Ugh! Ok, a neighbor came by wearing a colostomy bag a few weeks ago, asking for some wood to burn . Just a guy that lives down the street, not particularly friendly with him. OK, I let him have 6 splits, that all he could carry. This is not the backwoods like a lot of you guys, I'm in the 'burbs of Sacramento. I didn't want to be unneighborly, let him get some wood from my stack. I hoped that my demeanor at the time that I was not happy about the random request, via a knock on the front door, was enough that he would understand that my firewood is not for sale, or that he should return. I was wrong. He came knocking again this morning, I don't know if he wanted anything else, I didn't answer the door. Should have just said no the first time.
I hear you. I dont think there is is any advantage to to be taken, just bugs me that he came back. Yes, I have large piles of firewood- All for me, none for you. Not afraid of saying no, just p'sd that some would just think to knock on my door expecting a gift of free split, seasoned, hardwood firewood. It grows on trees, get your own!
tough call. you could offer to cut some for him at a fair price to explain the worth of your labor. i am all for generosity but when there is a request for free it isn't the same. i have a neighbor who has the same bag to deal with and he doesn't expect a free ride because of it. it would be different he he offered something in trade even.
So much to say for this one. Sounds like he may have found a way to get his firewood a little differently than the way you get yours. Kinda bold, that's for sure. Just ask because you have it and he doesn't? If you don't feel right about the whole thing, telling him no wouldn't be unheard of. Too much of an investment to just give away. Maybe telling him you don't make enough extra firewood to sell, but would be willing to sell him a little for this one time will make him aware of your position. I dislike moochers also. I know one personally that has a knack of asking for stuff without asking, know what I mean? I can't afford this as it is so expensive, I don't know how to do that...(and usually gets it done for free). Seems to always get stuff done by others but it is born out of plain old laziness.
We should all do what we think best, but I try to help whoever asks for it without worrying about if they're deserving or not.
I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I think the guy returned for more firewood since he believes he found an easy mark. He would keep coming back until you unequivocally said NO! I'm all for neighbors helping neighbors, but any more it's usually neighbors USING neighbors for whatever they can get! God help the person who is generous enough to keep helping even when they recognize they are being used. Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but it's from my own personal experience. Cut the gravy train and they'll probably never speak to you again. I say it's a win win situation.
Remember when someone came to the door and everyone ran to see who it was instead of hiding and being really quiet so they wouldn't know anyone was home?
So, let me see if I've got this straight. I'm supposed to let whomever continue to use me just so they will continue to speak to me?
I don't see anywhere in this thread where anyone said to let someone use you. Do you? The op didn't even go answer the door the second time to see what the story was. So until then its all assumptions. Why someone would just sit in their house all pizzy worrying about gravy trains or being used instead of going to the door and getting to the bottom of the matter is beyond me. Even if the guy asked for more wood that's your opportunity to explain the situation and tell him that you really can't afford to give him any wood. Talk to the guy like a man instead of hiding in the house not answering the door. Jesus, no wonder society is going to chit.
This is a tough subject. As a whole most everyone here seems like the type to help others in need. We all read the threads of guys cutting wood for the down his luck friend /neighbor. However there are people who will and do take advantage of others. Answering the door may have proved to go either way, "thanks for the wood, or can I get some more". We as firewood hoarders see the need of being prepared. When society collapses our mind set will be the ones that are more prepared than others. I know I've heard people say "man when the crap hits the fan I'm coming to your house". Will unless you show up with enough supplies for you and yours, that's when neighborly ends and defender begins.
