Help!! What would you do with the $3k check?

[DisneyMomOK]

Since it sounds like there is a very strong possibility that their well impacted yours, I think this is a responsible response by your neighbors. You and your DH are great neighbors who deserve the $ (think of all the people that would have sued for the whole amount, plus damages). You should spend it on the well.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Be gracious and accept the check in the spirit it was given.

I like doing nice things for folks. If it was sent back to me or I was told it was given to charity....it would hurt my feelings.

 

[safetymom]

I think they might be upset to find out it was donated to charity when it was given to help with a problem.

I would cash the check, keep the money in the event of any problems.

 

[Mom2Satan&Daisy]

I haven't sat down and spoken to my husband, But I do know we will either
1) keep the check
or
2) return it.

I won't feel right about giving it to charity.

 

[Skatermom23]

I haven't sat down and spoken to my husband, But I do know we will either
1) keep the check
or
2) return it.

I won't feel right about giving it to charity.

I agree! I think I would accept the check since they seem to be pretty adament about you taking it. I would not give it to charity and let them know. I think that would not only hurt their feelings but cause a little resentment in the future.

 

[Lynn CC]

If I were you I would accept the check and take them out to a nice dinner the next time they are in the neighborhood. This way you are showing your appreciation to them for them being so thoughtful and gracious to you. I wouldn't mention giving the money they gave to you to charity, if they wanted to give it to charity they would have done so in your name. They seem like they really just want to help you out and feel that it is their duty as neighbors since they might have been the cause of the problems to your well.
I wouldn't make too much about it, just go out and enjoy an evening with them.
That is what we do with our neighbors, we take one another out to eat for helping one another out. We've been at the receiving end and the giving end and either way, just try to enjoy the moment and not worry about reasoning or intentions! Enjoy

 

[JimmyPicker]

There really are good people left in this world. We often only hear the bad things people do, and the vents that stem from that.

It's good to know that there are people out there that are so nice, that they'd give so much of their money even though they didn't have to.

 

[lulu71]

While it would be awesome to keep the check, I don't think I could personally do it. Suppose there comes a time when it would be a hardship for you to do all of these favors for them? If you kept the check could you really ever feel like you could say no? I know that wasn't the intent of the check, but if I kept it I would never feel OK about not keeping up with what you're doing now. Does that make sense?

 

[DancingBear]

But this isn't a gift, it's compensation for work the OP has to do on their well -likely due to the actions of the neighbors.
The neighbor asked around and spent a lot of time doing research into whether their actions could have caused the problem with the OP's well, and obviously felt strongly enough that they were at fault to have offered to help pay for the OP's well.

Agreed. You've been a good neighbor, and they're trying to be a good neighbor back.

 

[crz4mm2]

While it would be awesome to keep the check, I don't think I could personally do it. Suppose there comes a time when it would be a hardship for you to do all of these favors for them? If you kept the check could you really ever feel like you could say no? I know that wasn't the intent of the check, but if I kept it I would never feel OK about not keeping up with what you're doing now. Does that make sense?

But it is not payment for services they expect them to do in the FUTURE..... it is for their well that the neighbors feel responsible for.

Take the money. Cash the check. Use it for your well. You are great neighbors, and your neighbors want to be great neighbors too!
Perfect match

 

[foxlore]

Exactly! The purpose of the gift is to assist you with the cost of the well and should only be used for that purpose. If you do anything else with it you risk angering your neighbor. They're likely sending you this check for several reasons. One, as many posters have said, to make themselves feel better. Two, to ensure there are no hard feelings between you - just in case you do blame their well - fair or not. Three, perhaps on the slim chance their well did effect your water quality. Four, because you HAVE been GREAT neighbors!! It's not rocket science to take care of those who have taken care of us... They wouldn't do this if they didn't want to and they obviously can afford it.

All that being said, I have a hard time accepting anything. It makes me tremendously uncomfortable. I can't even graciously accept a compliment! LOL

Giving it to charity would be rejecting the end purpose of the gift. It is so the donor doesn't worry that their actions harmed you.

On a way smaller scale, when our new dog chewed up DS visiting friend's shoes I paid to replace the shoes ($30) even though other Mom said they were old. Otherwise i would have felt bad.

 

[mumom95]

I would graciously accept it, and continue to be the helpful neighbors that you are.

I wouldn't donate it to a charity unless you tell them first. They aren't just giving you the money for a gift, they are giving it to you to help with the well.

 

[foxlore]

PS - I know a number of posters have already said using the funds for anything other than the well would anger your neighbors... I wanted to share a personal example...

I'm in a situation now where I'm giving money to a family member who's spouse has been laid off. My gift has a clear purpose which was communicated and understood. It is specifically for Christmas gifts for the children. It's not a flippant gift and I do expect it to be used for this purpose and this purpose only. Can I control what happens to the money once it's received? No. All I can do is my part and my motive is to help. I did think about sending the gifts, but then shipping would be involved and frankly I'd rather that $$ go directly to benefit the kids... Will I be angry if I find the money is used for something else? Absolutely. I understand there may other pressing matters that crop up, but part of the responsibility of accepting a gift is to use it as intended...

At any rate, if you take the funds you really need to use them for the well specifically. Anything less would be disrespectful. It sounds like you're pretty lucky really - nice neighbors are priceless!

Merry Christmas!!

 

[lulu71]

But it is not payment for services they expect them to do in the FUTURE..... it is for their well that the neighbors feel responsible for.

Take the money. Cash the check. Use it for your well. You are great neighbors, and your neighbors want to be great neighbors too!
Perfect match

I know. It's not a quid pro quo check. But how in the world do you ever say no in the future knowing how nice they were to give the check even though it was for the well? KWIM?

I guess on the other hand, the fact that they gave the check, regardless of whether OP cashes it still makes it hard to say no in the future.

Look at me debating myself!

 

[Mom2Satan&Daisy]

I know. It's not a quid pro quo check. But how in the world do you ever say no in the future knowing how nice they were to give the check even though it was for the well? KWIM?

I guess on the other hand, the fact that they gave the check, regardless of whether OP cashes it still makes it hard to say no in the future.

Look at me debating myself!

 

[C.Ann]

Consider yourself lucky that you have such nice neighbors and graciously accept the check in the spirit that it was sent to you..

Nice to hear that people such as your neighbors still exist..

 

[lemondog]

I would keep it as well. I would WANT to use it for a Disney trip, but I would most likely put it in savings or pay down on my car loan.