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Original poster

Neighbour getting ripped off

13 replies

littledropofhoney · 24/07/2023 14:11

Just interested to know if other people would even get involved in this...

I have a retired/widowed neighbour who's not what I would class as elderly, but had a lot of health problems and seems a bit vulnerable.
He has no immediate family, just some in laws on his wife's side who I've suspected are just hanging around occasionally so they get some inheritance (he's mentioned to me numerous times how much money he's got so they must also be aware)

He popped his head over the other day to tell me he'd had to have a job done at home, and was shocked at the price. He said his nephew (in law) had recommended someone to do the job (and come with them when they did it) and asked me if I thought it was reasonable as he felt ripped off.

I went and had a google and asked a friend of mine who works in the trade, and it seems that he's been charged twice the going rate. Anyway I popped round and told him this, and DH told me I shouldn't get involved and basically mind my own business.

Would you have done a bit of research or kept out of it?

OP posts:
ThomasHardyPerennial · 24/07/2023 14:24

He asked for your opinion, I wouldn't be able to ignore that.

Original poster
littledropofhoney · 24/07/2023 15:19

Yes that was my thought process. I think DH thinks he will keep pestering me for help with things (and I have enough other things going on without taking on a neighbour!)

OP posts:
Floppyelf · 24/07/2023 15:21

littledropofhoney · 24/07/2023 15:19

Yes that was my thought process. I think DH thinks he will keep pestering me for help with things (and I have enough other things going on without taking on a neighbour!)

You voiced your opinion on this. Time to move on. I think your DH wants to avoid being made responsible for an elderly man, when his next of kin or social services can be responsible.

lillie23 · 24/07/2023 15:43

You did the right thing. Someone ripped off our next door neighbour, they had the same fault with their boiler as we did. Both houses were built and fitted with the same boiler at the same time. They got charged £600 and we got charged £50. I did tell the neighbour so they didn't use that particular plumber again.

Intothewoodswithallthegoods · 24/07/2023 15:49

You definitely did the right thing. We live in a society, we need to look out for each other and especially for those who are a little more vulnerable.

Obviously I sincerely hope that nothing ever happens to you or your DH but your DH needs to realise that either one of you could be in your neighbour’s position in the future and need advice. He might think he’s invulnerable but all older people were young once…

Intothewoodswithallthegoods · 24/07/2023 15:52

Floppyelf · 24/07/2023 15:21

You voiced your opinion on this. Time to move on. I think your DH wants to avoid being made responsible for an elderly man, when his next of kin or social services can be responsible.

Show quote history

Agreed, but unless I’ve missed something the neighbour basically asked a question. When I have home-related questions I ask my neighbours, after all they’re the most likely to have tips on good or bad tradespeople who work in our neighbourhood. I’m not expecting them to take on a caretaking role for me.

Chlora · 24/07/2023 16:49

He literally asked you, it's not interfering of you to answer.

I don't know if it's just me or where we live, but I think it can be difficult to find people to quote at what the internet says is the going rate. Plasterers for example round here seem to cost triple what they did a couple of years ago. He needed to get a couple more actual quotes really.

Hydrangeahead · 24/07/2023 16:53

You did exactly the right thing, it's important that neighbours share information like this to stop anyone being ripped off.
There are a LOT of con artists out there.

Mamette · 24/07/2023 17:01

I think it’s fine to answer him and it was nice of you to check with your friend as regards the going rate.

However this statement:

some in laws on his wife's side who I've suspected are just hanging around occasionally so they get some inheritance

is wildly speculative and based (it seems) on nothing concrete. Why would you assume this?

Thelonelygiraffe · 24/07/2023 17:56

lillie23 · 24/07/2023 15:43

You did the right thing. Someone ripped off our next door neighbour, they had the same fault with their boiler as we did. Both houses were built and fitted with the same boiler at the same time. They got charged £600 and we got charged £50. I did tell the neighbour so they didn't use that particular plumber again.

That's really shit. I hope karma gets the dickhead who did that.

Original poster
littledropofhoney · 24/07/2023 19:05

To be honest I am being a bit judgy here....when his wife was alive they led a very insular life, hardly went out anywhere apart from work and never had visitors.

When his wife died he made no secret of the fact that he had money from her life insurance (I hardly know the bloke and he's mentioned it to me a couple of times) and then they appeared to start visiting.

OP posts:
Fuckitydoodah · 24/07/2023 19:11

I would of done the same. He asked you. It's not a massive inconvenience. Surely it's just being helpful and neighbourly. Ignore your DH.

It would be a very sad world if no one ever helped anyone and didn't get 'involved'.

Rosscameasdoody · 05/11/2023 09:50

Mamette · 24/07/2023 17:01

I think it’s fine to answer him and it was nice of you to check with your friend as regards the going rate.

However this statement:

some in laws on his wife's side who I've suspected are just hanging around occasionally so they get some inheritance

is wildly speculative and based (it seems) on nothing concrete. Why would you assume this?

*some in laws on his wife's side who I've suspected are just hanging around occasionally so they get some inheritance

is wildly speculative and based (it seems) on nothing concrete. Why would you assume this?*

Because sadly, this is what people do.

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