Personal items (possibly) stolen whilst car in for service
Discussion
Hey all, looking for some advice.
What happened:
- Took my car for its first service at a franchise dealership on Wednesday
- Waited at the dealership while it was serviced, then drove home and parked it.
- Car wasn’t used until today, when my wife noticed her glasses/sunglasses were missing from the center console.
I rarely use the centre console but on Wednesday I checked (the console) before the service as i thought the locking wheelnuts might be in there and definitely saw all of her glasses and stuff in there. I have this morning called customer service, but they haven’t responded after nearly four hours.
- Has anyone had items go missing after a service?
- Should I escalate this or wait longer?
- Any tips on how to approach the dealership?
What happened:
- Took my car for its first service at a franchise dealership on Wednesday
- Waited at the dealership while it was serviced, then drove home and parked it.
- Car wasn’t used until today, when my wife noticed her glasses/sunglasses were missing from the center console.
I rarely use the centre console but on Wednesday I checked (the console) before the service as i thought the locking wheelnuts might be in there and definitely saw all of her glasses and stuff in there. I have this morning called customer service, but they haven’t responded after nearly four hours.
- Has anyone had items go missing after a service?
- Should I escalate this or wait longer?
- Any tips on how to approach the dealership?
no job card given / mentioned. I drove into their service bay area, was welcomed with a handshake through the open drivers window and a 'Hello Mr Forrest" got out with the engine still running and the car was driven off by the service manager whilst i was taken through to the service agent. Also just had a look at the email confirming my service booking and no mention of removing any personal items etc.
If they were prescription sunglasses, they are unlikely to be much use to anyone else without getting them reglazed at probably £100+ quid - could perhaps be worth a 'just wondering if the team may have put my wife's prescription sunglasses in a safe place while valeting the vehicle' email, giving them the opportunity/excuse to 'find' said glasses.
Not that this helps now but I always empty my car before handing it over to any garage including my usb thumbnail music drive, sun glasses and anything else. I've not had any issues with my main BMW dealer but the last time it went in, they disconnected the dashcam and didn't connect it up again when they were done. I hadn't realised and had a near miss the day after I picked it up. Went to check my footage which would have helped with any claims had the worst happened and I saw the power wire tucked behind the mirror unconnected. I wouldn't trust them with my belongings so adopt the better safe than sorry method of chucking everything from the car into a carrier bag until I pick it up.
Ultimately, I know it’s my word against theirs, but we’re talking £1k+ worth of glasses—a mix of prescription sunglasses and regular driving glasses so I’m not just going to let this go without a fight. Lesson learned though that's for sure!!
As for the dealership, they’re not exactly winning me over right now. After not hearing back, I called them, only to find that the customer service rep hadn’t even acted on my issue—so I had to start all over again. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, suggesting that maybe someone removed everything for safe keeping but simply forgot to put it back. Let’s see how they handle it…
As for the dealership, they’re not exactly winning me over right now. After not hearing back, I called them, only to find that the customer service rep hadn’t even acted on my issue—so I had to start all over again. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, suggesting that maybe someone removed everything for safe keeping but simply forgot to put it back. Let’s see how they handle it…
Valeters. Romanians probably. It’ll be in a pile of s
te they keep on top of a busted metal filing cabinet just under the Meguairs topless calendar.
Look there.
Ask if you can take a look at the valet bay.
Just say ‘ can I take a look at your valet bay, I think you might have put something of mine away for safe keeping’
te they keep on top of a busted metal filing cabinet just under the Meguairs topless calendar.Look there.
Ask if you can take a look at the valet bay.
Just say ‘ can I take a look at your valet bay, I think you might have put something of mine away for safe keeping’
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Valeters. Romanians probably. It ll be in a pile of ste they keep on top of a busted metal filing cabinet just under the Meguairs topless calendar.
Look there.
Ask if you can take a look at the valet bay.
Just say can I take a look at your valet bay, I think you might have put something of mine away for safe keeping
Came here to say this. Likely put away "somewhere safe" until you complain.te they keep on top of a busted metal filing cabinet just under the Meguairs topless calendar.Look there.
Ask if you can take a look at the valet bay.
Just say can I take a look at your valet bay, I think you might have put something of mine away for safe keeping
GasEngineer said:
How do dealers justify disconnecting the dashcam?
The inference is that they are concealing something that they don't want you to see. Very dodgy IMO.
They don't want to be recorded or the workplace recorded whilst on the job. It's very much their right, but at least leave things in the condition you found them.The inference is that they are concealing something that they don't want you to see. Very dodgy IMO.
Forrest1 said:
little update..... whilst i've been trying to work this in a diplomatic way. My wife has decided to drop by the dealership on her way home. She's a little more direct than me and is basically kicking off in the middle of the showroom 
Good for her.We've had sunglasses stolen before - they are a favourite - and car park change. The latter was replaced when we said we'd call the rozzers and the service was discounted.
GasEngineer said:
How do dealers justify disconnecting the dashcam?
The inference is that they are concealing something that they don't want you to see. Very dodgy IMO.
It doesn't seem unreasonable that they don't want their works and their employees filmed.The inference is that they are concealing something that they don't want you to see. Very dodgy IMO.
Imagine the PH post "my employer lets his customers film me at work"
Forrest1 said:
little update..... whilst i've been trying to work this in a diplomatic way. My wife has decided to drop by the dealership on her way home. She's a little more direct than me and is basically kicking off in the middle of the showroom
Maybe send her to whatever opticians is charging you £1k+ for a couple of pairs of glasses next.....Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff