Hand car wash owner in Dorset has taken my keys to Brighton

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[Johnnytheboy]

Remind me never to go there then.

[Johnnytheboy]

Where is the car wash place anyway? Down by the station somewhere?

ETA I assume they - at the very least - aren't expecting any money off you now?

[y2blade]

Priceless

[krunchkin]

I'd suggest that just sounds like rampant fkwittery rather than anything sinister

[BHML]

If they are sophisticated enough to clone keys they can probably trace the car through the numberplate.

Maybe worth fitting a physical deterrent such as a diskloc for a few days purely for your own peace of mind? Or box the car in at nights with another vehicle..

[LondonSW7]

BHML said:

If they are sophisticated enough to clone keys they can probably trace the car through the numberplate.

If they are sophisticated enough to clone keys they would have done so without the need for such a ridiculous cover story...

[Rich_W]

You're very understanding!

IMO get the key back and then get both keys re-programmed by MB. Just thinking they (car washers) may clone the key.

TBH, I would have kicked off something rotten and gotten key taker to come back asap, not wait until tomorrow! Not that I believe the story anyway. Car was IMO going to be nicked, hence no point in washing

[davepoth]

Yup. If they'd had the car and the keys for 20 minutes and were even vaguely capable at stealing cars they would have cloned your key already.

[devnull]

If you find you never get your key back, take your car to the Mercedes dealer and ask them to plug it into STAR and remove / block / deauthorise the key. If the perp did try to use the key on your car, it would be useless. It will most likely cost you an hours labour, but it's piece of mind.

[BHML]

LondonSW7 said:

If they are sophisticated enough to clone keys they would have done so without the need for such a ridiculous cover story...

Yes but the cover story buys them time (to keep keys overnight)

[vrooom]

Maybe they are being honest. taking the key to Brighton to clone them.

[maffski]

BHML said:

LondonSW7 said:

If they are sophisticated enough to clone keys they would have done so without the need for such a ridiculous cover story...

Yes but the cover story buys them time (to keep keys overnight)

Yep, can't imagine why more crims don't use this ploy

Plod: So Mr. X, did anyone have access to your car before it was stolen?
Mr X: Just the valet guys, they accidentally took the keys overnight.
Plod: Just valeted you say? Fifth one this month, must be somebody with OCD and they can't steal a dirty car.

[Motorrad]

The risk you take letting other people even having a sniff of your car.


I guess I'm paranoid but the only time unknown entities take possession of my keys is when I'm stood there watching them.

[steve singh]

Won't be an issue - relax.

[folos]

steve singh said:

Won't be an issue - relax.

You aren't a manager of a car wash are you by any chance? :-)

[steve singh]

folos said:

steve singh said:

Won't be an issue - relax.

You aren't a manager of a car wash are you by any chance? :-)

No, but I have cheap Merc for sale if you want one?

Too much of an elaborate story to be of concern - if it was a professional car thief they wouldn't need the key for so long.

Probably wanted you to leave the car so they could wash it the next morning without losing business.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'd say if they were going to slyly clone the key, they would have done in 8 hours, that said I'd get something from them in writing to confirm who had the keys and an apology of some kind.

That said I would never leave my car with a hand car wash place, even an old banger!

[panholio]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

That said I would never leave my car with a hand car wash place, even an old banger!

+1 madness. And a 13 plate E Class Merc as well!

[73mark]