Is it unreasonable (a vent)?

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Replies

  • Archon2
    Archon2 Posts: 462 Member
    Sounds like an opportunity in the making! I like some of the suggestions here about saying something like, "Sure! He loves doing some service work on the side...it is something we are wanting to get into. Plus, we decided up front to give neighbors and friends 50% off! Shall I tell him to stop by so he can figure out and let you know what it is going to cost to fix?"

    It works better if you are able to front the initial contact :) Because they may say, "Uhh, well nevermind, I didn't want to bother him" if they are looking for a handout, and if they still want him to look at it, they know it is going to cost them, but get a nice "discount." Of course the price list is totally under your control :)
  • my_chrystal82
    my_chrystal82 Posts: 46 Member
    You've gotten some great advice.

    What I will add is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with setting boundaries. It's not mean or cruel.

    You and your husband sound like lovely people, but there are givers and takers in this world and the takers are pretty great at sniffing out the givers.

    You deserve to have your off time to yourselves. Turn off the cell, post a note on your front door. Sometimes being 'selfish' is your only option.
    Not being super assertive in my own past, I understand how difficult it can be to turn people away who are in need. Ask yourself, what would this person do if you didn't live in their neighborhood? If your husband was an opera singer instead?
    They would cope. They would survive.
  • teresamwhite
    teresamwhite Posts: 947 Member
    DH is an electrician, so i get it...I told him he was fine to donate his time, if that's what he felt he should do...but i told him he must at the very least get reimbursed for any parts. I'm a good neighbor, but I'm not willing to go out of pocket for them.

    He usually shuts things off, assesses the situation and then tells them what they need and shows them the parts list with the costs on it. He always tells them what the minimum requirement is for them to be safe before he will turn anything back on, too.
  • GDLAZ
    GDLAZ Posts: 3,784 Member
    I had a friend who used to ask for my help with his business. At first I didn't mind since I was helping a friend get his business up and running. After a while it was to the point he was taking advantage. I finally had to stop him by saying my time is money and X is what I normally charge for a consultation fee. Amazingly enough he got it, and next time he offered to hire me for my knowledge.
  • spicy618
    spicy618 Posts: 2,114 Member
    Yup, this. If your neighbors are chatting with each other. The story goes around about the nice plumber who fixes things for free. Put a stop to it now.

    But it's not even that they don't pay - it's that they don't OFFER to pay. We have this cute little retired nun neighbor and we never let her pay - she offers every time.

    These aren't huge jobs - like changing hose bibs, or determining where a sewer leak is, or snaking a toilet.

    I feel like getting upset over a lack of a gesture is really, incredibly silly on my part.

    I would treat this as I do the people who borrow money and don't pay back. First time, shame on me, Second time, Get Lost. :laugh:

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