Advice on confronting neighbor

[Excedrin102]

I have a 2010 Mustang GT that I keep in awesome condition and rarely drive.It has a little 11,000 miles on it.Since I rarely drive it the battery went dead so I called my neighbor who is also a friend to jump start my car and she came over.She pulled next to me and the cables didn't reach so I told her to pull up front of my car instead she pulled closer to side of me,well when she went to get out her door flew open and bounced off my car door a few times.I'm sure you can imagine what I felt at that moment : 0.she did apologize and suggested to use touch up paint and she would pay for it.The thing is not only did she take the paint off but put a nice size dent where the medal sticks out.I went to find out how much to fix it and the cheapest was $446.19.She gets unemployment and SSI.I know she has limited income but so do I.I'm on disability and should be having one of my surgeries coming up soon.I can't afford it and yet I feel awkward or unsure how to approach her with or if I should only make her pay so much of it.Anyone who knows me knows I love my car,it's my pride and joy.Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.I've been trying to figure out all day what to do.I know it was an accident but a costly one.


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[EBJDguy]

"No good deed goes unpunished". She does a good deed and helps you jump start your car and it costs her 446.19. Sometimes in life we have to bite the bullet on certain things. I understand it's your pride and joy... believe me when I tell you that i understand. I have a 2004 Saleen and I don't want that getting any dings but sometimes it happens and we bite the bullet. Its like spending 30-50 bucks a pop on discus fish and two die. It's a loss but its something you know can and will happen from time to time. That's why hobbies are expensive and require disposable incomes.

My advice is this. Face the crossroad! On one side you can tell her the cost and hold her responsible for it or on the other you can show her and tell not to worry about it. There's really nothing else we can tell you that would make everything all better and not be a burden on either you or her.

There is one thing you can try. You can make a claim with your insurance company as part of the comprehensive coverage which usually doesn't raise your insurance (depending on where you live and past history). They usually give you a freebie.

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

As a mustang owner myself I know how you feel. I would just tell her the cost of repairs and go from there. Do u own another car because u should have just jumped it urself. I let no one help with my car unless I trust them near it. My mustang has seen only 6k miles the past 2 years and 2k of them were this summer. Good luck with ur situation and get it fixed by someone good.

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[Miguel]

Are uou really serious? You are giving a lesson on how people should not be there available to help each other. Put yourself in her situation. Picture yourself going to help someone and having a second of bad luck. Would you like to be considered responsible?

It is because of reasonings such as yours that people are increasingly turning to the others ide and let bad things happen without a second thought.

Sorry if i sound harsh, but i could not believe my eyes when i read your thread.

 

[Owain4]

^I agree with him aswell, I have the feeling if you mention it to her you will have a very angry neighbor since she had no intention to do anything besides help you. Does she know she caused damage?

 

[MyGiants]

I agree with above ^^ Your going to have to bite the bullet. I also know how you feel. I too had a nice car I kept from getting any dings for 3 years! then a lady were I work parked where she shouldn't have and banged my door. I went bullistick on her. It was a tiny chip but in the end I just sucked it up. Your neighbor didn't do it on purpose and you said she felt very very bad about it. I try to get the insurance coverage is the best advice.

 

[Greg31]

Id say take care of it. You know she cant pay for it. Is it worth ruining your relationship? Just rock the dent or fix it yourself. She was just trying to help.

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[Kogo]

If you would have went with AAA you would have paid someone to come and they would have been bonded and insured ... But you went with asking someone to help for free. So, why would you have any expectation for someone to accept financial responsibility when you asked them to provide a free service.

There is a cost of using a pay service .... And a risk of soliciting free help .... Don't be that guy who ask for favors then makes the people who help you regret it.

Sorry for your dent just the same ... Good luck!

 

[lp85253]

gotta say ,,,I WOULDNT say anything to her at all ,,,just smile and be thankful you have a freind thats willing to help you out when needed

 

[jcardona1]

Are uou really serious? You are giving a lesson on how people should not be there available to help each other. Put yourself in her situation. Picture yourself going to help someone and having a second of bad luck. Would you like to be considered responsible?

It is because of reasonings such as yours that people are increasingly turning to the others ide and let bad things happen without a second thought.

Sorry if i sound harsh, but i could not believe my eyes when i read your thread.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually agree with Miguel

It's not like she rammed into your car. It's a door ding, that was an accident, when SHE took the time out of HER day and drove over to YOUR house to do YOU a favor and help YOU jump start YOUR car. If I was in your shoes I'd be upset too but I wouldn't try and get her to pay. It's just wrong on so many levels. If I was in her shoes and you wanted me to pay you $446, I'd tell you to go fly a kite and take me to court.

Makes you not want to help out a random stranger. Seems like everybody is looking for the opportunity to sue. Sad.