car problems after detailing

Question: Situation is I detailed a customers car today, just like every other car we do. I finished washing it put the windows down as we started on the inside of the car. When I went to put the windows back up the front two went up sputtering and the back two never did. All said and done windows don't work, electric mirrors aren't moving, and the sun roof is dead. All the fuses were checked and that doesn't seem to be the problem I am at a lost.
Is this our fault, the lady didn't pay which I didn't push for but what happens when if there is a dealers bill to fix and/or find out what's wrong? Has anyone else experience anything like this?

It's quite unlikely it was your fault, unless you wetted something you shouldn't have. That doesn't seem likely. It was probably a good move to not charge her, but unless the dealer can prove negligence or carelessness on your part you shouldn't be expected to foot any repair bill.

If the customer was a regular, it's quite possible that it either was your fault... or coincidental. Although some people take their cars to the carwash or detail shop to feign surprise damage and seek repairs, its unlikely a regular customer would play that game. It's usually done by a new customer.

As for your liability, the car was under your care, custody and control when the mishap occurred. As long as the electrical system worked fine when given to you, the burden lies with you... irrespective of coincidence, unless the cause is proven to be unrelated to your care or lack thereof.

Contrary to the previous post's statement, you should anticipate a bill if the repair is costly. And your insurance company will be obligated to automatically pay it because of the Garagekeeper's Liability clause of "care, custody and control" issue.

Most of us have had to swallow hard and smile in times like these, even though we truly felt no obligation, but your insurance company won't fight it. It's almost an automatic pay situation for them.

The smartest thing you can do is maintain your civility and let the customer's word-of-mouth promotion favor your integrity. Businesses are judged by the way they handle problems, so accept this as an opportunity. Either way, the customer's insurance claim will be paid. so, make the absolute best of a bad situation. Take the lemon... and make lemonade! You'll never regret it.

-Steve

Thanks very much for the reply's. It is nice to know that these things
happen to the best of them.

As Mr Okun states, you are responsible, if the windows, sunroof and mirrors were working when you took possession of the vehicle.

From what you have said it is clear the windows were working as you put them down.

The dealer is no friend, they will blame you for the problem and, of course, charge and arm and a leg for the repair.

What you should do when you have damage to a vehicle that is your fault is to tell the customer you will get it fixed. Then have a corral of vendors you know who will give you good prices to make repairs:

a. paint and body work
b. paint touchup techs
c. vinyl/leather repair
d. mechanical work
e. windshield replacement
f. glass polishing
g. parts (we recently scratched side mirrors and got them from a dealer that
has a large wholesale parts warehouse and simply replaced them. Total ]
cost $53.

You do not want to run claims through your insurance company unless they are quite large or one of two things will happen:

a. Your rates will go up or,
b. They will cancel you.

Had both happen so we "ate" the smaller claims and ran the big ones through the insurance.

Hope that helps.

Bud Abraham
If the customer gets to the dealer you are going to pay very high prices

Apart from the question of liability, shouldn't we find out HOW this occurred so that others may learn from this experience?

I'm just guessing, but would it have been possible that the electrical malfunctions would have been caused by applying liquid (spraying) directly to switches and steering column? If this was the case, wouldn't the problem be solved by simply allowing the switches to dry?

I believe the proper way to clean electrical switches/equipment in the vehicle's interior is to apply the cleaning solution to the cleaning material and not directly to the equipment. You wouldn't spray cleaner directly onto a cd player for example.

Keep some spray contact cleaner...for electrical parts that get wet...available at most electrical supply houses. It's cheap insurance.

Sounds like wet switches or blown fuses you can't find. Quite often if you leave them alone they will start working in a day or two...especially if you apply parts cleaner and blow it with dry air.

Oh, I remember the days that phones were mounted on the floors, as were stereo equipment....I'm old!