Ethics - Black & White or Gray

[DaveInPgh]

A lawyer's take on the matter. Basically it depends on how it is done.

Steve's example is unlawful, but a repair shop merely waiving a deductible is not.

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/is-it-legal-to-waive-a-customer-s-deductible/

[GoodSteward]

A lawyer's take on the matter. Basically it depends on how it is done.

Steve's example is unlawful, but a repair shop merely waiving a deductible is not.

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/is-i...-s-deductible/

That makes sense from a legal side, but not a business side. Unless the repair is a substantial job (most of this is labor mind you so loosing some on that isnt' like taking a hit on a product) or the customer has a very small deductible (100$ or something similar) I don't see this being a sound business decision for every job, unless you are a small business with very little overhead or you are jacking up the price enough to eat most or all of that loss <- Former is most likely

[GoodSteward]

This brings up another question then. If the deductible is technically on the business to enforce or dismiss, then would it be wrong(unethical) to try to strike a deal with a business if they do not offer to cover the deductible. Maybe you could negotiae by requesting the deductible be cut in half perhaps to do business with them?

My first reaction is that this seems like a mild form of blackmail, and not sure if it would be a good practice to have. This isn't like negotiating their fees, it's the deductible you agreed to pay with your insurance company (you can choose less and pay more premium)

[DaveInPgh]

That makes sense from a legal side, but not a business side. Unless the repair is a substantial job (most of this is labor mind you so loosing some on that isnt' like taking a hit on a product) or the customer has a very small deductible (100$ or something similar) I don't see this being a sound business decision for every job, unless you are a small business with very little overhead or you are jacking up the price enough to eat most or all of that loss <- Former is most likely

Might make sense for a new business trying to build a customer base or if there is a particular time of year that is slow.

[DaveInPgh]

This brings up another question then. If the deductible is technically on the business to enforce or dismiss, then would it be wrong(unethical) to try to strike a deal with a business if they do not offer to cover the deductible. Maybe you could negotiae by requesting the deductible be cut in half perhaps to do business with them?

My first reaction is that this seems like a mild form of blackmail, and not sure if it would be a good practice to have. This isn't like negotiating their fees, it's the deductible you agreed to pay with your insurance company (you can choose less and pay more premium)

Whether it is ethical or not, from a customer point of view it isn't something I would want to do with my vehicle. What is the shop feels like they have to cut a corner or rush?

[sblatner]

I'm pretty black and white. I'm sure there have been instances where I have done something that I knew was wrong but did it because I didn't have a choice. I would have felt terrible about it and would have tried to figure a way around it the next time (i.e., something at work).

So, I don't understand situations like what happened at Wells. I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I know people who do things they don't like because they feel they can't get another job. i feel like those who don't have choices have to unfortunately make bad decisions.

[GoodSteward]

I know people who do things they don't like because they feel they can't get another job. i feel like those who don't have choices have to unfortunately make bad decisions.

This could also backfire by following you. WHen you did try to get another job, the reference the company gives could include that you were dishonest or lied often. It didn't matter if they felt pressured to to keep the job, you still did it. The same people who would make you feel that way could easily cover it over by making it sound like your a bad employee.

I have a friend who was told to pick up something that was too heavy while working at Lowes. He was told he would loose his job if he didn't get the job done, and in the process messed up his back. Now he has permanent back problems and Lowes fired him for not following proper policy and getting help with it before lifting so they wouldn't have to pay for the workman comp case.