People never cease to amaze me

Blueface · 03-08-2009, 10:24 AM

I have a neighbor three doors over whose name I don't even know.
Not too long ago, a bunch of my neighbors were having problems with the sprinklers primarily due to the lake being low.
They were all gathering around their pumps and talking about trying to fix them, with a couple of lawn guys unsuccessful at their attempts.
I am pretty good with PVC plumbing and sprinkler systems so I helped them diagnose the problem.
One neighbor in particular, the one I referenced when starting this story, needed a pump as his was totally shot.
I offered to guide him how to do it as a neighborly gesture.

I drew out a schematic and provided him with a list of the parts he needed, to include drawings for ease of locating them.
Yesterday morning, with two herniated discs acting up badly, I assisted him in changing his pump. Due to the man being a person with two left hands, turns out I did most of the cutting and gluing. He did the electrical with me guiding him. In between, I realized he was a part short and they had given him a wrong part to go along with that. Rather than sending him back and waste more time, I ran to Home Depot and got the parts myself. I spent $11 out my pocket for them and when I got back, I gave him the receipt for the expense.

We got done with the installation but couldn't prime the pump as the hose I had created for that was missing, thanks to one of those neighbors not returning it. I showed him how to make a hose to connect to the garden hose and the pump at the same time, since both have male threads at the end. I asked him if he had the receipt for the parts I bought (hint) and he said yeah.

Well, I walked away, with my back hurting more than when I started, having made a trip to Home Depot on my dime, having spent $11 for parts that he should have reimbursed me for, having saved him $200 for labor to change that pump out, all for a man whose name I don't know. Frankly, $11 is crap to me at the end of the day but man, that is some set of balls. When I see him this week, my balls are going to grow to the size of his and will ask him outright for my money.

TripleF · 03-08-2009, 10:27 AM

Sorry bro, what is some se tof balls?

Blueface · 03-08-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleF

Sorry bro, what is some se tof balls?

Well, I busted my butt installing a pump for him, barely able to bend down due to the back problems, made a trip to get parts and the man didn't have the decency to reimburse me my money. I didn't charge him and didn't expect to get paid but I find it to be an incredible set of balls to be told twice about the receipt and for him to let me walk away without so much as saying, "hey, I don't have cash with me now. Can I get this to you later?"

Where I come from, that is truly some set of balls.

TripleF · 03-08-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Well, I busted my butt installing a pump for him, barely able to bend down due to the back problems, made a trip to get parts and the man didn't have the decency to reimburse me my money. I didn't charge him and didn't expect to get paid but I find it to be an incredible set of balls to be told twice about the receipt and for him to let me walk away without so much as saying, "hey, I don't have cash with me now. Can I get this to you later?"

Where I come from, that is truly some set of balls.

Ahhhhhhhh, I figured as much, but I didn't see that he didn't offer to pay after being reminded a coule of times. My bad.

Yeah, he's a puke.

03-08-2009, 10:45 AM

Phew, I'm glad he did not need help fixing his Mac.

newcigarz · 03-08-2009, 10:27 AM

Sucker.

BigFrank · 03-08-2009, 10:47 AM

Pretty lame to be honest.

03-09-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Pretty lame to be honest.

Sorry to hear this Carlos; some people just suck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

And yet, still.... despite his neighbors screams of "CARLOS!!!!! I DO NOT WANT YOU TRIMMING MY WIFES BUSH AGAIN!"

or

"CARLOS, THAT HEDGE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE AN ORGAN!!"

he continues his quest for lanscaping infamy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggainey

This sense of entitlement you speak of is 97.2% of the reason we are where we are at in this country today, I am with ya.

03-09-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasDen

listened to them spout on the whole time we were there how they cant wait for "this president and his congress" to make things right. They used phrases like" fixing the rich", "redistributing everyone's money" and the one that made me puke a little in my mouth "its everyone's right to have as much money as the rich". They argued with the $1500 bill claiming a $6 dollar item on it was suppose to be free

wow...they really said that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunng

Send him a bill for your labor and parts...

While I think you've done a very generous thing (and continue to do so with other neighbors), I kinda want to see what he'd do...but I know that's not really your style....and you should be commended for it, truly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzle

it will come back at you somehow Carlos. Worst case scenario in self-satisfaction. Keep on keeping on bro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

I used to get tired by the same thing all the time, Carlos.
I'd get just as upset as you, too, if not moreso.
I just changed my angle. I do whatever I can whenever I can for anyone I can. I just do it because I can and don't want or expect anything in return. I consider it a gift.
That way, no matter what happens, I'm not going to get upset.
I'm rewarded every day by the help of others, and the Grace of God.
Turns out I'm WAY ahead of the game, and I need to give a lot more back.
So I just keep on trying.

Great way to be, Scott.

Blueface · 03-18-2009, 01:19 PM

Interesting update.

On Saturday, while washing my car in my driveway, I see my neighbor drive by on his way home.
While I continued to wash my car, through the corner of my eye, I watched him start to walk over to me.
I made believe I had no clue and waited until he approached me.
Turns out he had some more questions.
He was able to prime the pump with my instructions but seems the valve system was now locked up from not using it for so long.
While talking, I mentioned jokingly that I would provide guidance but he would have to pay for parts and reminded him about the money from the parts I bought for changing out the pump.
He said he thought he had paid me.
I said no, he hadn't.
I reminded him I offered to take care of it and he could reimburse me when I returned.
He said he would take care of it right away and intended to take care of me also for my help/labor.
I said don't worry about my help/labor. I did that as a neighborly gesture and would do it for anyone and not looking to be paid. Just reimburse me for the parts.

Well.................................that was Saturday, today is Wednesday and still waiting.

Have to truly laugh.

landhoney · 03-18-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Well.................................that was Saturday, today is Wednesday and still waiting.

Have to truly laugh.

Forgot to tell you, I ran into this guy Monday and he gave me some cigars to give you as repayment. They're real nice, next time I see you I'll be sure to give them to you.

rizzle · 03-18-2009, 01:30 PM

Alright. So I first said it would come back around to you.

Now, I'm saying throw a flaming bag of dog poo on his doorstep.

03-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Carlos, it's your money but I say f it. You did theright thing and can look yourself in the mirror. Not sure he can do the same. I believe everyone answers for their actions one day.

You're one of the good guys don't forget that.

newcigarz · 03-08-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahc4353

You're one of the good guys don't forget that.

He knows he is one of the good guys, but he's so old he may forget it.

replicant_argent · 03-08-2009, 10:58 AM

when he has the decency to present you with your reimbursement, perhaps you could hand him an invoice for your labor as well. Pad it with the cost of a bottle of Zacapa as medication for your back.

G G · 03-08-2009, 11:14 AM

Sad, but a fact of life that there are people that don't care or didn't have the upbringing to know any better.

Blueface · 03-08-2009, 11:14 AM

In this case, there is no doubt in my mind it is not an oversight.
He knew I went to the store to buy parts for him. That is clue number one.
I gave him the receipt for the parts I bought immediately upon my return. That was clue number two.
I asked him if he had the receipt for the parts right before I left. That was clue number three.

Again, it is not about the $11 so much as it is about that I can't help but feel this guy has a sense of entitlement. I somehow can't help but think that in his mind, I somehow owed him that. That is what pisses me off about this whole thing and thank goodness I haven't told my wife. I wouldn't hear the end of it.

It is just sad that you try to do the right thing and help out a neighbor and save him tons of money at a time when people can sure use it and folks are not considerate. If someone did that for me, not only would I make sure I reimbursed him for the parts but I would also offer to pay him for his time (I wouldn't have accepted it but it is the gesture that would have counted). If he wouldn't accept it, I would try to find out what he drinks and buy him a bottle. He saw me smoking a cigar while doing the pump. Me? I would go out and buy a couple of cigars and give them and say thanks. Bottom line, I would express gratitude.

I am an idiot like this on a regular basis and is the reason I won't dare tell my wife. I trim freaking neighbor's hedges/trees with my chainsaw, I help them fix things all the time and man, I just realized, no one has ever done crap for me. I can't change my way of being overnight but tell you what, the guard is up.

ghostrider · 03-08-2009, 11:24 AM

I think you're to be commended for all the things you seem to do to help your neighbors. Perhaps due to that nature, your neighbor assumed you were helping, with no expectation of anything in return. If that's the case, lesson learned, don't do anything for him without working terms out up front. At this point, wait a couple days, see if he comes up with something. As was mentioned, you're the better man in this situation...but I think you already know that. I think there's more to you that being the better man...it's about doing the right thing.

G G · 03-08-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

In this case, there is no doubt in my mind it is not an oversight.
He knew I went to the store to buy parts for him. That is clue number one.
I gave him the receipt for the parts I bought immediately upon my return. That was clue number two.
I asked him if he had the receipt for the parts right before I left. That was clue number three.

Again, it is not about the $11 so much as it is about that I can't help but feel this guy has a sense of entitlement. I somehow can't help but think that in his mind, I somehow owed him that. That is what pisses me off about this whole thing and thank goodness I haven't told my wife. I wouldn't hear the end of it.

It is just sad that you try to do the right thing and help out a neighbor and save him tons of money at a time when people can sure use it and folks are not considerate. If someone did that for me, not only would I make sure I reimbursed him for the parts but I would also offer to pay him for his time (I wouldn't have accepted it but it is the gesture that would have counted). If he wouldn't accept it, I would try to find out what he drinks and buy him a bottle. He saw me smoking a cigar while doing the pump. Me? I would go out and buy a couple of cigars and give them and say thanks. Bottom line, I would express gratitude.

I am an idiot like this on a regular basis and is the reason I won't dare tell my wife. I trim freaking neighbor's hedges/trees with my chainsaw, I help them fix things all the time and man, I just realized, no one has ever done crap for me. I can't change my way of being overnight but tell you what, the guard is up.

This sense of entitlement you speak of is 97.2% of the reason we are where we are at in this country today, I am with ya.

03-08-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggainey

This sense of entitlement you speak of is 97.2% of the reason we are where we are at in this country today, I am with ya.

I deal with the general public daily and I think its higher that 97.2%. It truly amazes me that people feel they are entitled to or its their right to "fill in the blank". Not to thread jack but last week we were at a customers house, a seemingly intelligent man and woman, and listened to them spout on the whole time we were there how they cant wait for "this president and his congress" to make things right. They used phrases like" fixing the rich", "redistributing everyone's money" and the one that made me puke a little in my mouth "its everyone's right to have as much money as the rich". They argued with the $1500 bill claiming a $6 dollar item on it was suppose to be free

I feel your pain

Chas

03-08-2009, 10:24 AM	#1
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	People never cease to amaze me I have a neighbor three doors over whose name I don't even know. Not too long ago, a bunch of my neighbors were having problems with the sprinklers primarily due to the lake being low. They were all gathering around their pumps and talking about trying to fix them, with a couple of lawn guys unsuccessful at their attempts. I am pretty good with PVC plumbing and sprinkler systems so I helped them diagnose the problem. One neighbor in particular, the one I referenced when starting this story, needed a pump as his was totally shot. I offered to guide him how to do it as a neighborly gesture. I drew out a schematic and provided him with a list of the parts he needed, to include drawings for ease of locating them. Yesterday morning, with two herniated discs acting up badly, I assisted him in changing his pump. Due to the man being a person with two left hands, turns out I did most of the cutting and gluing. He did the electrical with me guiding him. In between, I realized he was a part short and they had given him a wrong part to go along with that. Rather than sending him back and waste more time, I ran to Home Depot and got the parts myself. I spent $11 out my pocket for them and when I got back, I gave him the receipt for the expense. We got done with the installation but couldn't prime the pump as the hose I had created for that was missing, thanks to one of those neighbors not returning it. I showed him how to make a hose to connect to the garden hose and the pump at the same time, since both have male threads at the end. I asked him if he had the receipt for the parts I bought (hint) and he said yeah. Well, I walked away, with my back hurting more than when I started, having made a trip to Home Depot on my dime, having spent $11 for parts that he should have reimbursed me for, having saved him $200 for labor to change that pump out, all for a man whose name I don't know. Frankly, $11 is crap to me at the end of the day but man, that is some set of balls. When I see him this week, my balls are going to grow to the size of his and will ask him outright for my money. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

03-08-2009, 10:27 AM	#2
TripleF 11/11/11 EPIC IV Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 5,626 Trading: (176)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Sorry bro, what is some se tof balls? __________________ Cool Cigar Shirts, Stickers & More

03-08-2009, 10:45 AM	#5
Darrell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: People never cease to amaze me Phew, I'm glad he did not need help fixing his Mac.

03-08-2009, 10:27 AM	#6
newcigarz Smoke and Mirrors Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the bottom shelf Posts: 3,139 Trading: (15)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Sucker.

03-08-2009, 10:47 AM	#7
BigFrank 5 3 1 Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Frank Location: Gym or Sofa. Posts: 1,896 Trading: (25)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Pretty lame to be honest. __________________ " Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment. "

03-18-2009, 01:19 PM	#10
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Interesting update. On Saturday, while washing my car in my driveway, I see my neighbor drive by on his way home. While I continued to wash my car, through the corner of my eye, I watched him start to walk over to me. I made believe I had no clue and waited until he approached me. Turns out he had some more questions. He was able to prime the pump with my instructions but seems the valve system was now locked up from not using it for so long. While talking, I mentioned jokingly that I would provide guidance but he would have to pay for parts and reminded him about the money from the parts I bought for changing out the pump. He said he thought he had paid me. I said no, he hadn't. I reminded him I offered to take care of it and he could reimburse me when I returned. He said he would take care of it right away and intended to take care of me also for my help/labor. I said don't worry about my help/labor. I did that as a neighborly gesture and would do it for anyone and not looking to be paid. Just reimburse me for the parts. Well.................................that was Saturday, today is Wednesday and still waiting. Have to truly laugh. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

03-18-2009, 01:30 PM	#12
rizzle Order Restored Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: st pete, fl Posts: 2,679 Trading: (23)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Alright. So I first said it would come back around to you. Now, I'm saying throw a flaming bag of dog poo on his doorstep.

03-08-2009, 10:49 AM	#13
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: People never cease to amaze me Carlos, it's your money but I say f it. You did theright thing and can look yourself in the mirror. Not sure he can do the same. I believe everyone answers for their actions one day. You're one of the good guys don't forget that.

03-08-2009, 10:58 AM	#15
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: People never cease to amaze me when he has the decency to present you with your reimbursement, perhaps you could hand him an invoice for your labor as well. Pad it with the cost of a bottle of Zacapa as medication for your back. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

03-08-2009, 11:14 AM	#16
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,705 Trading: (10)	Re: People never cease to amaze me Sad, but a fact of life that there are people that don't care or didn't have the upbringing to know any better.

03-08-2009, 11:24 AM	#18
ghostrider Ridin the storm Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Drew Location: Va Bch Posts: 83 Trading: (4)	Re: People never cease to amaze me I think you're to be commended for all the things you seem to do to help your neighbors. Perhaps due to that nature, your neighbor assumed you were helping, with no expectation of anything in return. If that's the case, lesson learned, don't do anything for him without working terms out up front. At this point, wait a couple days, see if he comes up with something. As was mentioned, you're the better man in this situation...but I think you already know that. I think there's more to you that being the better man...it's about doing the right thing.