Caution when advising the public

[JoeStrummer]

This is of course not at all related to the man in nearby Basingstoke sorting out his Hotpoint with help from this forum. 😆

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Advising the public

I’m not sure which thread you refer to Joe, but this is a minefileld.

Personally taking each thread on it’s own merit and assessing the poster’s abilty is quite important, but, the trouble there is that anyone can read the public forums and if we have advised someone who may be more than capable of repairing their own appliance, the subsequent reader may not be.

It was at my request that Martin posted this thread and I’m sure we would all like to hear the views of everyone who likes to help the public. 😀

Many of the posts end in “pop up your postcode” or similar as we all are trying to direct the public to have a proper and safe repair carried out by us Independants which is benecial to all.

Roll on E-Jobs 😀

Dave.

[shane]

Re: Advising the public

Martin wrote:It’s great that here on UKW we can all lend a hand and help the public at large over their problem appliance from time to time. But can I remind all trade members, not to assume that whosoever you are replying to (within the PUBLIC FORUMS) is qualified at being able to carry out even the most simple of checks on their troublesome appliance.

In fact you should always offer advice with great caution as in law, those that do advise will be deemed fully responsible if anything goes wrong. By all means always suggest “Pulling the plug first!” as a postscript to any advice given. BUT again, if your advice demands the lid or back panel be removed in order to check, then whether they pull the plug or not, you are liable if anything goes wrong from that point on simply by suggestion.

Yes, I know, it’s a ‘grey area’ and could be difficult to prove in a court of law. But nevertheless it is a fact and should be treated with caution by all that participate.

Please don’t let my comments put you off from helping the public out any more than you do already, just apply a little caution when you do that’s all 😉

Martin

Some years ago a Sevice Agent of a well known manufacturer had a tel. call from a customer, asking if she could use “Cool force” detergent in her w/machine. The reason for the request was that she suffered from a skin complaint. The person taking the call said she could see no reason why not if the packet did not warn about it.

Subsequently the customer developed Excema, sued the manufacturer; and won. The manufufacture was amazed and forbid all agents to offer any technical information whatever.
Shane.

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