Ethics Question?

[T. Cotten]

Many of you know that I service carburetors and manifolds exclusively.

The appearance upon my benches of carbs boogered with stamps of much more valuable models has increased dramatically over the last few years.

An example would be a $250 DLX112 converted to $2500 DLX113, inspite of the irrepairably larger idle bleed holes.

Sometimes the model of casting isn't even correct.

The question becomes:
Should I aggravate a customer by refusing to service the unit, or should I let it go back out to pervert history, and someday shame my reputation?
For instance,
What happens when another good customer acquires the carb, and I must explain that he had been suckered by my attached invoice?

Refusing motors with bogus stamps was easy:
The State audits me.

Professional opinions would be appreciated,

...Cotten

[Bills37]

I don't think that I would refuse to service the unit. I beleive letting the customer know of the descrepency and let them decide what course of action to take.

[Robert Luland]

In writing!

[Rub]

Cotten,
I agree with Bob L. Put a notation on your invoice (in a way it cannot be removed) stating that the carb is exactly what it is, not purported to be. Don't refuse the work, just make it known that if your name is in any way connected to it that the information on the unit is to be correct and not clouded with deceit. If the customer refuses that, you don't need them!
Robbie

[gmarakas]

You don't need customers who wish to pervert history for their personal gain.

[D.A.Bagin]

A simple signature required mail receipt followed by regular mail documenting your expert opinion should suffice.

[23JDCA 808]

I would not have thought of this type of 'alteration.' Some of the Schebler carbs are not marked so there is the opportunity.
Maybe a Authentication Service, for a fee, is in order? There are are a limited number of people who could do this; Cotton would be at the top. ...bill

[Paps]

Same mindset is standard between thieves. Remember the Rolex watch fakes ? It is sad when folks will deliberately alter something so it represents something else. You got some great input on this issue Cotten. For a certain you must inform the client of the situation. Here is where a disclaimer comes into play. Have the customer sign off on the situation, before you make repairs. Paps

[bmh]

I guess the real question is how does one proceed with the work after the customer is made aware of the situation. Does one rebuild the carb to its original specs or to the specs of the altered number? For someone with an excellent reputation, altering carbs could be seen as the ultimate sin by some , yet could also be viewed as the ultimate in salvaging old parts by others. I guess the underlying question at hand is do you consider yourself a repair shop or a restoration service? The answer to that will guide you on the path you must take.

[exeric]

That's an excellent observation Brian. I'm sure Cotten know which carbs are the big dollar items that could be easily faked and sold to an unwary chump. Those carburetor makeovers should be scrutinized and perhaps refused. However, there are many applications where the value wouldn't be changed and a number job/re-application would help the restorers to match his bike with the right number carb. As a side note, I sold a DLX130 carb body to a guy who said he had been looking for one. The DLX130 is correct for a 1940 Chief and a bit tough to find. Right after he gave me the money (and I sold it cheap to help the guy) he told his friend he was going to change the number to something used on a Harley and get a lot more money for it. . . . I know how it feels to be an unwitting accessory to a swindle.