OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Off Topics Simple Respect: Lending People Mowers

Small rant - it's been bothering me for a while.

I take on mower repairs for people (At VERY cheap rates). If I can't get the machine going that day I offer a loan machine to them. about half of the time they take me up on the offer.

My problem is (And I won't be offering this anymore) When they leave I make it plain that I expect it back on time and in the same condition it left in. I don't lend out any special machines and in the case of a 2 stroke I FILL the tank with the correct mix and make sure I tell them I do NOT want them to refill the tank at all.

When I get them back they are ALWAYS covered in dust, dirt, mud, clippings, sometimes broken blades etc. Fuel taps are always left open etc etc.

I'm now not offering repairs as I'm too busy at work. I just don't have the time and I'm never home before dark now but if I get someone ask for a small repair I may consider it. I will not be offering a loan machine though.

Is it just too hard to clean it down afterwards?

That's my rant over. I'm off to Bonny Doon.

Hows the serenity? So much serenity ...

Pete

sounds like you need an old rover like i use for a loaner . bt yeh it is annoying when it comes back covered in so much crap , and even had one tell me it didnt cut as well as his machine :mad: .

no problems sir , next time borrow someone elses ;)

Hi IHWS and vccomm

I agree.
It never ceases to amaze me how disrespectful people can be.
Regrettably, we see it occasionally on these forums too.

I love the serenity of Bonny Doon too ... Arrr the serenity.

I have written about the issue of borrowing & lending.
It appears it has a long tradition of controversy:-

The Lending & Borrowing:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=67043

The serenity:-
[video][/video]

Keep calm and serene.
---------------------------------
Jack

AAAAH the serenity... I'm feeling it....

Also I solved my borrowing neighbor problem, I gave him a mower & say NO alot..

One day he asked if I had a spray gun so he could spray paint his gates.
I say yeah.
Then he proceeded to ask me if I had a compressor as well....

Gotta luv'em

Now that's what I call serenity. Cheers.

Pete,

I like your post.

I must say, if I lent out mowers whilst repairs were being done for people I don�t ever think I would see them again. You are a far more trusting person that me that�s for sure.

I�ll do repairs if the person is genuine and will pick up the machine quickly otherwise you trade in your broken mower for a fully serviced mower. I am also reluctant to do small repairs to cheap because you often don�t identify further problems and people tend to get disappointed when their mower breaks again. That is the main reason I prefer to sell a fully serviced mower (none can be perfect of course) rather than doing minor repairs when the mower often needs far more repairs to get through a full spring/ summer peak period.

I do this as a hobby and dealing with disrespectful people annoys the h*ll out of me as well.

Anyway good rant.

Jaffa

That's interesting I do a lot of repairs and have been thinking of having a lend out mower hmmm