freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on Dec 2, 2015 16:08:30 GMT
So we have a glass shop (auto glass).
2 months ago a kid comes in (college student, parents live out of town) and we replace his w/s in a 10 year old car. In the process the wipers do NOT come off (sometimes they do) but on this model, because they are difficult and often break, my husband installs around the wipers. I help him with this most of the time (sometimes I help set w/s). The kid comes back later and says there's a problem the wipers. My husband looks at it and says that it looks like someone has fixed it with wire and bondo. Out of kindness my husband says he'll help pay for half of the part ($45). Remember, the part was never removed, only lifted up and the cowl never came off. The w/s is installed around it, never touching the wipers.
2 months later, dad calls me up and chews me out on the phone. He says that the only person that's *ever* worked on the car was grandpa and that grandpa wouldn't do that, and that it was "obvious" that we broke it. They tried to fix it and broke the windshield in the process (see, told you that they weren't to be messed with).
The thing is, we didn't break it. If we break something, we'll own up to it. My husband offered as a benevolent act and to try to help out a kid. The kid said "No, I don't think you did it. I'll have my grandpa fix it." and that's the last we heard until Monday. Now dad faxed me the "invoice" from "grandpa". (It's really just a quote from a tire place).
I refused to pay for a new windshield because someone was a dumbass.
It's just $162.00 for the wiper transmission and the labor, but the principle of it all just really ticks me off. Why should I have to pay for something that we did not do? To me it's an admission of guilt.
I'd really love to tell him to go eff himself. WWYD.
Yes, I think this was a vent mainly
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scrapbug
Full Member
Posts: 343
Jun 26, 2014 0:11:46 GMT
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Post by scrapbug on Dec 2, 2015 16:11:54 GMT
It depends on if you want him to go badmouthing you. My first reaction is to NOT pay it, especially since they waited for 2 months. That tells you something right there.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,984
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Post by blue tulip on Dec 2, 2015 16:13:44 GMT
unfortunately I think your husband opened the door to this by offering to pay part of it, which was probably seen by them as an admission of some guilt. maybe not by the kid, in that moment, but later when he told parents.
no, I would not be paying for a motor you didn't break. if you want to, keep with the original kind offer, but nothing more. but if I were on the other end of this deal from you, I would be thinking "why would they be offering to pay if it wasn't their fault? they must've done something."
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Dec 2, 2015 16:15:33 GMT
unfortunately I think your husband opened the door to this by offering to pay part of it, which was probably seen by them as an admission of some guilt. maybe not by the kid, in that moment, but later when he told parents. no, I would not be paying for a motor you didn't break. if you want to, keep with the original kind offer, but nothing more. but if I were on the other end of this deal from you, I would be thinking "why would they be offering to pay if it wasn't their fault? they must've done something." I agree with that. I'm annoyed at him for offering and that's what the dad said too. I know my husband said it to be kind though. |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,984
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Post by blue tulip on Dec 2, 2015 16:18:33 GMT
unfortunately I think your husband opened the door to this by offering to pay part of it, which was probably seen by them as an admission of some guilt. maybe not by the kid, in that moment, but later when he told parents. no, I would not be paying for a motor you didn't break. if you want to, keep with the original kind offer, but nothing more. but if I were on the other end of this deal from you, I would be thinking "why would they be offering to pay if it wasn't their fault? they must've done something." I agree with that. I'm annoyed at him for offering and that's what the dad said too. I know my husband said it to be kind though. sucks when you can't just do something nice for people anymore, without it biting your butt later.  |
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Dec 2, 2015 16:26:04 GMT
Honestly I think even at this point they will still badmouth you even if you cave and pay for it. I can see it going like this "oh that Freebird glass shop did such a shitty job on my kids window we had to force them to pay"
Good luck with this one! The customer isn't always right.
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Post by anonrefugee on Dec 2, 2015 17:11:59 GMT
"Two months later" - are you in a drought? That's an awful long time for dad to discover it was your fault!
I'm sorry your good gesture is working out this way. Sadly it's probably better to pay the small amount instead of tons (ETA) time and risk bad publicity fighting it.
(But I hate that I wrote that!)
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Dec 2, 2015 18:08:48 GMT
Sometimes you have to pay even if it's not right. Sounds like this is one of those times It'll probably be worth $162 to just be able to wash your hands of the whole deal. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Dec 2, 2015 18:40:58 GMT
Sometimes you have to pay even if it's not right. Sounds like this is one of those times It'll probably be worth $162 to just be able to wash your hands of the whole deal. Ugh.. if I have to pay this, I'm totally writing something on the check that says " 'gift', given under duress, we didn't do it" or something like that. LOL That way if he wants his money he has to cash it. hah. |
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Post by myboysnme on Dec 2, 2015 18:42:28 GMT
If you can pay without a hardship to you I would pay, but maybe the kid and Grandpa can come by and you can show Grandpa what you did.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Dec 2, 2015 19:15:57 GMT
Sometimes you have to pay even if it's not right. Sounds like this is one of those times It'll probably be worth $162 to just be able to wash your hands of the whole deal. Ugh.. if I have to pay this, I'm totally writing something on the check that says " 'gift', given under duress, we didn't do it" or something like that. LOL That way if he wants his money he has to cash it. hah. I once mailed a check in an envelope that said "Payment enclosed, I hope you choke on it." Same type of situation. I wasn't responsible for the bill but had to pay it. It was pretty childish but it still makes me chuckle 30 years later when I think about it  |
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sharlag
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I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Dec 2, 2015 19:19:20 GMT
Sometimes it feels like a "damned if you do..." situation.
If people are rude, I'm less likely to pay in that situation, for sure. I used to be the reverse, and that's just silly, to pay the asshol@s before the nice people.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,701
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Dec 2, 2015 19:23:22 GMT
I probably wouldn't. If it were under 30 days, probably, but 2 months? I think that's on them.
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Post by anniefb on Dec 2, 2015 19:26:39 GMT
Sometimes you have to pay even if it's not right. Sounds like this is one of those times It'll probably be worth $162 to just be able to wash your hands of the whole deal. Yeah, that's how I see it too. |
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Post by gritzi on Dec 2, 2015 19:29:25 GMT
I don't think it's a repair that you owe, although Dad will likely be a PITA no matter what you decide. Why didn't dad call sooner if it were truly broken by you two months ago? There aren't too many businesses, other than Costco, that will take responsibility for repairs or refunds 2 months later. (Yes, I know car dealerships, appliance stores, etc might fall under a different category).
Do you think the $162 quote is a fair or inflated amount? Is there a local business you can consult for another estimate or two? If I read correctly it's a repair for a broken wiper.
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Loydene
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Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Dec 2, 2015 19:33:54 GMT
Altho' I am a lawyer, this is not legal advice.
In order for them to actually try to collect against you, they would be required to bring a suit. Even in small claims court, you would have to be served and could appear and state your side of the case -- just what you said to us -- you didn't touch the wipers. They bear the "burden of proof" -- that you are somehow responsible for the damage -- NOT the newly broken windshield but the underlying matter. They probably cannot meet their burden of proof.
Even if they would be awarded a judgment, it would be only for the costs they show or, again, prove and you'd still have the right of appeal from the small claims case.
You would not need an attorney in small claims court
That isn't necessarily a good business decision -- but how much work would you anticipate getting form these people anyway ... and how far and wide can speak ill of you?
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Post by maryland on Dec 2, 2015 19:37:12 GMT
Do they want you to pay for the new windshield and the $162 for the wiper?
I wouldn't want to pay either. That was a long time for something else to happen. Your husband was trying to be nice and help the kid out and they took advantage of it. Sorry you have to deal with this difficult customer!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 2, 2015 19:53:05 GMT
I keep coming back to the point that they didn't seek any recourse until two months later. In my opinion, that's too long after to hold you responsible especially given the fact that you weren't the last to work on it.
So is it "right" of them to demand payment? In my opinion, no.
But is it "prudent" for you to pay it to avoid harassment or being bad-mouthed? Possibly. You'll have to make a judgement call on that one based on your dealings with these people.
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~Lauren~
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,876
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Post by ~Lauren~ on Dec 2, 2015 19:56:40 GMT
Altho' I am a lawyer, this is not legal advice. In order for them to actually try to collect against you, they would be required to bring a suit. Even in small claims court, you would have to be served and could appear and state your side of the case -- just what you said to us -- you didn't touch the wipers. They bear the "burden of proof" -- that you are somehow responsible for the damage -- NOT the newly broken windshield but the underlying matter. They probably cannot meet their burden of proof. Even if they would be awarded a judgment, it would be only for the costs they show or, again, prove and you'd still have the right of appeal from the small claims case. You would not need an attorney in small claims court That isn't necessarily a good business decision -- but how much work would you anticipate getting form these people anyway ... and how far and wide can speak ill of you? I agree with this. College kids are transient and notoriously short on money. This is not a customer that you can expect future business from; and it's unlike you'd get much business anyway from the people he'd bad-mouth you to. I wouldn't pay. And I'm also a lawyer. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 1, 2024 18:39:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 20:16:47 GMT
I agree with this. College kids are transient and notoriously short on money. This is not a customer that you can expect future business from; and it's unlike you'd get much business anyway from the people he'd bad-mouth you to.Yep. They waited too long. Clearly a money-grab. And I highly doubt they will impact your business. Ignore it! |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Dec 2, 2015 20:22:39 GMT
Do they want you to pay for the new windshield and the $162 for the wiper? I wouldn't want to pay either. That was a long time for something else to happen. Your husband was trying to be nice and help the kid out and they took advantage of it. Sorry you have to deal with this difficult customer! They want us to to pay just for the wiper transmission and the labor to install it. I said there was no way I was paying for a new w/s. |
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Post by bluepoprocks on Dec 2, 2015 20:24:55 GMT
I wouldn't pay.
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Post by mom on Dec 2, 2015 20:30:22 GMT
My response? Tell them to prove it and then hang up on them.
No way would I pay for this.
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Post by stingfan on Dec 2, 2015 20:46:55 GMT
I might be inclined to ignore it for awhile and see what happens next.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 1, 2024 18:39:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 21:04:59 GMT
I usually err on the side of protecting the business name even if it means extending yourself to remedy a situation but in this situation I wouldn't pay
I would take everything off of verbal communication and start communicating in writing
Write a letter (or email) detailing what happened and send it to them as your reason for not getting involved any further
end it with, should you wish to contact me, do so in writing
If they call to discuss, ask them to reply in writing and say you have to go
writing takes extra effort so they may just abandon the cause
and if it does end up in small claims, you have all of your story already in writing
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Post by missysauter on Dec 2, 2015 21:07:20 GMT
Nope. They waited way too long to complain. I wouldn't pay for it.
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Post by 3dcrafter on Dec 2, 2015 21:34:03 GMT
I'm not sure if I would pay or not....but I would def. use this situation to change how you document the condition of the car wipers etc. on future customers orders. For example taking pictures of the wipers and/or having the customers sign a check sheet as to what the pre-condition of the wipers are before any work is performed. I'm sorry you guys are having to go though this, it's a bummer when others take advantage.
ETA...should also have the customer sign a check list after the work is completed as well to ensure that no damage was done during the process as well.
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 2, 2015 21:48:02 GMT
Oh hell no. I'm so sick of people trying to intimidate small business owners into giving them free stuff. It's ridiculous.
A few months back a lady came into our office to have her glasses repaired. She tried to claim after that we lost her lens and demanded that we pay for a new set of lenses. The doctor I work for is new in town and was terrified of someone bad mouthing his new practice so he paid for her lenses. I was furious.
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Post by sillybillygoat on Dec 2, 2015 21:58:31 GMT
I truly don't think they will speak kindly of your business in the future whether you pay the bill or not. People can be blowhards and would never cop to the fact that 1. You weren't actually at fault 2. Your Husband offered to pay for half out of the kindness of his heart 3. That you paid for the repair in the end. I personally have never had something go well for me even if I bend over backwards to rectify (if I was at fault or not) when the person started off the conversation in a pissy tone. So I guess what I'm trying to say is whether you pay the $162 or not, it is extremely doubtful they will sing your praises anyway. So I would take that into consideration  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 1, 2024 18:39:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 22:07:20 GMT
Nope.
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My original pea date was November 1999 and my number was 1803
