What can I do about someone damaging my cars?

Glad you got ahold of a supervisor with a brain, still a ***** your car got damaged but at least getting it taken care of eases the pain.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your car.
My folks had a simular incident this past May with the meter read for the gas company.

The guy was a *****, and had a bunch of complaints on his route, the one he did to my folks was the worst. He didn't knock on the door, since there IS a sign that reads "Warning guard dogs on duty". He took it apon himself to "open" the locked gate by prying it open!!

He broke both 4x4 posts(each side of the gate), and didn't bother coming to the door for someone to open the gate. Luckily I just showed up pulling in the driveway when he had walked out of the gate.

Once I realized what had happened, I told my Dad, and he had called the gas co. They appollogized about what had happened, had him get a estimate to fix the gate, which I did for him, plus the POS got canned for his actions, plus he had admitted to what he had did, and had no remorse for what he had done. But the good news was that the gas company did do good on there word on paying for the damage.

I hope everything works out for you.
David

 

Our Water meter reader was turning in estimates instead of actually going out to the meters to read them. This was for my entire neighborhood. I had no idea until one day I got a bill that was about $400 more than the usual bills. Aparrently, he had been guessing low and finally, a new guy (or perhaps it was a person while he was on vacation) acutally read it and we got the bill for the correct reading.

My Meter is in the front yard with no fence, a nice maintained yard. Its close enough to the curb that he wouldnt have even had to get out of his car.

I called the water company and asked how my bills were always close to the same and why this one was off kilter. They had me go out and read the number off to them and the bill was correct. I asked to speak to a supervisor to ask how it was possible. He explained that the meter reader was probably just guessing on the past 5-6 months and they just dropped the extra charge.

Moral of the story, talk to them, be nice. Perhaps they will be reasonable and helpful.

 

I had a big dead patch in my Van Houten (bridal wreath, just read not cheap)hedge and saw one day where the gas man was stomping through to read the neighbor's so I welded a rebar fence the length of it, 60' to the street. I was working out front next month when he came and he actually asked me how he was supposed to get through with that fence. I told him to quit being such a lazy **** and walk the 60' to the street and back again.

 

Rule #1: You can't fight city hall but, you just might from the supervisors comment. Problem there is, the gas people will shut him up.

Rule #2: Have the gas company install a electronic reader, at their expense, that can be read from the street via computer sitting in the truck. I've had two of them and never saw another reader.

Rule #3: You don't have to take it anywhere call a couple shops tell them you'll pay for them to come out and add the cost to your claim.

Rule#4: Get rid of all the cars except for the one your working on. How many did you say you had in your yard? Old rusty cars laying around look OK at the farm but not in town. Your neighbors will actually start talking to you again.

Rule #5: Follow the rules.

 

Here's an update to this. I'm posting this so if something like this ever happens to the rest of you, you'll know that yes you can fight city hall or whoever.

I contacted the supervisor with the estimate ($2900 to remove the roof and replace it and the headliner and fix the paint. Thanks to fellow HAMB'er El Chuco for finding a guy to give the quote). The gas supervisor got the quote and is sending out a second guy to quote it. This guy called me today and went out to check it out. He is going to call me with his estimate.

After this, according to the gas company I will take the car to be fixed and they will pay for it (they aren't going to stroke me a check, which I was hoping for. $2900 would buy alot of parts my 34 International).

Pretty cool if it all works out like they promise.

PS: I never contacted the police on this, I didn't want them anywhere near my house and cars. I might still if the gas company balks but I figure it's better without involving them.

 

well glad to see there is some kind of conclusion. so many times posts just leave me hanging. good luck!

 

Thanks for the update,hope it all works out.

 

Man that's great, you did good. Just one last thing, get everything in writing. Have them send you a letter of instruction stating everything they agreed to. The last thing you need is to have all this done and city hall flakes on the deal... "I never told him that"...you've probably heard it before. That will leave you holding a bill and no car if you don't pay for the work. Sounds like a good spring board to get this project moving. How about some before and after pictures? Good luck.

 

Instictively, I would call the gas company. You have the right to do so because you're a customer!

 

Ummmmm 2 suggestions.

1- You may want to read the whole thread.

2- You have a right to call them even if you're NOT a customer.

 

Good advice, that has been in the back of my mind. I don't want them doing $2900 worth of repairs and then sticking me with the bill.

 

I would give him a big kiss with one of these.

 

They're going to REMOVE the roof to fix it??

 

I agree here,I would like to think that if you raise enough hell they will do something about it,specially if you tell them that this has never happen b4 with any other meter reader,get some pics also to along with the report.

 

I guess im late with my .02,sorry.

 

This is what I want them to do. It was all steel before he walked on it, I'd like it to be all steel afterwards.

 

2 words,,shot gun