Ask a stranger for more money to fix my scooter?
May 24, 2010 12:02 AM Subscribe
When my scooter was damaged after someone backed up into it, I spoke to the driver of the car and we agreed on an amount. Later I discovered there was much more damage than I thought. Should I go to the trouble to ask for more money?
This afternoon, I discovered a note on my scooter. It was written by the driver of the car in front of it, who was still there. She explained that she knocked over my scooter and broke one of the mirrors. I looked at it and told her I recently had one replaced, and that it was 30 dollars. She thought that was reasonable, and agreed to pay me. But she didn't have the money on her, so she wrote down my address and promised to mail me a check. Everything seemed cool, no big deal.
But, after she left, I discovered that the left brake handle was also broken, leaving the bike inoperable (you have to apply the left brake to start it). So now it looks like I'll have to get it towed, and there's a little more to fix. I don't know, maybe up to another 50 bucks. Really, the amount is no big deal to me, so I don't mind eating it. But she would be liable for those damages, so I do have the option of requesting some more money from her. But she thinks everything is copasetic, so if I did do something like that, it would only be really annoying for her. Is it worth it badgering a stranger for 50 bucks?
This afternoon, I discovered a note on my scooter. It was written by the driver of the car in front of it, who was still there. She explained that she knocked over my scooter and broke one of the mirrors. I looked at it and told her I recently had one replaced, and that it was 30 dollars. She thought that was reasonable, and agreed to pay me. But she didn't have the money on her, so she wrote down my address and promised to mail me a check. Everything seemed cool, no big deal.
But, after she left, I discovered that the left brake handle was also broken, leaving the bike inoperable (you have to apply the left brake to start it). So now it looks like I'll have to get it towed, and there's a little more to fix. I don't know, maybe up to another 50 bucks. Really, the amount is no big deal to me, so I don't mind eating it. But she would be liable for those damages, so I do have the option of requesting some more money from her. But she thinks everything is copasetic, so if I did do something like that, it would only be really annoying for her. Is it worth it badgering a stranger for 50 bucks?
Whether it is worth it to badger someone for 50 bucks depends on your financial condition, really :)
You sound like you don't mind paying up yourself, so perhaps you should do that and make a mental note to not "sign" a verbal contract in a hurry next time. Take it as the price of a lesson learned!
posted by vidur at 12:17 AM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]
You sound like you don't mind paying up yourself, so perhaps you should do that and make a mental note to not "sign" a verbal contract in a hurry next time. Take it as the price of a lesson learned!
posted by vidur at 12:17 AM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]
Well, she:
A) knocked over your scooter
B) admitted to it
C) offered to pay for damages
The first one makes it her fault, the second one shows that she's willing to take responsibility for it. As long as you give a valid and truthful explanation, there's no reason she should be annoyed. $80 is quite cheap for a car accident, all things considered.
Why should you 'eat it' for someone else's mistake?
posted by Risingfenix at 12:19 AM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
A) knocked over your scooter
B) admitted to it
C) offered to pay for damages
The first one makes it her fault, the second one shows that she's willing to take responsibility for it. As long as you give a valid and truthful explanation, there's no reason she should be annoyed. $80 is quite cheap for a car accident, all things considered.
Why should you 'eat it' for someone else's mistake?
posted by Risingfenix at 12:19 AM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
At this point you really need to show that what it will cost to fix it, to not look you're trying to squeeze her for what you can get away with. Get a written estimate of the damages and the cost to make them right. Presumably she's insured for property damage; that's what it's for. (You can leave it to her to decide whether to settle directly with you or for you to claim it against her insurance).
posted by TruncatedTiller at 3:27 AM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by TruncatedTiller at 3:27 AM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
Getting it towed, having to buy the parts (quite possibly waiting for them), leaving you without usage of it, having to install the parts... I seriously doubt $30+50 will compensate you. Depends on what your time is worth if you are in a financial situation to cover it without the hassle, but if you have her contact info it wouldn't hurt to ask without pressure, just a 'look, there is more damage than at first glance, and all these inconveniences, I don't want to involve the insurance companies, can we re-settle'. If she says no, well, as mentioned you made a settlement amount.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 3:54 AM on May 24, 2010
posted by hungrysquirrels at 3:54 AM on May 24, 2010
My take is that you agreed on an amount without an estimate (your oops) and that's the end of your transaction.
posted by plinth at 3:56 AM on May 24, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by plinth at 3:56 AM on May 24, 2010 [5 favorites]
FWIW - if it's just the brake handle that's broken, you should be able to fix it yourself - tows and mechanics are expensive! Fixing that is easy for anyone with most any level of mechanical aptitude - they work the same way brake levers on a bicycle work. If it's not your thing, I'll bet a friend of yours can handle it.
If you can find a lever (tons of places online sell bike parts - for my motorcycle, a factory replacement lever is about $7), all you need is a ratchet, the right socket (probably 10-12mm), and a little grease for where the cable attaches to the lever.
Good luck!
posted by swngnmonk at 5:58 AM on May 24, 2010
If you can find a lever (tons of places online sell bike parts - for my motorcycle, a factory replacement lever is about $7), all you need is a ratchet, the right socket (probably 10-12mm), and a little grease for where the cable attaches to the lever.
Good luck!
posted by swngnmonk at 5:58 AM on May 24, 2010
Risingfenix has it right, IMO.
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 6:52 AM on May 24, 2010
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 6:52 AM on May 24, 2010
D) You agreed on $30.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:41 AM on May 24, 2010
posted by kirkaracha at 8:41 AM on May 24, 2010
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Nevertheless - if I were you I would ask her (nicely), just be honest and up front, and there is a good chance she will comply without being annoyed. $80 for knocking over a scooter is pretty reasonable.
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:10 AM on May 24, 2010 [1 favorite]