Rear camera shorted out and they want me to pay

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DutrowLLC

New member
A customer claims that the camera in the rear bumber of a vehcile that I recently detailed shorted out and had to be replaced during the course of my washing it.



The cost of replacing the camera is roughly $1000.00



I would be inclined to pay for it if I knew that it was my fault, but I have a few concerns.



* These cameras should be designed to endure all kinds of rain and other weather conditions, shouldn't it also stand up to a standard wash? Should I be liable for something breaking that shouldn't have during normal and reasonable treatment of the vehicle?

* How do I know these people aren't trying to scam me?



How is this sort of situation normally handled?



Thanks!
 
I seriously doubt this customer is trying to "scam" you. Put yourself in their shoes, if the camera went out shortly after washing what would you assume? I can only speak for myself but, I would eat it and write the loss off to customer service (probably why I don't do it for a money anymore :P). If you don't have insurance for your businees, I would get some for instances just like this. Would you rather have this customer badmouthing you to all his friends or praising you for the way you handled the situation whether it was actually your fault or not...



Just my 2 cents :D
 
agreed....there is no way when you washed it you broke it, but when they washed it it didnt....unless you opened it up and poured water in it.....



same goes with engines, and thats the reason I dont do them....engine problems suddenly happen right after they get cleaned!!!
 
Im willing to bet it was broken before you even serviced it.

There are a lot of crooked people out there.
 
Coupe said:
Im willing to bet it was broken before you even serviced it.

There are a lot of crooked people out there.
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I thought the same thing.



Something that might be beneficial to everyone is the instruction for these items. Maybe post what kind of vehicle this was on and if it was OEM or aftermarket. I am guessing maybe a Nissan since they use cameras a lot. Either way maybe someone could get a hold of care instructions for such items and we could get them posted on autopia.org. This way everyone is sure to clean them to the manufacturer's recommendations.
 
It wouldnt cost 1k to replace it. Eitherway it should stand up to a car wash. If not it has no buisiness on the car. Dont pay them, no matter what there still going to bad mouth, even if you do pay them. Any one with a clue wont care what they say anyway.
 
Lexus RX maybe. Got to the dealer or enthusiast website for that model and find out if this is even possible.



There is no way you caused this. Let them prove it.
 
those camera's are all housed in water proof enclosures....if it was the case it was not...a rain would destroy them..or a tunnel wash....



I believe these people are blowing smoke up your arse and trying to get a new camera that died before you did the job....



you could go to the dealer the vehicle came from and ask if they have inquired about a new camera..or if they came in to see if it was broke ..before you washed it....



they may give you the info....



I would refuse to pay...ask for proof that water from your wash broke it....



AL
 
I would ask these smart a**** how they know it was water that ruined their camera? If they took it somewhere and they told them that go straight to the source and see if they confirm that. How many days after you washed it did they accuse you of breaking it? Did they simply just want a wash/wax out of you?



If thats the case they probably just found you to wash their car so they could have someone to blame and get it for free....the nerve of some people :angry
 
Handle everything from this point on in WRITING. If your are responsible for the termination of this unit, there must have been a pre-existing condition. If you were not made aware of it, your liability is zero. You need to know who diagnosed the unit as non-operable, how they came to that diagnosis, how they determined that your services are responsible for the results. . . all via email or certified snail. If the unit is replaced in the mean time, all parts need to be retained to supplement their arguemet. If they have yet to be replaced, seek an alternate, respectable, and objective second opinion. If you call your insurance company for advice on how to handle the situation, they can (AFAIK) handle it as a claim. Beware. HTH.
 
get everything in writing like stated earlier, get dealer quotes and "a pros opion" (somone at the dealership) shop around to see if they really cost a grand, also check if the person still has warenty, some people dont rember those things. Also i would get it in writing and dated at the post office and explain nicley that if it was your fault and it can be proven you will replace it, however if not it is a matter of fraud and the police will be dealing with him.
 
A few people have said that I should have them prove it. How would they do this?



They said they took it to the car dealer and got it replaced and that the dealer said it was shorted out from water. They claim that the camera was working when they drive it down the driveway to be detailer and wasn't working when they drove it after the detail.



I think its possible that water got into it from the wash, but even if they can prove that, should I be liable to pay for something that broke during washing that is designed to be able to be washed?
 
Yal said:
Lexus RX maybe. Got to the dealer or enthusiast website for that model and find out if this is even possible.



There is no way you caused this. Let them prove it.
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There is a Toyota Service Bulletin covering failure of the back-up camera. My Lexus RX330 camera failed and was replaced for free. Send them to the dealer. You didn't cause it to fail.



The TSIB # EL003-05, "No Picture Displayed From Backup Camera", was issued on April 6, 2005, for the 2004 RX 330, GX 470, LS 430, and LX 470. If it is one of these vehicles it will be replaced for free so send them to the dealer.
 
DutrowLLC said:
A few people have said that I should have them prove it. How would they do this?



They said they took it to the car dealer and got it replaced and that the dealer said it was shorted out from water. They claim that the camera was working when they drive it down the driveway to be detailer and wasn't working when they drove it after the detail.



I think its possible that water got into it from the wash, but even if they can prove that, should I be liable to pay for something that broke during washing that is designed to be able to be washed?
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So what kind of car was it? and again no I dont think your liable.
 
toyotaguy said:
same goes with engines, and thats the reason I dont do them....engine problems suddenly happen right after they get cleaned!!!
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Engines are a different story. They're not designed to he washed. These camera sensors are. They need to prove that you did it or don't pay a cent.
 
DutrowLLC said:
I think its possible that water got into it from the wash, but even if they can prove that, should I be liable to pay for something that broke during washing that is designed to be able to be washed?
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Not in my opinion (but I am not a lawyer, I just have strong opinions). You shouldn't be liable for component that failed due to being faulty (in other words, being damaged by water when it is designed to handle being exposed to water).
 
ZoranC said:
Not in my opinion (but I am not a lawyer, I just have strong opinions). You shouldn't be liable for component that failed due to being faulty (in other words, being damaged by water when it is designed to handle being exposed to water).
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Exactly!

They got nothing on you, tell them to take a walk down a short pier.
 
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