Re: ATM Re: Coatings - broken mirrors

["Mike Marchand" <marchanm@kent.net>]

 Hello Kevin,

 Kevin Alexander wrote:

> IMHO many service providers in other industries protect themselves
> with some insurance against the rare but often inevitable
> catastrophe . airlines, car mechanics, plumbers etc.

This seems reasonable, but, in fairness, expect the cost of that 
insurance to be passed on to the consumer, rather than just be 
absorbed by the vendor as "the cost of doing business".
 
> Even without insurance I'd expect a conscientious big business to
> accept the $ responsibility for their screwup say in the $ amount of
> a similar size commercial mirror. Maybe with a $ limit, but not
> stiffing the customer with a "sorry we dropped it" line. I'm pretty
> sure they'd make some retitution to a big time commercial customer
> that orders often. That's just rational business sense.

---------snip-----------

> If I borrow a friend's (fill in the blank) and it's stolen or broken
> I expect to pay for it in full, that's called taking responsibility.

 I feel that what you are describing here is a bit of the apples and 
oranges comparison (meant without criticism)...

 On the one hand, you've sought out someone to borrow an article. 
After its' been damaged you feel it is reasonable to replace/repair 
the article or reimburse the owner. My point is that you've sought 
them out...

 The case of you (or I) sending an item to someone for some type of 
service implies that we realize that (mischief notwithstanding) 
sometimes accidents do happen that may involve property loss.

 My point in this case is that we seek them out. 

It is strictly my own opinion, but I feel it is our 
responsibility to understand the possible consequences, and should we 
decide those consequences are risky but decide to go through with 
taking chances with our property in spite of that risk 
anyway, then I suspect it is a case of caveat emptor.

 Put another way, we realize the risk of >shipping<  the mirror to the 
coaters, so it is common practice to insure the shipment for a 
certain value. But it is we who seek out the shippers services!
We don't expect them to come good for the item if it gets busted, 
lost, etc.. if we didn't insure the item, right?

 Having reached the end of my rather long winded blurb (or babble) I 
am left with the conclusion that having the option of insuring the 
mirror against accidents by the coater would be a nice option.

 Then again, I'd even be happy if one of the mirror coaters that 
monitor this list would care to take up the topic and explain why 
this option is either not available or not practical to offer...

> Not a lawyer,----------snip-------

 Lucky for me!!! :-)

 Wishing you clear skies Kevin,

 - mike

  Mike Marchand
e-mail:  marchanm@kent.net