Re: parking attendant breaks door mirror.

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

---------------------------- Forwarded with Changes ---------------------------
From: Toby Erkson at HFCCM5
Date: 2/7/97 9:01AM
To: Undisclosedrecipients:; at SMTPGATE
To: type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Subject: Re: parking attendant breaks door mirror.
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Which mirror, side or rear view?  Exactly what was broken?  Either way, I 
would imagine that it's pretty difficult to break either mirror, but since 
he touched it, he obviously wasn't being careful and is responsible for 
damages incurred.

More than likely the lot has a disclaimer posted saying they are not 
responsible for theft or damage to a vehicle in their lot.  This may 
broadly cover what was done to your vehicle if the lot is poorly managed 
and whatever your local laws may be.  I would think the lot is responsible, 
not the individual unless management determined otherwise, but this should 
be their responsibility.

What *I* would do:  Approach the manager of the lot and settle the dispute 
civilly.  If s/he is smart he will know that a successful business needs 
happy customers and will pay for the damages (and this would be very small 
in this situation).  If s/he isn't cooperative get their name, the business 
name and the lot attendant that broke the mirror, give a polite thank you 
and go to small claims court.  Also get your complaint into the Better 
Business Bureau.  There may be a couple of small fees for small claims (I 
had to pay $30 for a sheriff to deliver the papers to the person I was 
taking to court, but my damages totaled $1310.  I did win out of court 
against the insurance company, BTW, so listen to yourself, not others).  
So, I guess it would depend upon you and the principle of the matter.

Good luck and let us know what happens.
     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L modified to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 stock 1.8L

P.S.  As for myself, who is spouseless, absolutely NOBODY drives my car but my 
mechanic.  I tell valets and other mechanics (like tire places) that I will 
drive my car where it needs to go.  And I am very firm.  There are only two 
exceptions to this rule during my ownership and they were the same 
circumstances:  I was too drunk to drive home so I gave my keys to a *close 
friend* and they drove me & my baby home.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: parking attendant breaks door mirror.
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    2/7/97 3:49 AM


Well, my wife went to the courthouse to pick up some documents,
and she decided to go for the attended parking (cheap or free)
rather than the $6.00 parking (this was for a 15 minute in and
out).

Well the parking lot guy had to move the red '66 squareback and
when he tried to adjust the mirror it broke off in his hand.

She got the guy's phone number, but I don't really want to take
this out on a guy who makes $2.00 an hour.  I'd want his employer
to pay whatever RMMW or WCM's replacement cost is.... But then
I get the feeling that would go nowhere either.

Blow it off, or get Judge Wapner?


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