Give us a break sometimes.

[IQ52]

Got myself in some trouble.

A pair of cylinder heads was delivered to be ported. They came in the back of a pickup truck with snow and mud on them. We disassembled the first one and inspected it. I then called the sender and told him there was nothing I would do to the heads, someone else had already ruined them (a crate engine company) and I didn't want my name on them. Frustrated he said, "Just put it back together and I'll put them back on!"

I repeated that I didn't want my name on them and if I put it back together, my name would be on them and "I" would own the trouble when it occured, so, I would not just put it back together so he could reinstall them. I suggested he should take it to someone who didn't know better, or didn't care, and have them reassemble the head. Now, according to him, I just won't put heads back together after I take them apart.

Which is true I guess. I won't put junk back together for him or anyone.

 

[Abodybomber]

You are a business owner/ machinist. As doon as you say "yes",you are liable for everything. I sure wouldn't take it in.Understand the rant,and then some(ex-service writer).

 

[Oklacarcollecto]

You are in a no win situation.
You are very likely to hear "He tore my heads apart, wouldn't finish them and gave me them back in peices." I would say you need to return them the way they came in plus have him sign a statement to the fact the heads are junk and not rebuildable. If you start hearing crap then you have something to back up what really happened but just handing them back in peices you have nothing.

 

[ramenth]

Oh, now come on... didn't you know that once you take a job on you're supposed to wave your magic wand over it and cure every problem that the project will ever have from now 'til Kingdom Come? How is that being unreasonable?

If you're unwilling to reassemble and take the future problems on (which is understandable) then you could always take pics of the problem areas and detail everything extensively writing, keeping a copy and giving a copy to the customer. Then, if he shows up here (or another board) to bad mouth you, you can post the pics and what you've found and keep your reputation in tact.

Sorry to say, but I've been in your situation. It's a no-win situation. Customer won't pay for or supply the necessary parts to get the project done and then spends months badmouthing you for his or her decision.

A former boss of mine said it best. "The customer is always right. Most of the time, they're just unreasonable."

 

[1968dartman]

you are in a no win situation.
You are very likely to hear "he tore my heads apart, wouldn't finish them and gave me them back in peices." i would say you need to return them the way they came in plus have him sign a statement to the fact the heads are junk and not rebuildable. If you start hearing crap then you have something to back up what really happened but just handing them back in peices you have nothing.

x2!!

 

[michformulaS]

I would suggest taking some pictures of what you feel is not fixable as well.

 

[jos51700]

Want me to mediate? I'm good at it...

 

[CudaChick1968]

... Sorry to say, but I've been in your situation. It's a no-win situation. Customer won't pay for or supply the necessary parts to get the project done and then spends months badmouthing you for his or her decision.

A former boss of mine said it best. "The customer is always right. Most of the time, they're just unreasonable."

Oh boy Robert, I can surely relate to that part!!!

I have to agree with the suggestion of a thorough write-up (which needs to be easily understood by laypersons [such as a jury of his peers]) and plenty of photographic documentation to cover your a$$. If the customer is behaving like this now, just imagine how it's going to progress over the next few months when he's really getting sick of riding the bus back and forth to work ...

Good luck! I do not envy being in your shoes.