I used to do that too. Always wanted to help. All I asked in return was for them to "be there" for me if I was ever in need. Guess what. It didn't happen. After a while I told all of them that I didn't "owe" them any wrench work just because I could do it. I still have one or two good friends that always paid me well because they knew I would do it right. I will still do things for them, but other than that, its my own kids or wifey's car or my own toys. All the rest can bite the big one. Hate to be an a**hole, but if they take advantage of you once, shame on them. They take advantage of you twice, shame on YOU
This is so damn funny!!! I have done work for relatives and neighbors for years. Being so mechanically incline I am really a jack of all trades. My wife would even offer my help to friends and even her employer..... But this year she and I sat down and made our new years resolution. When we are asked for help wether its working on cars or watching neighbors runny nose kids, this year we say. "I don't care, it's not my problem" Satin
i dont get the help me with my car bit..i m a repo man so i own a tow truck..i get ever tom, dick ,brother and uncle..wanting me to tow something ..i tell them ..when do they think i have time to go tow anything other than repoin..call a tow company they could do it quicker than me
have them pay in advance and let it sit for a week past the day you said it would be done then tell them the parts are backordered. pull this a couple of times and they won't even bother you anymore!
at one time I lived on a street with 13 houses. I worked on everybody's car at one time or another. I also has 3 young kids running wild thru the neighborhood. I called it even
I work in electronics (large institution, no outside repairs), so you can image all the old crap, disposable and dumpster dived shit people ask me 'to look at'. I've adopted the typical e-shop repair schedule . Want me to look at something? It'll cost you 60 bucks. Up front. No garantees. POS tv? Thats 80 bucks and I do it at YOUR house--I don't want the dust and crap in my house, and I sure as hell don't want to get stuck with disposing of the thing if its a goner or you don't want to pay for any parts it needs and abandon it. Like most everybody, theres exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, I don't need the hassle anymore. Nothing like the general population souring you on good will. Alex.
I was a plumber before I retired,same crap. And NEVER loan out your car trailer EVER! It never goes anywhere with out me now. Russ
I get that all the time from Family and friends since i'am a Collision Tech, I have no problem helping them out but way to many of them want to take advantage of you and not pay you anything. It has taken me 4-5 years to finally say no to them, most cases they want the work done so you do for them cheaply and fast and when you need something most of them won't help you out.
Had a funny one this morning. My new neighbor somehow believes that since I have a couple old cars that I should give him anything he needs. Tools, oil, antifreeze - you name it. It aggravates me that he thinks I get this shit for free so I usually weasle out of it if I can. this morning it's like minus 3 million degrees out and the wife started my car on her way out (gotta like that) so as I make the mad dash to my vehicle (call me a sissy - it's ok) I hear him yappin' about something. At first I thought he said something about a "jump" but when I stopped and asked him to say that again - he siad, "my ignition is frozen - can't turn the key - think I should switch battery's??" So I asked how would a new battery unfreeze his ignition?? I said If it were me I think I'd try to unfreeze the ignition switch. Maybe try a hair dryer. He then says, "and how in the hell do I do that!?" I said , geez - I dunno - got in my now warm car and left. Sucks to be you dude
Guess I'm lucky.Daughter and family, (husband and my grandson right down the road. Son in law comes down to use my garage,(32x40)for routine maintenance, always cleans up, never looses or breaks anything, seldom needs or asks fpr help. We did a body off on a 37 Chevy, had a great time.
I'll work on peoples' cars from work if they ask and it's a job I can tackle in the driveway with the tools I have. I charge them $20/hr plus parts. I make some cash on the side and they get their cars fixed cheaper than a garage. If anyone every says I charged them too much I say, "Next time take it to a real garage and pay $85/hr then." Haven't had any complaints yet. Josh
one of the easiest ways to let them down easy is have them describe the problem, or take a look at it, then play REAL DUMB. Oh shoot, I have no idea what it could be, or they need some sort of special tool for that, etc. That way you look like you helped, but also don't have to spend all your precious free time on their cheapness. I always tell all my friends, "nope, sorry, I don't know ANYTHING about fuel injection or ABS, sorry!"
The fact is that there are friends that you can do business with and there are friends that you can't. Sometimes you need to learn the hard way. A couple guys in my club build cars and broker parts as a major source of their income. Knowing this I don't expect things for nothing, but I do appreciate that they are more than reasonable on prices and for any labor they do. For them, they get the same treatment when they come to me. Bartering is always a good way to do buisiness among friends. If it's gonna be a cash deal, agree on a price upfront. That way the person doesn't expect work for free and the price doesn't surprise them. If you don't want the job, just be truthful. Nothing in this life is free. Whether you're exchanging work for cash, parts, beer, or that party not calling the police on you when you do a monster burnout at 4 am...nothing goes unpaid. I'll work on my mother's car for free. When I need work done, I have to pay, so should everyone else
The Jalopy Journal
