Possible theft from car dilemma
Discussion
Looking for some advice 
Last week I had a puncture in my car, so I took it to my local family owned MOT tyre and exhaust centre, which fortunately is round the corner from me. I have dealt with the owner over thirty years, always excellent service and keen prices etc.
I said don't mess about, just put me a new tyre on, but unfortunately he didn't have the right size in stock, so I said I'll leave the car with you and pick it up near closing time, as he could get one for mid afternoon.
All good, car was waiting for me at 5pm, paid up and off I went.
Now, a few days later, I notice that a camera complete with case is missing from the compartment between the front seats. It's not the end of the world, it was an old Sanyo which was probably only £60 fifteen years ago.
Two or three of his "lads" have worked for him for years, but there were a couple I hadn't seen before.
My problem is do I just "suck it up", because I can't prove anything, or shall I mention it without making any accusations?
He is a nice straight guy, so I don't want to cause any problems, but perhaps he should be aware that he MAY have a light fingered worker on his payroll.
I'm leaning to saying nothing, different if it was a £1000 camera..
Last week I had a puncture in my car, so I took it to my local family owned MOT tyre and exhaust centre, which fortunately is round the corner from me. I have dealt with the owner over thirty years, always excellent service and keen prices etc.
I said don't mess about, just put me a new tyre on, but unfortunately he didn't have the right size in stock, so I said I'll leave the car with you and pick it up near closing time, as he could get one for mid afternoon.
All good, car was waiting for me at 5pm, paid up and off I went.
Now, a few days later, I notice that a camera complete with case is missing from the compartment between the front seats. It's not the end of the world, it was an old Sanyo which was probably only £60 fifteen years ago.
Two or three of his "lads" have worked for him for years, but there were a couple I hadn't seen before.
My problem is do I just "suck it up", because I can't prove anything, or shall I mention it without making any accusations?
He is a nice straight guy, so I don't want to cause any problems, but perhaps he should be aware that he MAY have a light fingered worker on his payroll.
I'm leaning to saying nothing, different if it was a £1000 camera..
Wacky Racer said:
Looking for some advice
Last week I had a puncture in my car, so I took it to my local family owned MOT tyre and exhaust centre, which fortunately is round the corner from me. I have dealt with the owner over thirty years, always excellent service and keen prices etc.
I said don't mess about, just put me a new tyre on, but unfortunately he didn't have the right size in stock, so I said I'll leave the car with you and pick it up near closing time, as he could get one for mid afternoon.
All good, car was waiting for me at 5pm, paid up and off I went.
Now, a few days later, I notice that a camera complete with case is missing from the compartment between the front seats. It's not the end of the world, it was an old Sanyo which was probably only £60 fifteen years ago.
Two or three of his "lads" have worked for him for years, but there were a couple I hadn't seen before.
My problem is do I just "suck it up", because I can't prove anything, or shall I mention it without making any accusations?
He is a nice straight guy, so I don't want to cause any problems, but perhaps he should be aware that he MAY have a light fingered worker on his payroll.
I'm leaning to saying nothing, different if it was a £1000 camera..
Unfortunately I think that you may just have to suck it up. It'll be near enough impossible to prove anything.Last week I had a puncture in my car, so I took it to my local family owned MOT tyre and exhaust centre, which fortunately is round the corner from me. I have dealt with the owner over thirty years, always excellent service and keen prices etc.
I said don't mess about, just put me a new tyre on, but unfortunately he didn't have the right size in stock, so I said I'll leave the car with you and pick it up near closing time, as he could get one for mid afternoon.
All good, car was waiting for me at 5pm, paid up and off I went.
Now, a few days later, I notice that a camera complete with case is missing from the compartment between the front seats. It's not the end of the world, it was an old Sanyo which was probably only £60 fifteen years ago.
Two or three of his "lads" have worked for him for years, but there were a couple I hadn't seen before.
My problem is do I just "suck it up", because I can't prove anything, or shall I mention it without making any accusations?
He is a nice straight guy, so I don't want to cause any problems, but perhaps he should be aware that he MAY have a light fingered worker on his payroll.
I'm leaning to saying nothing, different if it was a £1000 camera..
Whenever my car gets handed over to a stealers or other garage etc, I make sure that I remove everything from it. It's a bit of hassle at the time but great for piece of mind.
I think first port of call to avoid potential embarrassment, is to ensure that it has not been mislaid by yourself or moved by someone in your household.
Ask everyone in your house/ people you might have given a lift to, double check cupboards etc and then give the car a thorough once over to ensure it hasn't fallen under the seat etc. E.g It might have been moved when they were looking for a locking wheel nut, left on the seat etc, who knows.
I would then be very straight up with the manager/ owner. I would make it very clear to him that the camera has no financial value and you are not looking for "compo", but do want to make him aware of what has occurred, out of principle. He probably does not want a thief working for him, and the fact that you are not monetising the situation will no doubt make him realise that you are genuine and honest.
Ask everyone in your house/ people you might have given a lift to, double check cupboards etc and then give the car a thorough once over to ensure it hasn't fallen under the seat etc. E.g It might have been moved when they were looking for a locking wheel nut, left on the seat etc, who knows.
I would then be very straight up with the manager/ owner. I would make it very clear to him that the camera has no financial value and you are not looking for "compo", but do want to make him aware of what has occurred, out of principle. He probably does not want a thief working for him, and the fact that you are not monetising the situation will no doubt make him realise that you are genuine and honest.
MattsCar said:
I think first port of call to avoid potential embarrassment, is to ensure that it has not been mislaid by yourself or moved by someone in your household.
Ask everyone in your house/ people you might have given a lift to, double check cupboards etc and then give the car a thorough once over to ensure it hasn't fallen under the seat etc. E.g It might have been moved when they were looking for a locking wheel nut, left on the seat etc, who knows.
I would then be very straight up with the manager/ owner. I would make it very clear to him that the camera has no financial value and you are not looking for "compo", but do want to make him aware of what has occurred, out of principle. He probably does not want a thief working for him, and the fact that you are not monetising the situation will no doubt make him realise that you are genuine and honest.
Yes, very good advice, I have checked everywhere, and I am 99% certain the camera was in there but 99% is not 100%. Looked under the seats etc, there is no way it could have fallen out.Ask everyone in your house/ people you might have given a lift to, double check cupboards etc and then give the car a thorough once over to ensure it hasn't fallen under the seat etc. E.g It might have been moved when they were looking for a locking wheel nut, left on the seat etc, who knows.
I would then be very straight up with the manager/ owner. I would make it very clear to him that the camera has no financial value and you are not looking for "compo", but do want to make him aware of what has occurred, out of principle. He probably does not want a thief working for him, and the fact that you are not monetising the situation will no doubt make him realise that you are genuine and honest.
They may have completed the job, left it outside in the car park unlocked, can't really be sure of anything, I'll sleep on it overnight.
Thank you for all the replies
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