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Thoughts on bodycams

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Supa-Heat

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Story time
I went on a “second opinion” service call behind another contractor who had written off the unit as being beyond repair and in need of replacement. I found a rubbed lead to the compressor shorted out, thus the “condemned” compressor, and then proceeded to check out the electric heat which had also been diagnosed as beyond repair. All 3 thermal limits had been clipped with a pair of sidecutters and showed the tool marks. Whether the prior contractor did it or was the installer when the air handler was replaced a few years previously I don’t know. Either way the LEO homeowner was livid and I heard him on the phone ripping the contractor a new one. Which brings me to my point. What do you guys think about wearing bodycams while on calls? One, it would prevent that accusation, “here’s a seamless video clip from when I left my truck to when I got back in it, you can see exactly what I did the entire time” Two, it would protect against a sexual harassment or theft claim. Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I think it's a step further in the wrong direction, where the logical conclusion will be that nobody will be able to trust anybody else without video footage and GPS tracking of your every move.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
#3 ·
If you're finding yourself in situations where you feel a bodycam would "protect" you I would suggest you instead evaluate how you got in the situation in the first place and how to avoid it in the future.

Second opinion calls are always wrought with potential pitfalls. You're going in behind someone else with not only your skills and tools but with your opinion. If everything but opinions are equal then it's more about how you present your opinion to the homeowner. If that homeowner chooses to take your opinion and use it as a weapon against the first person there isn't much you can do about that except make absolutely sure your opinion was based on just know facts.

As you said, a bodycam could show everything you DID, but it can also show what you DIDN'T DO and what you said.
 
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#4 ·
^^^what he said I subscribe to the innocent until proven guilty if you don’t trust me I shouldn’t be there. Then theirs the google glass deal or whatever where inexperience techs are sent and micromanaged from home office no thanks. When I was a kid this was a free country, now where’s my tin foil hat:whistle:
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
firecontrol said:
If you're finding yourself in situations where you feel a bodycam would "protect" you I would suggest you instead evaluate how you got in the situation in the first place and how to avoid it in the future.

Second opinion calls are always wrought with potential pitfalls. You're going in behind someone else with not only your skills and tools but with your opinion. If everything but opinions are equal then it's more about how you present your opinion to the homeowner. If that homeowner chooses to take your opinion and use it as a weapon against the first person there isn't much you can do about that except make absolutely sure your opinion was based on just know facts.

As you said, a bodycam could show everything you DID, but it can also show what you DIDN'T DO and what you said.
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I agree, in this instance I was safe because the homeowner was sitting behind me watching me troubleshoot the heat kit. He couldn’t say I was the one to cut it because he watched from when I took the panel off, to when I pulled the limit out. But if he hadn’t been, then the other contractor could just as easily said “how do you know he didn’t do it?” In which case it’s my word against his. All I could tell the HO factually is that the limits were cut, not melted, who did it , I don’t know but here’s the pieces.
 
#6 ·
So you have the cost of the camera plus you'd have to download every transaction and save it for a year or so, just in case. What's really at stake thats worth that? A small claims case?

That said, I have a forward and rear facing dashcam (Rexing) that's documented an accident and 2 roadrage incidents. It's been well worth the money and easy to use. People see a company vehicle and get green eyes because we carry large insurance policies.
 
#12 ·
shellkamp said:
Depends what state you're in.

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Agreed.
Even if your state law is as such where permission is not required, failing to disclose opens another can of worms on the customer relations side.

Everyone thinks they know their local law. Most do not.

Your customer probably would not. Meaning they are going to come up with all kinds of theories and ideas.


Another thing it opens you up to, is the accusation of voyerism (at least in Ohio). I know of a specific situation where a man is going to jail, due to taking photographs while working. Granted, he is guilty in a legal and moral sense (aka hes a perv), but it still puts up the possibility of being accused.

I will not wear a body cam.
As stated earlier, if you can’t trust me, then find another contractor, i don’t need your business.
 
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#13 ·
pecmsg said:
Actually only one party needs to be aware that it’s being recorded!
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I think when you enter someone elses private property, you need their permission. Its not like your recording on your own property, or using a dashcam while driving down the road.
 
#14 ·
whare iam from if you advertize that you record all service calls on video and its on your cards and service truck your coverd as the home owner has the choise to use you or not before hand as he is aware of it:)
 
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