Can I be sued if...

[stephen4785]

I worked for a mobile fleet service company for about 4 weeks. While I was there I heard several complaints about the generally crappy service and quality of work and found out first hand that mechanics were charging companies for repairs and parts that were never done. I suspected that the other techs that were doing it were turning around and selling the parts on the side but thats another story.
I started a new job and talked the owner of the company into letting me service heavy vehicles. A guy brought his personal pickup in for an alignment and I overheard him say the name of the fleet company I use to work for. I talked to him about it and he complained about all of the crappy service they had gotten and how he wanted someone else to service their fleet. I told him we could do it and we can service any vehicle he has. He got excited about it and wanted a proposal so I sent him one.
Can I get into legal trouble if my company takes over their fleet service? Someone told me that my previous employer could sue me over it?

[BlackGT]

Sounds like he came to you looking for a new service provider. You did not go to him so there is nothing you can be sued for. Didn't break any laws

[2165 Turbo Rail]

that guy is free to take his biz where ever he wants to

[8mpg]

Did you sign a no compete? I doubt it is a big deal...he came to you. You did not solicit his business

[BP]

He can sue you for whatever he feels necessary, unless you have a no compete clause though he's out of luck.

[Silverback]

even with an non-compete, it's a slippery slope as to what is and isn't legal.

Just be ready to hire an attorney if he does sue.

For most employees, a non-compete is generally hard to enforce, as long as you didn't go solicit his customers.

For an owner/partner in a business that sold a non-compete is very simple to enforce.

[MutherjuggZ]

I worked for a mobile fleet service company for about 4 weeks. While I was there I heard several complaints about the generally crappy service and quality of work and found out first hand that mechanics were charging companies for repairs and parts that were never done. I suspected that the other techs that were doing it were turning around and selling the parts on the side but thats another story.
I started a new job and talked the owner of the company into letting me service heavy vehicles. A guy brought his personal pickup in for an alignment and I overheard him say the name of the fleet company I use to work for. I talked to him about it and he complained about all of the crappy service they had gotten and how he wanted someone else to service their fleet. I told him we could do it and we can service any vehicle he has. He got excited about it and wanted a proposal so I sent him one.
Can I get into legal trouble if my company takes over their fleet service? Someone told me that my previous employer could sue me over it?

If you signed a "no compete agreement" there's still not much they can do. Good business gets good business.... bad business loses good business.

[STANGGT40]

I worked for a mobile fleet service company for about 4 weeks. While I was there I heard several complaints about the generally crappy service and quality of work and found out first hand that mechanics were charging companies for repairs and parts that were never done. I suspected that the other techs that were doing it were turning around and selling the parts on the side but thats another story.
I started a new job and talked the owner of the company into letting me service heavy vehicles. A guy brought his personal pickup in for an alignment and I overheard him say the name of the fleet company I use to work for. I talked to him about it and he complained about all of the crappy service they had gotten and how he wanted someone else to service their fleet. I told him we could do it and we can service any vehicle he has. He got excited about it and wanted a proposal so I sent him one.
Can I get into legal trouble if my company takes over their fleet service? Someone told me that my previous employer could sue me over it?

as others have said; he can sue you if he wants...but that doesn't mean that anything will come of it. even if they made you sign a no-compete; it's not likely that they'll find a judge that will enforce it against an ex-employee.

[Mysticcobrakilla]

I'm glad to hear you got the ball rolling for your shop to work on heavy stuff.

[stephen4785]

I'm glad to hear you got the ball rolling for your shop to work on heavy stuff.

Thanks bro. Now all I need is an auto/truck mechanic.

[Saleen781]

it would cost the old boss thousands to prove his case and a non-compete is pretty much worthless in TX. look a the financial industry, everyone signs a non-compete but if you talk to 10 employees 9 of them have worked for over 4 diff institutions and no one has been sued yet.

[Mysticcobrakilla]

Thanks bro. Now all I need is an auto/truck mechanic.

-------Whistles innocently......