DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister “Ruth” and I had been each supposed to assist a pal settle into her new dwelling, however Ruth backed out after getting a last-minute invitation to brunch.
Our plans to assist our pal had been scheduled lengthy upfront. Ruth’s SUV was filled with furnishings and different gadgets that we had been anticipated to convey over, so she requested if she might borrow my automotive and meet me at our pal’s place later. I agreed reluctantly and drove Ruth’s automotive over with all of our pal’s belongings.
That day, Ruth bought right into a minor fender-bender in my automotive. She was not damage, fortunately, and there was no injury to my automotive, however two months later, my insurance coverage skyrocketed!
I acknowledge that these items can occur to anybody, however Ruth has a historical past of blowing off commitments for enjoyable, and admittedly, I’m sick of it. My insurance coverage has tripled to an infinite quantity.
I spoke to her about how careless she is, and she or he was instantly dismissive.
Is it honest that I demand she frequently pay the distinction between my earlier price and my post-accident price? What’s a practical treatment right here?
— Irresponsible Sister
DEAR IRRESPONSIBLE SISTER: It’s honest to ask your sister to pay the distinction in your insurance coverage prices, although she could not do it. Demand it anyway. Have a frank dialog together with her about her recklessness and its influence on others.
Sooner or later, don’t permit Ruth to borrow your automotive, and keep in mind her flakiness when planning.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother and father employed somebody to redo their home windows, referred to us by an in depth household pal.
On the primary day of precise demolition work, the top contractor was not on web site. A gaggle of 5 or 6 males arrived, and I discovered myself working level when the contractor was nowhere to be discovered.
Initially, I used to be assured that this is able to be a one-day job and that, upon completion of all home windows, we’d pay the remaining steadiness. Towards the top of the day, the top contractor appeared, demanding we pay not less than a portion of our steadiness in order that he might pay his disjointed “crew.”
At this level, some home windows had been solely midway changed, and others weren’t even began!
We bickered a bit, however out of respect for our buddies who referred him and the lads who did precise labor — and had been nonetheless ready on my entrance garden — we determined to pay a portion of the remaining steadiness.
Since then, the contractor has despatched us messages saying we refuse to pay what we owe, however after I ship pictures of the unfinished job or ask when he’ll be again, he doesn’t reply.
We really feel robbed. Is the Higher Enterprise Bureau a very good useful resource in a scenario like this?
— Unhealthy Referral
DEAR BAD REFERRAL: Sure, contact the BBB and report the shoddy work.
Additionally, discuss to your folks and make them conscious of how this job was dealt with. Referrals imply so much to folks and must be provided solely when clients actually discovered a service helpful.
Even so, it’s a must to belief your intestine. These folks made you suspicious from the beginning. You will have to chop your losses and discover another person to complete the job.
