Auto Geek Online Car Detailing and Car Care Products Discussion Forum. Learn tips and tricks on how to polish, car wax, remove swirls and more.

spike · 01-03-2010, 02:19 PM

I would like to start getting a little bit of business on the side detailing cars. I know lots of college kids have done this to get money on the side to work through college (I'm not currently in college, but just using this as an example). But I was wondering, what happens when you get the "bad" kind of customer that says crap like "you put swirls/scratches in my paint", and claims other kinds of stupid damages that you know you didn't do, and tries to sue you or something??!! Like if you do an ONR wash, which we KNOW that it will not scratch paint, but they say you did? How do you do a basic detail for a stranger when you don't know if they are going to be a PITA about something? How do you cover your own hide with people like this? Do you have to have some kind of insurance policy, even if you are just detailing as a hobby? Just wondering what you experts out there would say. I don't want to get into a problem. Right now I'm just detailing for friends/family. Thanks for your input.

joshs09silverbullet · 01-03-2010, 02:27 PM

In this case, it's good to photograph as much of the car; before and after shots, so if you get this type of customer, you can show him the before shots and the after shots as evidence. Another thing is just like you said, detailing for friends and family. They will generally not give you any hassle and will put a good word for you to others so that should prevent those PITA customers altogether.

Bradshaw · 01-03-2010, 02:35 PM

It is important for you to go over the car carefully with the owner, pointing out dents, imperfections and so on. Pre-Inspection will save you from "gee, i don't remember that being there."

jpegs13 · 01-03-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshs07redss

In this case, it's good to photograph as much of the car; before and after shots, so if you get this type of customer, you can show him the before shots and the after shots as evidence. Another thing is just like you said, detailing for friends and family. They will generally not give you any hassle and will put a good word for you to others so that should prevent those PITA customers altogether.

sullysdetailing · 01-03-2010, 03:41 PM

Go over the car carefully with the owner before your start the vehicle. Then make them sign a sheet of paper saying that the car was in the condition it was when you got it.

Irish · 01-03-2010, 04:52 PM

+++ on pictures. Documentation is more than just protection, it's also a selling point for your future customers.

Don't be afraid of these people though. I've been a weekend warrior for going on 3 years now and have only ran across two that I can remember.

Was the ONR example an actual experience? I had an older gentleman give me a "You're planning on doing what to my car?" look when I explained the ONR wash. I put him at ease by doing a panel on my truck right there.

spike · 01-03-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish

+++ on pictures. Documentation is more than just protection, it's also a selling point for your future customers.

Don't be afraid of these people though. I've been a weekend warrior for going on 3 years now and have only ran across two that I can remember.

Was the ONR example an actual experience? I had an older gentleman give me a "You're planning on doing what to my car?" look when I explained the ONR wash. I put him at ease by doing a panel on my truck right there.

That's hilarious about the older man! But I know I'll probably get the same thing too...No problems with the ONR, I was just using it as a hypothetical example of something that they might come against me and say. And I haven't actually had anyone say anything to me (they know I do good work), but these are my friends and family, so they're cool. But I guess I'm just trying to brainstorm and think of situations that may come up BEFORE I go out and do stranger's cars.

My thanks to you all for your seasoned advice...keep it comin'!

bmw5541 · 01-03-2010, 05:52 PM

Just like when you drop off your car at the dealer for service, they go over the entire car to inspect for scratches and dents and so on. They will have a form to indicate what condition the car is in, and then they ask you to sign it. You can do the same. There are all kinds of templates on the internet to help you design a form for your detailing jobs. Just keep them on file and use it on every job. Have the customer sign it, and you will be safe.

fubar · 01-03-2010, 06:26 PM

I know in Maryland Laws u can't sue some one for side work because the customer can get a fine. U might want to check ur Laws in the State u live in.

Matt · 01-03-2010, 06:39 PM

Yea, I guess a sheet like the rental car companies have which indicates damage on the car when it was picked up.

Maybe this would work (I found it on Google):

Then you can either circle damage, or mark it with a small x and underneath note exactly what you're marking.

Then, get the customer to sign that sheet agreeing it's all there.

EDIT:
O, and give them a photocopy of it so that they can be 100% sure that you didn't add anything after they left. That way you can cover your butt fully.