I'm done with fixing other people's bikes

[Gillstay]

Playing devil's advocate, how do fixing folk's bikes as a favour play out regarding indemnity / liability - ?
If said person then had a crash which they then blame on you for 'messing with their bike', how do you fare - ?

Just fine as you are not doing it with malicious intent to injure. Which is what the press always miss out when it snows etc, as if you clear the snow your liable blah blah blah.

 

[Punkawallah]

Playing devil's advocate, how do fixing folk's bikes as a favour play out regarding indemnity / liability - ?
If said person then had a crash which they then blame on you for 'messing with their bike', how do you fare - ?

AFAIK if you repair something ‘as a favour’, and it fails, you could be liable for the results even if no payment is accepted.
I test ride the bikes I fix, like to give them the opportunity to test the bike, and make the point (only half in jest) that anything done comes with my usual ‘30 second or 30 yard’ guarantee - as in 30 seconds after the door shuts or 30 yards down the road, whichever comes first.
No idea about the ‘legal standing’ of such an arrangement, but working on the standard of ‘reasonableness’, if someone did not want to pay for a professional job of work, could they reasonably expect a professional standard of work?

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Which would be equivalent for the time spent. Maybe these things really ought to be returned to proper barter.

Can you fix my PC?
Sure, can you dig the foundations for the shed I want in my garden?

Can you fix my puncture?
Sure, can you do my ironing?

This is the best way, there is a tacit agreement amongst myself and closest friends that when we do a job/favour for each other it will always get reciprocated at some point down the line.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Whilst this thread highlights the generosity of a lot of forum members, it also shows the complete sense of entitlement a lot of people seem to have these days (referring to the people who have been on the receiving end of said generosity of course). If someone did me a favour I would consider it a one off and to be returned at some point. I wouldn't continually go back again and again for even more whilst offering nothing in return!

 

[All uphill]

Playing devil's advocate, how do fixing folk's bikes as a favour play out regarding indemnity / liability - ?
If said person then had a crash which they then blame on you for 'messing with their bike', how do you fare - ?

Having made the decision to stop repairing bikes at cost I'm surprised how relieved I feel.

I was least comfortable bodging/repairing the bikes of children in the neighborhood, without their parents' explicit agreement.

 

[TC99]

Playing devil's advocate, how do fixing folk's bikes as a favour play out regarding indemnity / liability - ?
If said person then had a crash which they then blame on you for 'messing with their bike', how do you fare - ?

They would have to prove you were negligent. You would not be expected to do work to the same standards of Brompton Junction etc.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I still repair bikes for people, but I don't pull any punches about what it will cost them and I tell them exactly what needs doing and get their approval in writing (via text) before spending anything or doing any work. I used to be on the "oh, just shout me a couple of beers" bus, but these days I charge properly, working on an hourly rate of around £25 which people seem happy to pay.