I've helped out... so here's my bill!

[ZipTheWonder]

How about giving him an hour's worth of minimum wage?

I'd love to know how much the OP's friend was billed.  I wonder what he thinks his time is worth?

[Yentush]

Someone should tell the jerk that there are heavy penalties for fraud and extortion.

An offer of help was asked for (by the way, did the couple ask or was the request from the church?)? , and people volunteered to help.  If the jerk did not say at the beginning that he would help only if he was paid, then he has no reason to expect compensation.  Also, as the whole idea was to help and save the couple money, it is perfectly clear from t he beginning than any help, while hugely appreciated, is voluntary.

[MineralDiva]

She didn't "hire" him.  He volunteered.  There is no contractual obligation on her part to pay anything.  If he gave up a day's work, and couldn't afford to do so, that's his own stupidity.

I would not only ignore the bill, but caution everyone in the group to be careful of this person's offers to "help" potentially coming with an unexpected invoice!

[blue_bunny_paz]

Well, it's now common knowledge within our house group.
I have no idea where this all came from, but I can't see it was a joke. The bill-er is an electrician, so his time is quite expensive, but it's not like he couldn't take work either side of helping out.
thanks for everyone's ideas - my friend loved the Monopoly money idea!
The family who moved may mention it to the minister, but they're not sure how to bring it up as yet.

[bopper]

Well, it's now common knowledge within our house group.
I have no idea where this all came from, but I can't see it was a joke. The bill-er is an electrician, so his time is quite expensive, but it's not like he couldn't take work either side of helping out.
thanks for everyone's ideas - my friend loved the Monopoly money idea!
The family who moved may mention it to the minister, but they're not sure how to bring it up as yet.

I would bring it up to the Minister as if you are looking for advice.
"Minister...after everybody so wonderfully helped us move the other day, I got a invoice from somebody for their time!  I am not sure what to do in this situation?"

[ganjin]

Did he maybe wire their house when no one was looking?

Someone needs to enLIGHTen him on manners, business ethics, and common decency.

[housewife2k]

Well, it's now common knowledge within our house group.
I have no idea where this all came from, but I can't see it was a joke. The bill-er is an electrician, so his time is quite expensive, but it's not like he couldn't take work either side of helping out.
thanks for everyone's ideas - my friend loved the Monopoly money idea!
The family who moved may mention it to the minister, but they're not sure how to bring it up as yet.

I was waiting to comment until I had thought it over more, but he is an electricion. Even working through a company, and not independant, he could easily have scheduled work around helping move. Are your friends even certain he took the entire day off?  Before I was going to say ignore it, but now I agree with the posters who suggest bringing the bill to the minister and asking what they should do, being it was volunteer work, and they never expected a bill, let alone for hours that someone didn't work. My guess is the minister will handle it nicely from there.

[ethelberga]

I'm going to concur with those who suggested telling the minister.  Normally I'm not a fan of appearing to tattle on adults, but when "members of large organization" get together and do something, whether or not those members are paid staff they are representing that organization in a fashion.  Who knows if this person has attempted to bill for services previously?  Or will do so again in the future?  It's the kind of behavior, however, that could reflect negatively on the organization.  The minister should be notified so that, if necessary, that person can be either counseled or excluded from future volunteer activities. 

Bopper had a good suggestion of presenting it as a quest for advice. 

[lkl492]

Wow, I had to read the OP several times to make sure I didn't misunderstand.

Wow.

I agree with those who said they would speak with the pastor of the church.  A properly trained pastor should be able to mediate this odd situation. 

If the person got REALLY persistent, my sarcastic inner self (ok, the rest of me too) would give him $20 or whatever they pay a single mover per hour.  Hopefully it won't go that far though.

[ZipTheWonder]

It's probably my sarcastic inner self that would pay him, too.  My charitable outer self would, of course, want him to reap the blessings of [insertyourfaithhere] service.   

[Balletmom]

This is definitely a matter for the pastor.

If the couple isn't comfortable telling him, someone else should. The person submitting the bill needs help. The pastor is the person best suited to help him understand what he needs to know about giving, or choosing not to give of his time, etc.

[CynthiaBelle]

They should respond with:
"You walked on our floor, with your shoes, which have been outside, and they have contributed to the dirt and build up, and now we have to vaccum, which means our electricity bill is going to go up, which means we will have to pay it, all from you walking on our floor. I think we're even."

[katarain]

Something just occurred to me... don't get me wrong, I think this guy was WAY out of line and showed himself to be a real jerk, but did the family feed the movers by ordering pizza or something or offering drinks?  I've always been taught that if people help you move, you kind of have an obligation to feed them. Of course, they were only there an hour, so perhaps something smaller would be appropriate.  If this didn't happen, I don't think it excuses this guy at ALL, but maybe he was ticked off about not being properly "thanked"?  Just a thought...

[kingsrings]

Agree with you, katarain. I've never had friends help me move, but thought that it was part of good etiquette that if people help you move, you thank them by providing them with pizza/drinks afterwards. That is what all my friend have done in the past when I've helped them move. In this family's case, however, it sounds like they were struggling (hence needing the help) and perhaps they weren't even financially able to provide this thank you? If that was the case, then I think people should of just realized that and not dinged them on it.

[HogwartsAlum]

If the person couldn't afford to lose the day's wages when he/she chose to help out, he/she shouldn't have volunteered.

The family should absolutely NOT pay that bill as it would just reinforce that person's bad behavior.  Instead, others in the volunteer group need to pounce on the rude person and let him/her know that his/her behavior is completely unacceptable.

This is how I feel.  I would NEVER pay anyone who charged me for their help after the fact like that.  If they could not get off work, then I would do without them.  That would be understandable as a reason they could not help.  But if they took off work, that is THEIR problem, not mine.  I wouldn't be surprised if this one ended up on Judge Judy!

Oh how I want my power back, so I can tape Judy again....*sigh*