Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

[H.E.D]

Ok guys so I have/had a client calling me a day after asking me to admit to a broken(cracked windshield horizontal) now have you guys in the business ever heard of such thing? yes I noticed the cracked while driving the vehicle, yes i moved the vehicle to get washed, didn't addressed the situation I know I should of . So what my question as a professional what do you do when a situation like this presents itself.The more i analyze the more I couldn't have caused it. Yes we have come to and arrangement and yes insured

[Evan.J]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

Was it hot out when you washed the car ad was the sun out? those two things combined with cold water hitting glass that already has a crack can cause the crack to get larger

[Christopher.Brown]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

This is why i use a vehicle inspection form, similar to what used car lots use when signing off and receiving cars

[H.E.D]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

Yes was aware of hot weather causing it, but car was sitting in the shade and washed under the shade for exact same reason.

[H.E.D]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

This is why i use a vehicle inspection form, similar to what used car lots use when signing off and receiving cars

I Know and i do carry one from Meguiars, but I usually do that for details only. Have never had an issue with something like this I guess lesson learned.

[Showmob]

The crack in the window would have most likely started with a chip in the glass my guess is the wash could have started the cracking process but the windshield was most likely already compromised from the initial chip which might have not been repaired so I doubt it's your fault

[Christopher.Brown]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

I Know and i do carry one from Meguiars, but I usually do that for details only. Have never had an issue with something like this I guess lesson learned.

yea i hate to hear any stories about this. But i do a walk around with the client pointing everything out. then having them sign. Then i repeat the same process when they receive the car. This ensures they officially inspect the car with me and release me of anything before taking it back into their possession.

Its business, not personal. Gotta CYA!

I would love to have agreements over handshakes and beers, but the world isnt so much that way anymore. Your best clients will be, but ya never know.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

Unless the windshield was hot, you put colder water on it and you heard the crack then you didn't cause it.
Once a car is cleaned all kinds of defects are present. I think this is what happened, the customer now can see it clearly.
Explain this to the customer.
If you think this customer will cause a stink, ie: bad review, spreading the word about there experience then replace the windshield and never talk to them again because you didn't do it.

On the other hand you can fight with them about it and stand your ground. If you didn't do it then you didn't do it.
Also the crack was already there and it might have grown after you washed it due to them driving the car. And once your done with the car it's no longer your responsibility. Who knows how they drove home, pot hole, hit a curb, hit a drive way to hard. All of this tweaks the body and makes cracks grow.

I had a customer tell me I created all the road rash and door dings on his car.
I asked him to explain how I could have done that. He said I must have had a bunch of things by the door and I hit the door over and over again. He couldn't explain the road rash though. I told him to stick it and loose my number.
Some people are just ignorant but more stupid I think.

[H.E.D]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

Thanks guys for all of your input. Something doesn't quite seem right if I had caused the problem I honestly would of addressed trust me with a foot long crack on your windshield its pretty hard to cover up. Now my suspicion is that why a day later? why not call as soon as she saw it? why not say anything when went inside the vehicle to write a check? why call the next day and had an estimate already of windshield? but as a small business I opt out to just pay for it I think stuff like this kills a small business reputation rather pay now then loose clients in the long run.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

skrew her!
If you didn't do it, you didn't do it.
She already had an estamate?
She's a lire! She won't spread the rumor she created.
I wouldn't worrie about her, she sounds like scum.

[sprocketser]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

I really think it was broken before it got to you & the o0wner tries to put the blame on you in order to have a free windshield .

[Bunky]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

I had a windshield that had a small chip and when I turned on the defroster to get rid of the ice on it the temperature differential cause the crack to propagate across.

[sprocketser]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

True Bunky , but it wasn t due to washing it , it s due to the windshield s defect or rock chip .

[Bunky]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

True Bunky , but it wasn t due to washing it , it s due to the windshield s defect or rock chip .

Putting cold water on a hot windshield could do it but do not believe the detailer should be liable due to a pre-existing flaw. This is where insurance comes in.

[H.E.D]

Re: Broken Windshield Allegedly Due To Hand Wash????

I really think it was broken before it got to you & the o0wner tries to put the blame on you in order to have a free windshield .

Yup exactly what I was thinking. Plus its easier to blame it on the detailer. Best part was " I think you should pay we have you come out and wash our company vehicles and the referrals you should be making x amount of money a month" I cringed. Found out the vehicle travels a long distance to get home. So guys be careful out there an inspect thoroughly.