"Paul" wrote in message ...
I'm kind of in a similar pickle in as much as a plane I take care of is up
for sale. To whom do I owe my loyalty? If I point out every little defect,
the owner who I've known for a fair amount of time will say "That S.O.B.
stuck it to me I thought he was my friend"

On the other hand if I don't volunteer some defect, then the new owner will
say "That S.O.B. stuck it to me I thought he was an honest mechanic"

I handle it by telling the prospective buyer to get a third party.

That's the mark of an honest mechanic. I approached an A&P/IA about
a pre-purchase for my 1st plane (read : didn't know what I was doing).
He refused, explaining that he currently maintained the plane and
would have a conflict of interest. He recommended another mechanic
and sent me off with a 3 page list of items that he looked for on a
pre-purchase inspection. That 1st IA has had all of my maintenance
business for the last 13 years.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)