Waiver/invoice

[CHRIS]

Just curious how many of you have a waiver for customers to sign before starting a repair. Also, im having invoices made with a disclaimer and am considering adding the waiver onto my invoice with a line to be signed before i start the repair. How do you guys do it? Any comments or thoughts on this?

[zachb]

I personally don't have customers sign a waiver before the repair but quite a few people do. Especially for long cracks I tell people that there is always a slight chance that it could crack out further, but hey its already broken anyway. If you search the forum for "waiver" this topic has already been discussed in atleast a couple threads.

[splitpit]

I think a waiver is a bad idea. It's kinda like a lack of confidence in your abilities, from a customer's standpoint.

[SGT]

I use waiver for all retail work. The client signs allowing me to operate there vehicle and that they understand that there windshield is already broken. They also understand the purpose and possibilites of a WSR.

That is what works for me. Others feel differently on the topic though. Do what you feel comfortable with.

[Guelster]

If you dont have the customer sign a waiver, authorizing you to perform work on their vehicle you can easily get a headache.
An irate customer who wasnt at all satisfied with your work can cause a world of trouble. I know they are few & far between but people know how to get around the law, some people are just out there to work the law & get stuff for free.
Example: if a customer pulls up to your location and inquires about getting a broken windshield fixed..you agree on a price and start performing your repair. If the customer starts complaining ...they can still see a mark....they thought it was going to come out spotless....bla, bla, bla...they can say anything. I understand some of you will say you completely informed the customer on how it would look & you covered all your tracks but if this one customer causes such a ruckus and decides to call the police. Guess what, the police will come to scene ask to see the authorization to work on their vehicle and deem it a civil matter. They will tell the customer to go to Civil Court and file a small claim suit against us. They will tell us (Windshield Repair Person) the same thing....go to civil court and file a suit for your money. It doesnt matter it is a NO WIN situation w/o that signed authoriztion piece of paper.
This is just my opinion. I know some of you will say I am crazy and mock this response but if this one customer ever started this much trouble for you, you will remember this post and say hmmmmm maybe their was some truth to this post.
All said & done just make up an authorization for the customer to sign...its only a signature, it takes all of 2 seconds to sign. It doesnt show any distrust in your work, it just shows you are professional and you will complete a professional repair.

[Brent Deines]

If you go to the doctor you sign a waiver, if you go to your mechanic you sign an authorization that often contains a waiver, if you go to an attorney you sign a waiver, if you go to a CPA you will likely sign a waiver. I don't think it is unprofessional, but I do find it annoying.

I had a waiver printed on my invoice, and after I broke my first windshield I had people sign it before I started to work on their car, but after a few weeks my confidence was back and I didn't usually bother any more. It's a good idea, especially if you don't plan to offer to pay for a windshield if it breaks when you are working on it. If you are going to pay for any windshield you break it is not nearly as important.

I agree with SGT though, reading a waiver helps set customer expectations.