Lending out equipment to neighbors

LBrown59 · Aug 26, 2005

( What do you guys think about loaning out implements?

I'm a new tractor owner and just moved to a new neighborhood on a 2.54 ac. lot. I found a 4' brush mower on e-Bay but had to pay the owner to deliver it to me.

I've been getting acquainted with my new neighbors, one of which also owns a tractor. He asked me to borrow my bushhog some time. Trying to be neighborly, I said "sure."

Later on, he asked me again and explained that he would be using the mower to cut grass on somebody else's lot for pay. He explained that it would be on a recurring basis until he could get one of his own. I told him OK. He then responded that he would be coming to get it the next day.

I then thought about it and I did not have a good feeling for the following reasons:

1. I barely know the new neighbor
2. I don't now where the mower is going
3. I don't know the person whose grass is being cut
4. I don't know the ground on which the mower will be used
5. I'm not being compensated for my equipment being used
for hire

So, I changed my mind and decided against it. When my neighbor came home from work on the pick up day, I went over and explained that I had thought about it and did not think loaning him the bushhog was something I couldn't do.

Plan B was to loan it to him once, but to make it clear that I would not do it again. I ultimately decided that to loan it at all could start a bad precedent.

My wife thinks I was wrong for not going with Plan B. She says I didn't keep my word. I told him he could use it and then chose not to allow it.

I'm thinking that its my gear, so I reserve the right to make decisions about its use.

Bottom line is my conscience is clear regarding my decision, understanding that I might need a favor from this same neighbor some day. But I wouldn't ask of him what he asked of me.

What're your takes on this? )

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Have you done a search and read the other threads on this very same subject?

Jagmandave · Aug 26, 2005

You did the right thing, stick to your guns.

I rarely lend or borrow tools, I prefer to use my own. However I do have a friend's chainsaw, for over 2 years now. I ask him every time I see him if he wants it back, I also have offered to just pay him for it, since I'm the only one who's really ever used it. He just says no, if he needs it he knows where to find it.
I think I'll clean it up real good, put a new chain on it and take it back to him, then go buy my own.........

jim_wilson · Aug 27, 2005

I think a lot of this boils down to common courtesy issues. They fact that the guy admitted he wanted to borrow your mower and go out and make money with it is a huge red flag. My general experience in life is that somebody like that should not be allowed the option to borrow anything because they just don't understand that you shouldn't go make money off of other peoples stuff. Unfortunately your initial impulse to be nice has gotten you in a pickle. I used to to do the same thing until I got screwed a few times and got old and cynical. Now only select trusted friends borrow anything from me. I will help out if people ask but other than that I usually don't offer.

I am sure that the other guy is complaining up and down about you being selfish, blah blah - your reaction to reconsider the whole thing sounds like the right one to me - if you loaned him the bush hog it would probably be the beginning of a never ending train of requests to borrow, help, do, loan money, etc. Best to nip it in the bud now.

Richard · Aug 27, 2005

( I think I'll clean it up real good, put a new chain on it and take it back to him, then go buy my own......... )

I'd probably keep it myself and give HIM the new one. This way he KNOWS you really took care of him.

Besides, since he never uses it, it'll be like NEW down the road when the old one wears out and you can borrow it again.

Sort of, best of both worlds /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jagmandave · Aug 28, 2005

Good point, and what I would do, except I really don't like his very much, and I haven't used it much, even tho I've had it this long. I'll put a new chain on anyway, just so he'll be able to cut with it the next time he uses it, but I'll have to drain and flush the gas, who knows when he'll try and use it, don't want him having to flush nasty gummy gas out of it, he'll blame me for that for sure!

rich_ncal · Aug 28, 2005

Earlier this year one of my neighbors asked me if he could use my tractor and bush hog to do some clearing on his property next year.

I said no. I told him him the tractor and bush hog are dangerous to operate and he could hurt himself since he is not experienced with this tractor and has never used a bush hog. I did say I would be willing to clear some bush for him next year, but I would operate the tractor.

I did loan out my log splitter once. The borrower broke one of the lines hydraulic lines off of the main cylinder. The borrower took it to a shop and hand it repaired. The welding done to put the line back onto the cylinder was some of the poorest looking work I have seen. The welding has held for the past two years. I have not loaned out the log splitter since that incident.