Need Advice Quickly... Please help.... (any Lawyers in the house?)

[aphex]

So, (as im sure some of you might remember), i built a computer for a co-worker last summer.... (8/13/02) to be exact...

Total profit over cost was $20 (she was a friend, so i wasnt charging her much) and i specifically listed that the only warranty she is getting is from the manufactuers (each part on its own), and limited tech support when i could help... (this was listed on the invoice i provided to her)

She calls me today and says the motherboard is bad (her computer wiz friend told her).... The computer keeps restarting, and freezes randomly... I get her to check out the fans, all are working, temps are good.... Im suspececting its not the PS cause i wouldnt think it could cause random freezes, and the mobo sounds like a logical solution, so i agree that there might be a problem with the mobo.

Here in lies the difficulty, she flat out REFUSES to allow me to send the motherboard to the manufacturer to get it repaired, saying there is no way she could be without the computer for one minute. I tell her that the manufacturer will not replace the mobo without recieving the old one back first, and that she would have to buy a new one if she didnt want to wait. She refuses to pay anything.

I explained to them i could come down and fix it either next monday or the week after, since i have finals thursday and friday, graduation saturday, and im moving sunday & monday..... Keep in mind i live 300 miles away from her now... She says NO.

Just a few minutes ago i get ANOTHER call from her husband, threatening to take me to small claims court if i dont pay him back for what it will cost him to have it repaired, since i cant fix it tommorow....

What the hell should i do?

EDIT: Please read my updates below as some of them have pertinent info

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

buy a new one for her. install it, rma the old one and sell it in the fs forum.

ah read the last part more clearly. I take it you are no longer friends with this person/couple? Screw it, they couldn't touch you in small claims court.

 

[TuffGirl]

Tell them to get a Dell.

No really, that's what they deserve.:|


EDIT: OTOH, since you specifically stated that she is only getting manufacturers' warranties on the invoice you gave her, and you have a copy of the same invoice (I hope), then I say just let her moron husband take you to small claims court. You were doing them a favor; you clearly stated the risk they would incur by building their computer; what could they have on you?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
buy a new one for her. install it, rma the old one and sell it in the fs forum

I even offered this as a last resort, but they said if i cannot do it by tommorow, no.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
buy a new one for her. install it, rma the old one and sell it in the fs forum

I even offered this as a last resort, but they said if i cannot do it by tommorow, no.

read my edit.

 

[boyRacer]

I don't know what kind of friend those are... but considering how you'll still be their slave even after you fix this... i say just fix and give them back your $20 profit... and tell them they have trouble... go fvck themselves.

 

[SuepaFly]

i specifically listed that the only warranty she is getting is from the manufactuers (each part on its own), and limited tech support when i could help... (this was listed on the invoice i provided to her)

So what was your exact wording on the invoice?

 

You're in great shape if they decide to sue you. You never gave them a warranty with the computer, and they'll have no proof that you ever DID give them a warranty, so you're in the clear. I'd tell them that THEY need to put up the funds to buy a new MB if they don't want to be without their precious computer. Then, RMA the old one and sell the new one here, and give them the residual after shipping costs.

If they don't want to do it that way, tell them to suck on it. You'll see them on Judge Judy!

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
buy a new one for her. install it, rma the old one and sell it in the fs forum

I even offered this as a last resort, but they said if i cannot do it by tommorow, no.

They are being unreasonable, let they try and take you to court.

 

[y00ycdz]

Originally posted by: jumpr
You're in great shape if they decide to sue you. You never gave them a warranty with the computer, and they'll have no proof that you ever DID give them a warranty, so you're in the clear. I'd tell them that THEY need to put up the funds to buy a new MB if they don't want to be without their precious computer. Then, RMA the old one and sell the new one here, and give them the residual after shipping costs.

If they don't want to do it that way, tell them to suck on it. You'll see them on Judge Judy!

I agree, basically just tell them to take you to court, they most likely won't. Threatening and actually doing are very different and most people are just all talk.

Also did you write ON the invoice about the warranty issue, or just tell her verbally?

 

[FoBoT]

bummer, welcome to the "burned by building pc's for people and them expecting Dell level 3 year warranty/support" club

 

[her209]

She needs to realize that it ain't your fvcking fault.

 

[Bootprint]

If she can't be without it for a minute, I wonder if they really know how long it'll be at a shop... It could take a few days at some places...

 

[y00ycdz]

Oh, and once this is all over, please buy the "No, I will not fix your computer" t-shirt, and if they make one a "If you're REALLY my friend, you won't ask me to build you a computer." ... hmm that one may be too long, i dunno.

 

[rudeguy]

let him sue you...it will cost him more than buying a new mobo


NEVER build computers for ANYONE unless your last name is Dell

 

[Ime]

1) Never build a computer for other people. You will get screwed.
2) Tell the real tough guy you'll see him in court.
3) See #1.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: y00ycdz
Oh, and once this is all over, please buy the "No, I will not fix your computer" t-shirt, and if they make one a "If you're REALLY my friend, you won't ask me to build you a computer." ... hmm that one may be too long, i dunno.

link? I could use a couple of those.

 

[kranky]

They are nuts, except they don't know it.

Tell them how to RMA the board, reminding them that's how the manufacturers warranty works. If that's not good enough, tell them you are sorry that they are being so unreasonable, you aren't able to help them, and if they really want, you'll refund them the $20 you made on the computer so they can have a full refund on everything but the parts. If they keep blowing smoke about small claims court, just say you are sorry that you can't help them, you explained on the invoice that they have the manufacturers warranty to rely on when things break, and hang up.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: kranky
They are nuts, except they don't know it.

Tell them how to RMA the board, reminding them that's how the manufacturers warranty works. If that's not good enough, tell them you are sorry that they are being so unreasonable, you aren't able to help them, and if they really want, you'll refund them the $20 you made on the computer so they can have a full refund on everything but the parts. If they keep blowing smoke about small claims court, just say you are sorry that you can't help them, you explained on the invoice that they have the manufacturers warranty to rely on when things break, and hang up.

nicely put kranky

 

[aphex]

My main problem is, my laptop (which had my copy of the invoice) was sent to dell when i had a problem and the hard drive came back clean (i.e. i dont seem to have a copy of the invoice)...

Now i am POSITIVE that i stated that all parts come with the manufacturers warranty (i think i even went as far as to list each part specifically and how long the warranty was, i.e. 1yr/3yr) No where on the invoice did i say an amount of time acceptable for me to fix the computer, nor did i say i would even be responsible for fixing the computer. Only that each part carried its own warranty.

When i mentioned this to him, he said that his wife was not informed of this at the time of purchase and that he assumed Manufacturer meant me. I am positive i explained this to her before i delivered the computer. Im just worried that since i dont have the invoice handy (believe me, im looking), i wont have any room to fight...

What should i do?

 

[Ime]

Originally posted by: aphex
My main problem is, my laptop (which had my copy of the invoice) was sent to dell when i had a problem and the hard drive came back clean (i.e. i dont seem to have a copy of the invoice)...

Now i am POSITIVE that i stated that all parts come with the manufacturers warranty (i think i even went as far as to list each part specifically and how long the warranty was, i.e. 1yr/3yr) No where on the invoice did i say an amount of time acceptable for me to fix the computer, nor did i say i would even be responsible for fixing the computer. Only that each part carried its own warranty.

When i mentioned this to him, he said that his wife was not informed of this at the time of purchase and that he assumed Manufacturer meant me. I am positive i explained this to her before i delivered the computer. Im just worried that since i dont have the invoice handy (believe me, im looking), i wont have any room to fight...

What should i do?

Hope that your word in court is better than his!

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

in small claims court they would have to provide the invoice to prove you even built it for them. if they provide it, it will show the warranty info. if they can't provide it, they don't have any basis for expecting a warranty.

 

[aphex]

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have too much crap to worry about, i dont have time to deal with this!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
in small claims court they would have to provide the invoice to prove you even built it for them. if they provide it, it will show the warranty info. if they can't provide it, they don't have any basis for expecting a warranty.

Exactly!

Ask them to fax you a hard copy of the original invoice in the meantime.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
in small claims court they would have to provide the invoice to prove you even built it for them. if they provide it, it will show the warranty info. if they can't provide it, they don't have any basis for expecting a warranty.

Exactly!

Ask them to fax you a hard copy of the original invoice in the meantime.

What if they refuse?