You Loan It Out?

[UncleScrooge]

I sent my parasite neighbor a text yesterday afternoon, asking if he was done with my tiller. He informed me that he was currently done, but has ANOTHER project he might need it for in a week or so... "But you can come get it if you need it."

...

...

I got my tiller back last night.

I checked it out. I didn't see any signs of abuse or damage. I didn't drain the gear oil, but did spin the PTO and it felt good. I hosed it off and parked it in my lower lot.


A quick note on helping, loaning, or working for neighbors. I'm totally willing to bend over backwards for my closer (both physically and relationship) neighbors. They have been great! It's been a somewhat fair exchange amongst us all. We all know each other and hang out on a regular basis. I thought this guy, from down the road, would be the same. Moving forward, if my next door neighbor needs to borrow my tiller, he'll have it, no questions asked. Because I trust him. My parasitic 'neighbor' has lost my trust in him. He might be the nicest, God fearing, family man, but I simply cannot have that type of relationship with someone with that reputation.

There has been a ton of great comments here! Thank you! I knew I messed up, but was torn morally. I am a man of my word, and when I agree to something, that something is done. This is why he was able to take my tiller. It did tear me up inside, a feeling of lending something so expensive and useful for my own property, I may never see again, all because I am a moral person. I guess I cannot let my morals get in the way of decisions like this.

Thanks again!

Really happy for you that you got it back okay! You might want to find a way to secure it in case he's the type who thinks he can drive to your property and get it again without asking!

 

[RoyJackson]

I have one neighbor I'll lend stuff to with no question...he's real OCD about his equipment and mine (when he borrows it) as well.
Another neighbor...sometimes, but it depends on what he wants
Both are good at returning stuff in a timely manner
I'd probably even lend the OCD neighbor my tractor...won't need to, most likely as he owns a Kioti

I also know these folks would do anything (legal) for me...

As far as the OP's neighbor...considering what I've read...nope, I'd pass...

 

[jmc]

You're the one who allows it to happen.
Tell mother or Granny to lend them THEIR stuff and leave yours alone.

If you're not the one responsible for maintaining and fixing it, you have no business loaning it out or using it.

I think he was hinting that those borrowers are family members, which might be a little awkward.

 

[jmc]

OP, how you respond to his next request might also set the tone for who he calls on first whenever he needs an air compressor, 12" crescent wrench, jack stands, reciprocating saw, spare lumber....

 

[D2Cat]

I haven't read but the first couple of post. I agree with your wife!!!! The story is so pathetic it's disgusting.

You're way too passive with the control of your equipment. Need to grow a pair.

Keep loaning to his character and he'll soon be in a law suit because you loaned him something the broke his tractor or broke his toe!

When someone complain about high prices he neglected to pay I'd have notified him right then how you you had to pick up what he should have returned.

 

[MF RED in MT]

You have already heard this, but your wife was and is still right about this...

KC

 

[3Ts]

I'm glad you got your tiller back. The way this seemed to be going, I didn't think you'd get it back at all and since it was on his property, it was going to be his (possession being 9/10 of the law). If this had happened and you had the sales receipt, I'd have called the police to help retrieve it. He would probably never ask for anything again after that.

 

[beowulf]

This is a bit of a segue but many years ago - before I had a tractor - I looked into hiring a guy to do some dozing work - it would be his unit and he would operate it. We met and I outlined the work. He gave me a contract to look over. I did. It provided that if anything at all went wrong with the dozer in the course of the work, I was responsible for all of the repairs. I declined to sign telling him I was not about to be responsible for repairs on his equipment. He said 'everybody' signs it. I said the cost of possible repairs could be several times the cost of the work I wanted done. I don't know if that is the standard way those contracts read, but I did not want that obligation.

 

[Molalla1]

Tricky guy . . . . Smart to read.

 

[3Ts]

Watch out for contracts that bill by "machine hour", especially if multiple machines are on the job. What happens is that all machines are started up at the beginning of the day and left running whether or not they are being used. So, if a bulldozer is never used, it's still billed at 8 hours for the day. That can get very expensive for very little work being done.