Advice Required - Customer will not pay for labor, though has paid for parts

[Caged]

I'm going to assume that since you're not actually a business that you never gave them a receipt when they handed you their laptop either?

Wipe the drive, sell it, take your costs out of the total you get and hand them whatever's left over. Can't really get fairer than that.

 

[alexisonfire]

How long has it been? I was under the impression the item would legally become yours after 6 months, under the laws of abandoned property? Although i don't know how you would stand because you are technically holding the item for payment.

 

[Flukester]

In the eyes of the law probably (yes), I would like to point out that I am using the term customer loosely with an attempt to make things more understanding. I'm not going to fully explain the situation trying to worm out what was said.

That said, A strong lesson learnt, don't do favors/work for friends of friends, This is (and probably will continue) to get messy!

Edit, Ironically I've just had a call from the original laptop owner. Very threatening, what a charming person!

Fair do's.... Do you still have the old screen.

Put it back in, and deliver the broken laptop and new screen. Job done

 

[MooMoo444]

Smash the new screen and send the laptop back to them

Honestly I'd just do this, take a hit on the postage and wash my hands of it. Selling/Keeping the laptop is likely to put you in legal trouble so it's not worth it.

Unless, as above, you have the broken screen still, which you can just put back.

 

[arknor]

start charging them storage fees
get the bailiffs involves XD

 

[LOAM]

Install prey on it and give them it back, ask them to pay the £30 as you've been reasonable, if they dont, remote format it and get on with your life.

 

[On Holiday]

You've probably spent more time pursuing the £30 than it would have taken you to earn it by doing other repairs. You fail at debt collection and for that reason I am out.

Thanks for your time, Mr Bannatyne

 

[lurkio]

Law states that you contact them in writing (recorded delivery) telling them that they have 60 days
to pay up or you will sell the laptop to recover your money

What ever you get over £30 + what ever it cost to send the recorded delivery letter goes back to them

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

OP, if the customer never gets back to you, then looks like you've just bagged yourself a free laptop

 

[matthab]

Small claims court or write a nice letter detailing the debt and sell the laptop.

 

[Pestilence]

Poo in their letter box.

 

[ahar]

I'll give you £30 for it.

I bid £30.01

 

[Stewy]

I bid £30.01

Arsene Wenger is that you?

 

[Natwee]

You cant sell it as it isn't yours to sell. You have a lien, which means that you can hold it by way of security, but until they give you permission, you cant sell it.

Simplest thing to do is either give them the laptop back and sue them for the £30, or leave it in your house and let them chase you.