Crazy customers

[jkamboj]

Hi everyone,

 

I cut a key for a customer about a year ago for his Toyota Camry 1997. I usually check the key myself (have enough parking in front of my store). before handing it over to the customer and charge him/her the price.

 

About a year later, he came, said to me your key does not start my car. The key was badly worn out. He might have been using this key for long time now. When asked where is the original key, he said, that key is lost.

 

Then I told him, I can decode the key and cut him a key on a code machine which would cost him XX Dollars. The car was parked nearby, I also told him, if my key worked, only then I would charge him the price. He said, I can not give any money to you just repair my key. I said to him, there is nothing like to repair a damaged key. I have to cut you a brand new key on a code machine. He declined to pay any money and I declined to serve him for free.

 

My guess is his ignition switch is worn out too much. I told him that your vehicles ignition switch might have worn out and some wafers might have stuck in side with use. I can just try a new key cut on a code machine which would be exactly same as the key cut at dealership. Then he said, your key was not working from the beginning. Then I questioned him, why did he not come before. He said, I do not have time for petty things.

 

I said, only thing I can now do is cut you a key to the code and cuts, if it worked pay me the money otherwise toe your vehicle to mechanic to change the ignition switch or bring me the ignition switch after get it removed by your mechanic for repair.

 

He started yelling at me, and started saying very very sweet words (you know what mean) about my work and my machine and left the shop yelling. I just kept cool and kept smiling at his stupidity.

 

I do have a notice on my key machine saying " OUR LIABILITY FOR THE CUT KEYS IS LIMITED ONLY TO THE COST OF THE KEY CUT"

 

Have this happened to you and how to do you tackle this situation.

 

Cheers from Toronto!

 

Jas

[grahamparker]

I would have decoded and cut a new key and tried it first.Then i would have told him how much to swap the chip, if at this point he did not want to pay then

i would have not done anymore.

 

A lot depends on how the customer approaches you and how they speak to you, if they where polite and listened to your explanation then i may have offered to

cut the

new key at a slightly reduced price.If they then start shouting the odds i would ask for the original reciept and would point them in the direction of trading standards

and would probably follow the advice that they had given.