TI Professional Computer

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Tue Jun 13 14:50:55 2000

On Tue, 13 Jun 2000, Tony Duell wrote:

See later remarks.

> >
> > Tony Duell wrote:
> >
> > > I'd always have a toolkit with me to lock heads on a machine that I'd
> > > purchased (after I've paid for it then it's mine to take to bits as I
> > > choose, right?).
> >
> > Sure, but not in my store! How can I possibly know if you're competent
> > enough not to get zapped? I don't know how it is in the UK, but here in the
> > States a lot of people are litigation-crazy. I pay a *fortune* for
> > insurance, but the policy states that *no* customer can do any kind of work
> > -- even using a word processor -- in my store. If we allow this, then we (my
> > partner and I) assume full liability.
>
> But this works both ways...
>
> I go to your shop and buy a large/heavy <foo>. You refuse to let me
> dismantle it and remove the PSU so that I can carry it out to my car in 2
> sections. As a result I injure myself. I then turn round and sue you
> because you refused to let me move it in the way that I considered safe.
> And if I can find a mention in the service manual that it's recomended to
> remove the PSU before attempting to lift the machine then I think I'd be
> almost certain to win.
>
> I even suspect I could win if, by you refusing to let me dismantle the
> machine and lock heads, etc, then damage was caused to _my_ machine. It
> doesn't matter that you sold it 'as is' -- as soon as you sold it it's
> mine, and you probably can't stop me from treating it in a way to
> preserve it.
>
> Note, I don't expect to be able to power things up. Plugging an unknown
> machine into the mains is dangerous for the machine, for the person
> handling it, and maybe for other people around it. I would fully
> understand why shops would prevent this.
>
> Fortunately, in the UK we don't have that many daft liability lawsuits,
> which is probably why surplus shops over here are often happy to let
> customers take machines apart once they've bought them.
 
It is my understanding that 'contingency fee' lawsuits are not permitted
in the UK. If I am correct, that alone would account for a diminished
number of suits. Funny how less worth while some things become when you
have to put up your own money!

                                                 - don

> > So, yes, it's yours to dismantle, test, or smash to holy hell. But not in
> > *my store*!
>
> Remind me that if I ever shop in your store and buy something that I
> can't easily lift then _you're_ carrying it out to my car. Once it's
> there, not in your shop, then I'll take it to bits...
>
> -tony
>
>
Received on Tue Jun 13 2000 - 14:50:55 BST