[dave401uk]

Yesterday i had a key job to do,4 bed house, when i got there i noticed the carpet at the jion between the hall and lounge had come away from the door bar,nothing unusual there,but having just got a new toy,(camera phone) i thought id take a pic.
Bloody good job i did,2hrs later the owners arrived, i was grreted with YOU HAVE SHRUNK OUR CARPET. not withstanding i hadnt even cleaned it yet!
I am sure you can all immagine the conversation that took place, after some heated moments,they aggreed that mybee they had been a little hasty :

Is this the new hand tool for our job?

Dave

[Cleanersolutions]

Hi Dave

Excellent!   I bet you were very pleased and relieved that you took that pic....Being accused of something you didn't do is awful.

I will take that as a valuable lesson and take pictures of anything that looks slightly odd/different or out of the ordinary.

Just out of interest, what could the customer have done in terms of a claim if you hadn't had the foresight to take the picture?   As it would be your word against theirs.

Nice one...

Steve

[dave401uk]

In this current climate of litigation, i feel it is wise to cover your back,so to speak at all times,i only really took the photo,to try out the camara part of the phone, as for your word against theirs,it would amount to a lot of litigation, and i feel even more bad feeling. While they litigate against you, they can do dammage to your reputation, and we dont need it, do we???

dave

[Mike Halliday]

If the customer had decided to make a claim against you want good would this photo had done?

 The customer could claim you cleaned the carpet, slit the seam  & then took a photo of it. you have no proof the photo was prior to cleaning.

A signed survey sheet with the damaged documented is the only way to stay safe.

Mike

[Len Gribble]

Mike

Agree but customer was not there to sign they arrived two hours later!

Len

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

I carry a digital camera for the same reasons.

If in doubt  take  before and after photos where the dirt should indicate that the problem existed before cleaning.
I did this on a suite with wear on the arms as I was'nt sure of the situation.

When I mentioned it to the customer there was absolutely no problem BUT better to be safe than sorry.

Cheers,

Doug

[martin19842]

hi there,

we take photos before and after, on all of out large special jobs, and we will take pics during the clean. so that client can see exactly what is going on, very useful if working through night etc.  As there arent many clients who will spend all night on site with you

regards

martin

[dave401uk]

as you will be aware, these digital images are time and date stamped! the pic shows that it was taken 4 mins after the booked cleaning time

Dave

[Dynafoam]

Dave,

To play devils advocate, the date-stamping would no hold up in court , as you can reset the time/date to whatever you choose, whenever you choose.

In practise though, if the custard is simply 'trying it on' the photo will do the trick.

[dave401uk]

OH they were, and it did

[strakercleaning]

Used my cameraphone the same way on 2 occasions and the fact that you took the picture first, stops most people in their tracks.
Taken pics of HEAVY soiling or stains before cleaning to use if landlords complain of no improvement etc. :
Also used to wriggle out of a parking ticket recently when i was blocked in by car and builders rubble, proved that it was not possible to move even though i was willing.......saved £50 

[Liahona]

Maybe because I lived in California too long but........To be argumentative but in a good way....... you are or were lucky that the customer didnt "have" you for taking a picture in his or her house without permission. At least in the states you cant just take before, during and after pictures without the consent of the owner......maybe it is different here in England........Best, Dave.

[Spot On cleaning]

I always carry a digital camera for two reasons. When the letting agent phones up, rather than generate paperwork for smallish jobs, i take it on trust. However to cover myself, i take many photos at start, middle and end and showing my equipment/hoses etc through the front door.

Secondly, there are bad carpets that are made good as well as upholstery, and these are good for your portfolio.

Dave

[darrenlee]

looking at all thats been said  must agree,
the new hand tool as to be camera, better safe than sorry in this sad world of litigation.

all newbies ad it to your kit ,

darren

[gwrightson]

I alaways take my digital camera, even if its just show the customer the difference, and always usful for your porfolio
  Geoff

[CLEANEAST CARPETS]

You know it makes sense

[andrew chrysler]

Digital cameras are so cheap now that it's well worth while.

If you keep the photos they could even be worth e-mailing to the client a few months later in a "look what we did" type mailing (or each January when it's quiet) to generate repeat business.

What do you mean you don't take client's email addresses? You don't still POST your follow up letters?

[John_Flynn]

Dave401uk

I would personally say that a time stamped pic would not stand up in court as you could have alterd the time on the camera before taking the pic, I am sure a Brief would attack you with that motive :

[andrew chrysler]

A claim for a damaged carpet is most likely to take place in the Small Claims Court. In this kind of environment, Barristers are not used, proceedings are informal, and, unlike the Criminal Court, things are decided not on "beyond reasonable doubt" but simply "on a balance of probabilities".

My experience in this type of court proceeding (not for a damaged carpet, though) is that photographic evidence of any type is greatly appreciated and rarely questioned.