My Brother-In-Law is ???

[markrvp]

I'm not sure quite how to figure him.

[ChadTower]

People are like that with this stuff... they want it, they want you to provide it, but they don't want to pay or contribute or even move it.  They just want you to build it, design it, configure it, deliver it, set it up, and support it.

And they will get self righteous if you don't do it for them.

[Sephroth57]

be glad you dont have to build it, cause when they mess up the frontend you will be the one called over to fix it

[ClubNinja]

Make sure you tell his kids why they're not getting their arcade game this Christmas.  What a cheapass.

[duffjr]

i see this stuff all the time.  this reminds me of the kids who don't loan their video games out because that one time a selfish kid kept it.  every ---smurfin--- ---tallywhacker--- i loaned a video game too has kept it.  then when you ask for it back, "the what?  i gave it back to you months ago.  i don't even play that system anymore.  it's for little kids. my cousin has it..."

he think because it's your gift, he shouldn't have to pay.  you're gonna take all the credit for it.  he can't have his kids loving someone else for christmas while all his presents are forgotten.

[ChadTower]

Don't ever loan anything out you're not prepared to lose. 

[GGKoul]

be glad you dont have to build it, cause when they mess up the frontend you will be the one called over to fix it

Yep!! I was temped to make a MAME cab for my non-technical buddy and I know if I do, he'll be calling me ALL the time to come fix it...

[ChadTower]

And if you agree on a price, get it in writing.  Don't need a formal contract, but itemize out cost of materials.  If you don't do that people will come back and try to pay you a lower cost than agreed upon and they say stuff like "Well I never told you it had to have all that printed art".

[Harry Potter]

Don't deal with him. No matter what you do for him, it seems he'll complain relentlessly or try to screw you in some way.

Avoid avoid avoid.

[Stingray]

No matter what you do for him, it seems he'll complain relentlessly or try to screw you in some way.

This sounds a lot like you when you're drunk.

-S

[Bones]

Cheap bastard.

[RayB]

For some people the only way to afford the Mercedes is exactly by being cheap elsewhere.

Also, some people don't like being told how to spend their money. Maybe he doesn't want his kids to have any arcade machines. Who knows.

Maybe he thinks you're the cheapskate, since people with lots of disposable income have skewed views on what is affordable and what isn't. He's probably wondering why you're pestering him for the equivalent of what he spends on a pair of underwear? Who knows...

Just throwing out some possible explanations...

[ChadTower]

All of which point to his being a dumbass.

[markb]

Just like Asimov's robot laws here are my laws of building something for someone:-

Rule 1 - Never build something for someone with no technical ability (mums are excluded)
Rule 2 - If when building it you ask yourself 'Will they need that?' then the answer is automatically No
Rule 3 - If component A is cheaper than B then buy B as it is less likely to need you to go around and repair it.
Rule 4 - Whatever it costs you to build add 25% for the 'cheapskate factor'

Almost forgot the Zeroeth Rule - never agree to build something when inebriated.

[RayB]

Never agree to build something with a fixed deadline (ie: Christmas)

[ChadTower]

Never agree to build something for someone who doesn't understand the complexity of the item.

They will always dramatically underestimate how much you did for them.

[JackTucky]

If someone told me "I want to give your kids a gift, but you have to provide the <insert part here>", I might politely tell them to get something for them that they can give wholly own their own.

Why not find someone else that is planning on giving them a gift to kick in.  I would definitely kick in a TV on a cab that I could put my name on and not have to the other work 

Art

[ChadTower]

But the work is the gift, really... why would he spend the cash and do the work, particularly if the cash is a difficult thing for him at the moment.

I'll do dozens of hours of work for your kids, but you have to help with the cash because I can't afford the parts, is not an unreasonable proposition.

[markrvp]

He and the kids asked me if I could build one for them (with no offer to reimburse me for costs).

[Bones]

It's Christmas and this is an awesome gift any kid would love. To be able to grant your kids a working cab for the cost of small TV is a rare opportunity.

I don't care what anyone thinks and I don't buy the excuses. He is nothing but a selfish cheap bastard.

Credit to you Mark. Anybody can buy stuff from a department store but it is something special when somebody gives the gift of their labour.

[mccoy178]

I'm building two fullsize cabinets right this second for my best friend and my wife's cousin.

[Dartful Dodger]

It's Christmas and this is an awesome gift any kid would love. To be able to grant your kids a working cab for the cost of small TV is a rare opportunity.

Kids love puppies, an arcade cabinet the size of a refrigerator that plays only HALF the games a modern cell phone can play, is a novelty.  I child will tire of it after a week.  The father may have been behind the idea the day he first saw it, but after thinking about it and the basement full of toys that the kids loved for a day, had second thoughts.

It's Christmas, let it go, you weren't offering one of his kids a kidney.  If you need some one to hate this Christmas, hate me.

[markrvp]

If you need some one to hate this Christmas, hate me.

But I love you.

[Dartful Dodger]

I work in an open office.  Please refrain from writing things that make me laugh or display any facial expressions that will draw attention to the fact that I'm slacking off.

[DrewKaree]

be glad you dont have to build it, cause when they mess up the frontend you will be the one called over to fix it

There is no frontend.  He said he'd be using a Jakk's pack.  The little handheld plug-into-your-TV games they sell at Wal-Mart for $15.

I just don't get people like that.  think he doesn't want to do it because his kids will never look at it as "Unka Mark built us this, and dad bought the TV for it".  He probably doesn't wanna shell out a hundred bucks for something you'll FOREVER get the credit for.  Some folks are funny like that.  They feel the need to get "credit" for something they do for their kids, as if their kid is somehow keeping some running total or it'll get them some respect/obedience from their kid later on down the road.

You've also spoken about how your out-laws are ass hats anyhoo.  Seems like it runs through the family.  Just be happy the one you chose to marry isn't infected

[markrvp]

My wife and I spent all lunch arguing over how we think Christmas with the In-Laws will go down this year.  I just told her, now that I understand how they are, I promise not to get upset.

However - I'm not babysitting our kids PLUS the brother-in-law's two boys and brand new baby girl.  Her family treats me like the hired help and that REALLY, REALLY BUGS ME.

I generally love people, but even my wife agrees her family is a bunch of worthless, self-absorbed, selfish ---punks---.  Unfortunately she kind of forgets about our nuclear family when we get together with her parents/brother's family.

My family is very loving and accepting.  In my town I'm a respected member of the community.  It is very unsettling to me to be treated like dirt by these people.

[Bones]

People are strange and families can be the worst.

The only real thing you can do to maintain your dignity is treat them with the respect that you feel you deserve and then when they ain't looking wipe your ass on their curtains.

[markrvp]

when they ain't looking wipe your ass on their curtains.

LMAO

[DrewKaree]

People are strange and families can be the worst.

The only real thing you can do to maintain your dignity is treat them with the respect that you feel you deserve and then when they ain't looking wipe your ass on their curtains.

* DrewKaree can't stop choking from laughing so hard

In my town I'm a respected member of the community. 

Jeez, how small IS that community that YOU are  respected member? 

[DrewKaree]

Now I know what to give them for Christmas!!!!

I've got an even better idea!  You gave me the idea too!

Ass Hat ignores my dad and...one of the Schnausers SHITS right on the carpet. 

GAME ON!

[Scott84]

Hes probably embarassed that its not him building it for his kids.

[JackTucky]

He and the kids asked me if I could build one for them (with no offer to reimburse me for costs).  I said yes if they could provide the TV.

Then he is an ass-hat.  and that dog poo would have been on his windshield if he didn't clean it up.

Art

[markrvp]

My in-laws have a new house this year where we'll be going on Christmas Eve.

[ChadTower]

  Ass Hat ignores my dad and brings the dogs on in and one of the Schnausers SHITS right on the carpet.  Guess who had to clean it up?

That's when you throw them the ---fudgesicle--- out.  "I do this expensive thing for you for free and you ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on my floor?  Does my home look like a toilet to you?!"  Do it in your best DeNiro voice. 

I hate it when people bring their animals.  My brother in law once brought his dog to my house despite knowing his sister is allergic.  Then he gets all "what did I do" when the thing is sitting on my couch and I get pissed.

[duffjr]

how'd he know his sister acquired an allergy late in her life?

[DrewKaree]

how'd he know his sister acquired an allergy late in her life?

I'm guessing that when Chad said

My brother in law once brought his dog to my house despite knowing his sister is allergic.

it wasn't something she aquired late in life.  Perhaps you've read some of Chad's previous work.  I'm quite sure he told us this gem precisely BECAUSE she's had that allergy all her life, meaning her ass hat brother should definitely know that. 

Of course, Chad coulda made a mistake

[duffjr]

i thought it said unknowing...i ate a bad cheese burrito for dinner.

[DrewKaree]

i thought it said unknowing...i ate a bad cheese burrito for dinner.

As long as you haven't combined that burrito with cheese doodles, I think you're gonna make it.  If you have, you better seek medical attention, and QUICK!

[duffjr]

well, i woke up in the middle of the night.  it was the worst dump i've ever had.  it started out fine and healthy but then turned bad 30 minutes through.  i'm estimating it at 5 lbs.

[ChadTower]

how'd he know his sister acquired an allergy late in her life?

She's had it her entire life, is older than he is, thus she has had it, along with asthma, both of their entire lives.  He knew, just didn't care.

Even without that no person with manners puts their dog on your couch.