Am I the asshole?

[CooterBrown 18022]

Title sums it up. Figured we needed a surly version of this popular subreddit.

I'll start.

I like my old school chain link fence. Fits my central Austin 'hood and requires zero maintenance. I like the openess of it. It's been there for 60 years and it'll be there until the day my lot is eventually scrapped for a new build.

An out of town developer from Plano is building a spec house behind me. It'll list for around $1.5-2M when complete.  The builder approached me about replacing the fence with a privacy fence at his cost. I said he could buy the rights to replace the fence from me for $10,000.  Normally, you'd solve this dilemma by just building the fence a foot inside of the chain link fence. His problem is that he'd have to put his new fence at least 5 feet from the existing fence because there are four trees in his backyard along the existing fence.  I'm holding my ground. If he comes back to negotiate, the price is going up.  

Am I the asshole?

[WithoutAClue 15414]

free enterprise, supply and demand. hold your ground!

maybe a small ahole but you might as well make some $$$ off the other guy.  🤷‍♂️

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Nope.

[Disco Strangler 1882]

Yes.  If I was the developer, I would pay you the 10K and then since I had purchased the "rights" to put up a fence on the property line, I would hire some kids to put up my logo in graffiti style on every single square foot of your side of that fence.  Be the bigger man and take your free fence.

[bernorange 8363]

15 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

Title sums it up. Figured we needed a surly version of this ...

I would think the answer to a Surly version of this will always be: Yes

~~~

You might end up wishing you had a privacy fence when your new 600lb neighbors are having a pool party in the summer.

[Guest]

Tough one. You want this new monstrosity of a house looking out into your yard? I don't get "liking" chainlink but wouldn't the new fence be zero maintenance if the other guy is handling it?

I definitely don't think the builder is being an asshole except for the fact he's from Plano building $2M in Austin. I guess that makes you the asshole?

[formermav43 4606]

No, not at all.

[Biff Tannen 45697]

Yes.  But I didn't read the thread.

[Celery Man 20988]

I don't think there's an asshole here yet. It's your property, replacing a fence with a different kind of fence is a non trivial change even if it is free. If you like your fence, it seems reasonable to say no unless you're given some kind of incentive. Of course, other side of the line is his property and he may have some other options apart from cash to incentivize you. I could see why he might feel like he's being shaken down.

From a practical perspective, do you still want the chain fence when this new house is done being built behind you? Are you properly understanding that your choice is not between change/no change?

[CooterBrown 18022]

2 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

From a practical perspective, do you still want the chain fence when this new house is done being built behind you? Are you properly understanding that your choice is not between change/no change?

There was a one story house before and there'll be a new one story house after.  No difference at all from my perspective. 

[MissingInAction 25158]

I could answer your question, but I'm gonna need $10k first. 

[Celery Man 20988]

12 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

There was a one story house before and there'll be a new one story house after.  No difference at all from my perspective. 

Fair nuff - I've been following a hyde park saga on facebook where a long time resident is documenting the view out her office window being replaced with a wall. Which.... sucks but them's the breaks.

[Mittens 8296]

NTA, but if you can upgrade your shitty fence for a nice fence for free...or a little cash too...then that sounds like a win.

[huge 3795]

The idea of preferring a chain link fence in my back yard is so foreign I cannot answer the question without my head exploding.

 

But you post here so yes, you are the asshole.

[HamsterHookah 112]

I have to land on No...at least not yet. Will you both eventually be one to each other? Almost certainly. But that's business, baby.

[TexArcher 38001]

Choosing between a Surly poster and an out-of-town real estate developer is like choosing between herpes and syphilis.

[Pig Bellmont 8719]

Do what you want on your own land, but actually preferring a shitty chain link fence when a new one won’t cost a dime? You might not be an asshole but you’re a bit WT and maybe harming your own property value 

[Deej 76882]

If they bring Vic and his ladies around to break in the new pool, you'll regret not taking their offer. 

[tx 3 putt 77279]

2 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

Nope.

x2

[General Specific 3266]

1. Buy new spec home, rent old home, keep chain link fence,
2. ????
3. Profit!

[SquishMitten 10424]

NTA. But you're definitely weird for preferring a shitty chain link fence unless you happen to know the new owners are smoking hot lesbians that like to play in their pool naked.

[UT_OB1 2224]

Maybe negotiate them pressure washing it every few years, staining if necessary, and replacing any board as needed?

[Helobious 9464]

48 minutes ago, TexArcher said:

Choosing between a Surly poster and an out-of-town real estate developer is like choosing between herpes and syphilis.

Syphilis is curable

[52-80 19221]

Chain link fences are ugliful though

[SquishMitten 10424]

1 hour ago, UT_OB1 said:

Maybe negotiate them pressure washing it every few years, staining if necessary, and replacing any board as needed?

Actually, not a bad idea to use this as a basis for them paying you. Calculate the cost of eventually having to re-stain it and/or replace it. Those are actual costs you will eventually incur that would've been avoided by keeping the chain link. Set that as your floor, then get as much extra as you can for the inconvenience and it not being what you'd prefer to see daily. 

[Guest]

If you can't spot the asshole in your first half-hour in the back yard, then you are the asshole

[Helobious 9464]

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

[Grade of D as in David 13253]

Yes

[Jerry Callo 8715]

2 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

*fewer.  And yes.

[Deej 76882]

7 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

It's one of the reasons. 

[MNLonghornFUKM 8817]

Do what you want on your own land, but actually preferring a shitty chain link fence when a new one won’t cost a dime? You might not be an asshole but you’re a bit WT and maybe harming your own property value 

No shit. We have a privacy fence. They’re nice…but cost 11 grand.

Get rid of your eye sore, free of charge. Just because you like your chain link fence doesn’t mean 95% of potential buyers will.

[Jerry Callo 8715]

OP - is the developer offering to replace your entire chain link fence with a wood privacy fence or just the portion along his property line.

I don't believe you're an asshole in this situation either way.  Just wondering.

Edited January 23, 2023 by Jerry Callo

[Js1 85490]

4 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Yes.  But I didn't read the thread.

This is Surly - we are always the asshole. 

[South Austin 52551]

He's from Plano.  You should have demanded $20,000.

[HamsterHookah 112]

31 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

Yes.

[LW Goatman 1124]

That one guy with 17 items is an asshole. 

[NeverMarryAStripper 21919]

33 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

Yes.  You obviously think 7 items over the limit is OK. So what is the number that you think is not OK? 20, 25, 30, 100?  Fuck people that think their time is more valuable than everyone else's.  And no, it did not take you the same amount of time.  Did you also park in the curbside pickup spot because you were in a hurry and were going to cheat and get in the express checkout and therefore wouldn't be in the store that long, or did you just park right next to the store doors with your flashers on?

[WhatTheBuck 28795]

2 hours ago, UT_OB1 said:

Maybe negotiate them pressure washing it every few years, staining if necessary, and replacing any board as needed?

This. Who’s responsible for the care and maintenance of the new fence? If it’s you then ask to be compensated for that. Are you sure $10K is enough?

[Pig Bellmont 8719]

47 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

I think there’s a potential for it to be ok if you had several repeats of the same item. Like 4 apples aren’t going to be counted separately in my opinion- that’s just one item. If it was a 15 item limit and you had 17, also who cares. All that said, 17 items in a 10 or less line seems like you’re taking advantage 

[South Austin 52551]

57 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

Generally, yes, you're an asshole.  But there can be context in a situation like this.

If it's 7:00 a.m. and there's plenty of open self-checkout registers with no line behind you, then go right ahead with your 17 items. 

But if it's 5:00 p.m. and the place is packed, and you want to use self-checkout for your 17 items, go to the kitchen utensil aisle instead, take one of the items from the shelf, and fuck yourself with it.

[Sandman 3411]

I thought all of the Surly 1%ers had their help do the grocery shopping? WTF is wrong with you, Surly???

[General Specific 3266]

That one guy with 17 items is an asshole. 

It would be excusable if it was only one guy, but it’s not, so here we are!

[BHMCruiser 1814]

1 hour ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

Yes it is fucked up and you should have been shot

[MissingInAction 25158]

1 hour ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

I do this all the time and check myself out faster than most of the regards with only 5 items. 

Once someone said something but I just ignored them.

[NeverMarryAStripper 21919]

Then fuck you too.  I would follow you to your car and take down your plate number.  You would find four slashed tires the next morning.

[MissingInAction 25158]

3 minutes ago, NeverMarryAStripper said:

Then fuck you too.  I would follow you to your car and take down your plate number.  You would find four slashed tires the next morning.

You'd get yourself shot by someone on our property. 

 

Edited January 23, 2023 by MissingInAction

[honolulu horn 6165]

Fence guy -- not the asshole, get the money or the new fence

17 items guy -- definitely the asshole, quit breaking the rules and then playing the victim

[MissingInAction 25158]

I'm not even using a cart. I've got a small soft cooler and one grocery bag.

I'm in and out of HEB in 15 minutes every time I go so I know I'm not holding anyone up. This is usually between 10 and 11 am. Only a fucktarded idiot would shop between 5 and 6.

[TrashMaster G 17583]

3 hours ago, Helobious said:

Spillling over from random thoughts thread…

am I seriously this irredeemable piece of shit for taking 17 items to the 10 items or less self-checkout line, even if it takes me roughly the same amount of time to check out as it does most of those slow people to check out 10? Wasn’t expecting such hate in the other thread. Also I didn’t truly laugh at the lady that asked me if I had 10 items, it was more of a chuckle.

If there is a line for the self-checkout lanes and you pull this, I vote death penalty.

Otherwise, 18 months is jail is fine.

['stache 21827]

He could always do this around the trees and leave your chain link alone. Or he might say fine I’ll just cut down all of the trees which could be bad for your shade situation. I’m always shocked how little developers care about mature trees.

Edited January 24, 2023 by 'stache