So they too can show up with their junk to get fixed at half price 
This kid seems like a douche, and an unfortunate situation for you. I would use all used parts, get his shit running and out of your garage, and never speak to him again, even if it breaks in 2 weeks.
I would suggest that you have an attorney write up an agreement for you. Something you can hand to customers who have a “problem.” That way you will have an out, and he can talk all day about an attorney, but you’ll be covered because he signed over your ability to test drive his POS and not be held liable if it breaks on your watch.
This type of agreement is not litigation-proof, but you’re right that it can be an important tool. Unfortunately you can’t really just write up a contract that says “once we get your car all bets are off,” since those types of agreements are generally viewed as contracts of adhesion (too imbalanced in favor of 1 party) and often get tossed out in litigation (not to mention that judges get pissed seeing them). A limited liability agreement to at least cover JTech’s “diagnostic” period is in the works.
i’m excited for new ill-itigation papers :tounge:
The kid in the end was trying to be conversive, I know I was… trying to be easy going like i always am. at one point though he said, “well i followed the book, is the book wrong?” and at that point I had to lay it out harsher than I would otherwise, accusing him of obviously, with proof, the fact HE put it together wrong and caused the failure.
After it all though, he started saying how he has 550s, fpr, rail, maf T, etc to put on it… he said he might want me to add them for ‘extra money’, so he was trying to be cool, but still had douch flowing through him :sad:
Not trying to be angry big balls. I’m not saying to tell the kid to get the fuck off your property and then kick his dog. As far as trying to avoid damage, it’s too late for that. No matter what this kid is going to drag you through the mud. But who fucking cares? You will not please everyone. I’ve done tons of reduced rate work, this and that, and no matter what I do or how well I do it, they will bitch… it wasnt done fast enough, you still charged too much, you should have done it for free, blah blah blah. It’s a part of doing business. You are 100% in the right on this. You know it. He knows it. It wasn’t in there for an oil change. Ya gotta stand up for yourself man or you’ll end up taking it in the rear. If you still feel compelled to help this kid out, make him pay for all the parts, and offer free labor. That way you’re only losing time and not paying anything out of pocket.
so if he loses 100%, he’s not really that far off from where he’s at right now. I fail to see the risk here.
I would drag that thing back to his house and let him deal with it. A law suit is a weak threat when he knows that he screwed up and you have the pictures to prove it. Next time get a waiver and other documents that he signs that helps prevent that nonsense. It’s not perfect coverage, but in their mind is a big thought that your ass has been covered.
He’s going to spend time going through the process of litigation. This is the same time he could spend working. If you figure out his labor and apply it to the court case, along with the costs of an attorney, that is what he’s risking, compared to the cost of doing the work. There is an intangible value associated with teaching the kid a lesson or standing up for your business and being vindicated, but it all comes down to how you want to spend your time and how much money you want to throw at something.
I’m not saying he can’t or wouldn’t win in court, I’m just saying that when you put the numbers on paper it may not be worth going in the first place. Some people were making it sound like Jay would just walk into court and win because it’s so damn obvious, and that is not the reality in my experience.
For what it’s worth, I think the best move would be to avoid court, have the kid pay for parts and just do free labor, as you suggested. From talking to Jay I think that’s where it’s actually going anyway.
I think you nailed it there.
I hope your inflating the parts costs, or getting some labor for it. You still deserve to get some cash outta the deal
Yes, I agree it’s not going to be a magic bullet for liability/litigation, but it is helpful to the mechanic in the event of a lawsuit.
The diagnostic period is the biggest aspect, it would allow gearhead to take a look at the car which as acknowledged problems (kind of like the crap you sign when you take a rental car). You acknowledge the condition of the car when you take possession preventing undue liability later. It’s not foolproof, but it gives you a little bit of ammo, particularly with older cars that are out of warranty and have been tinkered with, often improperly, before the mechanic took possession.
Who loves closure? I do…
Well hopefully being the nice guy in the end pays off. I just shipped this ordeal today and gave him a heck of a deal, even though I dont think he thinks so. I had anxiety all day about delivering this thing, so I didnt get as much done as i wanted. I had a migraine, pissed 87 times and ate a half a meatball sub for my whole day.
This is the bill;
good, now put down the wrench and come to the Xmas party to blow off steam.
I should plan on getting absolutely blasted…
Do you feel better now?
Nope, he worked my nuts for free today
Im jealous 
from now on, all jtech services are marked up 20%
so…where the f uck were you?
omg shopping with my mom… it was teh weakest sauce u can mix. plus memory 0wns i
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