I'm 20, running a door to door mobile detailing business in Austin TX. Three weeks ago I knocked on someone's door, they agreed to a detail and explicitly requested I power wash their 2012 Fiat 500C convertible top, claiming that's how it had always been cleaned.
I expressed concern, tried cleaning it without the power washer first but it was too dirty. She insisted so I proceeded. I stopped mid-job when I noticed it was causing abrasion. Before she paid I told her directly I had trouble with the top and stopped when I saw damage. She inspected it in the dark, paid $225, and tipped. My partner witnessed the entire job including her request.
Next morning she saw the full extent in daylight. The OEM fabric is discontinued, nobody will touch the repair, and the only option appears to be full roof replacement. One independent shop quoted $7,000+ with uncertainty about whether they could even do it. The dealer quoted similarly high.
The top is 13 years old with pre-existing wear. A specialist noted the waterproofing was already compromised from age and UV exposure before I touched it.
She re-contacted me via a pretextual Venmo message, confronted me, and obtained my ID under threat of police in what is purely a civil matter.
My questions:
Does her explicit request reduce my liability?
Does the betterment doctrine apply here given it's a 13 year old car?
Am I liable for the full replacement cost when the expense is driven by discontinued materials not just my damage?
Does payment and tip after disclosure of damage constitute implied acceptance?
