Neighbors and favors.

[ror105]

So I've had my tractor for almost 4 years and I finally had a neighbor ask about a favor this past summer. I cleaned the R3 rip rap out of his ditch with the backhoe to get the sediment out and then he let rain clean it off and put it back by hand. He insisted on paying me and I told home the first one is free.

Tonight another neighbor asked me to dig him a 200' ditch to run power to his new shed. I have known him since I was a kid and my parents owned this place. First thing out of his mouth is I'll pay you and I replied you don't have to pay me. Problem is I now think I'll have a good part of a day tied up and plenty of fuel and hours on the machine. I enjoy running the tractor and I'm feeling the grace of God on our family lately so I'm compelled to just offer up my time and tractor to those less fortunate and in need of help.
What do you guys think? Donate the day and tractor to his cause? Or am I getting ready to clean up everyone's projects and not get my stuff done? I'm all about spreading the love these days. Weigh in folks. Thanks.

 

[Earl Ohl]

So I've had my tractor for almost 4 years and I finally had a neighbor ask about a favor this past summer. I cleaned the R3 rip rap out of his ditch with the backhoe to get the sediment out and then he let rain clean it off and put it back by hand. He insisted on paying me and I told home the first one is free.

Tonight another neighbor asked me to dig him a 200' ditch to run power to his new shed. I have known him since I was a kid and my parents owned this place. First thing out of his mouth is I'll pay you and I replied you don't have to pay me. Problem is I now think I'll have a good part of a day tied up and plenty of fuel and hours on the machine. I enjoy running the tractor and I'm feeling the grace of God on our family lately so I'm compelled to just offer up my time and tractor to those less fortunate and in need of help.
What do you guys think? Donate the day and tractor to his cause? Or am I getting ready to clean up everyone's projects and not get my stuff done? I'm all about spreading the love these days. Weigh in folks. Thanks.

Good neighbors are hard to find. Help them out all you can & still get your work done. You never know when you'll need their help.

 

[murphy1244]

Heck good people are hard to find and you are one.:thumbsup: Spread the love but let them buy the Diesel.

 

[bcp]

If it is a project that takes over a couple of hours, tell them you need about 5 gallons of diesel for the job.

Bruce

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'd say 'do it' if it makes you feel good to help or 'don't do it' if it just adds stress to your life. And if you don't need the money, don't charge for it.
But if you do if expecting some payoff in the future you'll probably be disappointed.

 

[s219]

When I help neighbors and they really pester to pay me something, I say beer or diesel. I only let them do it once. Just wouldn't feel right taking money.

 

[ultrarunner]

When it comes to neighbors I am bad on collecting...

Can't remember how many steak dinners offers I have outstanding... just always seems to be something else to do.

 

[sixdogs]

Here is what works for me. I tell them something like "Look, you're a neighbor so pay me something when I'm done and I'll leave it up to you. I won't even look at the check or cash and I'll be OK with it." In EVERY instance except one I have been paid more than I would have charged them. A guy that I would have charged $100 gave me $250--that kind of thing. Only once did someone stiff me--and I'm OK with it. Gave me $25 for three hours of work. Oh, well.

Everyone wins. The neighbor is happy, I'm happy and the Karma thing is balanced. Do it for free and you'll one day be looking up "sucker" in the dictionary and see your picture. Just my two cents here.

 

[ultrarunner]

Very smart sixdog!

I would like to add what happened to me a few weeks back.

First... two years ago I used my Deere 110 to dig out a base for a 5,000 gallon water tank... it was a fun job and didn't take long... my neighbor was 78 at the time and always on the go and was upgrading his irrigation.

Last month, I was in Austria and get a message third party through facebook from my tenant that the house has a water leak and he needs access to the basement and will have no choice other than to kick in the door.

I email the wife of my now 80 year old neighbor and asked him to check... he carefully removed the window glass... doing no damage and says there is no water leak under the house... and whatever it is can wait for my return...

Ended up being spilled water from the bathtub from his 4 year old that swelled the floor so the door was sticking...

I'm 6,000 miles away and one request for help and I have it... and NO damage done and I can enjoy the rest of my trip!

 

[Wagtail]

Heck good people are hard to find and you are one.:thumbsup: Spread the love but let them buy the Diesel.

It's all TRACTOR FUN! (as I've learnt here on TBN) By all means accept a carton of beer or a jerry can of diesel if it's offered... but that's more to let them feel good about the situation. Good neighbours are a blessing, but it takes a good neighbour to have good neighbours.

Good on ya, Mate.