Almost Called Police On Detail Job Today

Best would be to file a report saying you dont want the guy near your business, also guy didnt know what he was doing with a compound I would definately put a mechanics lien on it as he did not pay and got angry with u
 
You did the right thing by NOT making a difficult situation worse by saying or doing something worse.
 
Hopefully you learned a lesson worth more than the $ they owe you..........I wouldnt bother filing in small claims court, or calling the police, BUT I would wait about 3-4 weeks and slash a tire, or egg the car. If they put 2+2 together than maybe they will learn a lesson too.
 
ssnobrakes said:
Hopefully you learned a lesson worth more than the $ they owe you..........I wouldnt bother filing in small claims court, or calling the police, BUT I would wait about 3-4 weeks and slash a tire, or egg the car. If they put 2+2 together than maybe they will learn a lesson too.
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Egging the car or slashing a tire brings you down to their level. Karma will bite them in the ass eventually, just as it would bite you, if you went for revenge in this way....
 
I did a two step on Chevy Chevell and the owner refused to pay me so I said "ok fine" , the I asked his wife if she liked his face. I said "I am not the one to hustle" . She gave me the money real fast. Do take no sh**. I will blast someone in the face for that Stunt . Typical hot headed Scotsman .
 
Few 5 gallon buckets of mud/water

Won't cause damage but will take away the shine :)


Ryan
 
all ways get them to sign a work order with the price on it. With out a signed work order you cant do anything.
 
I'd let it go and use this experience to learn and adjust the way you do business. I'd start writing up a work sheet with a list of all work you will be performing and the price. Have them sign acknowledging the agreement.

When doing business it's always a good idea to get everything in writing before hand. This will help avoid any confusion or misunderstanding by either party. I do this with all of my business dealings (especially family and friends)
 
"I can very easily un-do all the work I just did... would you like me to do that?"

works every time.
 
scooterguitar said:
Yet another reason for conceal carry.
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Ooops.... I know this is digging up an old thread, but I bet you and me would get along just fine! (CC holder since 77.... if the .45 on my hip don't getcha' the 9 in my back will, or maybe that .38 strapped to my ankle) :poke:
 
It's not worth the effort to pursue, but in the future, if you don't know the person, collect the money first as a detail can't be undone if they don't want to pay.
 
Here is my 2 cents,

First off the contract was between you and the son. Legally you have to ask the question if the son was entitled to contract on his father's behalf for his father's property. Did you perform work with or without prior consent from the father? If you performed the work onsite, did you have permission to be on premise? Those are all legal questions that may be raise and he can claim that you damaged his property by trespassing on his property (unless the son is legally residing there, and gave you permission... then it is only a claim against property)

My solution for you is to start a paperwork trail. Sending them a certified letter would serve to show intent and would serve to express the content of the oral agreement, and the fact that the contract was not fulfilled on his end. You should threaten legal action in small claims (due to the nature of the work and the amount owed). Do describe the subsequent conversation about compounding, and detail that it was not part of the agreed work order. You should finish by stating that in the spirit of fairness and to demonstrate your willingness to resolve the issue amicably that you will agree to compounding the behemoth for a set price (reduced or full) at a location of your choosing (son's house or otherwise...)

In most cases, the letter is enough to get them moving in the right direction. For your benefit, ask that all subsequent communication be done in writing via email unless he already knows where you live, or if you have a PO box...
 
It does sound although there was no way you were ever getting paid in full. I would have been inclined to have refused payment and then finalised the job with a quick spray over with a strong solution to strip off any of the protection you had just laid down. Hardly satisfying but better than leaving them with a pristine vehicle at practically no cost!
 
My humble opinion for what it is worth...

I have owned a service oriented business for over 30 years. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, customers just are not satisfied.

I have always strived to live by the notion that the customer is always right, but in this case, the customer was obviously abusive, to the point of making you feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

You've already been paid $60, which means that you were stiffed for $140. I realize that what the customer did was completely unfair. You didn't deserve to be treated so poorly and certainly deserved to be paid in full for your work. But honestly, is it worth it to detail for this guy in the future and what emotional distress do you risk by attempting to collect your unpaid fees?

To me, the emotional distress of dealing with this guy far outweighs the slight amount of additional profit you'll get by trying to collect.

You did good, honest work for this guy even if he doesn't appreciate it. Don't beat yourself up for this. Pat yourself on the back for doing a professional job and walk away. There are plenty of great customers out there who will love your work. Don't waste your time with one irrational customer.

Best of luck,

Steve
 
I haven't read through every post, but read the original post, and a few follow-ups.

Of course you don't go back and screw up the person's vehicle. Even if you hypothetically gotten away with it. Don't sicken your heart-soul like that to think, or do such horrid things.

Yep, indeed, you were had.

Probably had by a dope smoking son, and a drunk of a father who the son leaked to his dad where his Excursion was when he didn't see it.

Then the son leaked that he was giving him a present at the price of $200, and the ole man blew a gasket.

I've been had like this once on a detail, on a 1963 T-Bird, that made its owners $1500 profit due to my hard work on a resale shortly thereafter. The agreed $100 price for 8 hours of ball busting sweat soaked work turned out to be $50.

And that's why I rarely if ever detail anything for anybody anymore. I could've been a professional detailer 20+ years ago. It just wasn't worth it with such bad experiences.
 
1953hogan said:
My humble opinion for what it is worth...

I have owned a service oriented business for over 30 years. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, customers just are not satisfied.

I have always strived to live by the notion that the customer is always right, but in this case, the customer was obviously abusive, to the point of making you feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

You've already been paid $60, which means that you were stiffed for $140. I realize that what the customer did was completely unfair. You didn't deserve to be treated so poorly and certainly deserved to be paid in full for your work. But honestly, is it worth it to detail for this guy in the future and what emotional distress do you risk by attempting to collect your unpaid fees?

To me, the emotional distress of dealing with this guy far outweighs the slight amount of additional profit you'll get by trying to collect.

You did good, honest work for this guy even if he doesn't appreciate it. Don't beat yourself up for this. Pat yourself on the back for doing a professional job and walk away. There are plenty of great customers out there who will love your work. Don't waste your time with one irrational customer.

Best of luck,

Steve
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+1
 
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