Benjy Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Couple of sundays ago, I got a phonecall from a friend asking me to go out and do a breakdown for her friend. She wasn't a roadside rescue member or anything and had no cash on her and was sat at the side of the road crying. I went out to this little Matiz that wouldn't fire. Got it running, followed her home, job was a good'un. Now, she had no cash on her, so being a mate of a mate, I said call it £40, (instead of £60 sunday call out, £35 Diagnostics, £30 for the part, £20 labour) pop it over to me "tomorrow". Well, tomorrow's been and gone, a few times. I've dropped her a couple of friendly texts, spoken to her on the phone and she hasn't got it at the moment. My friend feels awful because it was her mate and I did her the favour. Am I being unreasonable, or do I go and clamp the car on her driveway? I know it's only £40, but it's more the principle of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I would clamp it, leave her a voicemail or text if she still ignores then clamp her car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 A mate who happens to be a clamper told me to clamp it and then charge a £100 release fee. Lol Tad harsh me thinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 ....for £40 i really wouldnt bother clamping it - i'd express your desire to be settled up the token amount you charged her as a goodwill gesture in the next ciouple of days - and if she cant maybe the mate of hers, your mate, can help her out in the meantime..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robzki Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I would give her a deadline to pay the £40 or it needs to go 'through the books' and give her an invoice for the full amount. It is downright rude to ignore the fact that someone has done you a favour. Unfortunately it is all too common. And as a sidenote if I was your friend that is in the middle and asked you to do her a favour I would pay the £40 for her, that is if she does feel bad about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I would give her a deadline to pay the £40 or it needs to go 'through the books' and give her an invoice for the full amount. It is downright rude to ignore the fact that someone has done you a favour. Unfortunately it is all too common. 7 day terms on that. Failing that, it's full price on 7 day terms. Then it's clamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 I like it. I have pointed out that I have had to replace the coil pack that I kept in stock with my own money, and that if she doesn't settle up this week, it'll have to go "official" and will be £145. If she doesn't pay that, she'll get a reminder, a final demand and then a clamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I like it. I have pointed out that I have had to replace the coil pack that I kept in stock with my own money, and that if she doesn't settle up this week, it'll have to go "official" and will be £145. If she doesn't pay that, she'll get a reminder, a final demand and then a clamp. Good call. Make sure your friend knows your displeased so hopefully she'll give the girl you helped a bit of a telling off for messing you about and making it "uncomfortable" between you two. Emotional blackmail should work quite well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Yeah she knows I'm displeased. Lol She has offered to pay it but I feel bad for taking it off her as it's not her fault. I actually rang my friend lastnight to say please don't feel bad, bit kick her up the arse. I don't want to turn into an unreasonable bloke as it'll make things awkward between them, but it's rude and manners don't cost a thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 She says she doesn't have the £40, but I wouldn't be surprised if she still goes out this weekend to a pub/club. Good idea about the "7 days or it goes through the books at full whack". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robzki Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 manners don't cost a thing! I'd have to disagree here and say they actually cost £40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I guess your kidding but incase your not i doubt you can clamp her car legally can you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 She's not intelligent enough to realise that it's not 100% legal Dnk. I got her whole life story this morning. Her husband left her a few years ago, and her new boyfriend died in bed next to her last year (probably when he woke up and saw her). She's a single mum. She gets nothing from the kids dad. All the time I'm thinking "this affects me and my money....how!?" But she can afford to run 2 cars that are on her drive, of the house that's bigger than mine.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 She's not intelligent enough to realise that it's not 100% legal Dnk. I got her whole life story this morning. Her husband left her a few years ago, and her new boyfriend died in bed next to her last year (probably when he woke up and saw her). She's a single mum. She gets nothing from the kids dad. All the time I'm thinking "this affects me and my money....how!?" But she can afford to run 2 cars that are on her drive, of the house that's bigger than mine.... You might want to edit the last statement as its a bit disgusting and not really on You have every right to be angry about this but making comments like that isn't helping your cause tbh. As has been said if its worth the hassle to you then make a final demand for the cash then go for the full amount but IMO from your description if she can't stump up 40 quid then you be flogging a dead horse asking for the full sum. For 40 quid though I'd put it down to a life lesson and move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 and her new boyfriend died in bed next to her last year (probably when he woke up and saw her) http://www.google.co.uk/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rf_Sl_6ooY8/TxkXnYqnAII/AAAAAAAACDE/BQ5ywmNX6fY/s1600/obvious-troll.jpg&sa=X&ei=tptYT6PTAcOM8gO2lLXyDg&ved=0CA8Q8wc&usg=AFQjCNHC0TaUXHa68ohFHzxKpNkQpWIOKA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraDan24 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Well i was on your side until that comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getrag Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 What has the bf dying last year got to do with anything. Typical female misdirection trying to tug the heart strings. Id take the money from the other friend and move on from this BS. And let the stress be between those 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 How can you clamp a car on someone elses private drive? I'd have thought that would get you in more trouble than she is in. Edit 1: Thinking about it further, what legal right do you have to clamp her car at all? If the answer is none then you are likely committing a criminal act for a civil debt (i.e. the police may 'do' you and not touch her). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay200bhp Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 why does she have to mention her boyfriend thats passed? that does annoy me its fourty quid love settle it and shut it! poor bloke was being good to you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I have had that before from a single mum I rented out my property to, her boyfriend died in an accident apparently... and few weeks later, when I pop by to fix the door... he comes down the stairs She then cost me £5k to get her out of the house, a life lesson learnt indeed! Get your friend to pay you and then she can deal with getting the money back from her friend, well that is if the lady you helped is really her friend (this should prove it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Take the money off the friend that got you into this drama and leave her to sort it out with their friend. Job done and lesson learn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 What has the bf dying last year got to do with anything. It's the "X Factor way" of doing things. Everyone needs a back-story. If true, it is sad that her BF died, it genuinely is. What rubs me up the wrong way is when the back-story has no clear, direct bearing on their ability to pay, and they expect the back-story to give them a discount of 50% (or in this case, 100%) off of things they buy or services they use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getrag Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 ^^ Exactly, its poor me syndrome. Basically, she doesnt want to pay you and is trying to manipulate her way out of it. If you cant pay something you be honest and say you will. Avoidance says complete disrespect to you, compounded by the fact you did her a big favour at a discount. Get the money off the friend, leave the "fight" with them and hopeful she will gain some moral fibre, probably not by the sounds of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Talking about feeling sorry for her, why was she crying when you went to recover the car? Did she run over a dog or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spence Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I own a garage and have learnt not to help anyone unless it is financially good for you. Never let a car leave without payment Agree all prices before you start work Had to enforce these rules due to bad experiences with customers and now even friends have to follow these rules, sad that it had to come to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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