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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is my neighbour a cf? what do I say?

171 replies

Pleaseleavemealone · 15/06/2021 11:38

morning,
have slightly changed so as not to out..
yesterday I knocked into my neighbours car and slightly cosmetically damaged it. Was not on the body work but on a plastic part that can be taken off and easily put back on. Of course I immediately offered to replace this part, and neighbour says yes we'll look on the internet for a part. So ive looked on the internet and found a new part, about to order only to get a message from neighbour saying "this is the quote we've got, its X amount, hope that's ok we'll let you know when its finished".
They had already booked it in to be fixed in the garage at that point without saying anything to me, as I was under the impression that we were just going to get a part from the internet. Believe me when I say this is the easiest fix, a child could do it. Its literally screwing a bit of plastic on. Thing is, the garage they have gone to has charged extortionate prices (think 3.5x what I estimated), inflated money for the part and obviously charged for labour, which I'm not happy about as it's literally a ten minute easy job that can absolutely be done by yourself.
I don't even have this kind of money, it would have even been a stretch for me to pay the price I thought it would be.
I know it's ultimately their decision on how they get their car fixed, but I really feel my neighbour didn't have to take it to a top of the range garage and is being ridiculous expecting me to hand over that money without discussion.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 15/06/2021 11:40

Go through your insurance.

DogsSausages · 15/06/2021 11:41

Cf. How much are they asking, can it go through an insurance claim

Saz12 · 15/06/2021 11:42

You could ask her/him to get another quote. Or go through insurance, which will cost more.
If they’ve a relatively good-condition car then I can see why they want it repaired by a dealership. A car like mine and I’d possibly not bother replacing a scratched plastic bit!

UhtredRagnarson · 15/06/2021 11:42

Yes they’re sticking the arm in. Tell them you have sourced the part online and are able to replace it yourself.

summersolstice43 · 15/06/2021 11:45

I think if someone damaged my car, no matter what they damaged and how easy it was to replace, I'd want it done at a reputable garage. You're lucky they didnt insist on going through your insurance to be honest.

FatCatThinCat · 15/06/2021 11:45

Sorry but I don't think they're being CFs for putting their car into a garage to get it repaired after you damaged it. I wouldn't accept a DIY job if someone damaged my car.

rosesinmygarden · 15/06/2021 11:46

You damaged their car. They have the right to get it repaired professionally.

If you can't afford the cost then go through your insurance companies.

Stompythedinosaur · 15/06/2021 11:48

I guess you can pay or go through insurance.

I would take my car to a garage if it was damaged.

SmellThis · 15/06/2021 11:50

I agree with others, it's their call to make, frustrating as it is
Go through the insurance company if you are not happy but is it worth causing bad feeling over?

Librariesmakeshhhhappen · 15/06/2021 11:50

This is why you have insurance. You damaged their car. They can have it fixed by whichever garage they trust.

Maybe dont hit their car in future.

BingBongToTheMoon · 15/06/2021 11:51

@summersolstice43

I think if someone damaged my car, no matter what they damaged and how easy it was to replace, I'd want it done at a reputable garage. You're lucky they didnt insist on going through your insurance to be honest.
This. Sorry but you damaged their car.
Rillington · 15/06/2021 11:51

It's up to them where they choose to get it done. It's your responsibility to pay up.

Toilenstripes · 15/06/2021 11:53

It’s possible that their insurance won’t allow them to bodge the job and require them to use a garage. I’m shocked you think they’re the ones being cheeky, when it seems the other way round.

Bubbles1st · 15/06/2021 11:53

Go through your insurance but suggest they wait as if they don't get it fixed as your insurance would prefer you might not be able to claim for them. Might at least make them reconsider.

Streamingbannersofdawn · 15/06/2021 11:54

If you'd damaged my car I would want it repaired professionally. Whether or not you can afford it isn't my problem...that's what insurance is for.

tigger1001 · 15/06/2021 11:57

Yeah I would be reluctant to let me neighbour fix the car, and would be taking it to the garage. I would more than likely just go through insurance though if you can't afford the repair.

Sorry but in this case I don't think they are being unreasonable.

pinkypink24 · 15/06/2021 11:57

OP you don't get to tell them how to repair the car.

End of.

InnaBun · 15/06/2021 11:57

It's their call. They aren't doing it to spite you, they want it repaired properly.

thesunwillout · 15/06/2021 11:58

Go through insurance, I did something v similar last yr, I was mortified, as it was my first prang but very small (bumper knock) in 20-years.

I was really worried about how it would affect my insurance but they dealt with it and this year my insurance has only gone up by 10 quid.

I haven't had to pay anything.

MissConductUS · 15/06/2021 11:59

YABU. Claim on your insurance, they will get a much better price on the repair.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 15/06/2021 12:01

You are kidding, right?

You damaged their car. They are getting it properly repaired. You may think the damage was only cosmetic but they did the sensible thing and got it properly checked.

Pay up.

sunflowerstory · 15/06/2021 12:03

You are very clearly the CF in this situation, not your neighbour.

Myxisaprat · 15/06/2021 12:05

I’d want it fixed properly. And I wouldn’t be up for a neighbour doing it. Sorry.

RuthW · 15/06/2021 12:05

You are in the wrong. Go through your insurance

Whyhello · 15/06/2021 12:06

If it’s an easy fix I’d offer to buy the part and fit it for them.

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