JerryG
Super Member
Put a magnetic sign on the side of your tractor that says, "Driveways plowed $75" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
How do you say no?
- Thread starter pennwalk
- Start date
- Views: 4244
Docsknotinn
Veteran Member
I just say no. If I have to say anything else I tell them they just wont want green paint on their drive and besides the guy with the plow charges a LOT less than I do.
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Maybe there's a new way of counting that I just haven't caught on to, but APPARENTLY, "No" is now a four letter word. People just don't want to hear it anymore.
My drive empties out into a dead end road. I'm the last house on the road. The county gets to us about 24 hours after the start of any major snow episode. There's 10 other homes on the road before it tee's in to a major state highway. One of those 10 homes is another small farm. That guy plows the road from his drive to the highway. I'm going to get it from my drive to where he takes over. You'd THINK the rest of the neighbors would be grateful, wouldn't you?
NOPE!
They somehow think Me and the other tractor owner are obligated to clear out their driveways too. (Shortest is over 250 feet "road to house")
Ain't gonna happen.
(I MIGHT consider it if I was offered a few peso's for my trouble/time/fuel/chattering teeth)
So, I just offer my "hourly rates" when approached to clean out their drives.
Once is a favor. Twice is an inconvenience. Three times is a job. I get paid when I'm working my job.
(Oddly enough, the most vocal complainer just recently made the comment "call a wrecker" to my wife who had a flat tire not far from the end of his driveway when she asked him to help her break loose a couple stuck lug-nuts. He's even off the "willing to pay list")
My drive empties out into a dead end road. I'm the last house on the road. The county gets to us about 24 hours after the start of any major snow episode. There's 10 other homes on the road before it tee's in to a major state highway. One of those 10 homes is another small farm. That guy plows the road from his drive to the highway. I'm going to get it from my drive to where he takes over. You'd THINK the rest of the neighbors would be grateful, wouldn't you?
NOPE!
They somehow think Me and the other tractor owner are obligated to clear out their driveways too. (Shortest is over 250 feet "road to house")
Ain't gonna happen.
(I MIGHT consider it if I was offered a few peso's for my trouble/time/fuel/chattering teeth)
So, I just offer my "hourly rates" when approached to clean out their drives.
Once is a favor. Twice is an inconvenience. Three times is a job. I get paid when I'm working my job.
(Oddly enough, the most vocal complainer just recently made the comment "call a wrecker" to my wife who had a flat tire not far from the end of his driveway when she asked him to help her break loose a couple stuck lug-nuts. He's even off the "willing to pay list")
PBinWA
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2004
- Messages
- 906
- Location
- WA
- Tractor
- Kioti NX55, Mahindra 2615, Case 36CXB, Case W4, Volvo MC85C
I get up real early and try to do it either early or late. I also try to keep my speed up and just wave and smile at my neighbors as I drive by. Don't stop - act like an airhead and just keep going. Silly gestures like crossing your arms and shivering or waving your arm like you've got to keep going or can't stop are also good - always with a smile on your face. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'm thinking of adding my big ear protectors too so I can pretend that I can't hear anything.
It's also useful to turn around or pretend to be really involved in some task so you don't have to acknowledge them.
I plow our whole road (the road only) pretty much so my wife can get in and out and I do the back half because my friend lives down at the far end. If he moves then it isn't getting plowed. It's a pretty simple pattern so I can just keep moving and don't stop.
I'm thinking of adding my big ear protectors too so I can pretend that I can't hear anything.
It's also useful to turn around or pretend to be really involved in some task so you don't have to acknowledge them.
I plow our whole road (the road only) pretty much so my wife can get in and out and I do the back half because my friend lives down at the far end. If he moves then it isn't getting plowed. It's a pretty simple pattern so I can just keep moving and don't stop.
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( - act like an airhead and just keep going. )</font>
In my case, that's no act............... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
In my case, that's no act............... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
TimP
Platinum Member
Great Thread ! I love reading everyone's "take" on this neighborly snow removel thing.
I am at the end of a 1300' private drive too ! I have a Kubota B2150 with a FEL, 5' Rear Blade AND recently got a 3PT Snowblower.
I have always used my rear blade to clear from my house to the public road. No one has ever said thanks in the last 8 years. But... a few years back we had a 30" snow. It took many, many hours to clear using just the FEL since I did not have a blower then. I did have one neighbor who asked (more like begged) me to clear his drive. His very old, very sick mother lived with him and the day caregiver nurse could not get to their house. He offerd to pay me and I said no.
I cleared his drive, the nurse got there and all was well. The next day, the guy brings me the biggest fruit basket I have ever seen. It had to cost $30-50. It made me feel good that he appreciated it so much.
Most neighbors along the road do have either small garden tractors or walk behind blowers, but would have a real tough time in deep snow, so I'll help them out. I have one neighor who always comes over if I'm working outside and asked if I need help. So it's a two way situation.
One neighbor actually pays a commercial guy, but he shows up 10-12 hours after the storm is over. By then, I've cleared the main drive. This same neighber has a BIG Deere with a 7' blade, I can't imagine why he would pay someone else when his Deere would make short work of it.
When I got to the public road, I saw a guy from down the street walking towards me... I knew he was going to ask me to do his driveway.... this guy never even waves when I drive past him, so I made like I didn't see him and took off to the garage and put the tractor away.
As long as it's not super cold and blowing outside when I clear the snow, It's fun !
As long as I feel it's appreciated I'll help. Otherwise... better get your shovel out !
Tim
I am at the end of a 1300' private drive too ! I have a Kubota B2150 with a FEL, 5' Rear Blade AND recently got a 3PT Snowblower.
I have always used my rear blade to clear from my house to the public road. No one has ever said thanks in the last 8 years. But... a few years back we had a 30" snow. It took many, many hours to clear using just the FEL since I did not have a blower then. I did have one neighbor who asked (more like begged) me to clear his drive. His very old, very sick mother lived with him and the day caregiver nurse could not get to their house. He offerd to pay me and I said no.
I cleared his drive, the nurse got there and all was well. The next day, the guy brings me the biggest fruit basket I have ever seen. It had to cost $30-50. It made me feel good that he appreciated it so much.
Most neighbors along the road do have either small garden tractors or walk behind blowers, but would have a real tough time in deep snow, so I'll help them out. I have one neighor who always comes over if I'm working outside and asked if I need help. So it's a two way situation.
One neighbor actually pays a commercial guy, but he shows up 10-12 hours after the storm is over. By then, I've cleared the main drive. This same neighber has a BIG Deere with a 7' blade, I can't imagine why he would pay someone else when his Deere would make short work of it.
When I got to the public road, I saw a guy from down the street walking towards me... I knew he was going to ask me to do his driveway.... this guy never even waves when I drive past him, so I made like I didn't see him and took off to the garage and put the tractor away.
As long as it's not super cold and blowing outside when I clear the snow, It's fun !
As long as I feel it's appreciated I'll help. Otherwise... better get your shovel out !
Tim
tlbuser
Veteran Member
<font color="blue"> I always thanked him and offered money he never accepted but always said he appreciated the offer. </font> Showing up with a cup of coffee in one hand and hot chocolate in the other is sometimes WAY better than money. Next time, you'd know which one to bring two cups of.
tlbuser
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Update on the neighbor thing. my neighbor lady stopped by to ask if is was for hire. but I am not doing it next time... er probably.
Chris )</font>
<font color="black"> You've already set the tone. You had prime time opportunity and you blew it. Were you kicking the dirt around and hanging your head, trying not to look at her midrange??
Sucker /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
got any pictures?
Chris )</font>
<font color="black"> You've already set the tone. You had prime time opportunity and you blew it. Were you kicking the dirt around and hanging your head, trying not to look at her midrange??
Sucker /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
got any pictures?
KubotaSteve
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2003
- Messages
- 834
- Location
- eastern panhandle of WV
- Tractor
- Kubota B7800 with loaded R-4s
I don't mind helping out neighbors, it gets me when they expect it. The neighbor who lives beside me is retired and has a small walk behind snowblower, but only uses it when the snow gets about a foot deep. He has a grand cherokee and usually doesn't have any problems getting in or out. About 2 years ago we had about 15 inches of snow. I plowed my drive and went up his drive just scraping off about 12 or 13" inches leaving 2 inches so I wouldn't mess up his gravel drive. He was up snowblowing the area in front of his garage. He pulls out this wad of money (over $150) and tries to give it to me, then tries to stick it in my pocket. I told him, I didn't want it but thanks for offering. The neighbor beside me walks down and asks me if i will plow their driveway because they can't get anyone to come do it which is over 400 feet long. She has the look we all know so well. I tell her ok. I start plowing it, her kids are running everywhere, she goes back in the house and I never saw her husband once. I did it about half and said the heck with this and left. I won't take money if offered but at least make the offer.
moeh1
Gold Member
You may be neighbors a long time. Someone has to set the tone of how you'll get along. Whatever you decide now will probably determine what your relationship is like later . My neighbor and I had a good talk when he moved in 15 years ago. Money never changes hands and help can be volunteered or asked for, but only available for the other when our own work is under control. They are great neighbors, one of us is always ahead on the other one's sweat, but a year or 2 later it is reversed. We didn't address the liability issue- I agree it is a concern to be aware of.