Hostile worker at Car wash...YIKES!!!

[Black Radar]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts. I was at the car wash earlier today and I used my own bucket and own soap. Now yes I know there's a sign there saying no bucket washing or hand drying, but there was no one behind me waiting the entire time I was there. Some guy gets out of his car and nicely says his boss doesn't want bucket washing on the premises. I then explained to him why I bucket washed and thats because the supplied brush scratched and damaged the paint the last time I was there(calmly) . He then turned around coming up to me saying f this f that I don't give a shi$ ....I said OK he came up to me very close, I smiled and emptied my bucket... I then asked him (calmly) what I should do If the brush starts scratching my paint again... he then became irate walked back to me, got in my face, and then finally he got so close that he actually pushed me with his chest. I didn't do anything back to this guy because I figured he's screwed at this point. My cousin is a police officer in Virginia and says that definetly battery if he touches you whether he leaves a mark or not. He said even getting very aggressive as he was would be considered assault. Now I didn't do anything back to this guy (didn't even change the tone in my voice) I didn't want to give this guy any ammo. I asked for his name so I could report him to his boss and he said " My boss wouldn't care, he'd be saying worse things" The fact is he got physical with me and tried bullying me. Can I go after the company for that since it was on his employers property? I went back there later to take a picture of his license plate and apparently he does work there. What can I do? It seems I can't even wash my car without employees going nuts or threatening me because I'm using a bucket....Unbelieveable! Not once did he even ask me to leave, that's what really got me. He just walked off and went about his business. What can I do?

[justalayman]

well, if there was a battery, that is criminal and the police should have been called. The fact you did not call them, you did not leave the premises, and you have returned to the premises, you have a very weak (read: no) case.

You were apparenlty not disturbed enough by this to not leave and to not stay away.

But if you want to try, take yourself, and your hoarde of witnesses (there were witnesses, preferrably people that are not your "friends") to testify to the battery and let the cops do what they will.


as well, if the thing scratched your car. wouldn;t you have said something then, or not returned?

You were in the wrong for using a bucket at the carwash. He was an idiot for doing what he did but you need to get over it and forget it.

[kposs]

I would suggest

1) Call the boss (or company owner which may be a different person) and report the exchange to them. It would probably be more effective if you wrote them a letter. Explain to them that they are at risk financially if this employee takes it further with another customer in the future. Ask them what their plans are for rectifying the situtation.

2) If the boss or owner does not take you seriously, then the best thing you can do is fight them with your wallet. Obviously never go there again. But also tell every person you know never to go there again. Depending on the size of the business and town, this can be very effective. Along the same lines, you can file a complaint with the local Better Business Bureau.

It is my opinion that it's just not worth it to pursue legal action given your description of the situtation. It'll cost you more than the satisfaction you'll receive.

[Black Radar]

I actually was at the police station within the hour and I did leave immediately after the exchange ( I still had soap on the car) I immediately called my cousin (the police officer) and said I could pursue it. So I went to the police station where the young officer told me that I need to wait until monday to make a simple battery complaint at the courthouse where they would follow up. I just had to get the name from the employer. And yes, I did explain to the attendant (as mentioned in my previous post) the reason why I was using my own stuff (very calmly I might add). That is when he got hostile and went nuts on me.

[justalayman]

Ok, then it seems you have taken the steps to file battery charges. You did not sustain any injuries that would be telling of the confrontation so proving it may be another thing.

Run with it if you want but personally, I usually do not waste my time on people like that. As far as suing the employer; for what? Unless you can prove the employer knew the employee was overly aggressive, you have nothing. Even then, you would have vey little.

and to the bucket; there is NO excuse or reason that is acceptable to allow you to use the bucket. The sign on the private property state the terms of use of the bays and one of them was no bucket washing.

[Black Radar]

I agree I shouldn't have used the bucket, but I did no damage to the company using it, I spend the same amount using their brush as I do my stuff,and there is no reason the employee needed to do what he did....bucket or not. As I was explaining to my cousin (the cop). He didn't seem to give a crap about the bucket. He said that wasn't too important but more concerned with that I was explaining it to him calmly why I used it which is where he went off the handle. I mean this guy had no reason to go off on me like that. He could of just called his boss and have him come down and yell at me, or even call the cops. That would have been more appropriate. My cousin said to pursue it if I wanted to. He said its a good learning experience. plus the guy will have a nice blemish on his record. So I can't go after the company? Shoot!