Stuff from Car stolen whilst with Mechanic
Discussion
I needed some work doing on my car and got a local garage to give me a quote which I accepted. It was a recovery job and I wasn't able to take everything out of my car.
This afternoon I got a call from my credit card company asking about suspicious transactions. Someone had used my emergency fuel card to do a few contactless payments. All really close to the garage.
So I called the garage owner. And he's checked the CCTV. It turns out that the car was left unlocked in the yard and stuff has been stolen from it. Owner was pretty reasonable and said it was their fault for leaving it unlocked.
I'm a student but also a class 1 truck driver. And I had my work bag in there. This has been taken. And it's got a fair amount of value to it (truck satnav, stove, sleeping bag etc... basically all my 'working tools')
I'm totally gutted. I've been struggling financially recently - and have been working night shifts to sort myself out. The car breaking down was a big hit. And now this.
My question is... do you think the garage should help out with the cost here? Or is it my fault for not taking all my gear out. For reference, it was in the boot as I'd never leave my work bag or kit visible. I'm not into taking advantage - as they are working men as well trying to put food on the table.
This afternoon I got a call from my credit card company asking about suspicious transactions. Someone had used my emergency fuel card to do a few contactless payments. All really close to the garage.
So I called the garage owner. And he's checked the CCTV. It turns out that the car was left unlocked in the yard and stuff has been stolen from it. Owner was pretty reasonable and said it was their fault for leaving it unlocked.
I'm a student but also a class 1 truck driver. And I had my work bag in there. This has been taken. And it's got a fair amount of value to it (truck satnav, stove, sleeping bag etc... basically all my 'working tools')
I'm totally gutted. I've been struggling financially recently - and have been working night shifts to sort myself out. The car breaking down was a big hit. And now this.
My question is... do you think the garage should help out with the cost here? Or is it my fault for not taking all my gear out. For reference, it was in the boot as I'd never leave my work bag or kit visible. I'm not into taking advantage - as they are working men as well trying to put food on the table.
milkround said:
PorkInsider said:
I would expect them to compensate you for the losses.
Have you asked what they propose to do about it?
He was just general and said they'd 'put it right if they can'. I'll call the police at work tonight. I'm leaving in 10 mins. Have you asked what they propose to do about it?
keirik said:
That's unfortunate and I hope it gets sorted, but who in their right mind leaves a credit card in a vehicle?
Crappy situation, but an emergency fuel card Is something of no use if you keep it in your wallet/office draw/home etc. Nature of it stays in vehicle... But well hidden.Ring police, get crime number, see If you can get a copy of police report(???) provide garage a copy to pass to the or insurance to replace items?
Hopefully as easy as that...
Not as easy as I expected...
Called Nottingham Police last night. Women on phone refused to take a crime report as I live in Birmingham. Then was put through to West Midlands Police who refused to take crime report because it happened in Nottingham. Then called Nottingham again who eventually agreed to take the report. A police officer will be calling me back within 48 hours.
Will speak to garage tomorrow as I'll be in Nottingham. I'm really hoping they are reasonable and don't just wash their hands of it and demand me to just pay the full bill.
Owner says they were 'having a good go' at taking the battery. So I hope that nothing else is damaged.
I really wish I'd just scrapped the car and brought a cheap low powered motorbike. This isn't what I need at all.
Cheers for the advice from everyone. PS - emergency fuel card is there as I can work all over the country and it can be last minute. I might go to scotland for a weeks tramping etc... And I know that no matter what I can get fuel and food etc for the week with that card and pay it off with my wages as I'm paid weekly. It's dumb - but I never expected my car to be robbed when I left it to get some work done.
Called Nottingham Police last night. Women on phone refused to take a crime report as I live in Birmingham. Then was put through to West Midlands Police who refused to take crime report because it happened in Nottingham. Then called Nottingham again who eventually agreed to take the report. A police officer will be calling me back within 48 hours.
Will speak to garage tomorrow as I'll be in Nottingham. I'm really hoping they are reasonable and don't just wash their hands of it and demand me to just pay the full bill.
Owner says they were 'having a good go' at taking the battery. So I hope that nothing else is damaged.
I really wish I'd just scrapped the car and brought a cheap low powered motorbike. This isn't what I need at all.
Cheers for the advice from everyone. PS - emergency fuel card is there as I can work all over the country and it can be last minute. I might go to scotland for a weeks tramping etc... And I know that no matter what I can get fuel and food etc for the week with that card and pay it off with my wages as I'm paid weekly. It's dumb - but I never expected my car to be robbed when I left it to get some work done.
milkround said:
My question is... do you think the garage should help out with the cost here? Or is it my fault for not taking all my gear out. For reference, it was in the boot as I'd never leave my work bag or kit visible. I'm not into taking advantage - as they are working men as well trying to put food on the table.
No, they should absolutely cover your losses in full. They might be able to reclaim from their own insurer, they might not, but they should be paying you regardless.Get some proof of your ownership/the existence of what was stolen together, in the same way as you would if you were claiming against your own insurance - receipts, pictures of the items or whatever else you have available.
It might also be possible for your to claim on your own insurance - that will probably cover items stolen from the vehicle (up to a relatively low limit). Check your policy first though because it might not be worth it in the long run - if the garage compensates you for their negligence, then depending what questions the insurer asks, that's unlikely to be something that will come up when taking insurance in future but if you claim yourself, it will definitely need to be declared,
The garage is responsible for your car and its contents while its in their care,end of,no argument. They should compensate you for anything stolen from it, and put right any damage to it.
By the way,have you got home contents insurance ? I had my briefcase stolen from the office at my business. It was loaded with cash,ID,keys to my cars,business and home,caused me lots of grief. Claimed on my home contents policy and they paid in full......result!
By the way,have you got home contents insurance ? I had my briefcase stolen from the office at my business. It was loaded with cash,ID,keys to my cars,business and home,caused me lots of grief. Claimed on my home contents policy and they paid in full......result!
Back in 2010 I had my old Bora in for some work at a VW garage. During the time it was in the garage someone attempted to steal the stereo (old Kenwood d mask unit). They completely wrecked it.
When I picked the car up I immediately raised this with the garage. They said it was nothing to do with them and they hadn't done it. Refused to help.
In the end, the only thing that worked was me threatening to go to the police, and me pointing out their duty of care. They then coughed up some money for a new stereo.
OP, I hope you have a smoother time of it with your garage.
When I picked the car up I immediately raised this with the garage. They said it was nothing to do with them and they hadn't done it. Refused to help.
In the end, the only thing that worked was me threatening to go to the police, and me pointing out their duty of care. They then coughed up some money for a new stereo.
OP, I hope you have a smoother time of it with your garage.
milkround said:
Not as easy as I expected...
Called Nottingham Police last night. Women on phone refused to take a crime report as I live in Birmingham. Then was put through to West Midlands Police who refused to take crime report because it happened in Nottingham. Then called Nottingham again who eventually agreed to take the report. A police officer will be calling me back within 48 hours.
Will speak to garage tomorrow as I'll be in Nottingham. I'm really hoping they are reasonable and don't just wash their hands of it and demand me to just pay the full bill.
Owner says they were 'having a good go' at taking the battery. So I hope that nothing else is damaged.
I really wish I'd just scrapped the car and brought a cheap low powered motorbike. This isn't what I need at all.
Cheers for the advice from everyone. PS - emergency fuel card is there as I can work all over the country and it can be last minute. I might go to scotland for a weeks tramping etc... And I know that no matter what I can get fuel and food etc for the week with that card and pay it off with my wages as I'm paid weekly. It's dumb - but I never expected my car to be robbed when I left it to get some work done.
You shouldnt have been pi**ed around like that. The first force you contacted should have taken your report from you and transferred details to the force area where the theft occured and not left it down to you to chase aroundCalled Nottingham Police last night. Women on phone refused to take a crime report as I live in Birmingham. Then was put through to West Midlands Police who refused to take crime report because it happened in Nottingham. Then called Nottingham again who eventually agreed to take the report. A police officer will be calling me back within 48 hours.
Will speak to garage tomorrow as I'll be in Nottingham. I'm really hoping they are reasonable and don't just wash their hands of it and demand me to just pay the full bill.
Owner says they were 'having a good go' at taking the battery. So I hope that nothing else is damaged.
I really wish I'd just scrapped the car and brought a cheap low powered motorbike. This isn't what I need at all.
Cheers for the advice from everyone. PS - emergency fuel card is there as I can work all over the country and it can be last minute. I might go to scotland for a weeks tramping etc... And I know that no matter what I can get fuel and food etc for the week with that card and pay it off with my wages as I'm paid weekly. It's dumb - but I never expected my car to be robbed when I left it to get some work done.
Since they admitted they left it unlocked its their negligence; their fault.
As your stuff was left in the boot you're not on the hook as contributing to the loss.
T'is down to the garage pay up and compensate you for ALL the genuine costs involved. try and get receipts/quotes before spending your money.
As your stuff was left in the boot you're not on the hook as contributing to the loss.
T'is down to the garage pay up and compensate you for ALL the genuine costs involved. try and get receipts/quotes before spending your money.
Donbot said:
Ask the police to get the shops to check their CCTV. I'm surprised someone is brazen/stupid enough to make fraudulent contactless payments.
This was my thinking. We are not talking about dodgy corner shops here. But two tesco's. And also another shop called "nooze n booze' so there would be more CCTV if the police acted.
The garage CCTV has a face.
But I still have not heard from a Police officer. I get they are busy and this won't be a priority. But from a selfish point of view I'd love my stuff back... if at all possible. Financially I can't afford to replace it all. And I need that stuff.
Also... I'd make a guess that the people who did this (garage owner said they looked like addicts) might be known to the police. So it might be as easy as putting a photo in a police station til an officers remembers arresting them a week ago. Which could be an easy arrest/conviction.
Bigends said:
Should be simple enough for Police to get on with - if the theft and card useage are all on CCTV
Let's hope they don't roll out the usual bull to avoid doing anything, see the report below the quote about being passed around, unless you have a CRN I would be vary wary that the police would have the wit to get it the right dept in another force area "without losing it", bit maybe I'm just cynical, or realistic.Well two things.
The police still have not called me back. It's not 48 hours yet. But its been 40 hours. Even though I said there was CCTV showing faces. I'm a little disappointed. Even if they had just put the photo up in the staff canteen and seen if any officer knows them - it would have been something. But they don't seem interested at all.
And the garage say my car should be ready by the end of the day. At the very least I expect them to waive the bill. If they have insurance I will go through that - but if they don't I think I'm out of luck. They were negligent to not lock the car. But I was silly to leave my stuff in it. In an ideal world you'd trust people not to steal your stuff - but it's not the one we live in.
The police still have not called me back. It's not 48 hours yet. But its been 40 hours. Even though I said there was CCTV showing faces. I'm a little disappointed. Even if they had just put the photo up in the staff canteen and seen if any officer knows them - it would have been something. But they don't seem interested at all.
And the garage say my car should be ready by the end of the day. At the very least I expect them to waive the bill. If they have insurance I will go through that - but if they don't I think I'm out of luck. They were negligent to not lock the car. But I was silly to leave my stuff in it. In an ideal world you'd trust people not to steal your stuff - but it's not the one we live in.
Byker28i said:
You need to chase the coppers, otherwise it goes on the back burner. Don't rely on them to call you.
Allow for the fact they've allocated the job to someone whose gone off shift until (insert random day)
Fair enough. I'll call them now. Cheers for the advice. Allow for the fact they've allocated the job to someone whose gone off shift until (insert random day)
Update - called Nottinghamshire police. They said it was the 'telephone investigations team' and that I would hear from them by Sunday.
Frankly the police don't care. I tried explaining there was cctv etc... But they are clearly not interested. I'm about to drive from Birmingham to Nottingham to pick up my car. I just hope that the garage give more of a toss than the police.
Edited by milkround on Friday 20th April 14:43
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