[tomasxguty]

Just received a call from a customer who says that I have damaged his alarm. When I did his windows two months ago he asked me to give the yellow "Yale" siren box on the wall a quick clean as it looked dirty.
Now he claims that water from my pole got in and corroded the whole thing. He says the alarm is 12 years old and always worked fine until recently. He asked about my insurance access as he needs to have it replaced. I remember that when I finished the job he paid £100 as agreed but he wanted me to give him an invoice for £150.  It was one of many properties he rents out. I guess he would ask the tenant to pay for it. I explain that it would be dishonest thing to do.
I guess he is paying me back now..
What do you think? Have you had to deal with anything similar?
Feel a bit down right now

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Sounds like he is the dishonest sort.

Explain that you are not an electronics expert and you only wiped over it under his own instructions and therefore eliminated you from blame.

Advise him to approach his own home insurance.  Tell him you are happy to speak with your insurance company but will have to admit to them you were acting under his instructions as it's not window cleaning plus his dishonest approach to invoicing.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

The corrosion probably has happened over time.  What happens when it rains.  Or when the snow melts on it?

[dazmond]

There's no way you ve ruined his alarm box! That corrosion has took many years to set in.

[tomasxguty]

Thanks Paul. Appreciate your comment. I can’t prove neither disprove my fault but judging by the cob webs inside the box it's certainly not waterproof. Told him that I will pop in tomorrow to have a look at it..

[dazmond]

Block his number and forget about him. He's a shark and trying it on.

[tomasxguty]

Agree with you Daz . Can't see how would one time leak cause so much corrosion ..

[andyM]

You have to use a bit of common sense in these type of situations.
I've been asked to clean one or two alarm boxes in the past and I have obliged.
But it's obviously not a wise idea to clean anything electrical with a water fed pole and copious amounts of water.
So I done them from ladders with a damp cloth and detergent.
It could be that this fella is trying his luck but then again if water from your wfp has got into the box it could of damaged the electronics.
Be more careful next time and always try to assess risk when asked to do jobs by customers.
You can always say "NO"!

 

[dazmond]

Just received a call from a customer who says that I have damaged his alarm. When I did his windows two months ago he asked me to give the yellow "Yale" siren box on the wall a quick clean as it looked dirty.
Now he claims that water from my pole got in and corroded the whole thing. He says the alarm is 12 years old and always worked fine until recently. He asked about my insurance access as he needs to have it replaced. I remember that when I finished the job he paid £100 as agreed but he wanted me to give him an invoice for £150.  It was one of many properties he rents out. I guess he would ask the tenant to pay for it. I explain that it would be dishonest thing to do.
I guess he is paying me back now..
What do you think? Have you had to deal with anything similar?
Feel a bit down right now

So it's given up the ghost over the last few weeks 6-7 weeks after you cleaned it?

Tell him to do one mate. You gotta stand up to people like that.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

I can't believe you are even taking this guy seriously!!! Tell him where to go buddy, he's trying it on- big time. There's no way you are at fault here.

[tomasxguty]

I admit, it was foolish of me to clean it with wfp. I have to be more careful when people ask you do them a favor...
I always thought that these boxes are made water and dust proof.
Well lesson learnt..

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Yes just don't bother. It's an old alarm anyway and towards it's end of life. 

He's a con man.  Do not accept liability.

Go on an electrical or Alarms forum and show them the photo. Get some alarm expert advise.  I think they will say it's corroded over many years.

[tomasxguty]

Thanks. I find it odd when he told me to be a qualified electrician..
I want to deal with him a dignified way but will probably refuse to take any responsibility for the damage because of how much time passed since the cleaning

[robbo333]

He is seriously trying it on. Just ignore him completely.
Even if your insurance company ever did get involved, there is no way they would pay out based on your photo. That bad boy was knackered before you even got to it.
When I clean them I just put a 'towel turban' something like this...
http://www.wilko.com/face-cloths+hair-towels/wilko-hair-turban/invt/0418210
over my brush and give it a wipe. I also tell the custy that I only WIPE it.

[tomasxguty]

Thanks all for your good advice

[Stoots]

You never touched it.

End of discussion. Ignore him

[The Jester of Wibbly]

You've had a lot of good advise here all saying the same thing.

So don't loose sleep over it.
 
Let us know how it goes.  Good luck

[Soupy]

Ignore him. If he persists ask him to see the service receipts for the last 12 years....

[Pete Thompson]

The batteries have leaked, not surprising after a decade. That’s what’s caused the corrosion.

[johnny bravo]

tell him its well corroded over years,    ask his neighbours if they have heard his alarm recently, explain to them what he is acusing you of,       then tell him the waranty is well gone, invest in a new alarm,      this is probablly why he asked you to clean it,  hoping you will use your wfp  knowing water will be used.    dont even answer his calls.Just tell him its Wear & Tear over many years
I never thought this could happen cleaning an alarm box,  i wont be cleaning any with wfp