Repairing patio furniture

[Tony Romal]

We have some cedar furniture in need of repair. Don't know the technical term, but it's like tongue & groove. The seat slats are the tongue, and go into a groove of a board, which the board is then fastened to the legs. These were always loose, I'm guessing so they can expand/contract.

Wondering if I could kind of screw some new "slats" or boards across the top?

Came home from vacation, and was missing our entire patio furniture. Called the police, and while an officer was here, a neighbor a couple houses down came by to see what the commotion was about. Come to find out, he "borrowed" our patio furniture while we were gone for his daughter's graduation party. They totally destroyed one of the lounge chairs, broke my grill, and these chairs need repaired. Really don't know these people, but he said he would purchase any lumber to fix them.

Thanks.

[jamesgangnc]

With neighbors like that who needs vandals.

[WW]

[hrhofmann]

Do you have a police report? His homeowners insurance should pay, or you can threaten to take them to small claims court, ar maybe appear on Judge Judy - she would tell him a few things!!!

[HeyBub]

What?

Your property was stolen and the thief confessed right in front of the cop?

And the cop didn't slip the bracelets on right there?

Jeeze!

[Hell Toupee]

Whoo, boy. After that, I'm sure you *don't* want to get to know them. Although I'd ask the cops if _they've_ got a history with that family. I'd also ask the cops what your options are, and what they recommend you do in this case. If they know the guy and/or his family, they will probably give you more specific advice. Hell, they might even ask you to press charges.

I'd find out the replacement cost for the furniture and the grill. If it's enough to warrant felony charges, that should motivate him to make it right and keep you happy. And if you'll only be happy with replacement rather than repair, he should replace it all.

I'm wondering what he's going to help himself to next while you or another neighbor is gone.

[willshak]

But he also opened the door. If the OP needs something that the guy has, just go and take it and not return it until he calls the cops.

[Robert Green]

There's unfortunately no attempt to permanently deprive the owner of the property as they returned it, albeit busted up. Trust neighbors that pushy to concoct a "but there was a man in the backyard who TOLD us we could borrow it. - Gee, we're *awfully* sorry. That man must have been trying to steal your furniture so we took it to protect it!" (or some other cockamamie story). Cops that I worked with would not make an arrest in such a case simply because they know that would cause permanent hostilities - and more work for them in the long run.

-- Bobby G.

[hrhofmann]

Yeah, maybe no arrest, but at least a police report would give the OP some ammunition with the insurance co for the "borrower".

[DerbyDad03]

So some guy that you "don't really know" borrows your stuff and then comes over when the police are there to admit that he borrowed it without your permission?

Does the term nut-case come to mind?

How did that conversation go? How did he get involved with you and the police at that "meeting".

If I get nosy and go over to a house that the cops have been called to, I don't usually get directly involved with the owner and the cops. I keep a respectable distance and hope to catch some juicy tidbits.

How did you "come to find out" that this guy borrowed your stuff?

[Robert Green]

Yeah, maybe no arrest, but at least a police report would give the OP some ammunition with the insurance co for the "borrower".

----------------------------------------------------------------------- I doubt the level of damage even approaches his deductible, but it might. Might also raise his rates because he lives in close proximity to morons.

His best option is to compute his damages fairly and take him to small claims court if the miscreants won't pay for the repairs TO HIS SATISFACTION. He should somehow indicate he's willing to overlook some damage if they don't force him to go to court so he can file for a much larger amount if they don't pay. That way he can "pre-adjust" for the tendency of judges to play Solomon and split the baby, fair or not. Offering them a break if they settle will help in court because it paints him as the reasonable party and doesn't make it look like he's kiting the damages.

Cops hate disputes like this and tend not to want to get involved. It's why a lot of areas have dog wardens. Cops *really* hate dog calls. (-:

Hopefully there IS a police report he can get and bring to court which should make the case pretty much open and shut, even if the SOBs concoct one of the lies mentioned above. I'd also evaluate their capacity for revenge, because getting $ for the furniture is trivial to some other losses these idiots could inflict.

-- Bobby G.