settle this for me

[runzwithsizorz]

I used to work for a construction co. as an independent contractor; ( turned in hrs., mileage, & receipts , never a problem ). One day a foreman, ( non-independent , co. employee ) , drove up to my job site and asked to borrow my hammer drill, a long masonry bit, and an extension cord. Being the nice guy that I am; (i.e. stupid), and a team player; (i.e. naïve), I said ok. The next morning he asked if he could hang on to my tools for another day, seems my bosses drill turned up missing from a job site 2 weeks prior, so I said sure; (re: stupid, naïve). When I got my nearly new drill back, the chuck was so badly damaged I had to cut it off the shaft, the bit, I was told was completely destroyed, and the extension cord was on one of the trucks ?somewhere?.
Upon leaving this co. I submitted a bill for the replacement of the chuck, and the bit, but
Not the cord, (wanted a new one anyway). My ex boss is refusing to pay for these, saying its not his responsibility.
Your thoughts? Sue him, sue the employee, or just let it go.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Well the guy you lent the tools is dick. You could sue of course, but unless the hammer drill is really expensive it will be more trouble than it's worth. Even if you win, which I'd say is very unlikely, you would lose numerous hours in court and attorney fees. It's simply not worth it.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Personally... I'd let it go and just write the guy off as an a-hole. Reason being, I think the hassle of fighting it out would outweigh the replacement costs.

 

[gsethi]

how much are we talking here ?

you might end up spending more $$$ if you go thru the "legal" way

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
Personally... I'd let it go and just write the guy off as an a-hole. Reason being, I think the hassle of fighting it out would outweigh the replacement costs.

 

[chambersc]

Sue the employee you lent it to. He used and abused the unit and your trust.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Move on. You've learned not to lend your stuff out, and that is worth more than the chuck and bit combined.

 

[krunchykrome]

How much are these tools that you lost/were damaged?

 

[doze]

Why didn't you just tell the guy he broke your stuff when he gave it back to you?

 

[TheoPetro]

cant you have him cover court costs too if you win?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Court costs would be paid by him. I have already spoken with my attorney, and was assured that I would prevail. Also, he is withholding any payment till I drop the cost of the replacement parts, (aprox. $60). I realize it wasn?t him that broke my tools, however,
They were used to pull him out of a bind, and to make him money.
Guess I?ll just suck it up, and move on. It just burns my butt to know that not everyone is as honorable as you, and I. Thanks for the input guys.
q]Originally posted by: doze
Why didn't you just tell the guy he broke your stuff when he gave it back to you?[/quote]

Did not see it till after I got home, and he no longer works there.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Court costs would be paid by him. I have already spoken with my attorney, and was assured that I would prevail. Also, he is withholding any payment till I drop the cost of the replacement parts, (aprox. $60). I realize it wasn?t him that broke my tools, however,
They were used to pull him out of a bind, and to make him money.
Guess I?ll just suck it up, and move on. It just burns my butt to know that not everyone is as honorable as you, and I. Thanks for the input guys.

Originally posted by: doze
Why didn't you just tell the guy he broke your stuff when he gave it back to you?

Did not see it till after I got home, and he no longer works there.

If the court costs are being payed by him and he's assured you'll win ... why aren't you seeking redress for damages inflicted?

 

[SagaLore]

You should have addressed it at the time, not now. Not your boss's responsibility.

 

[chairbornrangerx]

I say you go pour sugar in his gas tank can call it even

 

[SonnyDaze]

Move forward and just chalk it up as experience.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: chairbornrangerx
I say you go pour sugar in his gas tank can call it even

First off, sugar in the gas tank doesn't do a damn thing except clog the filter, if that.

Secondly, how is this retribution? The boss won't even know who did it. I don't get it, maybe I'm not cowardly and childish enough to understand.

Edit: Snopes link

 

[j00fek]

never lend out tools to anyone again. when people b!tch just tell em the guy who fvcked it all up . ie the dude your talking about

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

thats roughly $250-400 in tools unless you have something high-end, which I'm betting you didn't. You could possibly win in small claims court, but not sure it's worth your time.

by the way, if you were working as a 1099 employee to avoid paying taxes, you should know better.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
thats roughly $250-400 in tools unless you have something high-end, which I'm betting you didn't. You could possibly win in small claims court, but not sure it's worth your time.

by the way, if you were working as a 1099 employee to avoid paying taxes, you should know better.

I have a nice Makita hammer drill that I bought last year for about $125.
50 foot outdoor extension cord, goes for no more than $50.
Masonry Bit shouldn't exceed $35.00

Where do you get $250-$400.00?

 

[woowoo]

You should have requested payment the next day.
Not "Upon leaving the company"

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
thats roughly $250-400 in tools unless you have something high-end, which I'm betting you didn't. You could possibly win in small claims court, but not sure it's worth your time.

by the way, if you were working as a 1099 employee to avoid paying taxes, you should know better.

I have a nice Makita hammer drill that I bought last year for about $125.
50 foot outdoor extension cord, goes for no more than $50.
Masonry Bit shouldn't exceed $35.00

Where do you get $250-$400.00?

a good dewalt or milwaukee hammer drill can run you upwards of $200 easy.

and we won't even discuss the cost of a Hilti hammer drill.

if he knows what he's doing, then he also buys 12ga extension cords, which will run him as much as $100 for a 100 foot cord.

 

[lokiju]

How much money are we talking about here?

Doesn't seem like it'd be worth more than $100, which IMO is not even near worth the trouble to sue.