Teen opens car door and dings car next to you... what do you do?

[Anonymous]

If someone dings my door and leaves a note, unless the damage is ridiculous, I’m most likely to call or text to thank them for their courtesy and not to worry about it. If, however, I come out and there’s no note, that really bugs me. And the one time someone dinged my door while I was in the car and then tried to pretend it didn’t happen is the one time I chased someone down and actually insisted that they pay for the damage.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you ever heard the phrase "teachable moment"? This was yours. Your grade is F for Fail if you walked away without correcting your child and without speaking to the owner of the car who, if I'm reading this thread correctly, was sitting in the car at the time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- fwiw, kids are 14 and 11. I just said to the 11 yr old, "be careful opening the door"... of course, he didn't hear me b/c he was focussed on chasing a fly around the back seat. Then he opened the door hitting the car next to us (and the driver was IN the car!

I was not happy with 11 yr old. I know it wasn't intentional, and mistakes happen, but I wish kids would think about something other than themselves once in awhile. And, no... I didn't say anything to the other driver b/c I didn't know what to do. Should I have pulled out $40? That's all I had on me.

Just trying to get a feel for what most people actually do.

I would leave a note with my name and number saying "The scratch on your driver's side door is from my son; I took a couple of pics of the damage, please call me to discuss." Then I would tell them to get me two quotes and I'd offer to average them together and pay them that. Then I'd make my child pay me back unless it was something they could have helped (if they were avoiding getting stung by a bee, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be mortified if my child dinged a car door, the driver was right there, and I didn’t say something. That’s setting a really bad example. I refuse to believe this is something that “just happens” so the other person should get over it. You as the parent take responsibility for what your child does.

+1 what a horrible example. I’d leave a note if the ding was significant (scratched paint, big dent) but if the person was actually in the car, I’d knock on the window and treat it like any other property damage.

[Anonymous]

And if your chid can’t be trusted to exit the car appropriately, put on the child locks and go around to let them out every time. A few days of that embarrassment might set them straight!

Otherwise buy a van with sliding doors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Little dings? Nothing. They are an unfortunate part of urban life. A long scratch or a real dent? Leave a note w/contact info.

Agree

[Anonymous]

This thread certainly gives lots of perspective about why so many kids grow up to be assholes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread certainly gives lots of perspective about why so many kids grow up to be assholes.

+1

[Anonymous]

I'd leave. And I have when child did something similar. It is a ding and you don't need your door repainted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread certainly gives lots of perspective about why so many kids grow up to be assholes.

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Kids make mistakes. I'm not opening up my checkbook to a stranger for a ding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids make mistakes. I'm not opening up my checkbook to a stranger for a ding.

Why not, since your family was responsible for it?

[Anonymous]

The proper thing to do is leave a note with your contact info. This demonstrates to your child proper behavior. Otherwise you're scum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- fwiw, kids are 14 and 11. I just said to the 11 yr old, "be careful opening the door"... of course, he didn't hear me b/c he was focussed on chasing a fly around the back seat. Then he opened the door hitting the car next to us (and the driver was IN the car!

I was not happy with 11 yr old. I know it wasn't intentional, and mistakes happen, but I wish kids would think about something other than themselves once in awhile. And, no... I didn't say anything to the other driver b/c I didn't know what to do. Should I have pulled out $40? That's all I had on me.

Just trying to get a feel for what most people actually do.

I would leave a note with my name and number saying "The scratch on your driver's side door is from my son; I took a couple of pics of the damage, please call me to discuss." Then I would tell them to get me two quotes and I'd offer to average them together and pay them that. Then I'd make my child pay me back unless it was something they could have helped (if they were avoiding getting stung by a bee, for example.

Wait - you damage someone’s car and you “make” them run around to 2 locations prior to approving them for payment?? What a jerk, younalready caused them extra work through your own carelessness, make it easy for them when they’re already having to spend their time fixing a problem you caused.

[Anonymous]

Aren’t there rubber things you can put on your doors so you don’t ding other cars? OP, time to run and get some ASAP.