One day, while inspecting our landscaping, I notice a muddy area. Since it did not rain recently, I suspect a leak in one of the sprinkler supply pipes. Digging down to the pipe confirms the location of the leak, so I decide to call some sprinkler system repair places to get an estimate on the cost of quickly replacing a cracked section of pipe.

Me: “I have a small leak in my sprinkler system. What is your hourly rate?”

Employee: “We do not charge by the hour.”

Me: “Then how do you calculate your charges? By the job?”

Employee: “We send a fully-stocked truck to your location, we check your complete system, and then we perform any repairs that are necessary.”

Me: “But how much do you charge?”

Employee: “Our initial inspection is $100. Then, if we find any problems, we fix them.”

Me: “But, my system is working well; all I need is somebody to patch or replace the leaking pipe. I do not need a full system inspection. How much would that cost me?”

Employee: “Our initial inspection is $100. Then, if we find any problems, we will give you a cost estimate to fix the problem.”

Me: “If I do not like the cost, can I refuse any further work?”

Employee: “Yes, you pay the initial inspection fee of $100, and you can accept or refuse the estimate to fix the problem.”

Me: “So, let me get this straight… You charge me $100 for an inspection I do not need, since I have identified and localized the problem, and then your technician will tell me I need to have a leaking pipe patched and give me an estimate for the time of the work and parts, so the entire job might be around $200, but I have to pay $100 even though they don’t fix the leak?”

Employee: “Yes.”

Me: “Thank you, but I will look elsewhere.”

I eventually found a contractor that fixed the leak the next day, for MUCH less than $200!

My mother and I have just landed at an airport in Maryland. We plan on taking the city’s public transportation to our final destination, a relative’s condo about an hour away. The bus at the airport is on an hourly schedule. We catch the bus at 10:00 am exactly and begin to board when we realise we only have a card to pay the bus fare. The fare is $7.50 per person so a flat $15 for my mother and me.

Me: “I’m sorry, miss, but we only have a card; do you accept a card?”

Bus Driver: “Sorry, we don’t, but there should be an ATM just inside the airport. I’ll wait while you go grab some money okay?”

My mother waits on the bus while I zip into the airport and find the ATM. The ATM will only allow me to withdraw in increments of twenty, so I take a $20 bill from the ATM and run back to the bus. Thankfully, a few people are still waiting to board.

Me: “All right, miss, I have a twenty here!”

Bus Driver: “Oh, unfortunately, the machine only accepts exact change. I’m sorry about that.”

My mother and I resign ourselves to the loss of the extra $5. A rider walks up and is about to put his $7.50 into the machine when the driver speaks up.

Bus Driver: “Excuse me, sir, can I see your money?”

She takes the money and gestures the rider to a seat, and then she addresses us.

Bus Driver: “All right, here’s what I’ll do. I’ll put your $20 bill in the machine along with this gentlemen’s $2.50 in change and charge you for three tickets, but then you can have his $5 bill, giving you change back.”

We did this and thanked her. It was a real kindness for her to help us, and we very much appreciated it!

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for September 2020!

Read the next Feel Good roundup story!

Read the Feel Good roundup for September 2020!

I go out to an Italian restaurant with a big group of friends before our senior prom. We are going the low-budget route where we carpool in our moms’ minivans and most of us are wearing homemade dresses. We do each other’s hair and makeup at my house before we go out, and we are dressed to the nines. 

We order our food, and our waitress skillfully manages the dozen of us with little trouble. We enjoy our meal and ask our superb waitress for the check.

Waitress: “Oh, that table over there already paid it in full! You’re all set!”

Us: “Wait, what?!“

Waitress: “You don’t know them? I just assumed they were your parents or something.”

Us: “No! Oh my gosh! Thank you!“

People At The Other Table: “Enjoy your prom! You all look so lovely!”

We were practically crying and so excited. The total had to have been over $200. We left our waitress a big tip anyway, just because.

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for September 2020!

Read the next Feel Good roundup story!

Read the Feel Good roundup for September 2020!

I’m working a cashier shift at a Chinese buffet that also does takeaway and delivery. For takeaway we always make fresh food and don’t allow people to take food from the buffet. As a result, we have two separate menus: the buffet which changes with whatever food is in season and the takeout which is your more standard Chinese fair like chicken balls and fried rice. Most people in the area know this or realize the difference once it’s explained to them.

Today, a newer coworker is working with me at the cash. A woman who is visibly drunk comes in. I greet her.

Me: “Hello and welcome! Is it buffet or takeout today?”

Customer: “Takeout.”

I direct her to my coworker at the takeout counter and take the next customer. She orders a combo plate but doesn’t pay for it yet and goes outside for a smoke to wait for it to be ready.

A few minutes later, she comes back. My coworker tells her the total and she empties what money she has onto the counter. She only has $6.25 and the combo plate costs almost ten dollars. He’s unsure what to do so I take over.

Me: “I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough for a combo plate. Did you want something else, instead?”

Customer: “I want ribs.”

I do a quick calculation. Even the smallest portion of ribs we offer without sides is $1.50 over what she has.

Me: “I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough money for ribs. I can offer you something else, like a fried rice or a wonton soup? You have enough money for those.”

Customer: “Sure.”

Me: “Okay, so we have [options]; which one would you like?”

Customer: “I want ribs.”

Me: “I’m sorry, you don’t have enough money for ribs. I can give you a fried rice; those have meat in them, as well.”

Customer: “Just take a fried rice and put the ribs in, instead.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that; ribs cost more than rice or soup. You don’t have enough for the ribs today.”

Customer: “IT’S ALL YOU CAN EAT, B****!”

She stormed out. 

My mom is usually chill but has a streak in her that will cause her to be all Karen-y, especially when it comes to being able to get something free out of it. This is unacceptable to me and I usually try — and fail — to calm and quiet her down.

It is the day of my prom and I am super excited to take pictures at this gated nature preserve close to my house. We are meeting the photographer there and my mom comes with me so that we can get pictures together. 

When we get to the place I realize I don’t have cash on me and can’t pay the $1-per-person entry fee (amounting to $3). While we are still in the car I ask my mom:

Me: “Will be okay if you pay our entrance fee?”

Mom: “That’s fine.”

When we get to the gate she pulls one on me and asks the gatekeeper:

Mom: “Do we really need to pay entry? We’ll only be here for half an hour, and we just want to take some pictures for my daughter’s prom.”

I tried to quiet her down when I heard the direction it was going. Since the money was going to the conservation of the area, I was very embarrassed about her being that stingy.

When the gatekeeper heard “pictures,” he showed us a document that, lo and behold, brought the entry fee to $30.

I laughed in my sleeve and didn’t reimburse her, since she got what she asked for.