Lee. That Customer has unwhittingly PROVED that your workmanship is not Faulty. I know that if anybody thought your work is Faulty they would never return. APPEAL TO THE COURTS.
There's is no court decision to appeal. The matter was settled out of court. But I tell you this, no way would I have settled nor would I have hired a lawyer. I would have gathered all my evidence and defended my self and won! Remember the client made the claim so it is he that has the burden to prove his claim. The defendant can stay mostly silent, he is innocent until proven guilty.
@@chipcity3016 It seems you do not understand what civil court is. "Innocent until proven guilty" is not actually how this works. That's only for criminal matters, against the government. In a civil lawsuit, the standard is "51%", meaning whoever is even a little bit more credible than the other guy. Since you didn't even understand this very simple fact about how legal proceedings work, I would advise you to reflect on your stance regarding hiring a lawyer. Because from what you're saying, if it had indeed been you, you would have lost very badly.
I fly a hot air balloon and I also ran an auto-electrical business (now retired ). I did quite a lot of work for a local farmer, alternators starters out-work as well. One fine evening I landed on one of his fields , he was not a happy bunny and demanded a fair amount of money from me to get off of his land intact! I kept on taking his work in (I really wanted to tell him to ef off) and I extracted a good mark up on every job until I got back more that he took from me.Then I told him I no longer wanted his business.
Some people are like this , friendly very kind (sort of) then this is where you learn their true colours that come out , diabolical society we live & have done for well over 10 years 🫠🙂↔️😖
Hi Lee, Well done, my motto is I will treat you like a 'genuine' customer, but screw me once... and I will never do another job for you again. Another thing to consider...if you have a group of similar businesses, keep the names of these 'cowboys' on file and check with your colleagues before taking work, eventually no one will do anything for them..who has the last laugh😄
That takes a set of balls . Some people must think you have no memory . I never forget the ones who have done me wrong and im sure in hell not going to help them out when they need it . Well played Lee
The bloke probably has screwed over many other engine builders and has no where else to go. I would have said no hard feelings mate, quoted £12k for the work and got him to agree via email to proceed.
I would of said yes taken the cylinder head and since hes not a paper kind of guy and left it at that, then when he comes back to pick it up or calls I would pretend ive never head of him or the cylinder head, and I would of just sold it.
By settling when Barum was innocent, he admits fault and gives the man opportunity to do it again. Your idea is good, but that man will just go to court again after it's all done, even if it's perfect. You can't win with those people, except by ignoring them, then they run out of victims.
@@G-ra-ha-m Settling litigation is not an admission of guilt - or in this case, liability (guilt is associated with criminal matters). On the contrary, settlement agreements are very clear that the desire to settle is in no way an admission of liability. Settlement is often, the "best" or the least worst option - given the financial consequences of a finding of liability, cost for your own solicitor, cost of a potential judgment, costs of the other party's legal fees - as much is it might stick in one's throat, a negotiated settlement allows some control over the outcome.
@@alank247 I agree, if it's settled with the usual denial of liability. But in the last case when someone sued (without Barum even being their customer!!) he paid. Perhaps there was a denial of liability there, but I didn't see it.
@@G-ra-ha-m I responded to your statement "by settling when innocent, he admits fault." I am not nit picking you, nor am I trying to start an argument but, that is not a correct statement - settlement is not an admission of fault. I am not sure how you would see the terms of a settlement agreement. Anyway, I have no desire or intention to argue. Cheers.
@@alank247 Yes I understand what you are saying, and agree that my wording could have been more specific. In the case where he paid, it appeared that to save time or hassle, or simply fear of the process, he simply paid, thereby inviting more of the same.
I had a former (Sacked) employee arrive at my workshop asking for me to sort out a problem on a job he had undertaken that had failed spectacularly! Some people have selective amnesia and the gall of the congenitally ignorant. Needless to say he drove away somewhat enlightened as to how I was not feeling particularly helpful that day. The look of surprise and shock on his face is a memory I will treasure for ever.
A reminder, the vital importance of confirming everything confirmed back in writing, as you have discovered, 😊friend of the business, personal relationships etc. You did the right thing Lee, trying his luck. You were exceedingly polite! Words with fewer syllables were equally justifiable!
No question, you did the right thing with Litigation Man. He and his business are unwanted. There must exist trust and honour, which when gone, remains thus.
It does sound like you are developing good business sense. You’ve learned by your mistakes and are applying that knowledge today. Sending this individual on his way is precisely the right decision. He intentionally screwed you over in the past and would probably not hesitate to do it again now. Good for you Lee.
Hi Lee you did the right thing , if you had sorted is head and something had gone wrong. He would have come back and tried to screw you again. Please keep your videos coming.olso Lee you've got a good lad with issak
Some people are professional engineers, builders, professional brick layers, but now and again you come across a professional con man, a smooth talker a “don’t worry about that lad” kinda guy, they’ve done this long they are skilled, at what they do,
Well done! The best was you did not enter into a discussion and nipped it in the bud by requesting him to leave. Lee, put a decent security cameras, with microphone in the reception area. Not just for security, but for just this situation. He could come back at you saying anything as you didn’t have a witness present and create another situation. Just don’t assume he didn’t have a motive to rip you off again. A cheap but reliable solar powered dual lens camera, with microphone, day and night lights and auto-tracking as well would cost you 60 pounds and save you thousands in the long run.
Hello Lee, I never forgive and I never forget anyone who messes with my family. Mind you, I was born in Camberwell South East London. All the best, Tony.
@@fastinradfordableHello, Before my time, and wasn't directed at my family or myself directly, so I couldn't give a monkies either way. Kind regards, Tony.
@@tonymarshharveytron1970 You missed his point. Ware you are born has nothing to do with not being taken advantage of. His reference was in regards to your bragging of your birth place as reason for not being taken advantage of. When just like every place on this good earth there are people who readily roll over for a good go. So if the region of England you are born means you won't be taken advantage of, then the country you are born must mean that you hold a generations old national grudge. Some people are just to dense I guess. Must be because you were born in Camberwell. 😂
@@williamallen7836 Hello William, Unless you are British, you won't understand the way we think. I treat anyone I meet with respect and courtesy, untill they try to shaft me. At that point, I will never have anything to do with them. This was always the attitude GB had for hundreds of years. In recent times they have allowed countries to abuse our tolerance and generosity. I am old school, and expect people to treat me the same as I treat others. I have never tricked or shafted anyone in my life. Kind regards, Tony.
Lee, congratulations bud you’ve handled that in a very calm and professional manner. The temptation would always be to tell him to eff off but you’ve risen above that and demonstrated total professionalism. He’s the loser mate, definitely NOT you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Yes send him on his way. Remember you are a business and there are no friends in business. Everything has a paper trail and no favors for anyone no matter how long you have known them.
Lee you did not learn the biggest lesson, which is stay away from lawyers, they always tell you you have a great case until you get to court and then they say well it depends on the judge, so you walk away poorer every time and your lawyer pockets a few quid and forgets all about you
Some years ago I did a get-out-of-sh*t job for a known customer on a Saturday afternoon as he literally begged me to do it as he was desperate to have it on site on Monday morning- I didn't have the correct materials in stock everyone else had already left so it was agreed that I would do my best to fulfil his requirements with what I had. I thought did a bloody good job in the circumstances but it wasn't as drawing, roughly finished and unpainted- I Wasn't happy however as I would never have let it thru the door had he not been delighted with it as it got him out of a massive hole.... 4 weeks later I had another customer in who tells me about his mate who had a right old bodge done by me, i used the wrong materials, didn't finish off properly and ripped him off on cost... lesson learnt...
Lee, you did the right thing by turning him away. He broke his gentleman's agreement by taking you to court. A handshake is a handshake. You need to stand behind it. I wouldn't have been a nice. I would have told him to go kick rocks. It's sad that we got to put every detail done in the paperwork in today's world. Honor among gentlemen is dead.
It was honestly dead in the past as well. That's why contract law even is a thing, and why the oldest texts known to human kind are about it. We quite literally invented writing and maths precisely so that we could deal with the fact that honour is too easily exploited.
Your too nice… I would’ve taken it and done no work to it and and longed him off for months before telling him I can’t find it, made him start court proceedings before dropping the cylinder offto him (filmed) in the same state I took it 😂
Nicely handled. This experience shows the importance of having robust Terms & Conditions of Sale in place for all customers. Your T&Cs should include a phrase that states that you are not liable or responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the customer, if they decide to take the work to another provider or supplier in order to remedy any work that you have provided.
Love the factory set up, proper tidy workshop. Like your attitude, and professional manner. I think that you should have gone to court, because people do this kind of thing knowing that mostly you will fold. I used to manage contractors, and one I really admired, would layout his limits of work so briefly, that at first I would laugh at the brevity. However, it turned out to be the right way, two lines on a letter, or email, clearly pointing out the scope of work. Peace and goodwill.
"I won't hold it against you" - you have to protect yourself in writing, and using a specific form of words that do not imply that the client's statutory rights are being waived. Specifically, you need a written contractual clause saying the client indemnifies you against any loss or damage that may occur as a result of the engine work not going according to plan. That way, if you're taken to court for damages you can counterclaim for whatever's being claimed against you.
Yes, this is the correct moral of the story. If you are to do anything unusual - and even if you're not - you'll want to institute a process of having everything in writing before commencing work. Including dealing with liability under normal circumstances, and waiving it under special ones.
Integrity,humour and a long memory have served me well in my former business. When fixing others screwups l charged a bit more than the going rate and took longer to teach them a lesson that my regular work was more important
Absolutely sweet for you though to be able deal with the end in that way. No matter how thick skinned he is, he will keep replaying that over and over. As you seem to realise, you can never have enough clarity and proof of what is agreed, sadly a gentlemen's agreement can end up painful if one side takes the p1ss.
Goodness Lee you are very polite and respectful, not many could have handled that in such a respectful way as yourself, well done, Know you dont need to know this because of your good nature, always act in business as if you are being recorded.
You need customers, not expensive headaches. Glad you sent him away. May be worth a call to other machine shops in the southwest. Don't tell them about your experience with him, simply tell them how you had plenty of time in the shop to handle his business, but you were unable to help him with his needs. They will get the hint.
My old stepdad was in business as engineering for many years. He used to come out with a quote, that 25 years after he shuffled off his mortal lathe, still rings true. "It's alright when people take the piss, but when they rub it in it hurts"
Well said. You did the proper thing. Give him his marching orders. Not worth the headache dealing with customers like that. Would set you bonkers. A clear head and conscious are worth more than a few bob in the pocket. Well Done mate. Cheers
I'm glad it went that well, just over a year ago I was tricked into repairing a wreck of a rotten Land Rover, again on the famous handshake and I know it's rotten but do your best. This morning I got a snotty email after he had paid the money into my account, saying what a poor job I'd done, all the way through the work I was 'brilliant' but when he had to pay I was the evil bastard
Hi Lee, A good plan is to have a customer counter with 5mp CCTV total coverage with sound recording. Any conversation takes place there! I put systems in for clients it takes away the chance aspect. You are a straight up nice person who does not deserve to be treated like this.
Had something similar years ago, guy’s vw t4 failed mot so he put neat fuel cleaner in the fuel filter and basic damaged his engine. He wanted us to supply and fit a recon engine, new injectors and pump test. His bill was roughly about 5k with everything done. He collected and later on rang and started going over his bill that he had already paid, picking about some of the items like air filter ect. Stressful, but after a lot of emails exchanged we had to come to an agreement to save court crap and offered some money back. This must have been about 7 years ago. Start of this year had an email from his asking if we wanted to do some repairs on one of his vehicles…. Cheek of it. You do your absolute best and people try have you over then ask for more service.
Lee, from what you said you handled the situation really well and politely even though you could have been boiling inside, well done there mate. If it had been me in your situation I would probably have exploded and reached for the nearest attitude adjuster I could find close to me.
Well done Lee. You definitely do not want that kind of liability threatening your business. I had a clown like that ask me to quote on a project. I was shocked at the nerve of him. I laughed out loud and said not a chance. This guy hadn’t taken me to court, he had gone bankrupt and didn’t pay his outstanding bill which left me out of pocket for expenses. It was a costly lesson.
I might be controversial here Lee, but when you see the business as its own entity that has no emotions and you are the employee that protects the business by introducing rules, terms and conditions, nothing is personal. If the business has good agreements and terms and conditions there's nothing to worry about. You may have missed an opportunity to recover some of those school fees paid. Ps I have paid school fees in my business, annoying as it is, it strengthens and protects the business. Having said that there's nothing wrong with your decision. Personally I would have quoted with a proper markup and let him decide.
Never ever have a solicitor who wants to settle out of court get one who will stand up in court and fight some of these so-called solicitors are weak and just want easy money.
Sometimes you end up with a pyrrhic victory that way, with the solicitors cost being more than the cost of settling. Great if you can afford it, but not everyone can
This initial comment is just wrong. Certainty of result is sound business. Without evidence (ie a record of what the job was) further argument is expensively nugatory. A good solicitor will advise to his/her cost. The definition of “professional”. P 🇳🇿
Not much point having a solicitor fighting for you in court if the case is week, is there?!! You stand up lose a lot more! Thinking you have a strong case and having one aren’t the same thing…. We can all see Lee’s point of view with this - but a court would have likely wiped the floor with him 😬
I think you handled it very professionally. I would have told him yes and quoted a price that included a mark up for the extra couple thousand you paid last time.
He's played his game with other shops and just run out of places to go now.. since they all are now telling him "politely" to get back in his car and go away 😅
If u ever watched Mrs Brown’s boys Lee. “Thats nice” is the phrase ur lookin for. Can’t believe he still has all his teeth!! Or maybe he’s looking you to pay for those too!!😎
The question is, why did it leak after you rebuilt it the first time? And why did it leak after the installation of the new seal? I believe these are very important parts to the story which are not mentioned here.
You did right, the bloke has probably shafted so many people for so long that he doesn't know what he's doing is wrong and he thinks it's normal.It's just another day for him and he thinks everyone else should be the same.
Hi Lee, I do hope with these occasional unexpected costs/overheads that your business is doing well enough for you to retire early if you choose. An honest business deserves good karma!
I was on my last run and asked a mate to ask the staff bus to wait for me, as I approached my depot I flashed the staff bus to let him know I had arrived. After parking my bus I got out to find he had go ne. My mate said “ If he can’t get here on time that’s his problem”. It took me seven years before I was doing staff bus and he wanted it,, every night he was the last to get dropped off and two years later I got him again and again every night he was dropped off last. I felt good.
He's got a Brass Neck! Once you have been had over it generally pays for them to stay away, but some people are delusional! You dealt with it perfectly, I would say.
Thats the motor trade for you, the specialist up country almost certainly ripped into your work and bad mouthed it, then when he spoke to you hes all sweetness and light, like many have said get it in writing, make them sign a waiver,
To myself as a retired dealership/garage owner I have to say ... Never get to a court case. In business people do annoy you, everyday. Being good at business is accepting that is the case and pay the nuisance customers off, fast. Never, ever, waste your time arguing. IMO.
No more than two words would be needed!
let me guess the second one is off.😂😂😂
Yep that would be me to and follow by do not ever come back here
do they start with f and o
Once bitten twice shy.
Haha id have used three the first would be go, the second begins with an f and then third would be yourself 😂
“ go forth and multiply “ I believe is the correct comment!
Or go forth in jerky movements 😂
😅😅😅😅😅😅
Fox-Trot -Oscar.
Lee. That Customer has unwhittingly PROVED that your workmanship is not Faulty. I know that if anybody thought your work is Faulty they would never return.
APPEAL TO THE COURTS.
There's is no court decision to appeal. The matter was settled out of court.
But I tell you this, no way would I have settled nor would I have hired a lawyer. I would have gathered all my evidence and defended my self and won!
Remember the client made the claim so it is he that has the burden to prove his claim. The defendant can stay mostly silent, he is innocent until proven guilty.
@@chipcity3016 It seems you do not understand what civil court is. "Innocent until proven guilty" is not actually how this works. That's only for criminal matters, against the government. In a civil lawsuit, the standard is "51%", meaning whoever is even a little bit more credible than the other guy.
Since you didn't even understand this very simple fact about how legal proceedings work, I would advise you to reflect on your stance regarding hiring a lawyer. Because from what you're saying, if it had indeed been you, you would have lost very badly.
@@chipcity3016 👍👍
@@chipcity3016 The bad publicity is not worth it......the consumer always tends to be believed first. First-hand experience here.
Someone that has never been punched in the face.
I fly a hot air balloon and I also ran an auto-electrical business (now retired ). I did quite a lot of work for a local farmer, alternators starters out-work as well. One fine evening I landed on one of his fields , he was not a happy bunny and demanded a fair amount of money from me to get off of his land intact! I kept on taking his work in (I really wanted to tell him to ef off) and I extracted a good mark up on every job until I got back more that he took from me.Then I told him I no longer wanted his business.
It makes you wonder how he thought he was going to come out of that the winner.
Revenge is best served cold 😆
Some people are like this , friendly very kind (sort of) then this is where you learn their true colours that come out , diabolical society we live & have done for well over 10 years 🫠🙂↔️😖
@@TonyRule Some people can't see beyond the end of their nose.
The farmer just wanted the money that he spent on your repairs back.
That didn't work for him 🤣.
Hi Lee, Well done, my motto is I will treat you like a 'genuine' customer, but screw me once... and I will never do another job for you again.
Another thing to consider...if you have a group of similar businesses, keep the names of these 'cowboys' on file and check with your colleagues before taking work, eventually no one will do anything for them..who has the last laugh😄
That takes a set of balls . Some people must think you have no memory . I never forget the ones who have done me wrong and im sure in hell not going to help them out when they need it . Well played Lee
I was in a different trade, but you never ever forget the bad customers, scores get settled even years later when they think you've forgotten.
The bloke probably has screwed over many other engine builders and has no where else to go.
I would have said no hard feelings mate, quoted £12k for the work and got him to agree via email to proceed.
I would of said yes taken the cylinder head and since hes not a paper kind of guy and left it at that, then when he comes back to pick it up or calls I would pretend ive never head of him or the cylinder head, and I would of just sold it.
I would have taken it on and then quoted the cost of the previous court case.
By settling when Barum was innocent, he admits fault and gives the man opportunity to do it again.
Your idea is good, but that man will just go to court again after it's all done, even if it's perfect. You can't win with those people, except by ignoring them, then they run out of victims.
@@G-ra-ha-m Settling litigation is not an admission of guilt - or in this case, liability (guilt is associated with criminal matters). On the contrary, settlement agreements are very clear that the desire to settle is in no way an admission of liability. Settlement is often, the "best" or the least worst option - given the financial consequences of a finding of liability, cost for your own solicitor, cost of a potential judgment, costs of the other party's legal fees - as much is it might stick in one's throat, a negotiated settlement allows some control over the outcome.
@@alank247 I agree, if it's settled with the usual denial of liability.
But in the last case when someone sued (without Barum even being their customer!!) he paid. Perhaps there was a denial of liability there, but I didn't see it.
@@G-ra-ha-m I responded to your statement "by settling when innocent, he admits fault." I am not nit picking you, nor am I trying to start an argument but, that is not a correct statement - settlement is not an admission of fault. I am not sure how you would see the terms of a settlement agreement. Anyway, I have no desire or intention to argue. Cheers.
@@alank247 Yes I understand what you are saying, and agree that my wording could have been more specific. In the case where he paid, it appeared that to save time or hassle, or simply fear of the process, he simply paid, thereby inviting more of the same.
Well done Lee! Perfect handling of the situation, polite and professional.
That customer is a psychopath, they have no sense of emotion just want what they need.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
I had a former (Sacked) employee arrive at my workshop asking for me to sort out a problem on a job he had undertaken that had failed spectacularly! Some people have selective amnesia and the gall of the congenitally ignorant. Needless to say he drove away somewhat enlightened as to how I was not feeling particularly helpful that day. The look of surprise and shock on his face is a memory I will treasure for ever.
A reminder, the vital importance of confirming everything confirmed back in writing, as you have discovered, 😊friend of the business, personal relationships etc. You did the right thing Lee, trying his luck. You were exceedingly polite! Words with fewer syllables were equally justifiable!
i now what i would have told him first word starts with F and the other O u work out what it is
No question, you did the right thing with Litigation Man. He and his business are unwanted. There must exist trust and honour, which when gone, remains thus.
So true.. A leopard cannot change it's spots.
Keep up the great work Lee. You did the right thing.
It does sound like you are developing good business sense. You’ve learned by your mistakes and are applying that knowledge today. Sending this individual on his way is precisely the right decision. He intentionally screwed you over in the past and would probably not hesitate to do it again now. Good for you Lee.
Hi Lee you did the right thing , if you had sorted is head and something had gone wrong. He would have come back and tried to screw you again. Please keep your videos coming.olso Lee you've got a good lad with issak
I wouldn’t have been so polite Lee, he’s got more front than Brighton turning up like that and expecting you to take on more work for him! Well done 👍
He's run out of people to con ! he's starting round again !
This, yes. He's gradually been exploiting rebuilders and run out of victims.
Some people are professional engineers, builders, professional brick layers, but now and again you come across a professional con man, a smooth talker a “don’t worry about that lad” kinda guy, they’ve done this long they are skilled, at what they do,
You did the right thing. I hope you’ve given other local businesses the heads up.
Brilliant. F$$$ O$$ !!!!
I find goes along way in clearing up any misunderstanding.
You did the right thing.
🤣🤣🤣
Well done! The best was you did not enter into a discussion and nipped it in the bud by requesting him to leave. Lee, put a decent security cameras, with microphone in the reception area. Not just for security, but for just this situation. He could come back at you saying anything as you didn’t have a witness present and create another situation. Just don’t assume he didn’t have a motive to rip you off again. A cheap but reliable solar powered dual lens camera, with microphone, day and night lights and auto-tracking as well would cost you 60 pounds and save you thousands in the long run.
Hello Lee, I never forgive and I never forget anyone who messes with my family. Mind you, I was born in Camberwell South East London. All the best,
Tony.
Do you forgive U.S.A. for the revolutionary war?
@@fastinradfordableHello,
Before my time, and wasn't directed at my family or myself directly, so I couldn't give a monkies either way. Kind regards,
Tony.
@@tonymarshharveytron1970 You missed his point. Ware you are born has nothing to do with not being taken advantage of. His reference was in regards to your bragging of your birth place as reason for not being taken advantage of. When just like every place on this good earth there are people who readily roll over for a good go. So if the region of England you are born means you won't be taken advantage of, then the country you are born must mean that you hold a generations old national grudge. Some people are just to dense I guess. Must be because you were born in Camberwell. 😂
@@williamallen7836 Hello William,
Unless you are British, you won't understand the way we think. I treat anyone I meet with respect and courtesy, untill they try to shaft me. At that point, I will never have anything to do with them. This was always the attitude GB had for hundreds of years. In recent times they have allowed countries to abuse our tolerance and generosity. I am old school, and expect people to treat me the same as I treat others. I have never tricked or shafted anyone in my life. Kind regards,
Tony.
You done the right thing by telling him to take a hope skip and a jump he got a cheek in turning up thinking you would do him a favour
Laughed in his face with a big ole ‘fuck off’ 👍🏻
‘Four cough you cheeky bar steward’ would have an appropriate response.
Hi Lee, loving the channel.... giving him the smile & saying no thank you, would really get his back up! nice one.
Lee, congratulations bud you’ve handled that in a very calm and professional manner. The temptation would always be to tell him to eff off but you’ve risen above that and demonstrated total professionalism. He’s the loser mate, definitely NOT you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
I suspect the actual words used might have been slightly more forthright. than suggested in the video.
What a nerve! Well done Lee!
Yes send him on his way. Remember you are a business and there are no friends in business. Everything has a paper trail and no favors for anyone no matter how long you have known them.
Lee you did not learn the biggest lesson, which is stay away from lawyers, they always tell you you have a great case until you get to court and then they say well it depends on the judge, so you walk away poorer every time and your lawyer pockets a few quid and forgets all about you
Yeah too right. Ever wondered why the words lawyer and liar sound so alike!
Ask lawyer if they can do no win no fee ?
No mater the outcome in a Court case win or loose,the Lawyer's never loose out, they always get paid, parasites the lot of them
Isn't it weird how the lawyers for both parties tell their clients they have a solid case?
@@TonyRuleCause they’re all in on it together the lawyers and judge. They probably decides what happens and how much each gets behind closed doors.
Took as much balls to be polite to him than him coming back with the head!
Some years ago I did a get-out-of-sh*t job for a known customer on a Saturday afternoon as he literally begged me to do it as he was desperate to have it on site on Monday morning- I didn't have the correct materials in stock everyone else had already left so it was agreed that I would do my best to fulfil his requirements with what I had. I thought did a bloody good job in the circumstances but it wasn't as drawing, roughly finished and unpainted- I Wasn't happy however as I would never have let it thru the door had he not been delighted with it as it got him out of a massive hole.... 4 weeks later I had another customer in who tells me about his mate who had a right old bodge done by me, i used the wrong materials, didn't finish off properly and ripped him off on cost... lesson learnt...
Lee, I probably would have broken out laughing, and then told him "no thank you" and walked away.
Lee, you did the right thing by turning him away. He broke his gentleman's agreement by taking you to court. A handshake is a handshake. You need to stand behind it. I wouldn't have been a nice. I would have told him to go kick rocks. It's sad that we got to put every detail done in the paperwork in today's world. Honor among gentlemen is dead.
It was honestly dead in the past as well. That's why contract law even is a thing, and why the oldest texts known to human kind are about it. We quite literally invented writing and maths precisely so that we could deal with the fact that honour is too easily exploited.
I'd say "hang on a minute", fetch everyone out the shop and then say "tell me that again" and let everyone laugh.
Your too nice…
I would’ve taken it and done no work to it and and longed him off for months before telling him I can’t find it, made him start court proceedings before dropping the cylinder offto him (filmed) in the same state I took it 😂
Good for you handled in a professional manner and told the cheeky sod to leave 👍
Nicely handled. This experience shows the importance of having robust Terms & Conditions of Sale in place for all customers. Your T&Cs should include a phrase that states that you are not liable or responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the customer, if they decide to take the work to another provider or supplier in order to remedy any work that you have provided.
The polite way you told him to go away was best 👀😂 i sensed the sarcasm lol
Love the factory set up, proper tidy workshop. Like your attitude, and professional manner. I think that you should have gone to court, because people do this kind of thing knowing that mostly you will fold. I used to manage contractors, and one I really admired, would layout his limits of work so briefly, that at first I would laugh at the brevity. However, it turned out to be the right way, two lines on a letter, or email, clearly pointing out the scope of work. Peace and goodwill.
Spot on --- once bitten, twice shy.
sounds like you were to polite 🤣
"I won't hold it against you" - you have to protect yourself in writing, and using a specific form of words that do not imply that the client's statutory rights are being waived. Specifically, you need a written contractual clause saying the client indemnifies you against any loss or damage that may occur as a result of the engine work not going according to plan. That way, if you're taken to court for damages you can counterclaim for whatever's being claimed against you.
Yes, this is the correct moral of the story. If you are to do anything unusual - and even if you're not - you'll want to institute a process of having everything in writing before commencing work. Including dealing with liability under normal circumstances, and waiving it under special ones.
Integrity,humour and a long memory have served me well in my former business. When fixing others screwups l charged a bit more than the going rate and took longer to teach them a lesson that my regular work was more important
Nice to see the k20s getting some appreciation from you guys..cracking engines 👍
Can`t believe the neck of the bloke. Glad you told him to P off.. Hope he sees this vid.
Camping in the back of a legacy you wee legend Issac
Absolutely sweet for you though to be able deal with the end in that way. No matter how thick skinned he is, he will keep replaying that over and over. As you seem to realise, you can never have enough clarity and proof of what is agreed, sadly a gentlemen's agreement can end up painful if one side takes the p1ss.
You did the right thing after listening to everything that happened. We have refused further custom too.
Goodness Lee you are very polite and respectful, not many could have handled that in such a respectful way as yourself, well done, Know you dont need to know this because of your good nature, always act in business as if you are being recorded.
Looks like a well organised business. Nice and tidy workshop. 🍺👍
The most polite response I have used: " GO AWAY. Have a nice day."
I would have quoted him the price of the settlement plus the cost of the work. 😂
Aslong as you held your own and didn't use any french language. 😂 your golden.
You need customers, not expensive headaches. Glad you sent him away. May be worth a call to other machine shops in the southwest. Don't tell them about your experience with him, simply tell them how you had plenty of time in the shop to handle his business, but you were unable to help him with his needs. They will get the hint.
My old stepdad was in business as engineering for many years. He used to come out with a quote, that 25 years after he shuffled off his mortal lathe, still rings true.
"It's alright when people take the piss, but when they rub it in it hurts"
Well said. You did the proper thing. Give him his marching orders.
Not worth the headache dealing with customers like that. Would set you bonkers.
A clear head and conscious are worth more than a few bob in the pocket.
Well Done mate. Cheers
As long as you were actually polite (not that he deserved it) you did right.
People like that have no shame. They trick themselves into believing the way they conduct themselves is perfectly normal when it’s not.
Looks like a well organised business. Nice and tidy workshop. 🍺👍
You won !
I'm glad it went that well, just over a year ago I was tricked into repairing a wreck of a rotten Land Rover, again on the famous handshake and I know it's rotten but do your best. This morning I got a snotty email after he had paid the money into my account, saying what a poor job I'd done, all the way through the work I was 'brilliant' but when he had to pay I was the evil bastard
This case should have been at money claims court, you would have your say to judge, solicitors not needed
Nice one Lee..very nice..you were probably a bit too polite
Perfect response in my mind. What goes around comes around and you can do perfectly well without people like that as customers. Well done.
Hi Lee,
A good plan is to have a customer counter with 5mp CCTV total coverage with sound recording. Any conversation takes place there!
I put systems in for clients it takes away the chance aspect.
You are a straight up nice person who does not deserve to be treated like this.
Had something similar years ago, guy’s vw t4 failed mot so he put neat fuel cleaner in the fuel filter and basic damaged his engine. He wanted us to supply and fit a recon engine, new injectors and pump test. His bill was roughly about 5k with everything done. He collected and later on rang and started going over his bill that he had already paid, picking about some of the items like air filter ect. Stressful, but after a lot of emails exchanged we had to come to an agreement to save court crap and offered some money back. This must have been about 7 years ago. Start of this year had an email from his asking if we wanted to do some repairs on one of his vehicles…. Cheek of it. You do your absolute best and people try have you over then ask for more service.
Lee, from what you said you handled the situation really well and politely even though you could have been boiling inside, well done there mate. If it had been me in your situation I would probably have exploded and reached for the nearest attitude adjuster I could find close to me.
Well done Lee. You definitely do not want that kind of liability threatening your business. I had a clown like that ask me to quote on a project. I was shocked at the nerve of him. I laughed out loud and said not a chance. This guy hadn’t taken me to court, he had gone bankrupt and didn’t pay his outstanding bill which left me out of pocket for expenses. It was a costly lesson.
What I learned when I was in business is that you have to risk assess your potential customers and be prepared to say no thanks
That’s some mad level of arrogance! Definitely the best answer is on your bike!!
you got your own parking spot at the courts yet
All ways something going on brilliant 🤣🤣👍🔥
I might be controversial here Lee, but when you see the business as its own entity that has no emotions and you are the employee that protects the business by introducing rules, terms and conditions, nothing is personal. If the business has good agreements and terms and conditions there's nothing to worry about. You may have missed an opportunity to recover some of those school fees paid. Ps I have paid school fees in my business, annoying as it is, it strengthens and protects the business. Having said that there's nothing wrong with your decision. Personally I would have quoted with a proper markup and let him decide.
He certainly is taking the piss , and you handled it completely correctly
Exactly the correct approach ! Well done.
I recon you were very diplomatic 🙌🏻😁
You have a lot of restraint, 😂 and handled it great, $7,000 could buy another engine 😮 thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones
You're a good guy .
No one does what you are doing to get rich .
Its a thankless trade .
Never ever have a solicitor who wants to settle out of court get one who will stand up in court and fight some of these so-called solicitors are weak and just want easy money.
Sometimes you end up with a pyrrhic victory that way, with the solicitors cost being more than the cost of settling. Great if you can afford it, but not everyone can
This initial comment is just wrong. Certainty of result is sound business. Without evidence (ie a record of what the job was) further argument is expensively nugatory. A good solicitor will advise to his/her cost. The definition of “professional”. P 🇳🇿
Not much point having a solicitor fighting for you in court if the case is week, is there?!! You stand up lose a lot more!
Thinking you have a strong case and having one aren’t the same thing….
We can all see Lee’s point of view with this - but a court would have likely wiped the floor with him 😬
I think you handled it very professionally. I would have told him yes and quoted a price that included a mark up for the extra couple thousand you paid last time.
Havent watched a Barum video for months and this guy now looks HUGE, someones been working out
You're a better man than me! All the best moving forward 🇦🇺
Don’t know how you held back , very well done
Curious to know if the original leak was resolved and how was it done??
He's played his game with other shops and just run out of places to go now.. since they all are now telling him "politely" to get back in his car and go away 😅
If u ever watched Mrs Brown’s boys Lee.
“Thats nice” is the phrase ur lookin for.
Can’t believe he still has all his teeth!!
Or maybe he’s looking you to pay for those too!!😎
Should have told him: " Yeah, we'll do it, and it will cost you three thousand quid. " That would probably have sent him away.
Double that and a contract set in granite.
@@GolfMike09 definitely quote a "we don't want to do it" price.
Cheeky. Sorry you got ‘taken’ for a ride! As you mention “a learning curve”. Do not be bitter! BE WISE!
It amazes me just how many customers have a problem with your business! 🤔
The question is, why did it leak after you rebuilt it the first time?
And why did it leak after the installation of the new seal?
I believe these are very important parts to the story which are not mentioned here.
You did right, the bloke has probably shafted so many people for so long that he doesn't know what he's doing is wrong and he thinks it's normal.It's just another day for him and he thinks everyone else should be the same.
Hi Lee, I do hope with these occasional unexpected costs/overheads that your business is doing well enough for you to retire early if you choose. An honest business deserves good karma!
I would have said, Yeah sure, leave it with us. The charge to look at it will be a few thousand quid.😂
I was on my last run and asked a mate to ask the staff bus to wait for me, as I approached my depot I flashed the staff bus to let him know I had arrived. After parking my bus I got out to find he had go ne. My mate said “ If he can’t get here on time that’s his problem”. It took me seven years before I was doing staff bus and he wanted it,, every night he was the last to get dropped off and two years later I got him again and again every night he was dropped off last. I felt good.
You missed the prime opportunity there Leigh. All in writing and mostly repaying of the court outcome…😂
He's got a Brass Neck! Once you have been had over it generally pays for them to stay away, but some people are delusional! You dealt with it perfectly, I would say.
Thats the motor trade for you, the specialist up country almost certainly ripped into your work and bad mouthed it, then when he spoke to you hes all sweetness and light, like many have said get it in writing, make them sign a waiver,
To myself as a retired dealership/garage owner I have to say ... Never get to a court case.
In business people do annoy you, everyday. Being good at business is accepting that is the case and pay the nuisance customers off, fast.
Never, ever, waste your time arguing. IMO.
I would have quoted them 5x the real price...with a huge smile.