DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister “Ruth” and I had been each supposed to assist a pal settle into her new residence, however Ruth backed out after getting a last-minute invitation to brunch.
Our plans to assist our pal had been scheduled lengthy prematurely. Ruth’s SUV was full of 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 obtained right into a minor fender-bender in my automotive. She was not damage, fortunately, and there was no harm 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 albeit, I’m sick of it. My insurance coverage has tripled to an infinite quantity.
I spoke to her about how careless she is, and he or she was instantly dismissive.
Is it truthful that I demand she frequently pay the distinction between my earlier price and my post-accident price? What’s a sensible treatment right here?
— Irresponsible Sister
DEAR IRRESPONSIBLE SISTER: It’s truthful 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 impression on others.
Sooner or later, don’t enable Ruth to borrow your automotive, and bear in mind her flakiness when planning.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My dad and mom 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 website. A gaggle of 5 or 6 males arrived, and I discovered myself operating level when the contractor was nowhere to be discovered.
Initially, I used to be assured that this could be a one-day job and that, upon completion of all home windows, we’d pay the remaining stability. Towards the top of the day, the top contractor appeared, demanding we pay at the very least a portion of our stability 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 mates 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 stability.
Since then, the contractor has despatched us messages saying we refuse to pay what we owe, however once I ship images 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 state of affairs like this?
— Dangerous Referral
DEAR BAD REFERRAL: Sure, contact the BBB and report the shoddy work.
Additionally, speak to your mates and make them conscious of how this job was dealt with. Referrals imply loads to individuals and ought to be provided solely when prospects actually discovered a service priceless.
Even so, you need to belief your intestine. These individuals made you suspicious from the beginning. You will have to chop your losses and discover another person to complete the job.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founding father of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to assist individuals entry and activate their goals. You possibly can ship inquiries to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
