This "dirty" customer is trying to burn me...

[rdorman]

On my BMW the manual says not to jump it at the battery. There is a positive jump post on the engine and a negative on the strut tower. But yep, be careful with them!

 

[Scottwax]

Had to jump a customer's 3 series after a detail (car was an '06 and still had the original battery). Once we jumped it, he had a check engine light and even with his foot on the brake, he couldn't put the car in gear. Turned it off, restarted it and everything was fine again. :nixweiss

 

[safetyman2010]

Unfortunately, there is no knob to dim the instrument cluster.



I used my car to jump his suv.



Also, i did detail the motor but the electricals were covered...



I think i will just have to pay for his suv to get repaired. Lesson learned. Starting today, i dont care if it takes me 10 to 15 minutes, i will have to really check the customers vehicle. I will check for the navigation, instrument panel, lights, turn signals, dings, dents, scratches and disclose them all in a check sheet and have them sign it. This will prevent scum bags from putting blame on you. It may take 10 to 15 minutes out of the detail, but it could save you thousands.



I detailed a AUDI S5 about 2 months ago, the customer said i broke one of his light sensors, i told him that he has to prove that i broke it or else i am not paying for anything. Good thing was, he couldn't. He never called or came back to the shop.



The bottom line is that there are customers that are "dirty" in this business. The minute that we touch the car, we can ultimately be blamed for it. Do a damage disclosure to save your behind...

This is one of the main reasons I have a full compliment of security cameras EVERYWHERE at my business. Not one square inch isn't covered. Serves 2 purposes - 1. covers our asses in cases like this where there is a problem. We have actually had people try to stick us for a repair then say "nevermind" when we tell them we are going to check the cameras. 2. keeps employees in check. Best investment I have ever made

 

[WAS]

This is one of the main reasons I have a full compliment of security cameras EVERYWHERE at my business. Not one square inch isn't covered. Serves 2 purposes - 1. covers our asses in cases like this where there is a problem. We have actually had people try to stick us for a repair then say "nevermind" when we tell them we are going to check the cameras. 2. keeps employees in check. Best investment I have ever made

+1 to that.



Sounds like jumping could have been caused the issue, but maybe not. Without having the problem diagnosed, there's no way to tell.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

This is one of the main reasons I have a full compliment of security cameras EVERYWHERE at my business. Not one square inch isn't covered. Serves 2 purposes - 1. covers our asses in cases like this where there is a problem. We have actually had people try to stick us for a repair then say "nevermind" when we tell them we are going to check the cameras. 2. keeps employees in check. Best investment I have ever made

That's an excellent idea! I hadn't even thought about using the cameras to prove what damage was or wasn't done by who, but it makes perfect sense.

 

[WAS]

Cameras are a must in any business these days. It's unfortunate, but you need to protect yourself from both bad customers as well as bad employees.

 

[safetyman2010]

That's an excellent idea! I hadn't even thought about using the cameras to prove what damage was or wasn't done by who, but it makes perfect sense.

We made the decision to get them back in 2004 after an employment issue with an employee that gave 2 weeks notice then proceeded to make every effort to do nothing her last 2 weeks. She took a job she was given and directed a new hire to do it instead which led to a vehicle being damaged so we terminated her on the spot. She took us to the labour board for wrongful dismissal and wanted the remaining time from her 2 weeks to be paid out. We didn't have the cameras at the time so it was our word against hers - made it a huge hassle.

I can't even count the times the cameras have come in handy with all kinds of things you don't even think about until you need them. Best investment ever.