Legal Advise for a home bike repair shop

[tomac]

So I am planning on starting a home bicycle repair shop where I am a mobile mechanic or people come to my home to have their bikes repaired at a price less than the local bike shops.

I was wondering what the legal implications are of fixing peoples bikes, and them falling or their bikes breaking and coming to blame me after an accident or whatever.

Do you have any suggestions like a waiver that I could put on the service tag that they sign before I give the bike back.

Also I am doing this as a college job to make some extra cash and probably wont report any income from it. I know this is not the best idea but exactly how bad of an idea is it?

[jonathanfigaro]

I'm not a lawyer, but i have a friend who is one that can help you. He specializes in helping entrepreneurs get started.
David Helbaun

Business Law Attorney in New York, NY -- David Helbraun, Nolo's Lawyer Directory

[Bigguy2468]

It may not be that expensive.
That's what I have, there is always the chance of being sued, it doesn't always take someone falling off there bike. Some people can find a much weaker reason than that if they are after money.

[Squeaky wheel]

I do the same business and never had a problem with anything like this. If you treat people right you should be alright.
Don't let your ego get in the way though, if something is beyond your ability make sure you tell the customer you can't fix it or make any promises.

[akula]

So I am planning on starting a home bicycle repair shop where I am a mobile mechanic or people come to my home to have their bikes repaired at a price less than the local bike shops.

I was wondering what the legal implications are of fixing peoples bikes, and them falling or their bikes breaking and coming to blame me after an accident or whatever.

Do you have any suggestions like a waiver that I could put on the service tag that they sign before I give the bike back.

Also I am doing this as a college job to make some extra cash and probably wont report any income from it. I know this is not the best idea but exactly how bad of an idea is it?

i'm a lawyer and i see what the problem is..
your risk management strategy is four fold:

1) quality control - make sure that when you fix the bike, you perform tests to test quality of repairs
2) receipts - get a signature from customer saying that the repairs are to their satisfaction when you give the bike back...slip in an indemnity clause too...but it's probably gonna be voidable
3) buy appropriate insurance
4) complete appropriate technical certification

if you don't do these things, what can happen is that some customer might hurt themselves and sue you for negligence with the help of a personal injury lawyer who'll charge them on a no-win, no-fee basis..and they'd probably win if you didn't have the right certification, the right quality control, or the contractual concessions