So, I'm getting sued

[completia]

I was working today on one of these very expensive lock in the rich zone of my town. This is the urban zone located at the top of a huge mount with houses worth several millions.

Two years ago he called me to get advice for good locks for his house. He wanted very high security locks on his doors to protect his house and he already had a very strong alarm system. I talk to him about a few of the commercial alternatives - ASSA, Primus, etc - then I introduce him a model that is both cost-effective and very lock pick resistant. I recommend him a MEDECO lock. He agrees and I install these locks on all his doors (10+). I should say this guy is a real CRACK of security.

Back to now, the same guy (which I've long forgotten about) calls me and tells me he locked himself out of his house. He tells me he thought about breaking a window but that each window is worth several thousands dollars and that he would rather have me unlock it (also each window is connected to the alarm central, doesn't want trouble, etc). Great. These are MEDECO so I get to work on it.

It takes me around 20 minutes (don't laugh...) when I finally manage to open his front door. I am very proud of myself and smiling. Surprisingly, he, however, is pretty pissed.

HIM: How... How did you manage to open this?
ME: Sorry?
HIM: I thought these were lock pick proofs!
ME: No sir, nothing such as lock picking proofs locks...
HIM: YOU'RE the one who sold me these locks two years ago! You said they were very secure! And how you broke them open in 20 minutes!!!! What about a thief, any thief could break into my house very quickly.

Appears the guy had the keys all along and was just "testing" his locks. I tell him that I'm a skilled lockpicker, that Medeco is very safe, but he's still flipping out. He says I left his house vulnerable and that he could get robbed at any time. Then, he says:

HIM: That's enough. I want a full refund of all these locks, as well as the price you charged me to install it. Finally, I want the installation of some more secure lock for free!!!

I tell him that it's not how it works, that even the highest security locks could get breaken into and that the model he wants (ASSA) is not only expensive, but hard to find, and that most thieves don't bother trying to lock pick anyway, but nothing does.

And now he says he's going to sue me for doing my job poorly. I refused to pay him what he asked (lol), so he says he's going to take me to small claims, because I did my job poorly, and recommended wrong locks, and left his house vulnerable, etc etc etc.

Frankly, what do you think? Medeco are bump-resistant. And they're hard to pick as well. There was nothing wrong with my recommendation - or was there? I want some opinions from third party here please.

[Please read the site rules, and remove the link from your signature- unlisted - 4. Signing your name is allowed, however URL dropping in signatures is disallowed and will be removed. Your profile can contain a URL however it may not be referred to.]

[cryptocat]

recommendation: get a good lawyer. don't look on teh intarwebz for legal advice.

[tballard]

I'm starting to think the best course of action for you would be "full-time lawyer on retainer"

[adrenalynn]

I'd buy an umbrella.

Maybe an ark.

Some people just have storm clouds following them around.

[Squelchtone]

If you sold him the Medeco locks you should have had his registration info on file and had come out to his house with a cut key based on his card code. Now this is of course assuming you are a Medeco dealer. If you just got the locks KA from someone on ebay then it would be hard to drive out with a working key.

like everyone else said, call an attorney, this guy is obviously bored and trying to start trouble.

Squelchtone

[cryptocat]

Also, it sounds like you're a slow learner. After the last time you got stiffed I'm surprised you didn't collect a deposit or a card imprint before starting this job.

Anyway, thanks for the mid-week laugh.

[adrenalynn]

Completia,

Have you had a browse through the site rules? If you missed 'em, they're here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=715

Before a mod comes along and whaps you again, I thought I'd offer a friendly nudge. Hint: reread #4.

[Buggs41]

This kid is just too funny!

Keep the laughs coming Completia. Each post really brightens my day!

[le.nutzman]

Honestly, I think you have failed in following the number one rule among most people who I speak to that do this type of work, or even IT work. You failed to have the customer sign a consent form that would release you from all legal liability when working on his locks, including picking them. Doesn't matter if I work on the same person's computer one time or fifteen times, EVERY time I work on it, they sign the consent form. It keeps honest people honest, and in your case, it would have probably kept you from being sued. As it stands now, unless the laws are 100% completely different where you live/operate, you'll go to court and the burden of proof is going to be on you. Had you at least had the consent form signed ahead of time PRIOR to touching the locks, you could have had the option to have the form entered into evidence and the judge would have read over it and dismissed the case and awarded you a stay on your court costs. Right now, you're going to have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that your little exercise regardless if the customer was there or not, wasn't a successful attempt at breaking and entering. Good luck on your journey. Don't take my word for it, i'm just a paralegal, I don't get paid to pratice the law, just research it.

[vap0r]

Next time just install Abloy Protec.

On a side note, you shouldn't be asking the internet for legal advice. If you are a locksmith and do not have a lawyer ON RETAINER your making a very big mistake. See a lawyer immediately for liability advice. I hope you aren't doing business without a limited liability company.

[unlisted]

Please read the site rules.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=715

4. Signing your name is allowed, however URL dropping in signatures is disallowed and will be removed. Your profile can contain a URL however it may not be referred to.

[raimundo]

Until you get a notice from the guys lawyer, you are not being sued, just threatened by a nutjob. Nutjobs who focus on their own security are an interesting bunch, Im pretty sure a lot of locksmiths know one or two of these, if your lucky, your changing the locks several times a year for them and theres money in it.
However, there is the kind of drama loving paranoid who is trying to get the rest of the world to change its ways to suit him, Don't humor this kind, its more fun anyway to let them know that security is always an illusion. bust a few of their illusions and leave them trying to rebuild them. Explain to them the flaws in their most cherished security myth, and leave em huddled in a corner shivering.

[adrenalynn]

That's an excellent point! I stopped worrying about the "I'm suing you" comments about 20 years ago. If someone says that - they aren't. They're looking for attention. It's the ones that say nothing and a week later you get a letter from their lawfirm - those are the ones a bit more serious.

[thelockpickkid]

no worries, he may try to sue, but he don't have a case. He hired you to open the door. you opened it.
what does he think a locksmith does?

[Legion303]

I didn't know they had Medeco dealers in Montreal.

-steve