Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community
Old 07-26-2007, 07:24 PM   #1
Asian Lilliputian
Draft Pick
 
Join Date: May 2007
Default Broke neighbor's windshield: moral dilemma

Hey everyone, I broke my neighbor's rear car window when a rock flew out of my rusty lawnmower. It shattered completely.

Stupid me, I knocked on his door and told him about it, when I could've very well ran inside and hid for a week (he wouldn't have known).

Now he's trying to gouge me for repairs. We don't know each other, so we're basically strangers.

The question is: would you have 'fessed up to something you could have gotten away with, even knowing the headaches (monetary and otherwise) that would inevitably follow? Obviously, it would be different for family and friends, but to a total stranger, would you have told him?
Asian Lilliputian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:24 PM   #2
Azure
Had an idea!
 
Azure's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Exp:
Default

I would have....honest is always better.
Azure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:29 PM   #3
Displaced Flames fan
Franchise Player
 
Displaced Flames fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Kalispell, Montana
Exp:
Default

Yep, well done.

If the roles were reversed you would've wanted to be told wouldn't you?

That's how you resolve those dilemas.
__________________
I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
Displaced Flames fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:35 PM   #4
Dion
Not a casual user
 
Dion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
Exp:
Default

You did the right thing by fessing up.

If you don't trust the neighbor, phone a few glass shops and get some quotes on replacing his rear window. This will give you an idea if he's gouging you or not.
__________________
Dion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:37 PM   #5
urban1
Scoring Winger
 
urban1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Exp:
Default

karma baby.

you did the right thing.
urban1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:37 PM   #6
Burninator
Franchise Player
 
Burninator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Exp:
Default

That's a complete freak accident. I hope your neighbor isn't expecting you to pay for the whole thing. I would think splitting it 50/50 would be fair.
Burninator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:39 PM   #7
Resolute 14
In the Sin Bin
 
Resolute 14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Exp:
Default

If he is going to gouge you, tell him to talk to his insurance about replacing it.

If he is going to be reasonable, negotiate.

Either way, you did the right thing by telling him.
Resolute 14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:40 PM   #8
GoinAllTheWay
Franchise Player
 
GoinAllTheWay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Not sure
Exp:
Default

I'm assuming you have home insurance? This may be a good case of using coverage many do not know exists. It's called voluntary property damage and should be applicable in a case like this. Would not advise using it if you have a claims free discount on your policy though as it will only get your around $500 so you have to weigh that one out long term.

What kind of car is it? You would be amazed at what some windshields are worth these days.

edit - nm, rear window, sorry. Still pricey though as the have the defrosting elements in them.
GoinAllTheWay is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:40 PM   #9
Resolute 14
In the Sin Bin
 
Resolute 14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Exp:
Default

Especially a rear windshield, with the heating lines.
Resolute 14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:41 PM   #10
ricoFlame
Franchise Player
 
ricoFlame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Stern Nation
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Burninator View Post
I hope your neighbor isn't expecting you to pay for the whole thing. I would think splitting it 50/50 would be fair.
i don't know about that. if he offers to pay for some, great, but fessing up to the accident is the right thing to do, and expecting to pay for it comes with the territory. karma though, what goes around comes around, you did good.
ricoFlame is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:44 PM   #11
ken0042
Playboy Mansion Poolboy
 
ken0042's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
Default

OK- some clarification. Is it the windshield or rear window? You mention both.

And yep- you did the right thing. But call around and get some quotes so you know if he is charging the right amount. I also disagree with Burninator; although it was an accident, I always look over my lawn to make sure there is nothing on it before I mow it; because I know a rock can fly out and cause serious injury. In this case it was just a car window- fortunate that nobody got hurt.
ken0042 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 07:49 PM   #12
Slava
Franchise Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay View Post
I'm assuming you have home insurance? This may be a good case of using coverage many do not know exists. It's called voluntary property damage and should be applicable in a case like this. Would not advise using it if you have a claims free discount on your policy though as it will only get your around $500 so you have to weigh that one out long term.

What kind of car is it? You would be amazed at what some windshields are worth these days.

edit - nm, rear window, sorry. Still pricey though as the have the defrosting elements in them.
This is definitely the way to go. The policy pays because you are not technically liable for the damages, but you want to be a good neighbour basically.
Slava is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 09:36 PM   #13
Hemi-Cuda
wins 10 internets
 
Hemi-Cuda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: slightly to the left
Exp:
Default

if some guy came to my door and told me that he broke my windshield i would expect him to pay for it completely, accident or no. just because it was one of those freak things you could never predict doesn't mean it's not 100% your fault
Hemi-Cuda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 10:17 PM   #14
Flames in 07
#1 Goaltender
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Exp:
Default

You did the right thing, and you owe him for a new window. Not 50/50.

It may have been an accident, but unfortnuately this was your accident.
Flames in 07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 10:31 PM   #15
CaptainCrunch
Norm!
 
CaptainCrunch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Exp:
Default

Why should he have to split, he's allowed to park his car there.

If he wants to gouge you, tell him that you'd prefer to either go through insurance, or you'd like to get an estimation from the place where you got your last windshield done (lie a little)

I applaud you for being honest with your neighbour. You might not know him, but it dosen't hurt to have good relations (especialliy if he's got a hot wife)
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
CaptainCrunch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 11:20 PM   #16
SeeGeeWhy
#1 Goaltender
 
SeeGeeWhy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Exp:
Default

I wouldn't assume he is gouging you... it may be a case of him being gouged by the place he is going. Go get some 3rd party quotes (3 is best to get a decent cross section) to compare to what he is going to charge you.

The onus is on you to find the cheapest if you are offering to pay.. He just wants it fixed and doesn't care who does it. Refuse to pay if he is going with a company that is more expensive than what you found.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biff View Post
If the NHL ever needs an enema, Edmonton is where they'll insert it.
SeeGeeWhy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 11:29 PM   #17
WinColumn
Backup Goalie
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Exp:
Default

I would say kudos for fessing up and facing the music. Your parents raised you right

Last winter I slid my car into a parked truck. I could've totally gotten away with it as there were no witnesses. I was so tempted to drive away, but I asked that question mentioned above. How would I want others to behave. I can't complain about our degenerate society if I was part of the problem, so I left a note and ended up paying a lot. The guy appreciated the honesty and my conscience is clear.

I would also say that you are 100% responsible to pay for it. Not the 50/50 thing. I hope the insurance route works for you.
WinColumn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2007, 11:36 PM   #18
Reggie Dunlop
All I can get
 
Reggie Dunlop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Exp:
Default

First of all, it's the neighbour being inconvenienced. It should get fixed wherever is the most convenient for him regardless of cost to you.

If he's a reasonable person, you might convince him to get more than one estimate. Try pointing out that you were honest with him. But really, the bill is your problem, not his.
Reggie Dunlop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2007, 07:42 AM   #19
ken0042
Playboy Mansion Poolboy
 
ken0042's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop View Post
First of all, it's the neighbour being inconvenienced. It should get fixed wherever is the most convenient for him regardless of cost to you.
###.

A couple of years ago my neighbour hit my parked car. Not abig deal; but it was easily over $1000. There was a bit of a fight (ie- standoff) about where I wanted to get it fixed. Because it was autobody work, I wanted it done by a dealer. I explained to him that any work I ever had done at a dealer was great, and with a non-deal; not so great. I even went so far as to get estimates from non-dealers, and showed him that the one dealer I wanted to do the work was the 2nd cheapest of anybody; and the cheapest place was $8 less.

He kept insisting that he knew "a guy who could get him a deal", but I finally insisted, and reminded him that the favour I was doing him was letting him pay rather than going through insurance.

With something as like a window its easy to get a quote over the phone. If he's getting quotes of $1600 and you get quotes of $1400, then pay it. If he's telling you $3000, and you are seeing $1400, then go through insurance.
ken0042 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2007, 09:04 AM   #20
mykalberta
Franchise Player
 
mykalberta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

I would get an estimate from the cars manu dealership. That will tell you the high end of the price spectrum. You have to be willing to pay that price becuase alot of car owners are anal about that kind of thing and wont take it to a non manu place for repairs.

If he agrees to dealership have it arranged with the dealership that you will pay for the damanges, that way he doesnt gouge you.

Apart from that tell him to take you to small claims court - record all prior actions.

Also agree with Ken042.

MYK
mykalberta is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:37 PM.

Calgary Flames
2024-25




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright Calgarypuck 2021 | See Our Privacy Policy