Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I loaned my 5 year old Husqvarna 136 chainsaw to one of my area managers at work as he had just moved into town from Michigan, and need to cut down a few trees.  He had the saw for a while and admitted to abusing it a bit, but stated he would pay for the damage he did to it.  I took it to a local dealer in Chardon, Ohio and their quote to fix the saw was $10 less than what it costs new.  My wife feels that this guy owes me the entire amount necessary to fix or replace the saw;  I said that since it's a mechanical object with a certain lifespan, that I would be kind and take the depreciation on it and only ask for around $100 to put towards a new saw.

Am I being too easy on this guy, or should I make him pay for 100% of the repair/replacement cost?  I can see my wife's point, why should I have to pay any money when I started the entire interaction with a completely good chainsaw.

Thanks

Now this reminds me to get back a table saw from one neighbor and a miter saw from another.

Well, I think I settled on upgrading to a larger Husqvarna Saw and will buy the parts to fix the old one (my neighbor is pretty mechanical and will help fix saw).  Like I said, the guy I loaned the saw to is 2 grades higher than me at work, so I don't want to push him too hard for the money.  I think a "friendly" reminder is certainly in order though.  I may have to delay the new saw purchase as I found out I have about $450 repair bill on my 02 Ram that's 4,000 miles out of warranty....

PaulR wrote:
Two ways to look at the work thing. My dumb dog gone advise, don't seem to easy, but be fair. Don't know how political your work place is. But if this is a test. Be careful.

The truck. Ouch. Maybe the service advisor (if that's what they call themselves these days) will take some mercy and throw in some plugs and an oil change. Or maybe split the labor or parts. Doesn't hurt to ask.

robmints wrote: I've learned that in these deals where the vehicle is barely out of warranty, being nice and asking for break is sometimes worth doing and the other times turning into the exorcist is the best bet. Just have to know your folks there a little. LOL 

Hint, Service mangers want good CSI scores.

My take on it is "it depends".

You mention that the saw needed repair after your co-worker admitted abusing it but didn't say how much was due to the abuse and how much was there before he got his hands on it.

Personally I think the person is on the hook for any damage that was done while it was in his care. If that is 90% of the repair cost then so be it. If nothing else it will teach him that tools should be used properly. The fact that he admits to it and offered to pay seems like a point in his favour for taking resposibility. Sometime damage occurs despite a person's best efforts, their still responsible.

The concern about  the training aspect is also valid. I borrowed a chainsaw from a co-worker several years ago and he wouldn't let me have it until he had seen me start  it, turn it off and discussed how to use it with me. I was most impressed and not at all put out despite having used a chain saw for 20 years before. It meant he was doing his best to make sure I was safe. I do the same thing now.

Woudn't $1000.00 dollars get you a top knotch snowblower?

Marshall wrote:
Very True........

Especially if you have a good relationship with the service manager. If you vehicle has been maintained by the book (especially if they did ALL of the work), he/she should have some wiggle room to help you out.  Like Rob said parts, labor or a freebie on a future oil change/ tire roatation could soften the blow.  Their CSI will affect their paychecks at most dealerships, so most will not won't to alienate you.

Like Marshall said, approach this in a freindly easy manner, nice works more often than being a jerk. If that fails, the next best thing, is to get loud.  Not necessarily be a jerk, but if its a busy day at the service counter, the SM will want to resolve your complaint quickly and get you away from the rest of the customers ASAP.  If you're having a problem that could potentially be very common among their vehicles they may give into you so that they don't have to do it for everyone.

Good luck.

I agree with Dave_in CT, I would show him the estimate, or take him to the place where you got the estimate, or even have him go get an estimate of his own (which he probably should have offered to do in the first place).

On the other hand, I also agree with Jogo, and that is I would buy a new one, wait until the next time the 13th falls on a Friday and pull a Jason Vorhees on him.  He'll learn from something like that.

James

PaulR, if you don't mind me asking, what was the repair needed on your truck?  I know the transmission seems to be a hot repair item on those. 

I try not to borrow things if I can avoid it...which is why I have a basement and garage full of stuff I've used very little but when I do, I try to return it in as good or better (i.e. cleaner or with a full tank of gas) than when I borrowed it.  Why anyone would borrow something and abuse it (then admit to abusing it) is beyond me.  If it was working when he received it, it should be returned in the same shape.  If you need to get it fixed, he should be responsible for the cost of the repair (or equivalent contribution to a new saw).  Exceptions:  Broken belts, adjustments, unforseen accidents, etc.  IMHO

LL