Hi Ian,

One of the biggest pains with our job is actually being in posession and care of our customers vehicles.

We all have regular hassles with customers saying "since you did this, that isnt working" or that wasn't doing that before" etc etc.

And if ANYTHING breaks on their car whilst in your care, in their eyes it must be your fault. What they conveniently forget is all the miles and years of wear and abuse the car has suffered since it left the factory. They also don't seem to think that any of their problems might be down to poor design or a problem waiting to happen.

Fact is unless you have been negligent or something you fitted caused this problem, (in my opinion) it is not your problem. Unfortunately lots of garages will do anything to avoid their responsibilties when they do muck it up, so a lot of customers are paying for stuff they shouldn't be. This means we all get tarred with the same brush and guilty till we can prove ourselves innocent, and usually at our own expense too. A lot of it boils down to If responsibility for something can be put on your toes then the customer will get away without paying anything, and lots of garages concede this and come to an "amicable arrangement" or stand the cost themselves. This stance might keep the peace but I don't think it helps us in any way it just leaves a bitter taste in mouth.

I believe if you have done nothing wrong and you are genuinley not respionsible for what has happened to your customers vehicle then you shouldn't stand any of the cost. But if you have caused the problem then fix it.

I am speaking here in general terms so please don't think I am suggesting you have broken anything.

I could go on and on but I won't. I will be interested to see what others think.

Mike