Gransnet forums

AIBU

Doing people a favour.......

(151 Posts)
Anne58 Sun 11-Aug-13 19:01:59

Some months ago I lent my 4wd automatic to the friend who had the stroke, as he was going back to work and it was easier for him to drive than a manual, given that his left side was still quite weak.

About 6 weeks ago, they told me that there had been an accident with a "boy racer" no-one hurt (fortunately) but considerable damage to the body work of my car. sad They said that they would arrange repairs etc.

We went over to have dinner with them last night and I was a bit taken aback to see the car sitting on the drive, still badly damaged. They said that they have not actually used it for the last 5 weeks.

I didn't say anything as I didn't want to spoil the evening, however I do think that if they weren't actually using it, it would have been the ideal time to get it fixed?

Mr P lost 3 days work last week due to problems with his car, and I have said that it would be quite useful to have the other car back, but I really would like it repaired before it is returned.

I know that they are not exactly "flush" for money, and I think that the repair isn't going to be cheap, but I do feel a bit let down.

I also was a bit surprised that the damage seemed to be on the passenger side, (although to be honest I couldn't see the drivers side because of the way it was parked), the way the accident was described to me I would have expected it to be the drivers side that was hit.

I'm beginning to get a bad feeling about this..................

janeainsworth Tue 10-Sept-13 12:58:04

I used to tell the children that the worst thing about telling lies was that they would be found out eventually and people would no longer trust them.... sad

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 12:47:16

I do!

Ana Tue 10-Sept-13 12:43:58

Yes! But I don't live in Devon...

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 12:40:46

Ana so do I! And it says Devon Direct Insurance. Do you get the same one?

Ana Tue 10-Sept-13 11:50:08

Every time I click on this thread I get an ad for Drink Driving Insurance...what's all that about? confused

gracesmum Tue 10-Sept-13 11:43:06

Ah, the advantages of a tow bar! We were run into the back of (if you see what I mean) - very genty - the other car's radiator grille was a complete wreck, and there was only superficial bumper damage to our car. I also used to find it invaluable before we had reversing sensors!grin

annodomini Tue 10-Sept-13 11:34:14

Just a thought, phoenix. What story have they told their insurers? They could have dug a deeper hole for themselves if they stuck to the tale of the 'boy racer'.

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 10:54:36

I thought the same merlot

merlotgran Tue 10-Sept-13 10:49:03

I thought there was a time limit for contacting your insurers although if there were no witnesses I suppose they could lie about the date of the prang.

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 10:45:32

I know that there was quite a delay before they spoke to their insurers, then they were a bit taken aback that the garage NFU uses is in Tavistock, quite a way from them. J said that she wasn't prepared to drive it to there, but apparently the garage said that they would pick it up, do the repairs and bring it back. But, according to J they couldn't fit it in for at least 12 days. That was over 2 weeks ago. hmm

I am due to give her a ring tonight, I think I will ask what the current state of play is.

merlotgran Tue 10-Sept-13 10:41:11

What I can't understand, phoenix is why it can't be fitted in if the insurers are footing the bill. I had an accident a week ago Sunday when my 4x4 was hit up the rear at some speed by a woman who, we think, was on her mobile phone. Her car was a write off, mine had to have a new rear bumper and tow bar. Everything has been taken care of and my car was returned to me, fully repaired, this morning.

Ana Tue 10-Sept-13 10:40:59

Strange that it can't be fitted in just yet after two months....I see what you mean about doubting what you're being told, phoenix!

DD's car had to be repaired after a minor accident recently and although the body repair specialist did have a waiting list, the work was done within three weeks.

Lona Tue 10-Sept-13 10:37:58

Actions speak louder than words sad

gracesmum Tue 10-Sept-13 10:34:46

"tangled web" - I knew it would come to me eventually!!!

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 10:33:46

Thank you all, it is such a shame that it ended like this. As far as I know the work IS going to be done by a body repair specialist, (under their insurance), apparently it can't be fitted in just yet hmm

The saddest thing is I'm know beginning to doubt everything I'm told!

gracesmum Tue 10-Sept-13 10:28:30

It does sound very much as if she was protecting him which is understandable but surely the best thing would have been to bite the bullet, have the work done (pay the price) and return the car with grateful thanks? "Oh what a (...something or other...) web we weave, when first we practise to deceive"?

whenim64 Tue 10-Sept-13 10:22:23

This story sounds like the sort of tangled web that a teenager would get themself into, rather than a mature adult. Why not come clean, apologise and then set about rectifying it? What a mess they've made for themselves.

Greatnan Tue 10-Sept-13 10:05:21

Phoenix - it is very hurtful when you go out of your way to be kind to somebody and are then betrayed. flowers

Anne58 Tue 10-Sept-13 09:11:34

He has been cleared to drive by his GP, and they have said that it is all being handled by their insurers. The thing is, that I think B would have told J the truth, but for some reason she decided to lie about it.

It's all rather "off" IMO.

Tegan Mon 09-Sept-13 23:40:47

Was the accident because of his recent illness? I assume he can't claim on insurance if it was his fault entirely and if he did he'd have to explain how it happened which could pose questions about whether he should be driving at the moment.

janeainsworth Mon 09-Sept-13 23:32:06

Phoenix No, it's not good but I think it's what you suspected all along and far better to know what really happened.
Perhaps J was trying to protect B?
Whatever, you will have to raise the matter again with B again and persuade him to tell J himself what happened. If he says he can't, then say to him would it be easier for him if you told her.
Hope that helps and I have got the initials the right way round.
flowers

Anne58 Mon 09-Sept-13 23:17:08

Yes, thank you very much Granny23 !

Aaanyway, went to the friends last Tuesday, as J was off on a jolly overnight (which she did really need, I have been quite worried about her) but was concerned about B being on his own, so we said we would go and stay overnight. In all fairness, she had left a lovely lasagne for us all (B, me and Mr P) and we did have a very jolly time playing a version of "name that tune" using YouTube.

However, after a few glasses of wine, B confessed that there was no boy racer, and that he had scraped my car himself.

They are going to get it fixed, but I am so upset that J lied to me, I can see no reason for it and to be honest, it has made me see things in an entirely different light. sad

I don't think that she knows that B spilled the beans, and if I let on that he did, it may cause friction between them.

Not a good situation, is it?

Granny23 Mon 09-Sept-13 23:07:38

Is this the one Phoenix

GadaboutGran Tue 13-Aug-13 14:22:51

A difficult situation indeed. Your relationship with them has already changed so maybe it is time to be kindly assertive, treat it as a business scenario (which it is if you can't afford to bear the cost of repairs) & stop worrying about upsetting them or double-guessing how they might or might not cope or react. Another driver bumped into our small Kia recently (& amazingly left his phone number). Even for this very small dent the cheapest quote is £150 &, to do it properly, £350. When selling DiLs car recently we realised how even tiny marks on a 2nd hand car can affect the sale & price you get so it does matter.
Sounds like you might need to give up the friendly calls whereby you mention it in passing & ask for a proper meeting to discuss it all. This needn't mean you can't compromise in some way but it makes it all more equal & in the end more likely to be resolved fairly. If they are real friends they will survive as friends.

janthea Tue 13-Aug-13 14:06:24

I really do feel they are taking the 'mickey'. I confess that I wouldn't have had such patience.