workshop gripe

A

anvilarms

Joined
Nov 5, 2003
Messages
212
:grumpy:i am not a huge one for posting. i mostly am a lurker. it seems most of the questions asked are ones i would ask anyway. but i need to b**ch to someone. a few years ago my wifes uncle died. a real nice guy lots of tools. the tools ended up in my hands. some were useful and some just collect dust. two things i did use alot are a sears workbench and a sears 2 piece mechanics toolbox. (three drawers on five). nothing wonderful but very useful.
i just received a phone call from my wifes cousin. he wants everything back. he was about 18 when his dad died but now is grown up and has a house of his own. i have no problem parting with a lot of the stuff ,hell i have had use of it for 10 years rent free . it is a little anoying but what the hell. the thing that gets me is he wants the toolbox and the workbench back as well. i have stuff all over the bench. the drawers and cabinet are full of my stuff and the tool box is full of my stuff and organized my way. i offered to buy him a new workbench and toolbox but he wants his dads. i am trying to understand his emotions but boy does that create a lot of friggin work for me.
i just needed to vent.
oh and by the way he wants it saturday morning. seems that would be most convient for him:jerkit:
 
Be polite but firm. Tell him that you have the workbench in use at this time, and the tool boxes are full of your tools, mixed with his dad's. If he wishes to buy you new a new bench and boxes, he can have them Saturday. If not, he'll have to wait until you can get around to building a new bench and finding a replacement set of boxes. Tell him the tools that are still around he may have, and give him what you know was his dad's. He has no claim on the tools after 10 years. You are a good sport to want to return his dad's tools to him,But you should not allow yourself to be inconvenienced too much by his sudden need.
Stacy
 
Inheritances are a big sore point for me. Too much greed and ugliness that tends to come out at bad times causing permanent hard feelings, so take this with the usual grain of salt. It is an area where I have strong feelings.

If they were given to you, they are yours plain and simple. If they were loaned to them then return them with a smile and thanks. It is never that simple, though, is it?

In the end, is it worth the hurt feelings and family pain? You can buy another toolbox and move the tools item by item. Heck if you like the kid invite him over and you can reminisce as you go through the box. Make it a bonding experience.

Hard feelings are rarely worth the effort.
 
I agree with Stacy on this one. Statute of limitations has gone by. If you want to give the kid the stuff, thats cool. However, I'd be damned if I would drop everything I was doing and make it fit his time schedule. He has done without them for these years, he can wait a while longer untill it's convenient for you.

Rick
 
I'm with Stacy and Rick. You've had them all this time and took care of them. I think that he should buy you a new work table and toolbox. If he disagrees, remind him that you've stored the things he wants for ten years, rent free. Just to drive the point home, check out what the smallest local rental storage space is per month, and present him with that price, multiplyed by ten years. Of course, I wouldn't suggest asking him to pay, but I'd let him know how much the service you've provided for free would have cost him elsewhere. I bet he'll be willing to give you all the time you want. If not, keep the stuff.

Todd
 
Todd Robbins said:
I'm with Stacy and Rick. You've had them all this time and took care of them. I think that he should buy you a new work table and toolbox. If he disagrees, remind him that you've stored the things he wants for ten years, rent free. Just to drive the point home, check out what the smallest local rental storage space is per month, and present him with that price, multiplyed by ten years. Of course, I wouldn't suggest asking him to pay, but I'd let him know how much the service you've provided for free would have cost him elsewhere. I bet he'll be willing to give you all the time you want. If not, keep the stuff.

Todd
Click to expand...
I 2nd this. It has to be at least thousands at 1/2 price for 10 years of storage/rental space. Hell I'm getting mad just reading this. Wants his stuff, this Sat at his convenience. People in Hell want ice water too. I believe it could possibly be convenient for you in say ahhh....10 years.
 
I agree with what others have sad and would just like to add that, while he may claim sentimental reasons for the stuff, it's absolutely 100% inappropriate for him to put any kind of timeframe on it.
Without getting too personal, part of my family was blown apart by an inheritance argument that IMO could have been solved by donating it to charity when the fighting started...
 
I agree with the guy's! 10 years? Give me a break!
Stacy said it the best......firm, polite!
 
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