New neighbors insisted on using my snowblower

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your neighbor's were rude and entitled to ask if they don't even really know you.

FWIW, DH has helped our neighbor a lot after they moved in, even helping chop down a tree, lending them tools, etc.. But we became friendly with them after they moved, and DH offered. They would not have asked if DH hadn't offered.

In these types of storms you give neighbors a hand. You don’t ask a neighbor to use their tool on your yard. You first ask to borrow the tool.

Some people plan ahead. This is no different than saving for college or for retirement or buying insurance for the catastrophic just-in-case scenario.

It is a proven fact that DMV gets some pretty intense snow storms. The history is irrefutable. It may go 4-5 years without the need for a snowblower…but eventually one comes in handy for most people. Some people decide to take chances and don’t buy one and then act all smug and mighty for those 4-5 years, patting themselves on the backs for saving $1K+ buy not buying an occasionally-used luxury machine. But then when a superstorm hits, they’re the first to beg for help. Elderly or not, snowblowers are available to everyone. People who make financial sacrifices to own one shouldn’t get punished during snowstorms by being expected to bail everyone else out.

Pretty sure our surgeon’s wife OP did not make any financial sacrifice to buy a snow blower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get it. That's pretty heavy duty equipment. We're a lawyer family and would never be able to open ourselves up to liability, or put them in possible danger not knowing what they're working with, just to be nice.

We'd probably say "Hey, I get it, but the thing is it's really heavy machinery and it's a huge liability and I'm a lawyer and I just can't. But I can come take a pass this afternoon at 2pm. Would that work for you?"

Sometimes people get mad. I'm not gonna change my principles though. I'm that way to protect everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spent 2-3 hours last night clearing off my sidewalks, driveway, and curb next to mailbox with our snowblower (2-stage Ariens). Probably about 2000 sqft total. Greater DMV area.

This morning our relatively new neighbors (4 months) knocked on our door and asked if they could borrow our snowblower to clear out their driveway. All other neighbors are either shoveling or have their own equipment. We say that we’d rather not: liability, not sure they even know how to use one, etc…. We then have an awkward back and forth until they finally roll their eyes, mutter something under their breaths, and walk off. They finally ended up flagging down one of the small plows clearing the road and I guess they convinced or paid the driver to clear out their driveway.

Totally blown away by this situation!!

Our neighbors are young, probably late 20s or early 30s. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this the new normal for younger generations?!?

So what happened was that they did not "insist" on anything. They asked, you selfishly said no, and then they solved the problem another way. You are the problem here OP, not them.

Sure they did. Entitled much?

--We then have an awkward back and forth until they finally roll their eyes, mutter something under their breaths, and walk off.

OMG, they rolled their eyes at you??? I'm suprised you lived to tell the tale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your neighbor's were rude and entitled to ask if they don't even really know you.

FWIW, DH has helped our neighbor a lot after they moved in, even helping chop down a tree, lending them tools, etc.. But we became friendly with them after they moved, and DH offered. They would not have asked if DH hadn't offered.

In these types of storms you give neighbors a hand. You don’t ask a neighbor to use their tool on your yard. You first ask to borrow the tool.

Some people plan ahead. This is no different than saving for college or for retirement or buying insurance for the catastrophic just-in-case scenario.

It is a proven fact that DMV gets some pretty intense snow storms. The history is irrefutable. It may go 4-5 years without the need for a snowblower…but eventually one comes in handy for most people. Some people decide to take chances and don’t buy one and then act all smug and mighty for those 4-5 years, patting themselves on the backs for saving $1K+ buy not buying an occasionally-used luxury machine. But then when a superstorm hits, they’re the first to beg for help. Elderly or not, snowblowers are available to everyone. People who make financial sacrifices to own one shouldn’t get punished during snowstorms by being expected to bail everyone else out.

Yes we should all plan ahead for all things. I’m happy to be part of a support network that helps even someone didn’t do everything perfect and still needs a hand.

[Anonymous]

I would have offered to do theirs as well.

[Anonymous]

I am sure that OPs neighbors never came over to introduce themselves as new to the neighborhood or anything. First thing they do is see OP using a snow blower and walk over asking to borrow. You did the right thing, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised by the vitriol you're getting, OP. I think you are absolutely, 100% within your rights to not let someone use your snowblower. If it were a shovel and you were done with, absolutely the neighborly thing would have been to lend them your shovel. But a snowblower is an expensive item that deteriorates with use.

Did you miss her snark about the neighbors finding a solution to the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that OPs neighbors never came over to introduce themselves as new to the neighborhood or anything. First thing they do is see OP using a snow blower and walk over asking to borrow. You did the right thing, OP.

And yet she didn’t write that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have offered to do theirs as well.

OP didn't feel comfortable using the snowblower. I get it. I'm a petite female, and used it once, and it was hard.

[Anonymous]

Wow, so sad. My neighbor asked us if we wanted salt because he bought extra.

I agree that generally you reap what you sow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your neighbor's were rude and entitled to ask if they don't even really know you.

FWIW, DH has helped our neighbor a lot after they moved in, even helping chop down a tree, lending them tools, etc.. But we became friendly with them after they moved, and DH offered. They would not have asked if DH hadn't offered.

In these types of storms you give neighbors a hand. You don’t ask a neighbor to use their tool on your yard. You first ask to borrow the tool.

Some people plan ahead. This is no different than saving for college or for retirement or buying insurance for the catastrophic just-in-case scenario.

It is a proven fact that DMV gets some pretty intense snow storms. The history is irrefutable. It may go 4-5 years without the need for a snowblower…but eventually one comes in handy for most people. Some people decide to take chances and don’t buy one and then act all smug and mighty for those 4-5 years, patting themselves on the backs for saving $1K+ buy not buying an occasionally-used luxury machine. But then when a superstorm hits, they’re the first to beg for help. Elderly or not, snowblowers are available to everyone. People who make financial sacrifices to own one shouldn’t get punished during snowstorms by being expected to bail everyone else out.

Pretty sure our surgeon’s wife OP did not make any financial sacrifice to buy a snow blower.

Pretty sure the neighbors could afford a snowblower, too, given they live in the same neighborhood as OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, so sad. My neighbor asked us if we wanted salt because he bought extra.

I agree that generally you reap what you sow.

salt <> snowblower. That's a ridiculous comparison. Have you ever used a snowblower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is a selfish boomer.

^ another selfish entitled person who doesn't want to buy their own expensive tools and instead, wants to borrow others.

^ selfish prick

We have our own snowblower and have already helped a few neighbor.

that's nice, but that's not OP's situation. They wanted to use the snowblower themselves, and OP said she can't use the heavy equipment herself. And then they grumbled about it.

FWIW, we have shoveled our neighbor's sidewalk when they were away.

OP's neighbor sounds entitled.

OP isn’t exactly a reliable narrator.

How so?

For starters she came looking for a reaction to her story so I believe she shaded it. I don’t believe the neighbors “insisted” that she let them use a snowblower. Have no idea about all this “we” language since someone in her house obviously knows to use a snowblower. The neighbor solved the issue but she still seems upset that they relied on someone else’s plow/snow blower.

yes, her DH uses it, not OP.

[Anonymous]

You did the right thing OP. I don't let others use my machines either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You're selfish for not having shared your equipment and taught them how to use it. My snowblowing neighbor does both sides of the whole street.

You're also nasty and stupid for generalizing one incident to an entire generation.

np.. but imagine if the whole neighborhood asked OP to use their snowblower.

So what if they do? Why are you people so stingy?

Lots of "users" on the thread today, like OP's neighbors.

+1 The expectation that people should willingly allow their neighbors to use their expensive power tools seems quite entitled.