Haven't seen him on any forums before, but maybe some of you west coast guys know of him... I will NEVER drive a customers car any more than what is necessary to do the work needed even if the customer tells me to take it for a spin....just way to many possibilities, let alone I just don't think it's professional. Think before you act. Was driver in fatal PCH Ferrari crash joyriding in a customer's car? EDIT: Misread story, detailer (driver) in critical condition, the passenger was the one killed...makes the story that much worse.
I never drive a customers car, customers sometimes seem soo willing to allow you to drive their cars......This is an example why you shouldnt Thoughts with the family
I have been handed the keys so many times with the "take her for a rip" line it isn't funny. I never do. I just say thanks for the offer. The farthest I normally move them is in and out of a garage, which I prefer not to do. The guy was obviously an idiot, DUI is for idiots. I am sure most of his friends were nice people and will be saddened by his loss.
It should make owners think twice about letting a worker/employee drive their car, yes. If an owner offers that you drive his car, this story shouldnt affect you decision, tho. This was poor judgement by the detailer, and just an example of his lack of respect for others. The problem here was not that a detailer drove a clients car. The problem was that the detailer had multipple DUI's, and was speeding in his clients' car. If anything, owners should do background checks before they allow an employee to drive their car.
I get that too... only car I ever drove anywhere was my freinds GTR.......... simply because I drive it all the time. Other then that, even the housewives mini vans, I don't even drive.
ultimately every person is responsible for his or her own actions, but I'm sure even some "good" people can get carried away, past DUI's or not. I've also been told "take it for a spin" many times and although I would love to, I see many more negatives than positives. This is why I stick to jockeying the car in/out of garages or around the parking lots at the offices that I visit. other than that, I decline the offer.
I have been picking up and delivering clients cars for 20 years. I've been fortunate enough to drive some very nice (and very fast ) cars during that time. Not once have I ever done anything that would put myself or my clients car at risk. How fast would the guy in this story have to be driving to rip that car in half? The guy in this article was an idiot, plain and simple and unfortunately, you can't fix stupid.
I looked at his FB page, he seems to be rather a douche.... sitting on the clients beach side patio babbling about stuff. They will charge this guy with Manslaughter, he can kiss his business goodbye. Sadly ..... it was 100% his fault and hopefully the owner will go after what is left business. I would never dream of Farris Bueller'ing someones car. I don't doubt myself driving another persons car, I doubt the other drivers on the road.
I pick up and drop off my customer's cars quite often (surprising how trusting they are of an 18-year old?), and have never once had a thought of doing anything other than driving safely to get the car where it needs to be. It's not my car, therefore I will do nothing that could possibly create a dangerous situation. I don't even listen to the radio like I normally do, I focus all my attention on being alert and focusing on driving. I trust my driving, but not anyone else's on the road.
Ive picked up a few customers cars as well, most of the time they picked it up from my house. Nothing too fancy, and nothing vary fast. I guess the most expensive car i drove was an Escalade. I didnt try to gun it or give her what shes got, I just felt like a baller... or rapper. It was a nice vehicle and i kept it 5mph under on the short distance I traveled on the highway. Fortunately, my first 2 vehicles I owned were a full sized van and an f-150 so I am good at driving something that large. I do get a little worried that some day something bad might happen while I am driving a customers car. But I am on best behavior when it comes to someone else's car. I figure, if they respect me enough to let me drive their vehicle alone, then i will show them the same amount of respect in caring for it as if it were my own
This is why I try to avoid at all cost picking up or dropping off customers cars. I prefer not to drive anybodies cars when working on them. Not that I would ever be tempted to speed as I have my own fast cars to drive that way if I wish but I worry about the other stupid people on the road.
