Helping a neighbor, a little community spirit?

[Barty]

I have a small specialist construction company that is based in Lumlukka. We built our new yard and facilities out in the boonies in the middle of what were rice farms. Down our road there are only a few other businesses.

Today one of my staff told me that we had been approached by the company across the road from us and they wanted to rent our excavator to dig a fairly big hole in the back of their yard. She had contacted some rental companies that rent excavators and came up with a list of hourly and daily rates. If they rented an excavator from one of these rental companies they would be up for a minimum of a two day hire and the transport cost to and from their yard which roughly would come to about 20,000 Baht all up.

When I looked at what they wanted done I figured that it would take about an hour or so to dig the hole that they wanted and we could just drive the excavator across the road. In a couple of hours the whole job would be done. So I told her not to bother charging them for doing the job just go and do it. She was somewhat taken aback by my attitude and thinks that if we don’t charge them they will continue to take advantage of us. I figure how many holes could they want dug and what’s wrong with helping out a neighbor?

So is the lass right, am I being a mug?

[dirtydog]

Naaa, thats just being nice, but don't make a habit of it

[NickA]

She was somewhat taken aback by my attitude and thinks that if we don’t charge them they will continue to take advantage of us.

From my experience she might be right... why not charge a couple of thousand.... they're happy, you're happy and they won't expect to use your digger for free.

[jizzybloke]

They'll be renting it out themselves!

[Texpat]

Would a Thai neighbor do it for free?
I wouldn't either.

Neighbor borrows my 1-year-old lawnmower -- breaks the blade.
"So sorry can't buy one here else I'd replace it."

Two weeks later my wife borrows his 200-year old garden hoe and snaps the head off it.
"They sell them in the night market for 200B."

Never again.

[kingwilly]

She was somewhat taken aback by my attitude and thinks that if we don’t charge them they will continue to take advantage of us.

From my experience she might be right... why not charge a couple of thousand.... they're happy, you're happy and they won't expect to use your digger for free.

sorta agree wiv this.

[friscofrankie]

Naaa, thats just being nice, but don't make a habit of it

I gotta agree with this. If you can draw the line. Give a little and if they try to take advantage, fuck 'em. Neighbors are neighbors find ot what your's are like

[NickA]

If you can draw the line

big IF

[Rigger]

I think you should of charged them just a little other wise Thai will think you are a little to soft and a easy target.

[baldrick]

you are running a business - discount , but not for free - unless of course it is a charity across the road.

even if you charge them 4-5k baht and then use the money to treat your staff to a nice onsite lunch - invite the mob from across the road.

[Gallowspole]

I'm doing some work for the missus's best friend - our families go away on holiday together. She is also bringing me business from other people. I said everything for her is free but the war department over-ruled me - discount yes, free no!

[Thetyim]

even if you charge them 4-5k baht and then use the money to treat your staff to a nice onsite lunch - invite the mob from across the road.

I like Baldrick's suggestion but with a little twist.
Tell her to lay on a party for the workers.
That way you don't have to waste hours arranging everything and she cannot loose face by doing a lousy spread.

[Barty]

The job has been done.

I spoke with my general manager this morning and mentioned about the excavator for the lot over the road. He said we dug the hole yesterday afternoon and as I had suggested to the lass we just did it for free.

[Barty]

even if you charge them 4-5k baht and then use the money to treat your staff to a nice onsite lunch - invite the mob from across the road.

I like Baldrick's suggestion but with a little twist.
Tell her to lay on a party for the workers.
That way you don't have to waste hours arranging everything and she cannot loose face by doing a lousy spread.

I actually thought about this at first but decided that it wasn't worth it. We put on quite a few free lunches for the staff every month and have a least one or two nights out where the guys can get on booze. Wednesday last week we sold a some scrap steel and a bunch of plastic containers and that was used to throw an after work party.