Opinion wanted. Is this ethical/legal conduct?

[BillJ]

Most leasing companies hold title to the equipment until the lease completed and the residual is paid. Since it is their equipment, they do have the right to do it. Some leasing companies do high risk leases and probably are more likely to do this.

I used to work for a company that had an in house leasing company. As a tech, I was occasionally asked to go to a site and disable the equipment if the lessee was way behind (90+ days) in payments.

[spigot]

So, I realize people have a right to collect payment, but aren't there rules? kill switches on cars? At some point, if a business owes me money, can I remove electricity to their building somehow to demand payment? hack into their computers to demand payment? maybe just go in with a gun and make them an offer they can't refuse?
opinions?

Yes there are rules. Consumer protection and the contract they signed.
No you cannot remove electricity unless you are an electricity company or their authorised reseller. Anyone else is illegally tampering.
No you cannot hack into their computers; this would be an offence against cyber crime legislation, possibly terrorism legislation.
No you cannot attempt to retrieve owed funds via the use of firearms. This is frowned upon these days.

You may find that the contract states the owner of the equipment reserves the rights modify, update or amend the equipment. As the owner of equipment this is their perogative.

The printerin question has more serious things to worry about than concentrating on the method in which the equipment was decommisioned. For example cashflow issues and why the situation appeared before them to begin with.

It's very similar to complaining that the coin operated TV stopped working because your coin ran out. The box controlling it does not have ears and does not have cares.

As for your safety concerns, if the device meets current electrical safety standards, then it must be up to you to obtain and familiarise yourself with its schematics prior to commencing any work on it.

I have worked for people who play fast and loose with lease arrangements. Non payment, stretching dates right out, meanwhile utilising the service and depreciating the asset. Then handing the keys over. To me, ethics goes both ways. I'm not inferring the printer in question here deliberately didn't pay, but the lease company may have had no choice other than to protect their interests.
If every one plays ball we all have a good game.

[johnarleth]

Are there standard terms and conditions for a printer to use with a client? Are they enforceable? I want to know before I have a problem and am getting conflicting answers to the question.

[dabob]

Are there standard terms and conditions for a printer to use with a client? Are they enforceable? I want to know before I have a problem and am getting conflicting answers to the question.

Interesting question . . . according to this article

Printing industry trade customs | American Printer | January 2008

in general they really don't exist anymore but . . . . more searchs on google will get you some guidelines for general purposes

[chevalier]

I highly suspect that this will become more of a norm if tough economic conditions persist. I also suspect that any equipment that is network attached for remote diagnostics, etc. can probably be disabled remotely and monitored without your knowledge.

[SnappySteve]

I think the remote diagnostic clause would have to explicitly state that they reserve the right to remotely disable your gear within the contract for this to be "legal". Of course, a business would have a hard time taking them to court with the extenuating circumstance that they are 6 or 12 months tardy on payment....

[chevalier]

I completely agree with you. I understand the vendors perspective especially if you have a press or the like and weren't paying the bill. All that mileage is going to decrease resale value in the case the vendor has to repossess and attempt to recoup costs.

I personally don't like the idea of a vendor getting to play big-brother at-will. I'd keep the equipment fire-walled from remote except during valid maintenance.