Robbed at dealer my MINI dealer
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 415
Likes: 14
I had the same problem years ago - the criminal servicing my S10 Blazer (remember those) stole all my cassette tapes (remember those) and my Mag-lite. When I called the stealership to complain, they reminded me about the sign they posted in the service dept stating that they hire thieves and are not responsible for their actions.
Lesson learned.
Lesson learned.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, Flushing, MI
Originally Posted by CDMINI
It's just the "car wash" guy, not usually a Dealer employee, but a minimum wage P/T employee.
Here is how it works...During the vacuum he cleans the ash tray area very fast and absent mindedly sucks up all the contents into the vacuum. NOW does he check his vacuum at the end of every day for foreign material "folding, coin or otherwise"? Probably, but who can say? And what recovered property belongs to whom, it's all "together" now.
Here is how it works...During the vacuum he cleans the ash tray area very fast and absent mindedly sucks up all the contents into the vacuum. NOW does he check his vacuum at the end of every day for foreign material "folding, coin or otherwise"? Probably, but who can say? And what recovered property belongs to whom, it's all "together" now.
Back to the topic at hand, I'm with those that empty the car before handing the keys over. I've gotten some pretty dirty looks from S.A.'s and techs when i walk in the door arms full of everything i could find that i forgot to take out the night before but I am really not too concerned.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by kaelaria
Back in my day of IASCA, pre-mp3, it was common for us to roll with 600+ CD's in cases in the car. One day I couldn't find one of my favorite discs, and started sorting through the whole collection. Lo and behold I had over 50 missing, and the only place my car had been was my Pontiac dealer!
I expected a much worse post when I opened this thread - I'm glad you got away without a serious beating.
I expected a much worse post when I opened this thread - I'm glad you got away without a serious beating.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by gmcdonnell
I once loaned my car to a friend, but as a joke I filled the glovebox with small styrofoam peanuts. I asked him not to open the glovebox while he had the car, told him there were a few old personal letters that I kept in there that I was sentimental about.
Of course, when I got the car back there were styrofoam peanuts all over the place. It was worth vacuuming the car just to see his discomfort when he gave me back the car.
I have a slightly twisted sense of humor.
Of course, when I got the car back there were styrofoam peanuts all over the place. It was worth vacuuming the car just to see his discomfort when he gave me back the car.
I have a slightly twisted sense of humor.
A rubber one would work just as well!!! Jammed in so it would pop open. I could see doing that to a tech if they gave me bad service
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast
I dropped my car off for recall service today. I will not repeat what the SA told me motivated the recall. If the back room staff is anything like the SAs I doubt they would be able to find the ashtray with my stash of quarters. At $.25 for 5 minutes of meter time in my town we have to carry lots of change. I forgot to remove all that--too much jangling anyway--although I did remember to remove my iPod and, thankfully, my security badge. I had not even thought of it, but today I was lucky to have taken the MINI key that is not on the same ring as my apartment keys. It's my first dealer service for a car in 10 years. I will learn what else has changed since the prior millenium. 
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Dracut, MA, USA
Originally Posted by mmatarella
...we all know to give the dealer or any service techs ONLY your car key, right? Don't turn house keys over, especially if you leave reg or insurance with your address in car, or if it's a business where your address is on the invoice.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
No one had better steal my Gumby! Gumby's been with me since I was 16 and my first car. He's my driving buddy. Take my change, but don't mess with Gumby!
As a safety - re the garage door openers - if you're not parked IN your garage (you're in the driveway, for some reason, or on the street), don't leave the opener in your car!
As a safety - re the garage door openers - if you're not parked IN your garage (you're in the driveway, for some reason, or on the street), don't leave the opener in your car!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Anytime I leave my car for service, I take a small tote at home, and throw everything of value into it.
Then, I take remotes, Garmin GPS, registration, other stuff with me in a small messenger bag, which I use in the rental or loaner. You never know who is scanning your remote codes or checking out where you live.
Think of all the various people that have access to your car at a dealership whether authorized or not.
As a former criminal prosecutor, I also block out my personal address on my registration that is left in the car on a daily basis.
Then, I take remotes, Garmin GPS, registration, other stuff with me in a small messenger bag, which I use in the rental or loaner. You never know who is scanning your remote codes or checking out where you live.
Think of all the various people that have access to your car at a dealership whether authorized or not.
As a former criminal prosecutor, I also block out my personal address on my registration that is left in the car on a daily basis.
Very good points, all - and maybe you should open this up to all categories, not just 1st Gen! We could all benefit from a reminder. I'm slightly paranoid, but I think the military gets you that way these days.
On another theft-like note, careful where you park consistently at home, too, and watch your habits to NOT become routine enough to cause a problem...I didn't realize how bad my neighborhood was in NC. I drove my big white F150 supercrew -- which wouldn't fit into the itty bitty garage at the house I rented, so I had to park it in the driveway always. SO everybody and their brother knew when I was home and when I wasn't. My house was robbed TWICE before I moved, and once with my dogs in the yard. As I say this, I am reminded that I went on vacation last week, and left my poor baby parked in front of the house not only unlocked, but WITH THE KEYS IN THE FRONT SEAT! My mother almost called a psychiatrist on me when she heard that about my MINI! (Yes, I think I'm going senile.)
I have a really cool tote in the boot always - nice leather thing from Marshalls - where I store all my misc crap that i hate rolling around, and where I keep my reusable grocery bags, etc. Whenever I have to drop my baby at the dealer, or *gasp* at the body shop after my accident, I got some really weird looks, but I hauled not only my work bag, but this tote and all the extras. AH WELL. If you can't take a joke, take a bus! At least I know where my stuff is!
On another theft-like note, careful where you park consistently at home, too, and watch your habits to NOT become routine enough to cause a problem...I didn't realize how bad my neighborhood was in NC. I drove my big white F150 supercrew -- which wouldn't fit into the itty bitty garage at the house I rented, so I had to park it in the driveway always. SO everybody and their brother knew when I was home and when I wasn't. My house was robbed TWICE before I moved, and once with my dogs in the yard. As I say this, I am reminded that I went on vacation last week, and left my poor baby parked in front of the house not only unlocked, but WITH THE KEYS IN THE FRONT SEAT! My mother almost called a psychiatrist on me when she heard that about my MINI! (Yes, I think I'm going senile.)
I have a really cool tote in the boot always - nice leather thing from Marshalls - where I store all my misc crap that i hate rolling around, and where I keep my reusable grocery bags, etc. Whenever I have to drop my baby at the dealer, or *gasp* at the body shop after my accident, I got some really weird looks, but I hauled not only my work bag, but this tote and all the extras. AH WELL. If you can't take a joke, take a bus! At least I know where my stuff is!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
I had never thought about that. But I always take the car key off the ring and give them only the car key when I'm in for service. I've done that for years. I remember a scam years ago where a service department would copy a persons house key and provide it to would be thieves. The garage door opener would be another no-no to leave in the car.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
I keep my car fairly clean of clutter, but my favorite bit of fun is to tell the mechanic to be sure not to pull the "T handle" next to my emergency brake when I'm going to be waiting for the car to be worked on. Nobody has taken the bait yet, but it's rigged to a 150db air-horn on the back of the car... I'll definately know if curiosity gets the best of 'em! :D
i liek both ideas.... think iw il do it next time
Lesson learned.[/QUOTE]
I'm sorry to hear about your money being stolen. Even if it's a small amount that still stinks
. I never trust anyone period! However, when ever I go to the dealers I always leave something small in the Mini. I want to know if it will be stolen or not. Yes, it's kind of a test of character. I always want to know the kind of people I'm dealing with. So I'll leave maybe 3.00 or 4.00 dollars lying around in the car just to see what happens. So far I've had four or five trips to the dealers in which Mini was left behind. To date... I have yet to have anyone steal anything
. I never trust anyone period! However, when ever I go to the dealers I always leave something small in the Mini. I want to know if it will be stolen or not. Yes, it's kind of a test of character. I always want to know the kind of people I'm dealing with. So I'll leave maybe 3.00 or 4.00 dollars lying around in the car just to see what happens. So far I've had four or five trips to the dealers in which Mini was left behind. To date... I have yet to have anyone steal anythingI once loaned my car to a friend, but as a joke I filled the glovebox with small styrofoam peanuts. I asked him not to open the glovebox while he had the car, told him there were a few old personal letters that I kept in there that I was sentimental about.
Of course, when I got the car back there were styrofoam peanuts all over the place. It was worth vacuuming the car just to see his discomfort when he gave me back the car.
I have a slightly twisted sense of humor.
Of course, when I got the car back there were styrofoam peanuts all over the place. It was worth vacuuming the car just to see his discomfort when he gave me back the car.
I have a slightly twisted sense of humor.
Coordinator :: Upstate MINIs
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
(Yet another disclaimer: Don't do this.)
Unhook battery. Drill two holes in ash tray, and run two leads from the battery to the passenger compartment and into those two holes. Run two leads from the battery through the console and attach a thin metal strip to the end of each lead, adhere one on each side of the inside of the ashtray.
Put change you don't care about in ash tray. Reconnect battery. Do not touch ash tray. Take MINI in for service.
If EMS crews are on scene when you come to pick up your MINI, find a new place to get service.
Luckily we've not had anything like that happen at the MINI dealer Liz and I go to.
Of course, if you wanted to tie in Aaron's air horn, you could replace the sections above about the battery hookup to the ash tray, and hook up a simple relay that activates the horn. Guy reaches in to get change, hits the contacts, completes the circuit and the air horn goes off. Now THAT'd be a thing to watch.
Unhook battery. Drill two holes in ash tray, and run two leads from the battery to the passenger compartment and into those two holes. Run two leads from the battery through the console and attach a thin metal strip to the end of each lead, adhere one on each side of the inside of the ashtray.
Put change you don't care about in ash tray. Reconnect battery. Do not touch ash tray. Take MINI in for service.
If EMS crews are on scene when you come to pick up your MINI, find a new place to get service.
Luckily we've not had anything like that happen at the MINI dealer Liz and I go to.
Of course, if you wanted to tie in Aaron's air horn, you could replace the sections above about the battery hookup to the ash tray, and hook up a simple relay that activates the horn. Guy reaches in to get change, hits the contacts, completes the circuit and the air horn goes off. Now THAT'd be a thing to watch.
i too remove my garage door opener and V1 when i visit the dealer.
change they can have if the porter's that despirate. be a
conversation piece too if they do steal. gives you a free
ticket to give the SA a weggie.
change they can have if the porter's that despirate. be a
conversation piece too if they do steal. gives you a free
ticket to give the SA a weggie.
(Yet another disclaimer: Don't do this.)
Unhook battery. Drill two holes in ash tray, and run two leads from the battery to the passenger compartment and into those two holes. Run two leads from the battery through the console and attach a thin metal strip to the end of each lead, adhere one on each side of the inside of the ashtray.
Put change you don't care about in ash tray. Reconnect battery. Do not touch ash tray. Take MINI in for service.
If EMS crews are on scene when you come to pick up your MINI, find a new place to get service.
Luckily we've not had anything like that happen at the MINI dealer Liz and I go to.
Of course, if you wanted to tie in Aaron's air horn, you could replace the sections above about the battery hookup to the ash tray, and hook up a simple relay that activates the horn. Guy reaches in to get change, hits the contacts, completes the circuit and the air horn goes off. Now THAT'd be a thing to watch.
Unhook battery. Drill two holes in ash tray, and run two leads from the battery to the passenger compartment and into those two holes. Run two leads from the battery through the console and attach a thin metal strip to the end of each lead, adhere one on each side of the inside of the ashtray.
Put change you don't care about in ash tray. Reconnect battery. Do not touch ash tray. Take MINI in for service.
If EMS crews are on scene when you come to pick up your MINI, find a new place to get service.
Luckily we've not had anything like that happen at the MINI dealer Liz and I go to.
Of course, if you wanted to tie in Aaron's air horn, you could replace the sections above about the battery hookup to the ash tray, and hook up a simple relay that activates the horn. Guy reaches in to get change, hits the contacts, completes the circuit and the air horn goes off. Now THAT'd be a thing to watch.
