How far would you go to help?

[dlcwent]

Hey guys.. I came across a new one today. I've owned my own small repair shop for about 14 yrs. (my 2nd one). I have a customer that's been coming here for over 10 yrs. Always been a good payer and a real nice guy on top of that. About 2 months ago he had a mild stroke. It didn't totally screw him up but did put him out of work.

Here's the deal.
He brought his truck into the shop on Tuesday. He needs an inspection. We found a lot wrong with it. Very rusty and used hard in the last year. Anyway he is in a hard spot with cash. I am going to lay out hundreds of dollars on parts alone and several hours of labor. He says he needs his truck but don't know how or when he can re-pay me.

What would you do?....No smart *** answers please.

 

[Mike007]

I try to help people. I've also been burned doing so. I fixed an older woman's furnace for free because she was crying poverty. A few months later she bought a new convertible Sebring. If I truly believe someone is in need of help I still try to help them.

 

[wjh0919]

do it.

 

[wjh0919]

sorry - hit the wrong button - - do the repair and don't look back. good customer - good guy - tought spot for him. we've all been there before (or will be there sometime).

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I stopped helping people. Sick of getting burned.


With ten years to vouch for him as a customer, I'd fix it.

 

[Simeon]

Honestly, I feel your pain. The question comes down to how much YOU need the cash for parts and for your time.

I say: do it, see how you feel and the (financial ) impact on your life. Worst case you silently recover the cost from less favoured clients. Call it an ******* tax

 

[jim1987]

Agreed. 10 years of a customer, id fix it and tell him not to worry about it. Consider it a customer if the decade award. Hell, you might even be able to write it off somehow.

 

[ratdoggy]

Maybe cover 50% of the parts and the labor? Get some cash out of him. It's not like he's a buddy or family

 

[Burl]

Help your fellow man whenever you can. If he WAS a buddy or family, he'd probably definitely screw you.

 

[Chevy72pu]

Always do the right thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah (to the naysayers) there are times when the right thing won't be done to you. Do the right thing anyway. Don't expect anything in return and you won't be disappointed.

If you can afford to do the job for free, then do it.

 

[woodrail]

Tough call. You time is "free" (not really at all), but the cost of the hundreds of dollars of parts comes from you. That money could be a nice weekend at the amusement park with the family or similar.

I know it is tough to tell, but is the guy trying to help himself? Was he smoking and have a Red Bull can in the truck?

 

[bczygan]

I would take the opportunity to do something nice, if I could.

It's more about how good it would make me feel about myself, then how it would make him feel.

Even when I do things for people who obviously don't appreciate it, or deserve it, it still makes me feel good.

And when it is someone who really needs the favor, and appreciates it, that is just gravy.

Good deeds aren't about the recipient, they're all about the giver.

 

[nit2wn]

Barter it out somehow. Get him to wash your car/truck, sweep the floor or pressure wash something. If he can drive the truck, he can fetch parts for you or answer phones. That way he can settle the bill and maybe you can cut him a deal on the labor and sell the parts at cost. I'm usually willing to meet most people half way.

 

[jethro29]

well,he is a loyal ,long term customer and a good guy.he has fallen on hard times.if you are in the position to help him out then I say do it.it will come back to you.i have helped out several customers and I don't regret it.we are supposed to help each other.that is what god wants us to do and you will be blessed for it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

It'll be great to help out a loyal customer but you still need to take care of yourself. If you can swing it, take care of it all this one time. If you can't, try to get him to take care of the parts cost and do the work in the evening when it's not interferring with work that pays the bills.

If you still plan on him paying anything, you might want to set up some type of payment and write it up like a contract. It'll be great if he pays you back but always be careful of the customer that becomes a leech and general PITA.

 

[T-Mac]

well,he is a loyal ,long term customer and a good guy.he has fallen on hard times.if you are in the position to help him out then I say do it.it will come back to you.i have helped out several customers and I don't regret it.we are supposed to help each other.that is what god wants us to do and you will be blessed for it.

This

 

[jimindm]

As other have said if you can afford to do it, do it. I would likely escalate the cost some, you can call it a finance charge if you want. You can always take it off.

One thing in business that does hold true. If you want to lose a great customer, charge to them once. If they owe you money they will not be back for more work until they pay you. They may have a $100 repair that will be taken down the street and paid in full, before they will come back to you.

 

[Maddoglips]

Look at it this way, 10 years of loyalty, if he was gonna pull a move I rekon he would've done it long ago.
You know the facts and the details of why he is where he is, So, if you can keep your Loved 1's fed and happy and the doors to your shop open while helping him out, I'd say go for it.
Sometime we have to show our appreciation to our Clients for their loyalty as well.

Above All, just the fact that you asking, tells me you have considered it and it is therefore in your heart to do it if the above can be met. You'll feel good about yourself in the end and thats what will count.

 

[uncletater]

help the man out. your good deed will come back 10 fold.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Installed a front wheel bearing for a friend of a friend. No $$$, so it is on the "I'll pay you back."

Now he says he need the other one done. Sigh, I will probably do it because I rent part of his garage in winter. Pre-paid rent !

 

[Kevin54]

THe contractor and I were just talking about this yesterday. We both have helped many out. THe difference between him and I, when someone screws him over, it's usually to the point that he has to take them to court. (he owns apartments)

I found out years ago.....if you are going to help someone out, DO NOT expect to get any money back in return. If you are willing to help out, make sure you can afford it, and do it out of the kindness of your heart.

Just like in one of my other replies, everyone that was in the Toolroom when I left, I helped to get in the Toolroom, and taught them. What happened? When I left, a few thousand dollars of my tools were stolen, I asked a so called friend, who I really thought was a friend about who might have my tools. He didn't know, and that was the last time he has stopped over. That has been two years now since I spoke with him.

We were at a company bowling party one winter, and a friend that we went to bars with, or him and his girlfriend would stop at the house every so often......he was at the bowling party. We were talking and he said that he finally got to see his kids (he was divorced) So he was wanting to get them something for Christmas but didn't have the money. I handed him $300 and told him when he gets on his feet and gets a good job, he can pay me back then. That was the last time we spoke.

I do something for someone because I WANT to. Anymore, I don't look to get anything in return. Friends will screw you, family will screw you worse. I'm not bitter about helping people and not getting anything in return. I believe in Karma, so the good things that happen to me in life, that is my repayment. The ones that I have helped out, if they don't pay it forward, and don't help others, Karma can be a real ***** too. I've witnessed it time after time.

And when it comes to friends, you will only have one or two real true friends in your life, and that may just be your wife and kids. All the others are acquaintances. Some hang around longer than others. And they show their real true colors when it is their turn to help you out.

"A good friend will come and bail you out of jail... but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... that was fun!"

 

[RECox286]

In all my dealings with steady customers over the years

of doing home repairs, etc, I was only screwed a couple

of times, and it was only the people that could afford to

pay that did the screwing. All the poor people seemed to

be honest and willing to pay for what they got. In that

frame of mind, I would suggest that you do what you can

to help your "friend" out in his time of need. Would you

pass up a stranger laying in the middle of a road ? Do it

with the idea that you won't get paid, but maybe, just

maybe you'll be surprised. From your OP, I think you

already have made up your mind, and just want to hear

that you will be doing the "right thing." I've been in

the same situation with neighbors, and kin, and I know the

angst, and I know the pain when it turned out not nice, but

I still did it the next time too. Guess I'll never learn, or I'll

see you Heaven, dirty coveralls, black hands, and a clear

concience.

Uncle Bob

 

[cdestuck]

Repair the car, write paid in full on the ticket. Tell him someone walked in and paid for it. That way he doesnt absolutely know you were the one, and perhaps wont milk you in the future.

Do as much as you can. We need to put ourselves in their shoes. Carma will come back to reward you. You'll do the rt thing. There's more types of payment in life than money.

 

[Den69rs96]

Since you looked over the vehicle, tell him what needs to be replaced to pass. Since he has been a good customer for the past 10 years and going through some tough times, work with him on the cost of repair. Give him a price of what it would normally cost. Ask him what he he can afford and thinks is fair. Maybe give him the parts at cost and 50% labor or fix a few of the smaller items for free. I wouldn't do the whole repair for free or he might expect the same in the future.

 

[Gerald O]

I like the barter idea. The guy has to own something of value that he can afford to trade for your time and cost. He'll feel good that he didn't take advantage of you, help him maintain his pride, and you'll get something that you can sell or use.

 

[Rick Klein]

Why did he come to you expecting you to front him the bill? Putting myself in his shoes I would never go to a person I casually know and ask them to spot me say 700 bucks till whenever. I would beg the funds from family/friends to go to the mechanic,not expect you to float me.

Also remember, you will help him to prove your own self worth. If he shows true appreciation(not lip service) or repayment you will feel great. If he disappears you will feel stepped on,and the next guy with poor me story(true or not) watch out.

 

[Zeke]

Loan him a beater that has a state sticker. That is if you have le$$ at stake.

 

[FJ 432]

Charity begins at home.

Do what you can.

 

[Boomer343]

Sorry to say but I don't see this ending well. If he is such a good customer why is the truck in need of so much?

I have no problem helping out folks in business or private but if you do all this charity work for him you will never see him again.

At the very least he needs to pay up front for the parts and if you feel the need then donate your labor. I doubt the profit you made off his previous work is equal to the amount this job will cost you.

In my experience customers will find the money to pay for the things that are important to them. If he can drive then he can work at something to make money.

 

[48RON54]

Do it.

What goes around, comes around.

Who cares if he screws you over, that is on him. The point is that you did a good deed by helping someone in need.

 

[Kev442]

Why did he come to you expecting you to front him the bill? Putting myself in his shoes I would never go to a person I casually know and ask them to spot me say 700 bucks till whenever. I would beg the funds from family/friends to go to the mechanic,not expect you to float me.

This was my first thought. If he has already borrowed so much from his family that they are no longer helping out, you will never see a penny, so keep that thought in mind.

Second thought, he should be on partial or full disability by now if it's been a year.

Third thought, why is he driving a gas hog at all with no income.


All that being said, my charity does begin locally these days. I'm tired of contributing to the huge international charities just to find out the president is pulling down 500k a year (remember Elizabeth Dole?), or only 25 cents on the dollar makes it where it's going.
So, I personally would offer the parts at cost and the labor for free. Working on an old rusty vehicle for free would make you the biggest angel I know even then, Southerners just don't understand how huge that is....

 

[FORMUD]

Help the guy out. He seems to be honest. If he was going to stick you with the bill, he wouldn't have said a thing...He would've let you do the work, then just not paid you.
When you lose your trust in your fellow man, your the one who has lost.

 

[EOC_Jason]

If it's not going to financially kill you, then do what your soul tells you. It's good karma to help people out, you should just go in with the expectation that you might get little to no repayment. If it would put you in a bind, simply tell him that, after all you aren't a charity.

Maybe see if he can help you after hours to work on his vehicle?

 

[A_Pmech]

Some people donate to charities, others just help when they see an opportunity to do so.

I fall into the latter category.

 

[Jay Sco]

Lot of good advice so far.
Personally I'd help him out but wouldn't just give it to him on a silver platter. Maybe a steep discount, or take a down payment with an IOU, put a lean on his vehicle but let him keep it till it's paid (well maybe if it's too bad that won't be a good idea), the work/barter idea is good if you need some help around the shop.
Usually I'd say it's just too bad, but a 10yr loyal customer I'd try to help.

 

[larry_g]

Any way you can put some of the legwork on the customer? Can he scour the used market to find some parts? How can you lead him to do some of the work while you do the work that requires your expertise or physical ability? Then its a helping hand, not a total handout and the customer gets to save face. I know in the past I've helped others out doing this, letting them do the most they can.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Paul1956]

I just dealt with a similar deal...

First the guy says his health is bad and is in bad financial
shape... then next he says he will send a lawyer after me
if I do not provide a refund.

I tell him to pound sand.

 

[Cruster]

help the man out. your good deed will come back 10 fold.

Yep!!! And the feeling you get from this act of kindness can't be measured in money. It's not about that.

 

[over40pirate]

I would tell him you need at least the price of the parts, and ask if he could pay a certain amount per month. You know he is getting disability, or workmans comp.
Or asking if he had something to barter.
Credit card?
Hope when he picks his vehicle, it's not the last time you see him.
Offer to give him a loan.
Times like this it would be nice to have a preprinted loan agreement handy for him to sign.

 

[38Chevy454]

Nice to help him out if legit, which it sounds to be. I would probably request parts be paid up front and then labor can be done as a pay later or pay schedule format.

That way you are not out any cash from your pocket, just your time.