Do you loan stuff to people?

[mtgianni]

I frequent a lot of used book stores and will look for duplicates as loaners. I will rarely loan tools. I have volunteered loans of trailers if I drive it, they load it and pay for gas, assuming it fits my retired schedule.

 

[nodpete]

NO, I do not loan out my tools. I made my living with tools. When someone asked me if they could borrow something, say a drill I would say "that drill cost me x-amount of dollars, you give me that amount in cash and I'll let you use it, if you bring it back in the same condition as it was in when I loaned it to you, I'll give you your money back." Most never asked me again.

 

[Targets Guy]

No. Has served me well.

 

[Justin T]

I am careful about who I loan things to. And usually the things I loan out are often things that i dont mind giving to that person.

I rarely loan tools anymore. I often dont get them back unless they are used on the spot and returned immediately. And I would often rather just pitch in with my loan candidate and help complete the task so that i dont have to worry about getting the item back later.

 

[walkin jack]

Yes I do but only those I trust to take care of the item and return it without me having to hunt them down.

But this thread reminded me of an old man I used to see on the Galveston fishing pier all the time. He always had on a white apron with lettering on it that said:

"Don't ask me if you can use my knife!!!" No please or anything. He was a grouchy old dude. There was another regular there that would sometimes ask him to use his knife just to annoy him.

 

[Absalom]

I frequent a lot of used book stores and will look for duplicates as loaners..

Specifically this. I read a lot, all my stuff on Kindle now. But when I come across a book I like so much I know I'll be singing its praises to various friends, or a book I think might be helpful to someone I know, I'll buy the cheapest used copies on Amazon marketplace so I can casually offer to loan out "my copy" …

 

[TX-Dennis]

I've rarely borrowed or loaned out tools. It has to be somebody I've known a long time and trust completely. Money's a different matter (in small amounts), but I usually tell them it's a gift - no need to repay.

 

[MRB1]

I believe that you can judge a person by how he takes care of HIS tools. My neighbor borrowed a old ditch tool that has been in my family for many years and when he finished digging the trench, he left it laying where he dropped it. I saw it laying there the next day and retrieved it myself. Needless to say, I won't loan that guy anything ever again. Loaning is the same as throwing it in the trash.

 

[SMSgt]

Loaned my Hardy Boys books to friend back in 60's, after not seeing him in church got parents to drive me by his house, gone, moved, never heard of him since. Do Not loan anything to anyone.

At 70 years old, I still have one Hardy Boy book! Best investment in me my folks ever made.

It finally dawned on me that all my "friends" were just using me one way or another. Dumped them all and haven't looked back.

 

[Chief Wiggums]

Nope ... dont think about asking......

on the flip side , I give somebody something if it is needed
$$ - clothes - food - ect

 

[Glockman9mm]

I am a contractor. I generally do not loan out trailers or tools that I make my living with whether they are currently being used or not. I'm actually not asked very often...maybe my countenance discourages it?
I know a residential framer who loaned out his 16 foot trailer to a guy who loaded it with torn off shingles. At the landfill, this guy got the front-end loader operator to lift the trailer by the tongue to empty it. He returned it to my friend with a bent frame.
And no, my $7,000 dump trailer is not for rent either.
Color me unneighborly, but that's how I feel. I've worked hard for what I have.
Along the same lines, I don't borrow either...I buy or rent.

Whew id be a hot one if that had been my trailer!!

 

[Glockman9mm]

The answer is.......... most of the time. If they ask to borrow something that I am hesitant to loan, I will usually just do the job or help them do what they need the item for. This way I assure the item to be potentially borrowed does not get ruined, the job gets done correctly and I don't piss-off a friend, neighbor or whom ever is asking.

I also have enough tools (I'm a major tool nut) so that I have duplicates, triplicates, or more of most items they ask to borrow if it is a tool, I'll lend out the least valuable to me. There have even been times that I have so many of an item I will just give one to them (if a close friend).

The one item I refuse to lend to anyone is a chain saw! Just too dangerous to someone who never used one before. I will usually just cut up what they need to get done - everyone is happy and safe.

I have a buddy that wanted to use my chainsaw, I have a big 55cc Stihl. He had never used a chainsaw and that one is not something you wanna cut your teeth on! I did the same and just went over and cut up what he needed done. He was thankful, I got dinner and nobody got hurt.

 

[Rudi]

Depends on who it is and what it is.

 

[Krogen]

Rarely do folks ask to borrow things these days. I've shut down those acquaintances who act as if "what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine too." Those folks are too cheap to buy or rent what they need and are just taking advantage of someone.

My good friends just don't ask to borrow things. Sometimes we get to talking about a task that needs doing. If I have something that could help them out, I'll offer it and myself. They don't need to ask. And with those folks it goes both ways. We're happy to share what equipment we have and our labor along with it.

 

[Wdbutcher97]

You are all smarter than I am. When my wife and I were both working and had a few extra bucks, we used to lend money to co-workers once in a while. We were both managers and sometimes employees need a little help. You can guess how that turned out. Now I'm the only one working and money is tight. I still felt the urge to help a nephew that needed a vehicle to get to work....twice. You can guess how that turned out. From here on out, I'll never lend anyone anything unless I never plan on getting it back.

 

[chief38]

The worst offender of borrowing my stuff is my own Brother! He never ruins a tool or borrowed item, ( he does respect them as my Dad taught us both ) he just never returns it! I have to get him on the phone and yell at him or just drive over and get it. He's my Brother - so I have to deal with it.

 

[Glockman9mm]

Rarely do folks ask to borrow things these days. I've shut down those acquaintances who act as if "what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine too." Those folks are too cheap to buy or rent what they need and are just taking advantage of someone.

My good friends just don't ask to borrow things. Sometimes we get to talking about a task that needs doing. If I have something that could help them out, I'll offer it and myself. They don't need to ask. And with those folks it goes both ways. We're happy to share what equipment we have and our labor along with it.

The later part is what I've narrowed my friend base down too, you just have to thin out the herd unfortunately to learn what kind of people some are. I have a few buddy's that I'm closer with than my own brother. Somebody needs help we jump in. In the end the favor will be returned at some point. Hard to put a price tag on people you can trust and respect like that.

 

[chief38]

And you know I was actually thinking about this after reading many of the posts here. For me it's always the same people who are asking to borrow stuff all the time. One would think that after needing a certain tool a few times it might be a good idea to buy one! I guess it doesn't dawn upon them!

 

[Glockman9mm]

The worst offender of borrowing my stuff is my own Brother! He never ruins a tool or borrowed item, ( he does respect them as my Dad taught us both ) he just never returns it! I have to get him on the phone and yell at him or just drive over and get it. He's my Brother - so I have to deal with it.

Blood is blood, doesn't make them a reliable or creditable person. I haven't seen my brother or really heard from him in a few years. One of the last times I did he wanted something. I don't play those games. He chose to venture away from everybody and do his thing. Realistically you don't have to play those games but that's up to you.

 

[chief38]

Blood is blood, doesn't make them a reliable or creditable person. I haven't seen my brother or really heard from him in a few years. One of the last times I did he wanted something. I don't play those games. He chose to venture away from everybody and do his thing. Realistically you don't have to play those games but that's up to you.

My Brother is a "very good man". Always willing to lend a hand and doesn't have a bad bone in his body. If all I have to deal with is his tardy tool returns (and they are a little annoying) I am willing to deal with that. Aside from which, he is my only sibling and only living relative I have left (with the exception of a bunch of cousins I don't stay in touch with for 40 years). No one is perfect - including me, so as long as a person's faults are not severe, overwhelming or life changing, we sometimes need to over look small idiosyncrasies. I'm sure our wives could list a few of our annoying traits - lol!