How do you say no?

[DrRod]

Even if they pay something they are still big winners. There is real value in having an interested, reliable person right there to do it when its needed. Around here, my neighbors can wait for days for their "contract" plower to show up because they do the big contract work first. And of course, they sometimes don't show up at all. So ask if they can "help cover some of the expenses." Its still a good deal for them.

 

[Junkman]

I had a neighbor like that once, that only did his postage stamp yard. He would rake all the leaves in his yard and throw them over the fence into my yard. One day, I confronted him and asked him to stop doing it. His reply was that they were my leaves since the tree was on the edge of my yard and the branches overhung his yard. He claimed that he had been doing it that way for years and wasn't about to stop. I rented a leaf blower and blew all the leaves back into his yard and when he said something, I told him that I was not responsible for where the leaves went when the air from the leaf blower blew them his way. Since the leaves were now in his yard, the leaves belonged to him and only him. I suggested that if he put them back in my yard, that they would find there way back to his and he will be spending a lot of time raking leaves. I also told him that I don't rake leaves. G-d put them there, let G-d take them away!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TonyV]

<font color="blue"> G-d put them there, let G-d take them away!!!!! </font>

Junkman....I think its ok to spell out 'God' without fear of killing the thread. Of course, if God decides to kill the thread, you've bigger problems than I'd imagined. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

...Tony

 

[Junkman]

It has nothing to do with killing the thread. I would explain, but religious beliefs are not allowed. Ask your Clergyman why it isn't spelled out and you will have your answer. Junk

 

[GaryM]

I know the reason, but it will be a learning experience for him to find out. Right?

 

[Junkman]

Yes it will be...... anyone else that wants to know, just do a Google search for the phrase "why Why do many people write G-d with a dash" and you will find the answer. This is done by many religions, but not all. Even within various sects of one religion, there is no uniformity in its use. It is how you were taught in school, I believe that determines the usage. Even then, possibly it was the belief of the teacher, not the school system. I will leave this to the individual to decide for themselves if the use of the - is for them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have been in a similar situation. Easiest way is to tell them the truth. I am sure if you started to plow their driveway and for some reason you couldn't plow it before they wanted to leave they would be calling you and demanding you clear it. Explain to them you only want to plow your own drive and that is more then enough work to do early in the morning when it is 30 degrees outside. There should be no hard feelings and if there are then they are the type of people that look to use others and its best you find that out now instead of finding out later when it will cost you more. Take care.

 

[jmc]

Another possible explanation is that whoever told them you did the drives did not tell them you didn't charge anything. She may be expecting to pay you but didn't try to pin you down on price since she assumes, as a neighbor, your charge will be reasonably.

 

[Moon]

Well, figured I'd add my 2 cents ...
I see trouble no matter which way you go. If you take money, they will expect service. If you don't plow as soon as they think it shold be done, or as good as they would like it done you have a problem.

If you discuss your costs and expectations, that can also p*** em off.

I'd not discuss it and surely not plow their's if I had the flu. I'd do it when / if I feel like it. If that is not good enough for them, they'll look for another solution, but then they'd be coming to you, or hiring a service. Or maybe they have one of those huge SUV's and just plan on driving thru whatever is not plowed.

I do a few neighbors drives on occasion. Depends on how much snow and how much time I have. One Thanks every time. One thanks and offered coffee. One never said a word, but only their college age daughter was there that winter and she is a big introvert. I like not having to do any extra drives ....but if I want the seat time and I'm not freezing my behind off, I can be neighborly. If you get into any business type agreement with them, then neighborly goes out the window and you'll have expectations on you. If it was me, I'd try to avoid that situation.

 

[pennwalk]

BB, A wife can be a pretty handy thing to have around. My wife reminded me that I only had to blow snow 2 times. Something like 6 or 8 inches each time. She says I just did the neighbors cause I wanted to play in the snow. Dang woman I keep telling her these are tools to get work done with. Is is not about fun. really.

Chris