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Original poster

Neighbour garden damage WWYD???

60 replies

Jocasta2018 · 14/10/2020 15:49

Bit of a long one, very first world problems so bear with me...
I've lived in my current property for 17 years. When we arrived our then neighbours already had a half-barrel wooden planter on their driveway. This planter is still there after 17 years & 3 different home owners.
I've just been informed by the current neighbours that, in the past week, a delivery lorry came to my address & managed to reverse into said wooden planter. The planter has been moved & it's still intact. The plants in the planter are all ok.
The neighbour isn't clear on the day.
I've had several deliveries made recently but haven't been in for any of them so it's not as though I can say which delivery it was & who delivered it! Also who's to say the lorry was even delivering to me...?
The neighbour told me of the incident 'just to let me know'.
Should I buy them a new planter? I've seen some online half barrel planters for £40 including delivery. I'm tempted to give them £20 towards a new planter or maybe a bottle nice wine?
However, the devil on my shoulder is saying it just seems a bit rich that they can't tell me the date it happened plus it's a 17-yr old planter full of plants they didn't even buy.....
What would you do??

OP posts:
BadDucks · 14/10/2020 15:51

Don’t do anything. Why would you? If she’s that bothered she can contact the delivery driver.

ApolloandDaphne · 14/10/2020 15:52

I would say to them that it's a shame that their planter was reversed into and leave it there. It was nothing to do with you. You are not responsible for anyone delivering to your address. If they have a problem they need to take it up with the delivery company/driver.

MordredsOrrery · 14/10/2020 15:53

I wouldn't do anything on the basis that it isn't damaged and, if it turns out it is damaged, that's on the delivery driver.

Saucery · 14/10/2020 15:53

They don’t seem to want you to replace it, from what they said?
I’d have just replied “oh, thanks for telling me, good job it’s ok and the plants inside it too!”
I wouldn’t be replacing it or buying gifts. If they were that bothered they should have made a note of the company and reg and put in their own complaint.

SoupDragon · 14/10/2020 15:54

If the planter is intact, why do you want to replace it?

slipperywhensparticus · 14/10/2020 15:54

Did you even have a delivery last week tjet involved a van?

Aquamarine1029 · 14/10/2020 15:55

Why on earth would you be buying them a new planter? You haven't done anything wrong. This makes no sense whatsoever.

Tangledtresses · 14/10/2020 15:55

@Saucery

They don’t seem to want you to replace it, from what they said? I’d have just replied “oh, thanks for telling me, good job it’s ok and the plants inside it too!” I wouldn’t be replacing it or buying gifts. If they were that bothered they should have made a note of the company and reg and put in their own complaint.
This ☝️ because cheeky neighbours start like this and before you know it they'll be asking for all sorts 😂

Or they did it and are trying to escape blame?
Either way just send a text like the one above

safariboot · 14/10/2020 15:57

If it's not damaged the planter then nothing needs to be done.

You could take steps to stop it happening again, maybe a fence on the boundary or something.

Maybe the neighbour told you in case the delivery driver decides to try it on with a compensation claim?

Popcornismandatory · 14/10/2020 15:58

Don't get it sorry.
Planter and plants are fine so why are you even giving this headspace and starting a pointless thread

movingonup20 · 14/10/2020 15:59

I would ask if there's damage again and if the answer is no apologise again then forget about it. If there is offer to repair/replace as it's the right thing to do whatever the age

RedMarauder · 14/10/2020 16:01

Nothing.

The planter is fine and the plants are fine.

Original poster
Jocasta2018 · 14/10/2020 16:03

I've had small deliveries - nothing that would require a lorry - a few Royal Mail tracked parcels.
As for buying a new one? A bit of me thinks they could be fishing for a new one, there was certainly a lot of sighing & a Daily Mail sad face.
But having had problems with arsey neighbours a long time ago that made my life hell, I just get a bit anxious about things with neighbours...
and yes, I am aware that it's a silly non-problem!

OP posts:
Sh05 · 14/10/2020 16:05

Express your relief that it's intact as it's become a comforting sight throughout the years you've lived there and leave it at that!
Even if a delivery van had damaged it, it wouldn't be your fault or responsibility.

Saucery · 14/10/2020 16:08

Bet they just can’t be arsed to replace it if it’s not been regularly maintained and is starting to rot.
I’d be really apologetic if the thing was lying crushed to pieces and the plants graunched all over the drive but moved a bit and absolutely fine? Nah. Plus the fact you haven’t had a lorry delivery........they can Sad Face all the way to the garden centre if they like.

AryaStarkWolf · 14/10/2020 16:11

As everyone else has said even if it was a delivery for you, you're not responsible for the delivery driver? but if it's not damaged why would you be a new one anyway?

Wibblywobbly40 · 14/10/2020 16:12

I am not sure why they would even let you know about something like that if I am honest and I wouldn't respond with "thanks for letting me know" because in truth why did you need to know?? Unless you left a note on your additional details saying please reverse into my neighbours barrell planter Grin haha

The people that need to know is the company the delivery driver is employed by if they would like something done about it.

custardbear · 14/10/2020 16:13

I'd push them again to recall which delivery company and tell them you'll leave negative feedback about the incident - I wouldn't be replacing it though unless they gave you more details if anything it's the delivery company's job to replace anything they've broken

Aquamarine1029 · 14/10/2020 16:14

The only thing you will accomplish by giving them money or wine, for no reason btw, is to make a complete mug of yourself.

BlackBucketOfCheese · 14/10/2020 16:14

Tell them you’ll check your cameras.

Their planter sounds horrible too. Grin

VettiyaIruken · 14/10/2020 16:15

I would do nothing.
It isn't your fault or your responsibility.
Suggest they contact the delivery company and complain.

icequeen34 · 14/10/2020 16:17

Wtf. Even if it was a delivery to you since when are you responsible for the reversing skills of the driver?

Nottherealslimshady · 14/10/2020 16:19

Not your problem, its the delivery companies. The AA once knocked out wall down, I didn't bother the owner of the car, just harassed the AA till they fixed it (we also have AA which comes with legal advice which was fun to use Grin)

Twillow · 14/10/2020 16:21

Not sure what the issue is? It's not damaged so why should you even consider replacing it.

Original poster
Jocasta2018 · 14/10/2020 16:22

Thanks for all the replies!
I know it's a pointless thread but just wanted to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable in thinking 'well it's still there, intact, not me that moved it, don't even know if it was a delivery for me that caused it, so why should it be my problem?'

OP posts:
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