Essential Rules of Car Opening
Always use a wedge and a probe light when using tools "inside" a vehicle door, so that sight can be the major factor of the location of the contact paint. The only situation when a car may be opened blind is when there is no available means of gaining sight into the door cavity.
Never spread the glass to a distance greater than necessary to insert an auto wedge. In most cases a 3/8 wedge will provide enough of a gap.
Always find out if someone else has attempted entry to the vehicle before you do anything. Look for evidence, such as torn weather-stripping, dirt tracks from tools on the windows, tools stuck in the door or into the vehicle.
If someone else as attempted entry, try to determine where they attempted entry at due to possible damaged areas, disconnected linkages, broken wiring.
If prior attempts were made, please make notes on your invoices as to damaged areas, who attempted entry and have the customer sign the invoice noting the information. Also you can note on the invoice what kind of tools you used and entry points to help prove you did not do the prior damage.
Always attempt entry on the passenger side doors of the vehicle, as this is out of traffic (most of the time), there are less wires and controls on that side. Also if the door lock mechanism is damaged during entry you do not have the customer climbing across the vehicle to drive. The driver's door will still work unless a failed entry attempt was made on it.
Always remember how you put the tool in the door as you have to take it out the same way.
Never unlock a vehicle without the customer being present.
Always make sure that you have all the information on the person requesting service, such as driver's license number, name, address, motor club membership number if applicable.
Record on your invoice, "ALL THE INFORMATION" about the vehicle, Make, Model, year, color, license plate and state, VIN number, mileage. All of this information is being required now for motor club billing and most insurance reimbursements.
Do not accept calls which are questionable such as, "it's a friend's car" or "I lost the keys". Remember that crooks know all the trigger words to get service and you might be a party to a crime if you are not careful.
Be very careful with lock out calls, as you are not just putting your business on the line, but you can be charged with a crime also.
If the keys are not visible when you arrive, make sure you get information from the customer recorded on your invoice before you start to service the vehicle. Also upon entering the vehicle, check the registration to match the information to the customers identification.
Have a standardized pricing schedule and invoice procedures which will help you and the customer with needed information.
