Jerry Simon Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 The overhead door was nailed-shut and operator disconnected (foreclosure). I told them it should be inspected once it was up & running. Calls today and asks me to alter the report saying the door and the operator were fine & dandy at the inspection; seems the homeowner warranty rep said it was a pre-existing condition. That, or could I send her an MS Word copy of the report versus the PDF I sent her. Nice client, and I was basically silent in response between my hmmms and hawwws. Finally told her I thought I heard about programs on the web that could convert PDF's to Word docs, and I grimaced at even doing that. She thanked me, and also said it was okay if I had ethics. But again, I even grimaced at my response, but couldn't bring myself to voice a flat-out NO. Also kinda upset no one else seems to share my affinity for Eminem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspectorjoe Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Nice client or not, I wouldn't have hesitated to come out with a no - especially concerning something I couldn't test that was capable of inflicting severe injury. I'd also have taken the request as a minor insult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 This is a public forum, so all I'll say is I would never lie . . . for a stranger. You did the right thing. PS: With nothing but kindness and respect, Eminem kind of sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 The overhead door was nailed-shut and operator disconnected (foreclosure). I told them it should be inspected once it was up & running. Calls today and asks me to alter the report saying the door and the operator were fine & dandy at the inspection; seems the homeowner warranty rep said it was a pre-existing condition. That, or could I send her an MS Word copy of the report versus the PDF I sent her. Nice client, and I was basically silent in response between my hmmms and hawwws. Finally told her I thought I heard about programs on the web that could convert PDF's to Word docs, and I grimaced at even doing that. She thanked me, and also said it was okay if I had ethics. But again, I even grimaced at my response, but couldn't bring myself to voice a flat-out NO. Also kinda upset no one else seems to share my affinity for Eminem. I think I would just say, "No. I can't change my report. That would be dishonest." As for Mr. Em, I could say that I like him, but that would be dishonest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 It would be fraud to alter the report for that reason. Just say no. A client asking to do that is attempting to commit fraud and asking you to help them do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Also kinda upset no one else seems to share my affinity for Eminem. I thought you had an affinity for Megan Fox. You should have left well enough, alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Also kinda upset no one else seems to share my affinity for Eminem. I thought you had an affinity for Megan Fox. You should have left well enough, alone. Dang, I'm outed. Actually, I'm now 56. Been suffering quite a bit of short-term memory loss and mild dementia recently. Could explain a lot about my thing for Eminem. Not Megan, though; that part of me still works just fine, thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Free Lil Wayne. Never mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Never alter a report.. Re-inspect, and write a new report based on 'new conditions'? No problem. Minimum fee, etc, etc.. Just hold onto the phrase "The report is final.. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hmmm. Let's see. I think that I would have a hard time not saying something very blunt and very rude. Client who makes such request is not even close to "nice lady". Sounds like a typical realtor to me. I also think that if she asked for the report in Word I would caution her that altering the report without my permission might bring legal action (even if it is an empty threat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 My reports consist of a single file in pdf form and are signed with software that will indicate any attempt to alter any portion of them. Absolutely no one gets one from me in any other format, period. As for requests to alter reports contrary to what my eyes told me, Jim said it best up front. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 She clearly expressed an intent to commit fraud and solicited your help to do so. If something goes wrong and she gets caught, don't be surprised if she throws you under the bus. Worse, if something in the house turns out not to her liking, don't be surprised if she sues you for as much as she can wring out of you. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmeriSpecguy Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I've had a client or two ask for me to change a report. I politely tell my clients that it's against my ethics to do so and hang up the phone. I never hear from them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resqman Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 So far haven't had any clients ask me to remove anything from the report. More often they want me to report issues that I don't believe are issues. One client did not like the landscaping and wanted me to report it needed modification. Ususally it is more cosmetic stuff like a single nail pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hmmm. Let's see. I think that I would have a hard time not saying something very blunt and very rude. Client who makes such request is not even close to "nice lady". Sounds like a typical realtor to me. I also think that if she asked for the report in Word I would caution her that altering the report without my permission might bring legal action (even if it is an empty threat). Uh, wasn't a realtor, it was the buyer. And, she was, on the contrary, a very nice lady. I met her multiple times - at the initial inspection, at the inspection for the plumbing after the water got turned on (again, a foreclosure) and at a subsequent re-inspect. Heck, some folk think I'm a nice guy, yet I've erred/sinned many, many times in the past. Perhaps your milage varies. I just think she was at her wits end with the insurance company, being denied not only this, but multiple other seeminlgy legit claims. Also, while you may have been rude and/or blunt, I developed quite a rapport with her - as I try to do with all my clients - and wasn't going to be rude or blunt to such a client. That's why I hemmed and hawed, and couldn't be blunt or rude. . .grimaced at my final response, but that's it. Again, your milage may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNations Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 I just think she was at her wits end with the insurance company, being denied not only this, but multiple other seemingly legit claims. I don't understand how an overhead garage door that was defective at the time of sale can be a legitimate claim for a home warranty insurance policy. I'm not sure I understand how anything can be a legitimate claim for a brand new homeowner, short of the house catching fire as you drive there from the closing. What kinds of claims was she trying to submit? If you say so, then I'm sure she was a very nice lady. That still doesn't mean she's not a barracuda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hmmm. Let's see. I think that I would have a hard time not saying something very blunt and very rude. Client who makes such request is not even close to "nice lady". Sounds like a typical realtor to me. I also think that if she asked for the report in Word I would caution her that altering the report without my permission might bring legal action (even if it is an empty threat). Uh, wasn't a realtor, it was the buyer. And, she was, on the contrary, a very nice lady. I met her multiple times - at the initial inspection, at the inspection for the plumbing after the water got turned on (again, a foreclosure) and at a subsequent re-inspect. Heck, some folk think I'm a nice guy, yet I've erred/sinned many, many times in the past. Perhaps your milage varies. I just think she was at her wits end with the insurance company, being denied not only this, but multiple other seeminlgy legit claims. Also, while you may have been rude and/or blunt, I developed quite a rapport with her - as I try to do with all my clients - and wasn't going to be rude or blunt to such a client. That's why I hemmed and hawed, and couldn't be blunt or rude. . .grimaced at my final response, but that's it. Again, your milage may vary. My mileage varies from job to job, but my principles do not. Anyone asking me to lie over my signature gets a reply very strongly on the negatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Since when do forclosures come with warranties? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Since when do forclosures come with warranties? HUD house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 So her agent/broker convinced her to purchase a warranty? She should be leaning on them to smooth the process, not asking you to assist in the commission of a fraud. Tell her to suggest to her agent that she may contact HUD regarding the nature of their relationship with the HWA. That will get her far further than altering your report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fyrmnk Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 I've had several requests over the years, and have always said no. They usually get it when I tell them I can't legally create a false report and that I refuse to make false reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 "You're not REALLY asking me to commit criminal fraud, are you?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Once a realtor asked me to change something that I thought was a big deal to make it sound like not such a big deal. I refused and have not heard from that realtor in 6 years - if she is still around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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