Need ideas: Small gift for super nice neighbor (Page 2)

lisac957 - 2010-06-01 9:55 AM My next door neighbor works at a heating/cooling place, so when my air conditioner wasn't blowing cold air I caught him in the yard yesterday and asked how expensive that usually is to fix. In the back of my mind I was hoping he would take a look at it on the side, and he did! He immediately went to his work truck, pulled out tools and diagnostic equipment and FIXED MY A/C! Turns out something had jammed the motor so he cleaned it out, oiled it up and re-filled the freon. All while guests to his BBQ were arriving... what a nice guy! He also said if the motor was on the fritz it would peter out in a few days, but he would give me the exact part/model so I could buy it and he would install it for me ($50 as opposed to the $300 his company would charge).

So.... obviously I want to get him a little 'thank you' something.

My first thought was a Starbucks gift card. I have no idea if he likes coffee or not (but can't you always just grab a cookie or something even if you don't like coffee?). My Dad suggested homemade cookies. Which I can do, but I have no idea if he has allergies (like me!) or what not. Plus some people are leery about homemade goods from strangers. My final thought was a case of beer. That is one of the only things I know about him is that he likes to drink beer on his back porch, cause I see him doing it all the time. But that seems a little insincere to me, plus I'd have to stalk him to see what kind of beer he drinks - I never paid attention previously.

Other things I know about him and his wife (not much, they are fairly 'new' neighbors): They have a dog and they foster german shephards. They do lots of yard work and have some vegetables growing on their back deck. They like to drink beer. They are in their early 30s with no kiddos.

I'm thinking in the $20-$40 range.

Votes or other ideas?
 
 

b2673ad - 2010-06-02 1:24 PM




Hello

Two thoughts  $50 gift card maybe.

Second thought because I own a Heating & Air Conditioning company.

Insist on paying the correct amount to the guys employer.  He put the guy in the truck, paid
for the Freon, tools  etc.  This really pisses me off because you are stealing from a company struggling to stay afloat.  He will get caught doing sidework out of the owners truck, with the owners materials and he will be fired from his job.   Maybe then you can have him over to dinner.

Just my thoughts.

Kevin

akustix - 2010-06-02 11:28 AM

hmm.... I kinda thought the guy was doing a little promotion... because I would imagine that if something ever really big went down, Lisa would go to his company...

nonetheless Lisa, this is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors.  Sounds like they are great people. 

akustix - 2010-06-03 10:28 AM

hmm.... I kinda thought the guy was doing a little promotion... because I would imagine that if something ever really big went down, Lisa would go to his company...

nonetheless Lisa, this is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors.  Sounds like they are great people. 

b2673ad - 2010-06-03 11:31 AM

You all must be workers for someone else.  As long as its not your company dine its fine to steal from the owner of the comapny.  Go ask you neighbor the doctor to come over to your house to give you a check-up or maybe a lawyer neighbor to file a new will all for free except a $50 dollar Lowe's card.

Check the price of Freon (R-22 or R410-A), check the price of liability insurance, Workman's comp insurance, gas, HVAC specific tools.

Side job Bob's working out of the company truck will get caught and loose their jobs.
 

Kevin

mr2tony - 2010-06-03 11:38 AM My lawyer friend who's a partner at his firm did my quitclaim deed for free. My doctor friend who owns his own practice prescribed a Z-pack for me when I was sick. My friend's contractor friend is going to do some drywall on the side for me, and he owns the company. None asked for payment. I bought drinks and dinner. Your hardline stance will cost you customers in the future, in my opine. Doing nice things for people helps a business, it doesn't hurt it. My father owned about 10 companies, two for which I worked in college, and I can tell you some of his best PAYING customers (mostly for his roofing company) started out as friend for whom he did small favors.

b2673ad - 2010-06-03 12:31 PM

You all must be workers for someone else.  As long as its not your company dine its fine to steal from the owner of the comapny.  Go ask you neighbor the doctor to come over to your house to give you a check-up or maybe a lawyer neighbor to file a new will all for free except a $50 dollar Lowe's card.

Check the price of Freon (R-22 or R410-A), check the price of liability insurance, Workman's comp insurance, gas, HVAC specific tools.

Side job Bob's working out of the company truck will get caught and loose their jobs.
 

Kevin

mr2tony - 2010-06-03 11:38 AMMy lawyer friend who's a partner at his firm did my quitclaim deed for free. My doctor friend who owns his own practice prescribed a Z-pack for me when I was sick. My friend's contractor friend is going to do some drywall on the side for me, and he owns the company. None asked for payment. I bought drinks and dinner. Your hardline stance will cost you customers in the future, in my opine. Doing nice things for people helps a business, it doesn't hurt it. My father owned about 10 companies, two for which I worked in college, and I can tell you some of his best PAYING customers (mostly for his roofing company) started out as friend for whom he did small favors.

DerekL - 2010-06-03 12:10 PM



I would charge you for a prescription.  Probably overbill you too.

mr2tony - 2010-06-03 11:38 AM



My lawyer friend who's a partner at his firm did my quitclaim deed for free.
My doctor friend who owns his own practice prescribed a Z-pack for me when I was sick.
My friend's contractor friend is going to do some drywall on the side for me, and he owns the company.

None asked for payment. I bought drinks and dinner.

Your hardline stance will cost you customers in the future, in my opine. Doing nice things for people helps a business, it doesn't hurt it. My father owned about 10 companies, two for which I worked in college, and I can tell you some of his best PAYING customers (mostly for his roofing company) started out as friend for whom he did small favors.

lisac957 - 2010-06-08 1:58 PM Oh my thread popped back up!

To update everyone... I left a case of beer on his porch with a hand-written thank you note on Friday (no one was home at the time). Saw him in the backyard later, asked if he got my gift. He said he was so touched that I would get him something... said even his friends had never been so thoughtful.

And neither of us got arrested, either

The End.