Thread: Priceless

Originally Posted by tony

Dobbo were all allowed our opinions shame yours are always outside the curve...

I would bet my left testicle that if you were in the same spot you would do the same thing only charge more

maybe as a once off do it out of the goodness of your hart but time and time again I don't think so...

Tony

I wouldn't of bet my nut if I was wrong. I would of towed the first one, not out of the kindness of my heart but because it is the right thing to do and if I was in their boat I would appreciate a tow. The rest of the group I would have suggested to the first towie to unhitch their caravan and go help out their mates. If they were incapable of such actions I would probably get them to cover my costs which would be a lot less than $100 per vehicle.

PS You can keep your testicle this time, however, if your desperate to give one away there is another forum user who might be a successful donor recipient. His missus has his in a jar on the kitchen shelf. You could pm him, he might appreciate it.

Okay, I've been thinking about this one, and personally I've only charged once for a recovery, it was an 8 hour round trip at night requiring winching & towing, and I charged $50 to cover fuel (mates rates). At other times people have sent me a gift (ARB gift voucher) after a recovery.

However I think that in this instance the $100 fee affords both the rescuer and the rescued a level of protection.

HOW?

For the rescuer, it covers his costs in time, fuel, oils, wear & tear and risk of damage.

For the rescued, it removes any obligation beyond the $100 fee.

To illustrate, if the Rangie broke a diff on the 4th rescue, and they were all done for free or just a nominal fee, then who would volunteer to help him with his repair costs? How much would have been attributed to the 4th rescue? the previous 3 rescues? or to previous wear & tear or abuse?

By charging a realistic recovery fee he covers his COSTS and RISKS and the rescued mitigate any further obligation.

This makes it fair for both parties.

if he is charging,, I'd like to see the accident/damage waiver
in writing.

If he is spending all the time doing these rescues then why not charge. I have never charge for any recoveries I have done. So far it has only cost me a snatch strap.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

if he is charging,, I'd like to see the accident/damage waiver
in writing.

And a tax receipt.

What happens if the person doesn't have any money on them? Would you just leave them for dead?
Perhaps I'm too good natured afterall I could have made a weeks wage the other week in the floods towing people out. Also the other day helping out someone in retreiving their horse from Tarana back to Cooranbong, I charged them fuel and lunch, **** If I charged $100/20km's I could of regoed the series with the $2500.

Perhaps I'm a sucker.

I've charged a couple of times to help people un-bog, but only because they got there without a shred of recovery gear and had no idea what they were doing. They should have stayed on the bitumen or been a tiny bit prepared.

If someone's got even the basics (shovel ) and is trying to self-recover, then I think it's the decent thing to do, to help free of charge, because the situation could be reversed some time in the future. If you help someone, mostly they offer you something anyway, like a beer.

Originally Posted by spudboy

I've charged a couple of times to help people un-bog, but only because they got there without a shred of recovery gear and had no idea what they were doing. They should have stayed on the bitumen or been a tiny bit prepared.

If someone's got even the basics (shovel ) and is trying to self-recover, then I think it's the decent thing to do, to help free of charge, because the situation could be reversed some time in the future. If you help someone, mostly they offer you something anyway, like a beer.

same with me

but if they are generally stuck out of miss fortune and trying to recover themself with what limited gear they have
sure i'll do it for free

And here's My 2 cents worth,

I have been recovered on a few occasions, 2 of which were in hopeless situations I found myself in. (One even with my WB holden V8 ute bogged in Yardie creek!) I made an effort to find the people afterwards and thanked them/ bought slab etc. They had both done it out of kindness, and I appreciated it like nothing else. Both were suprised I had bothered to find them.
I would do the same for others, for Nothing, time and again because it is right and good to help people, even IF they have done something stupid to get stuck in the first place.
I don't believe in Karma etc., but good deeds done with no expectation of reward are what everyone should be doing. Besides, If you are careful and make calculated decisions then your vehicle shouldn't really suffer at all. (After all, Landies ARE a work horse)

On the unsavoury note of insurance etc, as soon as money changes hands, then a liability is there on the part of the person supplying the service. If you ever needed an excuse not to accept $ for towing/ recovering a vehicle, then that is it. Obviously long distance recoveries can be expensive, and I would be then either getting the NRMA involved when vehiclle is back on the 'road', or getting a contracted tow organised for them and they can then sort it out with the tow firm. They have public liability etc.

So, my position on this; Help others how you yourself would like to be helped.

JC