Need "family advice"

[bullbreaker]

I don't lend out my equipment either unless its an attachment to a real friend,family member. Like someone esle said "I go with my equipment. I have a neighbor that is apparently well off($) and he would try to borrow most anything. Till one day I had a tough day and he showed up with his usual B/S lines and I had to tell him "Why don't you sell off one of your rental properties and buy your own tractor/tools/equipment etc cause I bought my own not too bother people.
His response was"Are you kidding those properties leave me monthly income". Thank the Great Lord I rarely see him anymore ! :thumbsup:


Boone

 

[creekbend]

I don't lend out my equipment either unless its an attachment to a real friend,family member. Like someone esle said "I go with my equipment. I have a neighbor that is apparently well off($) and he would try to borrow most anything. Till one day I had a tough day and he showed up with his usual B/S lines and I had to tell him "Why don't you sell off one of your rental properties and buy your own tractor/tools/equipment etc cause I bought my own not too bother people.
His response was"Are you kidding those properties leave me monthly income". Thank the Great Lord I rarely see him anymore ! :thumbsup:


Boone

Well done. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Travelover]

I agree with the advice that has been given. I learned my lesson at age 16 when a "friend" asked to borrow my motorcycle to visit his dad in the hospital. He calls me and tells me where I can pick up my smashed bike along side the road - nowhere near the hospital. Of course, he said he'd pay me. I'm 60 now and still waiting.

 

[tcreeley]

My father would always say, Never a lender or a borrower be .

Polonius to his son Laertes, Hamlet/Shakespeare!

 

[whistlepig]

After loaning things for a few years and repairing it after it was returned I figured out it was less time and expense for me to just take the equipment there and do the job myself. I come with the equipment. This may or may not cause hard feelings. Returning my equipment damaged for sure does not endear me to the person who borrowed it.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

Somehow find the words to say,
Don't take this personal but "no".

the next time gets easier!
Tom

 

[Iowan]

SAY , NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO , now you can say no.

 

[Ductape]

Had a neighbor ask me if I loaned out my tractor, as he had an small concrete block wall to remove in his yard. Of course I said no. He then said no problem, I'll rent a mini-ex for $250 / day to do it. Strange thing is, I'd have been more than happy to do it for him for $200......

 

[maximus1277]

Nobody, no matter how well-intentioned, will ever take care of your equipment better than you do. Making deals, setting parameters, even signing contracts to cover damage and repairs is not good enough. A family member may weasel out and, since it is "family", will probably get away with it.

Home insurance only covers your tractor on your property.

Anyway, my retort is always, "I love my tractor as much as my wife. You wouldn't ask to borrow my wife for your personal use now would you."

It usually shuts them up. Unfortunately, I have an attractive wife. But they get the idea when put in those terms.

Funny you said that... I did tell him that I would actually let him take my wife rather than loaning my tractor.... He obviously didn't get the point, and she thankfully didn't hear me.

 

[maximus1277]

Thanks for the good suggestions. I don't want to come across as an *** , but this guy just doesn't get the point. Reflecting back, I don't owe him any debts, and if he does not understand the situation, then maybe I should stop trying to explain reasons for my hesitation and just say no.

 

[whistlepig]

It surely doesn't hurt for him to ask. And it should be no less painful for you to say no.

 

[burnieman]

Friends and family can be a real pain in the arse. Just say no!

 

[Eyeshade]

Call your insurance company and see if your liability policy covers your equipment on another person's property. Most likely it does not. Tell the family sorry insurance problem.

 

[sixdogs]

Yes, unless you have aspecific farm or ag policy, once it leaves your property it is not covered. Look it up.

Occasionally I have people ask but it almost every instance they are leaches to begin with and just looking for a free lunch. I did help a guy out last year with several hours of no charge tractor work and my labor. He never really said thanks, expected me to fully clean up and when I wanted something from his trade he wanted to charge me the going rate. That's why I never loan. Never, and especially never to relatives.

The TBN has lots of posts of loaned tractors and stuff loaned that was damaged and how to try to collect from someone that said they would stand by any damage.

 

[KubotaToy]

I always point everybody that asks to borrow anything to the rental store.

A "out of work cousin" of mine once borrowed my dozer to make some money, trying to help him out I let him have it but after about six weeks of away time I called to tell I needed it and would pick it up, he stated someone had taken it a few weeks ago (this was a AC HD11, not a small thing). He did not call the sherriff or me. I went to visit to see what happened and noticed he had a new truck. To keep peace in family (since his mom is my favorite aunt) I let it go.

I do help neighbors from time to time, but as others have stated, I go with the equipment.

 

[Bob77064]

I have to agree with the advice given. Most times I have lent tools or power equipment I have regretted it.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Another solution if saying no is too difficult. I know sometimes it is and most of the time you should not have to but....
Avoid all family gatherings, reunions, move to a secluded area, and make neighbors hate you. Never speak openly of any skills, items of value, trades you know, guard the ownership of pools and bass boats like national treasures, maintain all equipment too appear wore out and broke, complain of no vacation at your work, and never under circumstance breathe a word of the big buck you saw. Anytime you are expecting company dig a hole in the yard 3x7x8 and deny it is there when asked about it.
May you enjoy your investments in peace. Maybe there is a mooch away spray?

 

[sixdogs]

I always point everybody that asks to borrow anything to the rental store.

A "out of work cousin" of mine once borrowed my dozer to make some money, trying to help him out I let him have it but after about six weeks of away time I called to tell I needed it and would pick it up, he stated someone had taken it a few weeks ago (this was a AC HD11, not a small thing). He did not call the sherriff or me. I went to visit to see what happened and noticed he had a new truck. To keep peace in family (since his mom is my favorite aunt) I let it go.

I do help neighbors from time to time, but as others have stated, I go with the equipment.

You are quite a guy to let that one slide.
Around here it would be 20 paces and fire but I do admire a favorite aunt. I still adore mine 30 years after her passing.

 

[swick1]

Wow! You are a saint. If I had a dozer or a wife I'd keep the dozer.

 

[maximus1277]

All good strategies! But, seriously... This guy lives on the side of a mountain, so it will not be a small one weekend job. I told him that for the amount of work, a bigger, heavier machine would be best. He did look into rental prices and could not believe how much an extended rental costs. I am sure that our next meeting will get somewhat uncomfortable. What bothers me is that people like him don't take any appreciation in what it takes to have a clean tractor. I keep my 60K truck outside in the winter so that the tractor stays inside nice and warm. To him, my tractor is just a tool... Use it and put it away dirty.... Maybe in one piece.