That Neighbor You'll NEVER Plow Out / Snowblow Again !

[jsboening]

I've loaned tools to most of my neighbors over the years, and the ONE time I needed to borrow a lawn mower, as mine was in the shop, my nice neighbor had the nerve to say "I'm not comfortable loaning out MY tools". mine you hes borrowed many of mine in the past (but no longer). were still friends, but no tool loaning again for me.

hay..maybe I'm being petty
who knows

My neighbor borrowed a 10 and 11 mm socket 2 years ago and has still not returned them. I feel like I'm being petty about asking for them back as I have many duplicates. But every time I get a craftsman catalog in the mail it really starts to pi$$ me off. They really rape you on single sockets.

Fortunately I've got another neighbor whose extremely giving that I have a hard time keeping up with him. He's a jack of all trades. I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none.

 

[JJZ 109]

Interesting topic. I help a neighbor out with some lawn care, like aerating and dethatching once or twice a season. This year he asked me if I could remove the piles of plowed snow in his driveway with my loader. I did so, took about 3 hours and he thanked me. I don't do it expecting money and wouldn't take it if it were offered. He's my neighbor, and I also do it for the simple pleasure of SEAT TIME.

The problem I had was this. His wife is a chiropractor, with her office in the house. This year I had a pinched nerve in my neck. I asked her about it and she said no problem, come over and I will take care of it. Turned out all I needed was heat and ice. But before determining that, she had me come for three office visits, which did no help, and she not only charged my insurance, but also made me pay a $30 copay each time.

Am I being petty? I was fine with her billing the insurance company, after all thats what I have it for. But I thought the $90 in copays were excessive. Is her time more valuable then mine?

I would really like to hear what some of you think. Be honest.

Not petty at all. Sounds like a case of one hand not washing the other.
Sure, she paid for her education and it's her profession. But on the other hand, you most likely paid a handsome price for your equipment and were nice enough to perform a favor at her husband's request. To have the courtesy returned would have been the right thing to do. Your 3 hours was worth all of that $90, and then some.
Being that her office is right there at the house, she most likely was aware that you took care of the snow bank removal as a favor. Unless of course her husband told her or let her believe that he paid you for the work. In that case, shame on him. It probably isn't worth the grief to ask him.
I probably would feel slighted if the same situation had happened to me.

 

[grsthegreat]

My neighbor borrowed a 10 and 11 mm socket 2 years ago and has still not returned them. I feel like I'm being petty about asking for them back as I have many duplicates. But every time I get a craftsman catalog in the mail it really starts to pi$$ me off. They really rape you on single sockets.

Fortunately I've got another neighbor whose extremely giving that I have a hard time keeping up with him. He's a jack of all trades. I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none.

i had a friend borrow a 28 foot extension ladder to clean his chimney last winter. he said he'd return it. i told him its my work ladder so i do need it back soon. after 2 weeks, i had to go and retrieve it.

he said..oh sorry. i forgot. my new policy may be...it will require a $20.00 deposit. when you return the item, you'll get your deposit back. if i have to go get it...ill keep the money.

They have to understand, i make my living with these tools.

 

[JJZ 109]

i had a friend borrow a 28 foot extension ladder to clean his chimney last winter. he said he'd return it. i told him its my work ladder so i do need it back soon. after 2 weeks, i had to go and retrieve it.

he said..oh sorry. i forgot. my new policy may be...it will require a $20.00 deposit. when you return the item, you'll get your deposit back. if i have to go get it...ill keep the money.

They have to understand, i make my living with these tools.

I have people wanting to borrow my boom lift. Not happening. That's all I need is for someone to swing the boom into a tree or house and bend it. Or damage a third party's property with my equipment.
Sorry doesn't cut it for a high dollar repair job.

 

[Dutch445]

I grew up doing a lot of driveways in the neighborhood with our
walk behind snowblower. Mostly older folks and several times
a pie or other baked good was offered. I would never take
the cash that was offered, just did it to help out.

Today, no more walk behind, but i don't live in a village either.
I have a good friend around the corner that I help out
in the bigger snows, doesn't take me long, and I would never
ask or take anything from them, just the thank you is enough.
If it's real bad, i'll wander up the road a bit more to get some
people opened up,, but only for the worst of storms.

to this day, my mother still has that old JD walk behind snowblower
and does the neighborhood driveways for a few folks the are
even older now!

(i was doing it in the 70's)

 

[Chilly807]

I have a couple neighbours I keep an eye on, if their driveway isn't plowed I'll plow them if I have the time. Occasionally I get a little money from them, and I like it that way. No obligation on my part to do it, no responsibility on theirs to pay me.

I don't always have the time to do it, so it's hit or miss.

Sean

 

[Jay4200]

Hilarious??

I'm glad I don't have any mean friends like that.

Not returning to plow again is one thing, but being spiteful is another. IMO.

But each to their own.

The specific case I was thinking of was when one of my friends was out doing his regular customers - some guy flagged him down and asked how much to clear his drive. My friend told him a price and the guy agreed, and my friend did the job. When asked for payment, the guy said, "I don't have any money" and went inside. My buddy finished his customers, then came back and proceeded to build K2 on his driveway. And yes, I think it's hilarious.

JayC

 

[Carl Bert]

The specific case I was thinking of was when one of my friends was out doing his regular customers - some guy flagged him down and asked how much to clear his drive. My friend told him a price and the guy agreed, and my friend did the job. When asked for payment, the guy said, "I don't have any money" and went inside. My buddy finished his customers, then came back and proceeded to build K2 on his driveway. And yes, I think it's hilarious.

JayC

I agree, HILARIOUS!!! If you refuse to make your mortgage payments, the bank takes action by taking your house. So If someone refuses to pay for services rendered, why shouldn't you take action by whatever means you have. At the very least you should undo whatever work you did. :thumbsup:to your friend

 

[boggen]

*feeling guilty* i forgot to pay up. told 100 and have never sent the cash. for some round bails. and its the one person i do not want to make mad. need to goto town, writing me a note now. to hit the bank.

i try to to live by the golden rule "do unto others as you would like them do on to you". but there is a limit with certain folks. that will take and take and never return.

not a post card or gift certificate type of person. i do my best to say thank you up front and personal. and will return the favor. when i see a chance. but i know i can be a block head at times. and giving me a hint doesn't take the cake. if i owe someone, they need to tell me flat out.

majorty of time i will stop and double check on folks that are on side of a road to see if they need any help. granted i might not be able to do anything. but couple times i have been broken down, i have had almost every one stop and ask if i needed help.

i tend to see more support from the community when someone is danger. or a storm or like hit. or there is a big saftey concern. folks just come out get it done and move on. without really blinking an eye.

on another note. different folks have different mind sets about different things. snow plowing maybe nothing, but when it comes to having a garden till its big money and thank yous. it all depends. and for some folks. they avoid cash, and wait for there chance to do the physical work or what ever there trade is. to give you a discount and to pay you back.

 

[thatguy]

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Am I being petty? I was fine with her billing the insurance company, after all thats what I have it for. But I thought the $90 in copays were excessive. Is her time more valuable then mine?

I would really like to hear what some of you think. Be honest.

My wife is an optometrist (eye dr) and freebies are a tough call - just like plowing snow, once you do it for free its hard to start charging even if you really need/want to..

My wife gives close friends and family (mom/dad/sister/niece) free eye exams - BUT they normally take us out to eat or something like that in return..

From my understanding - In your situation, if she bills the insurance company she MUST collect the co-pay.. If the insurance company audits her and finds she was not collecting they can cancel their agreement and possibly try to recollect their payments..

SO - she either needs to do it for free or do what she did..

I look at is this way - in both situations there is only time (no real materials) involved for the chiro and an eye exam, which is easy enough to swallow.. BUT my wife looks at it that its the expertise you are getting they lessen their profession by giving it away for free all the time

brian