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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if he didn't want to do this favour then he should have just said rather than lie*

36 replies

BoredAdminGirl · 25/08/2015 15:27

*OK it may not be a lie but:

My car battery was dead yesterday which is a pain in the arse as it's a 40 minute drive to work.

Asked my DP to ask her brother in law if he could jump start it for me (he is a mechanic and has his own garage, not to mention he has jump started DP's car just a few months ago".

He said he can't jump start it because he has no jump leads.

WTF, how can that be?! I know he has so aibu to be pissed off that he couldnt have just said "no, I can't be bothered" or whatever the reason was.

I know it's not his responsibility and would completely respect any reason he gave, too tired, too busy etc. But come on, I know he has jump leads

OP posts:
KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 25/08/2015 15:31

Maybe he has no jump leads?

Do mechanics use jump leads? Don't they have some fancy machine or something?

Original poster
BoredAdminGirl · 25/08/2015 15:35

He does have them. He has jump started my DP's car and his partners. He keeps them in the back of his van Hmm

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 25/08/2015 15:37

Sounds politer than "No, I don't do free call outs for non-relatives" tbf.

WorraLiberty · 25/08/2015 15:37

That doesn't mean he still has them

He might have lent them to someone Confused

Original poster
BoredAdminGirl · 25/08/2015 15:42

But who said it was free? And I sure as hell am counted as family when it comes to babysitting.

Ah well I guess IABU. I will remember not to ask or provide any favours for him in the future.

Thanks!

OP posts:
hibbleddible · 25/08/2015 15:42

Maybe he doesn't have them anymore.

AA membership is pretty cheap for their basic package. I would recommend getting it.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 25/08/2015 15:43

Maybe someone else has them? Maybe they are at the garage

Would you honestly have felt better if he had said, "No. I don't want to help you"?

PaulAnkaTheDog · 25/08/2015 15:46

What an odd reaction from you!

TRexingInAsda · 25/08/2015 15:56

Yeah I think what he meant was "You and your dh have had 2 free jump starts already and I'm not wasting an hour every couple of weeks just because you can't be arsed to buy a new battery, even though I am your partner's next door neighbour's sister's favourite dog in law once removed".

He should have remembered "no" is a complete sentence. Stop bothering him, he doesn't want to do his job for free for all and sundry every 5 minutes.

BackforGood · 25/08/2015 16:04

Does seem an odd thing to ask us about - we don't know, but can speculate that he has lent them to someone, or, wasn't in his van at the time, or they have got lost, or broken or worn out or whatever.

Why didn't you jump your car off your dps? Confused
Jump leads are hardly specialist equipment that only mechanics can use.

BarbarianMum · 25/08/2015 16:15

I think you and your dp should invest in some jump leads. Next time ask around your neighbours, most people have them. Also, agree with Gobbolino - would you really have felt better if he'd just said "no, not today".

maddening · 25/08/2015 16:16

get a set of jump leads then that excuse is invalid

ElderlyKoreanLady · 25/08/2015 16:50

He's probably fed up of making the journey to jump start your car. Get yourself a set of jump leads. They're not exactly specialist equipment.

MaidOfStars · 25/08/2015 16:51

Was he not busy? You know, working?

Original poster
BoredAdminGirl · 25/08/2015 16:55

"He's probably fed up of making the journey to jump start your car. Get yourself a set of jump leads. They're not exactly specialist equipment"

Would have been twice in a period of about 6 months.

He lives about 6 minutes away in the car.

Maid he was not working, they came to borrow some tablets from me the same night.

I have taken it to the garage, it failed an MOT due to the battery problem. I had the "battery secured" (not sure what that means".

He had sold me a car radio and fitted it for me, he wired it in so that it doesn't turn off when the ignition goes off, You have to try and remember to turn it off manually.

I must have forgot on this occasion.

Stop bothering him, he doesn't want to do his job for free for all and sundry every 5 minutes

Again, it was the second time in about 6 months. The previous being for his sister in law - my Fiancee

OP posts:
PaulAnkaTheDog · 25/08/2015 17:03

If he's such a shit mechanic (which is what you seem to be implying) then I wouldn't let him touch my car.

Rarity08 · 25/08/2015 17:07

I agree with Paul

BolshierAyraStark · 25/08/2015 17:08

I think you would have started a thread even if he had been honest & said he couldn't be arsed...

maggieryan · 25/08/2015 17:13

Sorry I agree with others. Once is doing a favour, twice is taking the pissShock

CalleighDoodle · 25/08/2015 17:20

You saod youd completely respect any reason he gave so respect his reason and buy some jump leads.

sonjadog · 25/08/2015 17:26

Maybe his are broken? Maybe he lent them to someone? Maybe he left them behind him somewhere and hasn't gotten round to buying new ones?

He may in fact not be lying about not having jump leads.

BarbarianMum · 25/08/2015 17:35

Twice in 6 months is a pisstake. Buy a set of leads - they are not expensive- then anyone with a car will be able to help.

SquareFrances · 25/08/2015 17:46

YANBU. If you've done lots of babysitting for him - as you imply, and he rigged up the radio so that it drains the battery - for which you paid him, then it isn't unreasonable to ask him, in nan entirely non-pressured way - for help if he is free.

He may not have his jump leads but it would have been polite to explain that.

SquareFrances · 25/08/2015 17:47

But buying leads is a good idea.

Icimoi · 25/08/2015 17:52

Certainly, if you are doing free babysitting for him then it would do no harm for him to do you a favour in return.

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