To make DH go back and pay

[truelymadlysleepy]

DH on annual leave this week. He has a flash company car but prefers to drive around in his beaten up pickup.
He's had a problem with a puncture which he's mended several times with little success. His mate recommended a local garage.
DH went along, the chap sucked his teeth and said he wasn't supposed to do whatever it was with the rim but that he'd have a go. It took him 20 minutes and said he hoped it would work but he couldn't guarantee.
At the end DH said thank you & asked how much. The chap looked at DH in his revolting scruffy gardening clothes and looked at the ancient vehicle and refused any money.
I feel bad, DH has the resources to pay and I somehow feel that the chap has been duped. He runs a small business and was doing him a big favour.
What's the right thing to do?

YABU.

If it's actually helped, remember him, and take future car repairs there.

No need to throw a good deed back in someones face.

The chap hasn't been duped because your husband did not tell him that he couldn't afford to pay anything. If the man has assumed that your husband is poor then that's his own fault for going about making judgements about people.

I would take any future business back there, and recommend him to friends.

Thats what DH said Leeds.

I think he didn’t charge because he was unsure if he had fixed it? That’s what it looks like.

Yep, agree with the other poster, just make sure you send as much business as you can his way.

I love your NN, Emmanuel!

Like others have said, just give him more business in future, recommend to friends and maybe mention it on social networking sites if you or DH use them.

How about dropping of a bottle of wine or a few cans to say thanks :)

Our plumber didn't charge us for a very quick job about 6 years ago. We still use him now. We also recommend him to anyone who asks about a plumber. A good deed goes a long way as others have said.

I had to steal it sanity it made me snigger

We had similar with our car, a mechanic who lives on our road popped over and told us we had run out of oil fixed it for us. Charged us nothing, we popped in a few tins to his house and have everything done with him now.

Great idea Maxie. We'll definitely use him again.
He was telling DH that he can't afford marketing so recommending him to friends should help.
thank you.

You're welcome!

I'm delighted you liked it so much.

Oh no, the guy refused payment & would probably have been a bit pissed off if your dh forced the issue (I know I would!). But a few cans & a lot of recommendations would be a great thing to do in thanks. What a lovely bloke!

I think he didn't ask for payment because he couldn't guarantee it had worked not out of pity. He probably didn't want to be held responsible if he charged for the repair and it didn't work. Your DH didn't mislead him so making him pay would be a bit silly, they're both adults and it was the mechanic's decision not to charge. I think giving him a bottle or some cans and referring friends to him would be a nice gesture.

lovelyredwine:

You know a good plumber with an open list? Ours only takes new customers when an old one dies!