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Compulsive Detail

Compulsive Detail

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Hey guys just had a question here, has anyone been served into small claims court over damages that happened after the fact, I detailed a guy gt500 buffed and what not. Was a cash transaction no invoice no contract nothing. Four days later he text me saying a vinyl stripe was messed up near the cowl. I offered to take a look at it even thought i knew i did not have the buffer anywhere near it. Offered to help him out and fix it when i wasnt busy hes not thretening to sue me in small claims for $1000 or settle out of court for $300. Any Advice? I see it as he looked over his property when i released it thanked me and was very happy with the work done....the car even won best in show.....4 days later tells me he sees a small almost hairline split in the vinyl.
 
Compulsive Detail said:
Hey guys just had a question here, has anyone been served into small claims court over damages that happened after the fact, I detailed a guy gt500 buffed and what not. Was a cash transaction no invoice no contract nothing. Four days later he text me saying a vinyl stripe was messed up near the cowl. I offered to take a look at it even thought i knew i did not have the buffer anywhere near it. Offered to help him out and fix it when i wasnt busy hes not thretening to sue me in small claims for $1000 or settle out of court for $300. Any Advice? I see it as he looked over his property when i released it thanked me and was very happy with the work done....the car even won best in show.....4 days later tells me he sees a small almost hairline split in the vinyl.
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Did you take pictures to document the work done?? Did I do a complete documented walk around before you started the work??

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I have pictures of the car after but not the "exact spot" its on a crease there the hood and the cowl meet some where i wouldn't buff...........due to it being on an edge He inspected the car before i left, said all was well and then contacted me 6 days later saying something was scratched....Who knows what happened in those 6 days between when i detailed his car and he saw the alleged damage
 
Heres a few pics of after it was completed. The sad part is i work on way nicer cars then this, its always the ones who "act" like the have money are usually the issue. It was a cash transaction he didn't want a recipt or invoice. His wife hates his car. So was cash only. It left my posession on July 25th 2017 and i was notified on July 31st that there was a small hairline split, How do i know after it left my posession that it didn't happen and either way theres no way vinyl is worth $1000 especially on a Orig Stripe Delete car.
 
Other than this thread how does he have proof that you detailed it for the judge?


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At the car wash, all claims had to be made before leaving the property.

Never had it happen detailing though.
 
Not a lawyer. He can take you to court, of course and you never know what a judge would do. I think your story is compelling. You know what you're doing and can explain why you never would have touched that area.
 
Looks like he attempted to clean his windshield at a gas station and used their squeegee and those usually have a metal frame. Then he hit the vinyl with the side and did that damage. No way you did it while detailing.
 
MattPersman said:
Other than this thread how does he have proof that you detailed it for the judge?
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I like this.

But if you do say you detailed it, I would state that the customer looked the car over at delivery and had no complaints.
You cannot say what happened in the 4-6 days after delivery when it was out of your possession and back with the owner.
 
I use a generic inspection sheet I made up that they sign on pick up just in case this happens and I take pictures 10 minimum of before and after

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If you offered to help him and fix it, then that should be it. The fact that he is threatening to sue you after you already offered to help him fix it means that his wife found out and is pissed so he is trying to recoup some money!

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I wouldn't fix or offer to fix it, you didn't do it. It'll cost him more to file a case even in small claims court. Just don't send him any texts or leave vmails that can be used against you in a court of law.
 
Compulsive Detail said:
Hey guys just had a question here, has anyone been served into small claims court over damages that happened after the fact, I detailed a guy gt500 buffed and what not. Was a cash transaction no invoice no contract nothing. Four days later he text me saying a vinyl stripe was messed up near the cowl. I offered to take a look at it even thought i knew i did not have the buffer anywhere near it. Offered to help him out and fix it when i wasnt busy hes not thretening to sue me in small claims for $1000 or settle out of court for $300. Any Advice? I see it as he looked over his property when i released it thanked me and was very happy with the work done....the car even won best in show.....4 days later tells me he sees a small almost hairline split in the vinyl.
Click to expand...
Tell him see you in court sounds like a shakedown. Talking about settling out when there's not even a case yet. Tell him you are counter suing for defamation and emotional damages.
 
Yeah, just let it lie. Probably 90+ percent of the people who say they're going to take someone to court, don't.

Oh and I would document in a dedicated notebook everything that has happened to this point and any contact he has with you in the future. I would also record any conversations you have (notifying him your doing so if your state law requires.).

One more thing. The primary thing a judge is looking for if you ever end up there is lies. Don't get caught in a lie; take the opportunity to walk the other guy into one.
 
DetailKitty said:
I like this. But if you do say you detailed it, I would state that the customer looked the car over at delivery and had no complaints. You cannot say what happened in the 4-6 days after delivery when it was out of your possession and back with the owner.
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this is what I would do.
 
Could the damage come from the wiper arm being pulled up to clean under the blade. It’s pretty tight between the cowl and rear hood edge.


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Judge Judy. You could probably get a bunch of us rowdy autogeek'rs to attend and show support for ya. We can heckle the other guy.
 
Paid cash, no receipt. I would say "who are you, and what are you talking about? I've never seen you before in my life. lol

Seriously, if offered to fix it let him try to sue. If he ever went through with it I would think it would be obvious to a jury, and I would request a jury, that the guy is just trying to get something for nothing.
 
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