Ooooops! I Lost My Irish Temper Today!
By Sparks
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
Regina, Saskatchewan
July 16, 2009 12:15am CST
Last week before the hubs and I left for our trip to Alberta, my hubs worked on a building job for a fellow a few towns over. It wasn't a reno job this time, it was a new build of a garage. He put in long hours in all kinds of weather on his days off, and had been promised he'd be paid before he left on his trip with me.
He never saw a dime.
Today he called me and reminded me that his air compressor and nail gun were still on the job site and he asked me to go pick them up.
So over I drove, singing along with Martha Reeves and feeling pretty good.
Upon arrival, I had to go into the garage (all but completed, just a few bits of siding left to put on the outside), and found the gun and the compressor.
Suddenly all hell breaks loose!
Before I know it, I'm pushed up against the wall and some neanderthal is breathing garlic in my face and calling me a thief! I'm not kidding, I had to bite down on the arm he had across my neck to get him to let go of me. I beat a quick retreat to the door and told him who I was and why I was there, ready to fly to my car if he came after me.
Well he calmed down, but made it very clear I was NOT removing my husbands property until the job was finished.
"Oh no" says I, "The only thing left to do is a bit of siding and you said you would do that yourself. Besides you haven't paid my hubs what you owe him, so I'm taking his tools home NOW!".
"Oh no" says he, "The job gets finished before he gets his tools. I need them to finish the job".
"Well" says I, "In that case I want, RIGHT NOW, $860.00 for rent of my husbands equipment". (the amount owed to my husband for the work he's done on the garage)
The fool made the mistake of laughing at me and saying:
"I'm not giving you a penny, girlie!" (NEVER call an old red head girlie!)
"Fine" says I, and stepped outside, closed the door and proceeded to start tearing siding off the outside wall of the garage.
Well he came barrelling out that door like a bull in heat!
I had piece of siding in my hand and started swinging it..........he backed off.
"I'm calling the cops, you b*tch", says he.
"Go ahead" says I.
He loped off to his house, and I grabbed the compressor hoses and the staple gun and ran for my car, threw them in the backseat, got in the front, locked the doors and waited for the cops......
Needless to say, I also got the compressor back and a cheque for $860.00 bucks.
The neanderthal can't prove I pulled off any of the siding and so he's sh*t out of luck there! The cops did tell me to stay out of Bethune for awhile though! ROFL
So. How do YOU settle a bad debt? Do you need to lose your temper to do it effectively?
9 people like this
22 responses
@EsmeraldaB (309)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Well I never had a bad debt so I can not really tell you,but I do hope things do get better for you soon :D
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
17 Jul 09
Well thanks, but if you'd read the discussion, you'd know that they did. lol
2 people like this
@EsmeraldaB (309)
• United States
17 Jul 09
That's not what I mean but ok.If you read will see he is ban form this place for a wile.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
17 Jul 09
LOL, I must have mixed up my DUH! pills with my aspirin this morning, because now I'm really confused................who got banned and what's it got to do with this discussion or your response, or my comment to you?
2 people like this
@dawnald (85136)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Jul 09
I haven't got your guts. Once I got out of the headlock, I would have either called the police or the husband or beat a retreat. Yikes...
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I don't carry a cell phone, so I couldn't call the cops, but still and all there was NO way I was leaving without the hubs equipment. Getting the cheque was a bonus really and I have the cops to thank for that.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
SO am I. Now I have grocery money! LOL
3 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
16 Jul 09
ROLLING ON THE FLOOR HERE, Girl u want do. I just know we have got to be kinfolks somehow. I have seen the time i would do what u did probably still would if the occasion arrived that i needed to. I don't blame u one bit. I HATE AN OVERBEARING PERSON LIKE THAT , MALE OR FEMALE. I bet he had his tail tucked between his legs & that's where it needed to be. What a d/a. That's what he gets for lying to youe hubs to start with. I hate to be lied to about anything, I'm proud of u.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
There are just some days when you've taken all the crap you can, and NO ONE scares you any more you know? LOL
3 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
16 Jul 09
U go, girl. I'm glad u don't let people run over u. NO REASON TO.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
My orthopedic shoes protect me! LOL
2 people like this
@alexzizi123 (307)
• United States
18 Jul 09
That was really agressive! That was awesome! I approve wholeheartedly of how you handled that situation, and while the diplomacy could have been a notch more present, it couldn't have worked as effectively! (grin)
3 people like this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Oh, that was too funny! Okay so not the back against the wall, but the way he called the cops - wow, his elevator must not go to the top floor.
There have been a few debts that have gone overdue and legally you have to watch how many phone calls you have because they can turn around and slap you with harrassment issues. Sad, but it's true.
So, there was one particular person that would send a check, it'd bounce then the statement was mailed again, he'd call some sob story etc, etc, Anyhow had another contact in the same town this person lived and heard he was hard up and was buying things all the time, so a just a friendly afternoon drive into his place of business solved that. The person sent walked in and there were a few other poeple there too. So when it came his turn he presented another statement and the bounced check and said "I'd like to speack to the owner about this bill - it's over 120 past due now and his check bounced."
Now you can imagin all the locals there and their confusion because this person is considered 'well off'. Any who's the money was paid and he is now on a prepaid status. Still get the whine story how the prepaid is killing his business because we have to wait for the check to clear before goods are sent, but oh well. Some people just don't get it.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I was on my way to doing that..........I'd already ripped off some of the siding! LOL
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
By the way, welcome to the lot Xavoir and I hope you accept my friends request!
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Dammn girl,
you sure are brave.
.remind me to have yo at my back if I get into trouble..You did the right thing..I doubt your husband would have gotten the money otherwise probably. I bet he is mad yet proud of you..mad since you could have been endangering your life..especially if he had a weapon. But proud you stuck up for him and his work and got not only his tools but the money owed..So do you hire out? I am sure they are alot of people who are owed money that can't get it because of people like the one you dealt with. My husband tells me to stay out of it..but when I lose my temper and I am slow to rile but when I do lose it..crap flies and things do get rolling a bit..but hubby never lets me assert myself in his business. He is a carpenter and he is owed money.
you sure are brave..remind me to have yo at my back if I get into trouble..You did the right thing..I doubt your husband would have gotten the money otherwise probably. I bet he is mad yet proud of you..mad since you could have been endangering your life..especially if he had a weapon. But proud you stuck up for him and his work and got not only his tools but the money owed..So do you hire out? I am sure they are alot of people who are owed money that can't get it because of people like the one you dealt with. My husband tells me to stay out of it..but when I lose my temper and I am slow to rile but when I do lose it..crap flies and things do get rolling a bit..but hubby never lets me assert myself in his business. He is a carpenter and he is owed money.2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Ahh shucks!..Now what are we gonna do..? I live 10 miles from the closest small town and live up a holler does that count as boonies?
.? I live 10 miles from the closest small town and live up a holler does that count as boonies?2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
17 Jul 09
LOL...........in my neck of the woods it would!
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
17 Jul 09
Sorry, the hubs won't let me 'hire out'! LOL He says I'm his secret weapon and he's not sharing! ROFL
I live in the boonies........small rural towns. We don't carry weapons here unless it's hunting season.
I gotta tell ya though, when I got home the 'after shock' set in and I polished off a quarter bottle of gin! LOL
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
16 Jul 09
Oh my trust you lol
I would have just run of to be honest, I am not as scared of confronting People any more as I was but I am still not that brave and have to be honest that would have scared the Life out of me
But good on you for standing up to him
Hugs to you
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I learned a long time ago Gabs, that bullies back down when the person they are bullying stands up to them.............and a well placed bite doesn't hurt either! LOL
2 people like this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
16 Jul 09
This is way too funny and bully for you sparks. Always, which I know you will ...stand your ground. Right now I can't remember the last time I had to get into a free for all to get something that was mine or my husbands. Although I have and I'm just as tenacious as you are when we are owed something or something is ours and I want it.
I bet the hubby will be glad to know that you got his stuff and his money that was owed to him. If you had not done that he probably would not have been paid for his work.
We women do have to step in sometimes to make things right. The guys have the attitude of, oh well I just won't do work for him again since he does not pay me. lol
2 people like this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Yes, I do an this on top of that was just enough to tip you over the edge. Of course knowing what you do about this guy that he don't pay for work that gets done, just what he did was more than enough to topple the scales. Trying to give him a spark of doubt that he was going to pay instead of like the last time people did work for him, when he did not pay.
Him attacking you and saying that he needed your stuff to finish the job. Well it makes me wonder how he planned to do the job had your husband not said he would help and bring his things.
Your husband was done and nothing was said that he needed the tools. Plus the fact that he had not paid him and was suppose when he was done with his part before the trip. Well all in all what he did to you was the last straw.
Hubby will be glad you got his stuff and his money, lol.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I'll be able to give him some cash for the trip back and hopefully he'll leave the bank account alone for a few days! LOL I cashed the cheque this morning at the local Co-Op (the neanderthal has an account there apparently), so no worries to me if it bounces. I also picked up the mail today and got a ton of utility bills that had to be paid right away, so the cash came in handy, IF the hubs stays out of the bank account! LOL
I also emailed you wondering how your hubs dinner meeting went last night.......?
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
Remember my telling you about the probs I had earlier in the day with the hubs bosse's wife? Well this neanderthal on top of that, just picked the wrong day to get up my Irish nose! LOL I'm going to have SO much to talk to the hubs about when he slips home tonight to pick up the compressor! LOL
2 people like this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
16 Jul 09
Well I don't know but the next time someone trys to screw me over I'm calling on you and you can settle the score!!! Holy Crap!!! What did hubby think of this production???
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
My hubs is away working grandmaof2.............and he needs the compressor where he's at, so I had to get it back for him to come home and pick it up. I'll tell him the details of how I got it when he gets here.................I hope he laughs, because if he doesn't, I just might have to bite HIM! LOL
Oreo..........I'm only 5'3", so it's a good thing I'm Irish and hadn't had the best day or the neanderthal might have won the round! LOL
2 people like this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
16 Jul 09
I love you irish temper and ALL! (SMOOCH)
Yes, I have often had to straighten out debts with my temper. Just yesterday, in fact, I got payment for something that had been owed to me for 2 wks. I also got some free labour to boot, from the guilt of having taken so long, as well as full payment, of course.
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
You realize of course Annie (and sooooo good to see you by the way), that I learned a lot from watching you over the years?! LOL
3 people like this
@jerzgirl (9226)
• United States
16 Jul 09
I'm not confrontational, if I can avoid it. I can get pretty pissed, but I'm not an "in your face" kind of person most of the time. But, there have been times where I've gone off and laid into someone, publicly, when I knew without question I was in the right. All they could do was stand there, stunned, without valid comeback.
Once was after I had separated from my husband. I had sold my car to some guy and made the mistake of being nice and allowing him to drive it home with my plates on the promise that he'd bring them back the next day. He didn't. I began getting tickets in the mail for improper parking of a car that was no longer mine. I was livid. One day, I was driving around with my kids and I spot my "former" car with my plates pulling into a street in front of me. I followed it. He pulled in to where he was going and I pulled in right behind him. His friend comes out to greet him and I'm right there demanding my plates back, telling him he's a thief and a liar, that there were tickets in my name because he didn't give the plates back to me as promised. He tried to say how he'd paid those tickets already until I told him I had just spoken with the department that day and they said they were unpaid. I told him to either give me my plates right there and then or I'd be calling the police and let them sort it out. Of course, my kids, ages 8 & 3, were in the car at the time. I think they thought their mother had come unglued, but I was righteously angry. Well, he gave me the plates on the spot. How he got the car home, I don't know. Nor do I care.
In retrospect, it wasn't the best move on my part to be chasing this guy down in a residential neighborhood. I didn't know him or what his tendencies were. But, I got my plates and all was well in my world again.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I know exactly how you felt that day about the plates Jerz, cause that's how I felt yesterday about my hubs equipment! Sometimes we just have to ignore where we are, and when we're in the right, just forge ahead to get what we want.
And no the guy didn't have to own up to the compressor not being his........it has my husbands name written all over it with our phone number! LOL And I knew the cop, and he knew me and the hubs, so it was a no brainer.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
Sometimes living in the boonies and knowing everyone's business is a GOOD thing! LOL
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
The hubs would have perforated him with staples........BIG staples! LOL
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
LOL. Yep. I may be Irish, but I've learned when and where and with whom to pick when I have my temper tantrums! ROFL
2 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
16 Jul 09
Hi sparky,
Whoopeee!!!hey! sparks you are our own Calamity Jane, if you had a lasso you would have had him and he beat a retreat ha ha ha, so your Irsh temper came in useful eh? no wonder your hubby sent you out there to deal with this brute. I am so proud of you, our sparkeys is full of sparks, well done to you and you got the money back, I would have loved to see you in action lol! love and hugs.
Tamara
xxxx
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
If the hubs had gone out there and the guy refused to pay him or give him his equipment back, I'd be down at the jail right now bailing him out! LOL
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I think he thought he was dealing with a neighbourhood kid from the way I was dressed in my ball cap and all. His eyes sure changed when he realized he was breathing garlic into the face of woman! LOL He shouldn't have gotten mouthy though...........he pushed my last nerve of the day and it was either hit the dirt in tears or get mad. Being me, I got mad. LOL
3 people like this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
16 Jul 09
How do I settle a bad debt? I call YOU to come collect it for me! 
What a horrible experience to go through but this sure does prove your ability as a debt collector and also a pretty good negotiator!
Wow! If anyone had grabbed me around the neck, I honestly don't know what I'd do. Maybe I should start carrying about a Bic with me!
Actually, I can honestly say that I've always been paid on time for work I've done as an independent contractor. I know what I WANTED to do when my hubby wasn't getting paid for work he had done, though. I was ready to give that azzhole a piece of my mind, in a volume I usually only reserve for marauding geese in my veggie garden, then take him to court!
I have to commend you for a job well done! Guess I don't have enough Irish in me. I doubt I could have fought anyone off or think fast enough to bite an arm holding me down. However, I do have enough German in me to start a war if need be!
I hope you can cash that check without any problems! Let's hope the guy isn't also a deadbeat! If he is, I fully expect we'll be hearing about it, with great anticipation over the details!
Go, girl, go! 
(Notice I said "girl" and not "girlie"... I'd see red, too, if anyone called me that. What a moron... couldn't think of anything worse than "girlie"??? Pathetic boob!)
What a horrible experience to go through but this sure does prove your ability as a debt collector and also a pretty good negotiator!
Wow! If anyone had grabbed me around the neck, I honestly don't know what I'd do. Maybe I should start carrying about a Bic with me!
Actually, I can honestly say that I've always been paid on time for work I've done as an independent contractor. I know what I WANTED to do when my hubby wasn't getting paid for work he had done, though. I was ready to give that azzhole a piece of my mind, in a volume I usually only reserve for marauding geese in my veggie garden, then take him to court!
I have to commend you for a job well done! Guess I don't have enough Irish in me. I doubt I could have fought anyone off or think fast enough to bite an arm holding me down. However, I do have enough German in me to start a war if need be!
I hope you can cash that check without any problems! Let's hope the guy isn't also a deadbeat! If he is, I fully expect we'll be hearing about it, with great anticipation over the details!
Go, girl, go!
(Notice I said "girl" and not "girlie"... I'd see red, too, if anyone called me that. What a moron... couldn't think of anything worse than "girlie"??? Pathetic boob!)@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
I grew up with two brothers. I learned to bite REAL young! LOL I cashed the cheque this morning at the local C0-Op. If it bounces the guys there know how to deal with the neanderthal in Bethune. They know him pretty well......
And yeah........NEVER call me girlie! BIG mistake. LOL
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Hey Sparks! Now that's the way to do it! I think you did a
fine job Red! I'll bet your hubs lhao! I know I was lmao!
You are quite the brave lass! That description of what happened
sounded like a comedy sketch, sort of something like an old
"I Love Lucy" (I guess because she had red hair too and was
always taking chances!) I just loved the story and am so
glad that you got the money, tools and showed that big stupid
azzhole not to mess with our Sparks! Nicely done!
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
17 Jul 09
LOL, Opal, I haven't been called Red in quite some time! It used to be my nickname!
And yeah..........NO ONE messes with 'our' sparks! LOL
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
16 Jul 09
Way to go Sparks! I am proud of you! I don’t think I could have pulled that off like you did, I admire you! If it were me, the creep would have scared me off and I would have returned home sans the tools! Man, I wish I could do what you did! You are a legend! Your husband must be proud!
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
When I turned 55 Paula, I determined that NOTHING was going to scare me anymore.
I don't often lose my temper anymore, but when I do.............look out! LOL
3 people like this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Jul 09
You go girl. Good for you. You got your hubby's stuff and made a point with the person who hired him.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
18 Jul 09
HI MaryLynn.......nice to see you!
Good I grew up with brothers and knew how to bite! LOL
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
30 Jul 09
I can probably defend myself better against men than women! LOL
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
18 Jul 09
Hi there, I grew up with sisters, I also knew how to kick, scratch, hit, etc. We learned to to defend ourselves if need be.
2 people like this
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Well we Irish girls do tend to lose our tempers easily, hence all the bad jokes about us. I cannot say I have ripped some ones siding off but I have walked or mouthed off of quite a few jobs and situations. They do not always go as smoothly as your went, being you got what you wanted with no retaliation from the cops (kudos). I have toned down the temper quite a bit since I have had kids but my tongue is still sharp and even the guys at my husbands shop feel nervous around me, though I haven't lost it at any of them so I guess my hubby must gossip about me or something.
As for the settling I have found that an official looking letter and the suggestion that court is an option usually do the trick. No one wants to deal with that stuff.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
16 Jul 09
We rural Canadian folk are more layed back and when the cops kids get into more trouble than the townies, the cops tend to keep a VERY respectful attitude to everyone in case they get 'called' on their own kids! LOL
2 people like this
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
16 Jul 09
That's great. We live in a rural area also but our cops do the exact opposite and just arrest everyone and let the folks at the station deal with it. In some ways that is a good thing. We really only have 4 cops in town so they need to not be tied up in one place, not that there really is all that much to cause concern.
2 people like this
