My opinion is , he should pay for it. As I say, whilst its not the nicest of things to happen, the two things are seperate.. ie, job & insurance claim. The job is done - that part of the operation needs paying for. The accident has happened - that part of the operation will get paid for. I know he may not like it - its not nice but thats how it is. Why should you lose out??? Thats how I would approach it .. Hope this helps you Roy . Let us know how its going, As a little extra - but the scenario is similar if not very much the same and may help you -- So, I explained to customer that the head gasket's gone, engine started fine at first cos there was very little coolant in... till I topped/filled it up.. then things showed up. Now then... DO i give him his money back for what Ive done thus far --??? He's weighing up whether to have the job done or not. and may not.... Do I give him his money back - and lose out??? You have to rememeber, HE's not wanting to lose out - HEs wanting YOU to lose out... doesnt sound fair to me. Hth in weighing things up Roy - and anyone else..
I thought it was only me that had such 'luck' !
Anyhow, my penneth worth.. for what its worth..
First , have you spoke to the customer - I mean with a view to assessing how he feels about paying for the job.. ? I would put it to him in a positive vein... ie, you are expecting him to cough up. You never know , he may see it himself from the point of view that the two things are separate and he's just waiting for you to present your bill.
It could have been that he paid the bill, drove off and promptly wrote it off on the way home.
He wouldnt have come back to you and asked for his money back !
I know it was your mechanic that did the deed but so what - its as Ive just described. If he's not happy at paying I would put that scenario to him.
Of course if it comes too there is always solicitors - but you dont want that hassle if you can avoid it - and again, why should you.
Mike
today I did a job on a zetec mondeo.. rotted water pipe along the bottom of the sump ( you know the one , goes to the heater from the bottom hose - always rots.. ) - car had lost its water , customer drove it home after "steam & overheating".. I replaced the pipe , filled up with antifreeze/coolant.. started it up , no leaks , customer was happy, engine sounded sweet, paid his bill.
2 mins later, whilst engine was warming up... flow of antifreeze/water from back of engine..couldnt actually see where from.. engine started to splutter.. switched off.. tried to find leak.. couldnt, topped up water more, came to start engine with a view to finding leak.. wouldnt start.. in fact , locking up. Yes, youve guessed at this point, same as me.. plugs out , turned engine - four large jets of antifreeze/water. I asked him how hot it had got on the guage - he didnt know cos "gauge doesnt work - hasnt done for months".......
Answer = No chance. Not my fault.. job is done, costs & time have been incurred - Why should I lose out? Why should I incurr costs on parts and time and it be down to me to lose out ?? Doesnt make sense to me. I know its not 'nice' - but lifes like that sometimes..
Mike
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