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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to refuse my neighbour asking to share my car repair booking?

137 replies

whoahokeycokey · 24/06/2026 11:04

Currently have a mobile car body shop repair man on drive. I asked him if he wanted to rearrange due to heat and he replied with ‘if it’s ok I’ll come early and put a tent/shade up, crack on and be gone before heat kicks in.’
great, happy with this. Told my neighbour, just in case she was disturbed and she was fine with it.

Roll on this morning and the guy arrives 7.30 to set up, he’s actually really quiet. Neighbour pops out walking dog and says to him
’seeing as you’re going to be done early can you do a few bits on mine and as tent etc is already up I can move my car so you won’t have to move it’
it is an all day job I was booked for, but he’s started at 7.30 instead of 9.30 and aims to be finished by 2.30 instead of 4.30.
I’ve just had 3 WhatsApp messages to ask me if I can get repair man to agree and that it’s only fair due to her being disturbed very early this morning. I’m literally agog!
’

OP posts:
HelenaWilson · 24/06/2026 13:44

Our previous neighbour was a "it's being neighbourly" type.

Well in this case the bloke who is expected to put himself out for her isn't a neighbour and he doesn't give a stuff about her. Probably all he cares about at this point is getting under the shower and having a long drink.

He's said no - What does cf neighbour think op can do about it?

Passingthrough123 · 24/06/2026 13:44

Does she not realise that the 'no' from him is a complete and final answer? What does she think you can say to persuade him otherwise? He's a grown man with a mind of his own!

GeneBelcher · 24/06/2026 13:42

BMW58 · 24/06/2026 13:17

She's got some nerve! 7.30 isn't even very early!!!

I'd be telling her to GTF

To be fair I was still in bed at that time, and after that belter of a hot night I'd have been massively pissed off if someone started work then!

Shinyandnew1 · 24/06/2026 13:33

I hope she’s stopped texting you now!

MeridianB · 24/06/2026 13:32

She's a ridiculous CF. Mute her (for good).

MinnieMountain · 24/06/2026 13:30

Our previous neighbour was a "it's being neighbourly" type. Funny how that was never the case when we asked her to do something.

tartyflette · 24/06/2026 13:27

Iocanepowder · 24/06/2026 13:23

Sorry that your neighbour is a nut job op.

They walk among us, don’t they?

Iocanepowder · 24/06/2026 13:23

Sorry that your neighbour is a nut job op.

MyDeftDuck · 24/06/2026 13:22

gamerchick · 24/06/2026 11:06

Tell her no, don't explain or soften it. . Go outside and tell him to tell her no and you didn't see this coming. She needs to make her own appointment.

This.
The entitlement of some people just rattles my brain 🤪😜🤨😜

SheilaWilde · 24/06/2026 13:22

Hi Doreen, you’ve asked him and I’ve asked him. He said ‘no’ both times simply because it’s far too hot to continue working in this heat. It’s 38 degrees! He’s done/doing a great job so I highly recommend him. His number is 223…..

MargoisanA1arsehole · 24/06/2026 13:21

Has she got form for being such a CF?

BMW58 · 24/06/2026 13:17

She's got some nerve! 7.30 isn't even very early!!!

I'd be telling her to GTF

MissMurgatroyd · 24/06/2026 13:15

I'm agog. Please tell us what she says!

RiskyBiz · 24/06/2026 13:14

He moved your booking forward because (depending on your area) there is a amber or red weather warning meaning a genuine threat to life in some places. She surely understands that.

Whatever she replies just say 'Here are his details he's said he'll be happy to give you a quote and book you in on a cooler day, he started early due to not being able to work in extreme heat'

In a tent as well! The man needs an ice lolly not another job.

Friendlygingercat · 24/06/2026 13:12

Dear cheeky neighbour, you will have to make your own arrangements with the mechanic when he has finished his work for me. Its not my place to arrange his work schedule. Also I can not have the work take place on my drive in case of an oil spill or other damage. Please don't ask again,

Then block.

whoahokeycokey · 24/06/2026 13:09

CornishCornetto · 24/06/2026 11:08

In the interests of neighbourly relations, go out, ask him if he wants to do a job for your neighbour but tell him no pressure, then reply to her saying “I’ve asked, he says he’s not able to stay on after finishing my car, but here’s his details for you to make a booking”. Then any pressure from her just reply politely saying that you’ve asked, he said no and obviously you can’t make him!

I did this, I went out and loudly asked if he wanted the job. He’s said no he’s too hot. I’ve messaged her that and added his details.
She’s been ‘typing’ for the last few mins 😬

OP posts:
Peachykeenjosephine · 24/06/2026 13:06

She is cheeky enough to expect you to pay for her repairs too ...she'll say it's only fair you pay as her car was on your drive etc 🤣🤣 block the CF!

OurChristmasMiracle · 24/06/2026 12:57

“Sorry neighbour mechanic says he’s not able to fit your repair in”.

done. Nothing you can do.

Stompythedinosaur · 24/06/2026 12:54

Your neighbour is insane, I'd ignore!

Cherrysoup · 24/06/2026 12:53

7 messages is insane! Why can't she just book him for another time?

BuceesMints · 24/06/2026 12:52

He said no

Friendlygingercat · 24/06/2026 12:50

I have a cheeky neighbour like that. The gardener was trimming my bushes and hedges for which he needs of get out his ladders, signs etc. The woman who had complained about the hedge popped out and asked him to do hers while he was there. Did she think I was going to be billed for work on her garden? Nope. Gardener tells her "I have run out of time and have to go to my next booking. Here are my details if you want to book a job. I can do next week"

Self employed people can make up their own minds what work they take on.

As others have said its up to the mechanic if he wants to take on another job in the hottest part of the day. If I were OP I would pre warn him and then stay out of it. However I would message the NDN to say I don't want your repair jobs done on my drive in case there is an oil leak or some problem. What it the repair went wrong and the car was then stuck on her drive?

DrFoxtrot · 24/06/2026 12:50

The absolute shameless brass neck of some people never fails to amaze me! This and the woman wanting access to another poster’s garden while she’s out. Part of me is cringing for them but also part of me wonders whether it would be quite nice to go through life being like this. They’re not embarrassed by their own actions so it must feel good? Confused

TimeForTeaAndG · 24/06/2026 12:45

"I spoke to him and he has already said to you he won't be staying. I have no control over his time once he has finished with my car."
Then ignore any other pleas.

Some people are ridiculous.

twoshedsjackson · 24/06/2026 12:42

Your neighbour has "conveniently" missed the point that the mechanic made a very sensible decision because of the weather; he started early precisely because wants to be finished before the heat really builds up, thought ahead about providing shade - and I love his vivid language when turning the work down!
If your neighbour keeps pestering, ask them to consider what sort of job they would get in those conditions from anybody, and I'm guessing there will be heat-generating tools and chemical smells involved as well.