Litigous people .

[fastfredracing]

This weeks customer . Recently had a windshield installed by one of the larger chains.
About a month later, they road tripped it to Florida, and got stuck in some very heavy rains which ended up flooding the passenger floor, shutting off the radio, heater fan, and some other controls .
Of course they went right to blaming the windshield company . I know their cars, and work on them regularly . They park under a lot of trees, and their vehicles are always covered in leaves, and pine needles . They were also advised that the installer of the windshield notated this on his work order .
They want to go after the windshield company for loss of value of their vehicle , or the cost of repairs to the electronics . He asked me for an evaluation of the damages.
I want no part of it, but my suggestion was that I would try to clean out the cowl drains, and let the interior dry out , and see what happens , then replace necessary components. Its probably not nearly as bad as they think it is .
This is not the first time they have tried so sue someone in similar circumstances.
Makes me not want to do any work for them, as you just know, that your turn is right around the corner if something should ever go wrong .
I bet people like this frequently make out , as larger companies settle , just to make them go away. Things like this can really sting a small guy like me . I've had a few people try, and they were unhinged lunatics . I won both times, with no legal counsel .
These people are out there and just another obstacle for business to deal with . I just try to steer clear of these situations when possible .

[1990C4S]

Give them a very long wait time when they try to book an appointment. You do not want the hassle.

It's a free world. They are free to sue people. You are free to choose your customers.

[flatbutt]

So how does their parking preference impact the windshield? Did the windshield not seal thus allowing rain water to enter?

[fastfredracing]

It has nothing to do with the windshield, the cowl area fills up with leaves and pine needles, blocking the drains, then the cowl , fills with water, and overflows through a body seam or hvac box etc.
In my business, frequently the last guy who worked on the car gets the blame for the next few failures

[berettafan]

You do NOT want them as customers.

[David]

Another reason I hate sunroofs (not saying this car has one).

Our company Ford Explorer sunroof drains clogged up which resulted in the floor boards filling up with water. The Ford dealer wanted over $4,000 to replace the carpet. I said screw that and I stripped the interior of seats and carpet in about 30 minutes since new cars come apart so easily. I let it dry for a week and put it all back together.

[porsche4life]

Ya, I wouldn’t even give them a quote. You are too busy, they need to take to a body shop to make sure the windshield was done right, etc. stay the eff away from people like this. The windshield place is a big chain, they’ll have lawyers on retainer for noise like this. I’m guessing you don’t.

[jyl]

You're not just starting out and scrabbling for every client who'll have you. Be selective, turn down/get rid of customers you don't want.

[cabmandone]

Run awaaaaaaay!

At the bottom of your invoice put this as a warranty disclaimer
"All work comes with a full taillight warranty. When I can no longer see your taillights, the warranty expires"

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by David

Another reason I hate sunroofs (not saying this car has one).

Our company Ford Explorer sunroof drains clogged up which resulted in the floor boards filling up with water. The Ford dealer wanted over $4,000 to replace the carpet. I said screw that and I stripped the interior of seats and carpet in about 30 minutes since new cars come apart so easily. I let it dry for a week and put it all back together.

My wife got a sunroof in her new Subaru. Not happy about it.

[asphaltgambler]

….....yes, why get involved with that because as you well know, whatever you charge and your verdict, they will be hound you to back that up all the way to court. AND anything that they don't agree with; now YOU are part of their problem. Ask me how I know...……….

[Tobra]

I don't fire a lot of patients, but when I do, it happens with alacrity. You do NOT want to be an expert witness in this deal

My office manager just paid attorneys $35,000 to keep a car she had held the title on for 20 years. Clear title, signed over to her by her father, all because her sister is a POS.

People, can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em all

[sc_rufctr]

"Litigous people" ... I avoid them like the plaque.

But I don't know how you could do that if they want to be your customer.

[David]

On a side note: my lawyer told me that many doctors who treat police officers after an accident write on the diagnosis "not for court use" or something like that just so they don't get called into a court room.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by upsscott

My wife got a sunroof in her new Subaru. Not happy about it.

If you buy well optioned vehicles these days, it's often hard to get one that doesn't have a sunroof. "Oh, you want the fully loaded package? That comes with a sunroof!"

It seems like it's hard to find a 911 without a sunroof, presumably for the same reason. "Hey, check out our 911! It's our top-o-the-line offering, and they all have a ton of options including a sunroof!"

Our outback is the Touring. It's got a sunroof, although I don't think I've ever opened it, except once on a test drive. I suspect that's the last time it'll ever be opened too. We had an old Ford Explorer XLT that my mom gave to us when she bought a new car. I think it had a sunroof. I don't think I ever opened it.

Hell, I've had convertibles of one form or another since 1999, and I rarely have the top down/off. And then I know there are convertible people that are actually angry when they see people with convertibles that have the top up.

[GH85Carrera]

In the 26 years I have had my 911 the sunroof has only been opened 5 or 6 times. Once in San Diego, Monterey, Acadia National park, and in Northern Vermont. I don’t care for all that wind noise.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by David

On a side note: my lawyer told me that many doctors who treat police officers after an accident write on the diagnosis "not for court use" or something like that just so they don't get called into a court room.

That would not work

[David]

Originally Posted by Tobra

That would not work

I'm sure I'm missing part of the story but he did say he got charges against a cop thrown out because of what a doctor wrote on the hospital report about not being for court use.

[LWJ]

Fred. Avoid these people. They are toxic.

An interesting perspective for me. I make my living in commercial insurance. I have to think about litigation constantly. And, I confess, I have made claims against the worst sort of abuses.

So I will confess that I am in fact litigious. BUT, there are certainly limits.

I have taken tenants who deliberately trashed my rentals to court. I took a scumbag auto dealer who lied about ABS brakes to court. I also made a claim to a contractor that cut down my trees for my neighbor's job.

Summary. Poke me and I may poke back.

I have been wronged (as we all have) countless times without being an azz. But, when someone crosses the line in such a stupendously outrageous manner...I can't help myself.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by David

Another reason I hate sunroofs (not saying this car has one).

Our company Ford Explorer sunroof drains clogged up which resulted in the floor boards filling up with water. The Ford dealer wanted over $4,000 to replace the carpet. I said screw that and I stripped the interior of seats and carpet in about 30 minutes since new cars come apart so easily. I let it dry for a week and put it all back together.

The wife’s Tiguan does this too.
But it’s under warranty at least.