What is Our Responsibility

SATracker

SATracker

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I detailed a Mercedes a while back that a husband bought for his wife, she's super excited- the car was bought at auction. As I worked on the car it was very obvious that this car had been in some kind of significant accident(s); the hood didn't line up on the driver's side, poor body work on the driver's side, poorer paint respray. One part of the front grill was cardboard and masking tape that was painted black. It wasn't a safety issue but more cosmetic. I mentioned the car had been in an accident and I showed her the various places but I couldn't get myself to show her the cardboard and masking tape cosmetic work. She seemed okay with what I said, the car had a great shine.
If you're detailing an auction car that everyone knows has had a tough life, to what extent do you point out everything?
 
"This car has been previously damaged and repaired, but you already knew that right?"
 
This is something that has conflicted me as well. While detailing a car you see things... things that the average person will NEVER notice. Depending on the owner's personality, the level of service I am performing to the vehicle, and where/what the defect is, I may or may not notify the owner.

A few months ago we received a brand new Tahoe for a new car prep w/ coating. While cleaning the windshield I noticed a very odd stain/etching defect on the inside of the windshield. I tried everything to clean it off... nothing worked. I pointed it out to the owner who apparently hadn't noticed it before. Long story short they took it to the dealer and received a new windshield under warranty from Chevrolet.

So, again, it all depends on the situation and if it would be beneficial to point out a flaw that the client may never, ever notice anyway. On an older car that has been abused, and depending on what type of defect I see, I might be less inclined to notify the owner of something they may never notice anyway.
 
If it's a safety issue I feel responsible for pointing it out to the owner.
 
I tell the current owner everything I happen to spot.

In one case it even queered the deal.

The car was taken back to the dealer one day after the sale for a full refund.

The car had been seriously damaged and the repair welding under the front end was TERRIBLE! The car should have been scrapped, not fixed and sold.
And this was being sold as a zero miles, brand new car. It must have fallen off the railroad car or something.
 
davey g-force said:
"This car has been previously damaged and repaired, but you already knew that right?"
Click to expand...

All posts are cool but I like this one the best. The choice is up to the owner to let you know how far the conversation will and should go.

On the flip side, you need to protect your reputation and ensure no perceived liability is transferred to you simply because you are touching every nook and cranny.
 
I am reassured by some common thoughts here that i also practice. I strongly agree with pointing out any safety issues.

I also gauge the customer and go with my gut after assessing how i think they will receive the info. On the other hand, i treat every vehicle as if it is my own or my family's. If i have bad news to share i do it in a way that is as non confrontational as possible. Simply asking if they were aware of x or y and go from there.

Sometimes, though, they ask if i can "fix that"!!!
 
mwoolfso said:
On the flip side, you need to protect your reputation and ensure no perceived liability is transferred to you simply because you are touching every nook and cranny.
Click to expand...

That would be my concern in this particular case, that the paint comes off the cardboard in the next rainstorm and that somehow the OP gets blamed for it.
 
You really disclose any of your findings with your client if you come across something while you are working on the vehicle. While you may not be "required" to do so it is certainly the professional thing to do. The same goes for any damage that might have happened while you were doing any work.
 
I tell the owner everything I spot.
I detailed a Ferrari 458 that was bought at auction and it had Sharpie marker on paint chips. Not to mention that the repainted panels weren't even the same color of black as the factory painted panels and there was overspray on nearly all of the glass.
 
I first ask the client if i should be made aware of any issues first,and that means anything that involves my work, after that i personally inspect myself and point out my findings to the client so we are all in agreement of what issues the car has,once we agree we move forward with the plan and price point. Now as a courtesy if i see safety concerns, i'll make mention of it. That could be tires,glass, bad body work, inspection due, etc.
 
I use a modified version of Mike's inspection form. Things are noted during walkdown with the owner prior to pricing, perfect time to up-sell: I see you have some paint overspray on your windshield, my typical decon process may not remove all of it, if not, would you like me to remove all of it for an additional $XX?

All original notes are done in black or blue ink (including paint thickness), if I notice anything during the work it is marked-up in red ink (including final paint thickness). That includes ANY defect I find, cosmetic, mechanical, electrical or otherwise. It help protect me from undue liability.
 
This is a case by case thing for me and I always hate having to point things out. It does seem like many actually ask me when they pick up their vehicles if I found anything of concern.

If it's anything that could potentially fall back on me as having done the damage I will document the issue and call the owner as soon as I see it. I always try and look vehicles over with the owner on drop off, but you can't always see everythign until you start polishing section by section under ideal lighting.

If it's a brand new car and I find signs of repaint or paint defects it depends on how good the work is or the severity of the defects. Usually I'll mention I found a few defects and ask them if they want me to point them out, hinting that "you never saw them before and me pointing them out will likely only bother you".

On a used car I usually won't mention repainted panels unless they ask, or as mentioned above, if I feel its a safety concern.
 
Audios S6 said:
I use a modified version of Mike's inspection form. Things are noted during walkdown with the owner prior to pricing, perfect time to up-sell: I see you have some paint overspray on your windshield, my typical decon process may not remove all of it, if not, would you like me to remove all of it for an additional ?

All original notes are done in black or blue ink (including paint thickness), if I notice anything during the work it is marked-up in red ink (including final paint thickness). That includes ANY defect I find, cosmetic, mechanical, electrical or otherwise. It help protect me from undue liability.
Click to expand...

I like that idea! :)
 
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