Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

[Colo.TJ]

Am I a jerk if I charge people to winch them out of a ditch, snow bank, or whatever. The way I see it is they didn't pay $1,000 for a winch so they can help by paying $20 to $50 at a time.
What do you think?

[The Man with the Plan]

I had to post you are a jerk, but not for charging! ;)

Seriously though, if somebody offers me money, I'd probably take it, but I think that helping them is good for the soul. I wouldn't ask for money.

[Mandrake]

In Washington if you charge someone to pull them out and aren't a licensed wrecker you can get a ticket and are responible for any damage they claim you did. If you just do it they can still ticket you but not hold you responsible for damage.

[goodcop]

DAMN SNOW!! The funny part is that here in Colorado Springs it has only snowed about 4-5". The only problem is that the winds are gusting at 60 mph, blizzard warning. Gosh, I love Colorado!!!


Later,

Rich

[jolleyman]

I would never think to charge a fellow wheeler in need of assistance. It's just good trail hospitality to help out those that may not be as well equipped as yourself and helps to promote the sport.

If the guy doesn't have a $20 spot to give you are you just going to leave him there?

[JT's TJ]

It's my fault, gang. Sorry! I swapped my hard top for the soft top on Monday, so naturally, a huge snowstorm was bound to happen!

Looks like Boulder County is not getting hit nearly as hard as Denver, though!

Oh, and I vote for "jerk" :D You can't charge for that!! If someone offers a "tip", don't turn it down, but demanding a fee is just not right!!

[JeepnPit]

I wouldn't say your a jerk, more like.....an entrepreneur of sorts. I did that a few times this winter. I didn't charge people but what really pissed me off is that no one even offered to pay me anything. They did say thank you though. Good enough.......I guess.

[Steelheader]

I voted "Yes", but I don't think that you are a jerk personally. I think you would be if you required tthe charge and just left them in the ditch or on the side of the road. I like the donation method better. If they offer to give a tip, then I wouldn't fault you for taking it. I wished it would snow enough here so I could go out and pull people out just for the fun of it. ;) I believe in Karma, and what goes around comes around. If you do good things for people that are from the heart, good things will be returned to you. :angel:

[Lauti]

The problem is, if I pull someone out of a snowbank or out of a mudbog or ... and break my winch cable, who is going to pay the new cable and other damage it may have caused when breaking?
Plus, I will be the reason for some bad jokes and critics from people that don't know $#!+ about winches.
So if I don't get specifically asked to winch someone out, I won't be the pain someones neck, so he'll let me winch him out.
Well, that's my opinion after having the Warn CE HS 9500i mounted for 7 hours on my TJ ;)
Usually they offer you to pay several drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) for such services.
I didn't vote.

[Chris S]

For me it depends on the situation.

A motorist who misjudged a corner and hit the ditch gets pulled after a quick "I'm not trained...can't be responsible....Here's my cell if you would rather call a tow truck". No mention of renumeration, but I won't turn it down. 90% of the time the recovery strap is more appropriate than the winch anyway.

An idiot driving on bald tires who plants his S-10 20 feet down a ditch gets the same speech, but I add on a "wear and tear.....would appreciate a donation of a few bucks toward keeping my equiptment maintained". It's strictly voluntary, and only accepted after the vehicle is safely recovered.

Anybody who is wheeling with me gets pulled no matter what, but my buddies know that I expect that any equipment damaged recovering them should be replaced by them. When a buddy was pulling me out last year and wrecked his winch cable (his fault, he hadn't wrapped it propperly) I gave him $$ to replace it without a second thought, and I expect the same from others.

Anybody who calls me up to drive up the mountain to rescue them gets the "donations to gas & maintanance costs" speech.

I'll never refuse to pull anyone whether they are offering a donation or not, but I bought the winch for my use, not to play tow truck for people who don't appreciate the fact that I just saved them hundreds of dollars (for a 4x4 tow truck). If someone doesn't donate and my equipment gets damaged then I'm going to be really slow to come to their aid again (unless, of course, it's a dangerous situation).

[desert cj7]

I agree winth charging people if I have to go out of my way. If I am out wheelin with a group I would never think of it. I got burned one time helping some guy out. He was stuck in a wash that was full of water and it took me 4 hours to get him out and get his car started. He lied to me when he told me how far back on the trail he was and such. I missed a date with this girl because of it. If someone I dont know stops me and asks for help, I will, but they sure as hell are going to pay for my time. If I am out wheelin and someone is stuck then they might get pulled out for free(donations always accepted). Stupid people need to learn when to not go out by themselves where they might get stuck.

[Warlock]

On the trail, you would be a jerk.

On the side of the road, with a vehicle stuck in a snowbank, donations accepted, since it is your time and effort.

[BrewJeep]

I just pull'em out and give them the "just pass the favor onto another guy or gal in need" speech. If they're older folk (like my last recovery), I'll just do it. I'll probably need a little help when I'm that age once in awhile myself.

If I have to go out of my way (like 0400 in the morning to extract a Scout II from a snowbank on the far side of a local mountain after the guy forgot to lock in the hubs), then yeah, he owes me (or us in this case) at least breakfast and maybe gas money, but that's it. (Besides, it was worth it just to see the look on his girlfriend's face! Man, she was grumpy!)

I've pulled them out with the work truck, tho' I don't like to. Our "safety police" are always hammering on us about liability, but sometimes ya just gotta do what ya gotta do.

--Paul

[Steelheader]

I just pull'em out and give them the "just pass the favor onto another guy or gal in need" speech. If they're older folk (like my last recovery), I'll just do it. I'll probably need a little help when I'm that age once in awhile myself.

That's the same thing I do Paul. ;) Good Samaritan's Rule. ;) I just hope that the ones I give a hand to will pass it on to someone else when they are in need. Karma Dude! ;) :D

I gave a guy that works for me my GSAs when I upgraded to 32s. He had leaks in 2 of his tires and 1 was balding really bad. He asked me how much he owes me and I told him to make sure he helps someone else when they are in need. :)

[dh-king]

Yes, it does depend on the situation.
1. Never charge on the trail.
2. Never charge or accept cash from a mom/dad and kids.
3. Always ask the snooty SUV owner that is inconveinced by you knocking on the window because they are in the cell phone talking to their chum, if they have called a wrecker, how long will they take, and how much the wrecker is charging. It's kinda extortion but I'm a capitalist, so I guess it's ok:)
4. Never pull someone out on a busy black-iced road. The chances of someone running into you is likely.
5. Always yank a Toyota through the longest mud section they get stuck into, just because it's funny.
6. Always help a Sammi because you have already talked them into doing something stupid with their, um, rig.

that's enough for now.

Tony

[Jeepur]

I'll help anybody, anytime, money or no money. I never ask for cash, but peolpe have given me cash for the help and I take it. Your not a jerk for asking for it but if they don't have it, put yourself in thier shoes. It sucks to be stranded anywhere.

[Cutch]

Yes, it does depend on the situation.
1. Never charge on the trail.
2. Never charge or accept cash from a mom/dad and kids.
3. Always ask the snooty SUV owner that is inconveinced by you knocking on the window because they are in the cell phone talking to their chum, if they have called a wrecker, how long will they take, and how much the wrecker is charging. It's kinda extortion but I'm a capitalist, so I guess it's ok:)
4. Never pull someone out on a busy black-iced road. The chances of someone running into you is likely.
5. Always yank a Toyota through the longest mud section they get stuck into, just because it's funny.
6. Always help a Sammi because you have already talked them into doing something stupid with their, um, rig.

that's enough for now.

Tony

All very funning and right on.

Especially like # 5

http://i5.yimg.com/5/9403cf55/h/tn_93d3ea3a/hobowalk.gif
Cutch
Minnesota Trailriders

[Stubbs]

I dunno, I never have asked for, or been offered money for pulling someone out. I would NEVER even think about accepting cash on the trail. Thats just stupid..
I pulled 8 people out of snow banks last winter. Most of them were appreciative, although one just onhooked my strap, jumped in his car and drove away without even saying thanks. (read A$$hole)..
I like to do it because, if for nothing else, it shows others that there are still good people in the world who will help you out without needing to be paid for their service.

[shlingdawg]

It's snowing like crazy here in SLC right now. Looks like Denver has more coming their way!

[lonegpr]

Me, I take the attitude that if I pull someone out and they offer me money, I politely refuse it. I just ask that they do a good deed for someone else someday down the road. Who knows, it might be me or someone I know that they help. I guess what goes around comes around.

[Tiffster]

It's snowing like crazy here in SLC right now. Looks like Denver has more coming their way!

Hey Shling....you can keep all that snow for yourself. No, really I insist. :D

I got 19" of snow at my house and it was that heavy, wet snow so it knocked the cable lines out so I have no cable TV or cable modem access. Also broke 3 of the 4 trees in front of my condo so my patio is covered in branches and one is hanging extremely close to my bedroom window...hope they fix that before it gets windy again.

I did have fun watching the snow plow dirver for my complex. He was having way too much fun and I thin he was trying to make some art thing out of the snow he was plowing...had the biggest smile on his face.

As for the topic at hand, I learned from a good friend that you do on to others as you would have them do on to you. He spent a week in Detroit with me and it was during a nasty snow storm, he went out and pulled about 30 people out of big snow drifts and each time handed them a card that said, "You owe me a favor. All I ask is that you help someone in their time of need like I have helped you."

As Steelheader said, "Karma Dude!!!!"

[projectYJ]

DAMN SNOW!! The funny part is that here in Colorado Springs it has only snowed about 4-5". The only problem is that the winds are gusting at 60 mph, blizzard warning. Gosh, I love Colorado!!!


Later,

Rich

Darn the luck. 85* high, 70* low...I'll keep my Houston weather. Thank You very much.

[rickyb24]

You guys can all keep your new snow! I can finaly see my lawn for the first time since November. But I know exactly what your going through. I live in Upstate New York. Anyone else know the meaning of "LAKE EFFECT SNOW"?!?!

[shlingdawg]

Anyone else know the meaning of "LAKE EFFECT SNOW"?!?!

I think I've heard of that before. ;) The Great Salt Lake seems to do that once in a while.

[IndyJeepers]

Nope, not a Jerk!

But, I also don't pull people out anymore. The two times that I have stopped to "Help" someone, the first person just drove away without a thank you and the second one destroyed my strap and gave me 5 bucks.

No thanks, I'll let them sit in my Jeep with the heater on, but that's it.

[BrewJeep]

As for the topic at hand, I learned from a good friend that you do on to others as you would have them do on to you. He spent a week in Detroit with me and it was during a nasty snow storm, he went out and pulled about 30 people out of big snow drifts and each time handed them a card that said, "You owe me a favor. All I ask is that you help someone in their time of need like I have helped you."

As Steelheader said, "Karma Dude!!!!"

Last season, I came across a fellow with a couple of young kids that had stuffed his Rodeo into a snowdrift out on one of the back roads around here. There was a big chromed-up Dodge diesel there when I stopped to see if I could help.

The owner of the Rodeo and the guy with the Dodge were a having a bit of a discussion -- the Dodge owner wanted $120 to pull him out!!!! He said something to the effect of, "Good luck finding someone else to pull your sorry tail out..." (expletives deleted), then turned and saw me with towstrap and TJ waiting. :D

I sure felt good about that recovery....

Major Karma!!!!

--Paul

[SimonYJ]

Personally, I wouldn't charge anybody........you JERK!

j/k, but I might be coerced into accepting a tip ; )

[Colo.TJ]

I would like to thank everybody for their input.

For the record I have never charged anybody or accepted any tips for pulling someone out and yes I have been offered.

I was interested in your opinions for pulling people out on the street and not the trail. Any body will get a strap from me on the trail unless they are obviously drunk, or have a Jeep Eater or Jeeps Suck sticker on their vehicle. In that case they're on their own.