Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hey Guys,

 

I'm having some anxiety over a situation with a customers car. I was hoping everyone experiences can help come to the best solution.

 

I rent space out of a fix it yourself shop. One of my customers did not have the money to pay for their repairs. It took them 2 and 1/2 months to pay it. During that time the car got broken into and from what the customer said their were some valuable stereo equipment stolen. His list is also growing by the minute of what's missing and also he has receipts.

 

Have any of you guys experienced anything like this?

 

Thanks,

 

Monty

Posted

My understanding is that legally we are not responsible for that type of thing unless we chose to have it covered as long as the vehicle is properly secured. 2 1/2 months your storage charges could equal any lose. When someone leave a car that long anything can happen.

Posted

I have company insurance that would cover it if the vehicle is properly secured. If its parked outside, the break-in would be no different than if it was parked in the lot at the mall. I agree with XRAC. I would charge him the storage fee if he expects you to pay for his stereo replacement. $10-15 a day for 2-1/2 months would cover most stereo replacements. Otherwise, I hope he had insurance on his stereo equipment. Of course, if he couldn't pay for a repair, I bet he doesn't have insurance at all.

Posted

Sounds fishy to me. Do you remember any of the stuff being in the car that he is claiming was stolen? I would speak to my lawyer and insurance agent before I make a decision. Is it your word against his? And do you have a storage policy clearly stated?

 

Why would anyone leave "valubale" stereo equipment in a car for 2 and 1/2 months????? I hate to be skeptical, but it sounds too fishy...

 

These are things about business that drive me nuts. We have enough to worry about on a daily basis.

 

Be firm, see if he can actually prove that stuff was in the car. Showing receipts is not proof.

Posted

I've had situations like this in the past... but, never had one where they left the car for so long. If they leave a car for more than 30 days I file a claim on it... and then...it doesn't matter what they say.

 

What has happened in the past is the owner "forgets" where they put their stuff... for all you know they pawned the stuff but have totally forgotten about that. I wouldn't bend a bit... it's their problem. Why they could have left the car sitting in a Walmart parking lot for 2 months. Just because it's sitting "near" your place of business doesn't make it any of your concerns.

Posted

I've had situations like this in the past... but, never had one where they left the car for so long. If they leave a car for more than 30 days I file a claim on it... and then...it doesn't matter what they say.

 

What has happened in the past is the owner "forgets" where they put their stuff... for all you know they pawned the stuff but have totally forgotten about that. I wouldn't bend a bit... it's their problem. Why they could have left the car sitting in a Walmart parking lot for 2 months. Just because it's sitting "near" your place of business doesn't make it any of your concerns.

 

Right Gonzo, that reminds me. About a year ago, a customer left his Acura for a few weeks while he was making up his mind to fix it or not. After we repaired the car, which was about 3 weeks later, he picked up the car. He came back the next day and said that a $5,000 gold watch his grandfather gave him was missing from the car and he wanted it replaced. He said the watch had a lot of sentimental value. I almost fell out of my chair in laughter. When I asked him where the watch was in the car, he said it was on the back seat. I told him that if the watch had so much sentimental value, why would you leave it in the car on the back seat? I told him, there is nothing I can do.

 

Boy, we should all together and write a book, right?

Posted

autographed copies of "Hey Look, I Found the Loose Nut" are available at www.gonzostoolbox.com

LOL... yes, Joe...we should write a book, wait a minute....???? I did already... ROFL... great minds think alike.

 

 

Right Gonzo, that reminds me. About a year ago, a customer left his Acura for a few weeks while he was making up his mind to fix it or not. After we repaired the car, which was about 3 weeks later, he picked up the car. He came back the next day and said that a $5,000 gold watch his grandfather gave him was missing from the car and he wanted it replaced. He said the watch had a lot of sentimental value. I almost fell out of my chair in laughter. When I asked him where the watch was in the car, he said it was on the back seat. I told him that if the watch had so much sentimental value, why would you leave it in the car on the back seat? I told him, there is nothing I can do.

 

Boy, we should all together and write a book, right?

Posted

My mechanic doesn't remember what was in the car but definitely does not believe anyone would be that dumb to leave all that valuable stuff inside. The car isn't even worth as much as the stereo equipment he is claiming.

 

Sounds fishy to me. Do you remember any of the stuff being in the car that he is claiming was stolen? I would speak to my lawyer and insurance agent before I make a decision. Is it your word against his? And do you have a storage policy clearly stated?

 

Why would anyone leave "valubale" stereo equipment in a car for 2 and 1/2 months????? I hate to be skeptical, but it sounds too fishy...

 

These are things about business that drive me nuts. We have enough to worry about on a daily basis.

 

Be firm, see if he can actually prove that stuff was in the car. Showing receipts is not proof.

Posted

It's a shop where the owner, rents out space to people who want to fix their own cars. I'm getting ready to get out of there. I just use the place as a second location where I can reach customers in that area.

 

 

I'm just curious, what is a "fix it yourself shop"?

Posted

Thank you all for the responses. It relieves a lot of anxiety. I finally met the customer face to face today and I hate to say it but I judged a book by its cover. I think he is trying to do an insurance scam on me.

 

He hands me a hand written receipt of all the stereo equipment he purchased in April. It looks like he got one of his buddies from a stereo shop to write him up a receipt. He also gives me another hand written receipt for additional stuff like new IPod. I asked if he had insurance and he says he only has insurance on his license? What does that mean?

 

What do you guys suggest that I do?

 

Thanks!

Posted

Tell him to call a lawyer, call the police. They'll be happy to take a hand written reciept. Just because you bought them doesn't mean they were in the car. The police love stories like this.

 

Thank you all for the responses. It relieves a lot of anxiety. I finally met the customer face to face today and I hate to say it but I judged a book by its cover. I think he is trying to do an insurance scam on me.

 

He hands me a hand written receipt of all the stereo equipment he purchased in April. It looks like he got one of his buddies from a stereo shop to write him up a receipt. He also gives me another hand written receipt for additional stuff like new IPod. I asked if he had insurance and he says he only has insurance on his license? What does that mean?

 

What do you guys suggest that I do?

 

Thanks!

  • Like 1
Posted

Thank you all for the responses. It relieves a lot of anxiety. I finally met the customer face to face today and I hate to say it but I judged a book by its cover. I think he is trying to do an insurance scam on me.

 

He hands me a hand written receipt of all the stereo equipment he purchased in April. It looks like he got one of his buddies from a stereo shop to write him up a receipt. He also gives me another hand written receipt for additional stuff like new IPod. I asked if he had insurance and he says he only has insurance on his license? What does that mean?

 

What do you guys suggest that I do?

 

Thanks!

 

Tell him you you talked to your insurance and by law you are not responsible for someone breaking into his car. You are sorry but he shouldn't have left the vehicle there that long. That that was an invitation for something to happen. Then let him do what he wants. All he call do is take it to small claims and I think you will win if he does that. However, I don't think he will do it but only bluster and threaten. What kind of car was it?

Posted

Be careful Along time ago at out old location we had a similar issue. It went to court and the judge ruled in the persons favor. Its almost as like they think its small money for a buisness. I had witnesses saying the belongings were not in the vehicle and it still did not matter.

Posted (edited)

i personally have 2 signs inside my shop that reads in big bold letters :

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, DAMAGE OR ANY VALUABLES LEFT IN VEHICLE ON PREMISES

also when i start a repair order i ask all of my customers to read and sign a disclaimer that states the same message

saves me a headache or two

Edited by ricoexport
Posted

i personally have 2 signs inside my shop that reads in big bold letters :

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, DAMAGE OR ANY VALUABLES LEFT IN VEHICLE ON PREMISES

also when i start a repair order i ask all of my customers to read and sign a disclaimer that states the same message

saves me a headache or two

 

Fyi in court it means nothing. As I said before we have first hand experience in this.

Posted

agreed but most customers dont know this

 

 

True just hope that no one has to go through it. Its so stupid really but who said lawyers or judges use common sense.

  • Like 1
Posted

I have always had good success in small claims court cases. We have been a defendant on two different ocassions and we prevailed in those. We have been the plantiff on three ocassions and prevailed in those. Only once have I had one of these break in deals where I settled. That was only because I believed my guy probably left the car unlocked.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By nptrb
      Running an auto repair shop comes with a unique set of challenges, and managing your finances is a big one. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, understanding cash flow management for auto repair shops is crucial to your long-term success.
      In this post, we’re sharing practical, actionable strategies to help you take control of your shop’s finances and boost your auto repair business profitability—without sacrificing service quality or customer trust.
      What Is Cash Flow and Why Is It Important?
      Cash flow refers to the money moving in and out of your business. 
      For small businesses like yours, positive cash flow ensures that you can pay your team, keep parts in stock, handle operating costs, and still have something left to reinvest in growth.
      When cash flow gets tight, it affects everything—from your ability to take on more jobs to your peace of mind. That’s why improving cash flow in small businesses, especially in the auto repair industry, is one of the smartest moves you can make.
      Common Financial Challenges Auto Repair Shops Face
      Auto repair shops often experience:
      Slow payments from customers or insurance companies High up-front costs for tools, equipment, and parts Seasonal dips in customer volume Discounting services too frequently Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward smarter cash flow management in your business.
      5 Financial Tips to Improve Cash Flow
      Here are some real-world auto repair shop financial tips you can start implementing today:
      Streamline Your Invoicing and Payments
      Make it easy for customers to pay by offering digital invoicing and online payment options. Send invoices quickly, and set up automated reminders. 
      The faster you get paid, the better your cash flow.
      Review Your Pricing Structure
      If your rates haven’t changed in a while, it might be time for a tune-up. 
      Make sure your pricing reflects the value you provide while also supporting your auto repair business’s profitability.
      Manage Inventory and Ordering
      Don’t let cash get stuck on your shelves. Track what parts you actually use and only stock what’s necessary. Consider just-in-time ordering to reduce overhead.
      Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
      Look closely at your subscriptions, software, utilities, and vendor costs. Managing expenses in auto repair shops doesn’t have to mean cutting corners—just being more intentional with your spending.
      Create Consistent Revenue Streams
      Prepaid service packages, maintenance memberships, or seasonal promotions can help bring in predictable income, smoothing out your cash flow during slow periods. 
      With summer coming, now is a great time to offer deals on tune-ups for people who will be traveling!
      Forecasting = Fewer Surprises
      Cash flow forecasting allows you to plan for upcoming expenses and income. This helps you avoid financial surprises and confidently make big decisions—like hiring another tech or investing in new equipment.
      Even small adjustments in how you manage your shop’s finances can have a big impact over time. Staying proactive and strategic helps ensure your shop is profitable, sustainable, and ready to grow.
      Taking control of your finances starts with understanding your numbers and making small, consistent changes. By focusing on cash flow management for auto repair shops and applying smart financial tips tailored to your industry, you’ll be in a much stronger position to weather the ups and downs of your business.
    • By stevefry
      I have a client looking to sell their Auto Body Shop in Monteagle TN called Lakeside Collision. He is asking $1,500,000 and the property did a little over $1,200,000 last year. Profitable business with lots of equipment and inventory, newer paint booth and includes 2 lots and 2 buildings with 8 bay doors.
      Also have another client looking for an Auto Body business to purchase in Davidson County (Nashville) TN. Looking for a shop with the business and the real estate. 
    • By Joe Marconi
      Over the weekend I met a 67 year old shop owner who has been in business for 41 years, and still involved in the day to day operations. He added that he has done nothing to plan for his future and his exit. 
      Life can throw us a curve ball at any age, are your properly prepared.
      I know it sounds a little crazy, but the right time to get you business ready to sell, is when you first go into business.
      What are you doing to prepare for your exit, sale or if life throws you a curve ball?
       
       
    • By MikesPlaceAuto
      Hello from Montana. Longtime mechanic/technician, first-time shop owner. Reaching out to many sources for information and advice. Small shop in rural setting, specializing in electrical and electronics. Thanks for any good words. Mike
    • By JustTheBest
      If you're ready to skyrocket your car count so that you can finally make the money you know you and your family deserves, you're in the right place, because it's never been easier to grow your repair shop, as long as you have the right offers and deals to attract customers.
      But I will warn you if you make the same flimsy and lame offers that are just like your competitors, you’re actually making it harder to grow than it ever has been before.
      Because I want to make this easy, you’re lucky. Right now I’m starting a brand new Private Case Study Group where I will help 3 repair shops deploy my “Perfect Offer Formula” that lets you generate car count immediately, and if you start today, you can do it before Mother’s Day (May 11, 2025) and continue to do that month after month.
      The best part is, you’ll do it all without ever discounting your prices, adding free services, or tossing in Give-a-Ways that only attract the bottom feeders and car owners without money.
      In this case study, I’m going to give you the exact formula that you need so you can grow quicker without wasting time trying to figure out how to get car count and what to do next or what offers you should run this month. 
      Look, there’s only three reasons you’re not getting the car count you want right now…
      #1) Either you don’t have a compelling offer that focuses on value -not price
      #2) Your offers are just plain terrible and they aren’t what people want or need.
      Or 
      #3) You don’t have the correct packaging or (as we call them, wrappers) for your offer. 
      What I see a lot of repair shops do is they literally just use flimsy lame offers that look just like what your competitor is doing… 
      Or they try to duplicate offers the big box auto repair shops are making… 
      Or they continue to discount their prices… trying to come up with that secret formula that makes some phony illusion of a great deal.
      But all of that is just a race to the bottom.
      This private case study program's going to solve all of that for you because I'm not only going to literally take you by the hand and show you everything that you need to do, I’m actually going to do it for you! 
      And this doesn’t matter if you don’t think you can do it, or you’re not good with that math and calculating prices, or even if the last offer or ad you ran was a total big fat loss!
      We're actually going to be working together. And I'm literally going to tell you everything you need to do, starting from you spending 20 minutes setting up your pricing profile, 
      Then I’ll build out your personalized plan, 
      I’ll be tweaking things and helping you decide exactly what offer to create, and then do all the heavy lifting to create the three Value Wrappers… that make your offer stand out in your market; get car owners to stop and see your offer; then book their job immediately…(not next week, next month, or when they get around to it!) and much, much more
      And then after that, you're going to get 30 days of check-ins where you can ask me questions. 
      I'll ask you to share your sales statistics and analytics so that we can improve them. 
      I'll send you new ideas for the other 3 Perfect Power Offer Strategies that are proven to work, and even do so much more, and by the end of that, you’ll have the complete “Perfect Offer Program” that will let you stop chasing car count once and for all!
      And since I'm going to be coaching you throughout this program for your specific account, know that it doesn't matter what market you’re in; it doesn’t matter if you don’t have one of those fancy main street locations; and it doesn't matter how much marketing experience you have because I'm literally going to be meeting you exactly where you are. 
      No matter what you need, I'm going to help you do that. 
      If you need better wrappers (to actually get people to see your offer), I'm going to help you do that. If you need help putting your perfect offer together, I'm going to tell you exactly how you should be doing that differently so that you can skyrocket your car count.
      In just the past few months, the typical repair shop that's gone through this program has grown their car count within 15 days of starting, and nobody has ever gained less than 10 new jobs the first month if they implement everything that I show them to do continually. (Your results may vary, depending on how well you follow our directions)
      Now, there is one catch.
      Actually, there’s three catches.
      #1- This is a nationally advertised program across United States and Canada, and it’s limited to only 3 qualified repair shops. 
      #2- This private case study group is limited to only one repair shop per market. In other words, I won’t compete against myself.
      #3- This may be the last time I offer this Exclusive One-on-One Case Study Opportunity to grow your car count immediately - because I'm still only one person, so I can only work with so many shop owners.
       
      The longer you wait to grow your car count, the harder it's going to get started.

      Please do not make the mistake that I made, which I literally regret every single day. That is that I didn't start growing car count earlier when I was a shop owner. Car count is the solution to just about every auto shop problem.
      So if you don't sign up right now, it could decrease the odds that we can actually work together, because once we get the three shops we’re looking for, I'm going to have to shut this opportunity down.
      That just means it's going to be even harder to grow your car count.
      Remember, nobody else can provide and guarantee you results before Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, so please stop procrastinating.
      Go below, register right now. I cannot wait to help you hit your goals because at the end of the day, you actually have nothing to lose. 
      I'm literally going to tell you everything that you need to do. You are going to implement it, and you're going to get the results that you want, period.
      And oh, in case you’re wondering, there’s no money back guarantee… because this is a totally FREE Case Study Group. 
      That means there's zero risk to you if you sign up right now while you still can. 
      https://thecarcountfixer.com/go

      Hope this helps! See you in the case study group!
      Matthew
      "The Car Count Fixer"


  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...