Goddamned Motherfreaking thieves!

[frapjap]

Had an excellent start to the morning.
I got in late last night from a business trip, picked up my car, drove home, went to sleep. Noticed that the radio remote was on the floor but didn't think anything of it, plugged in my phone for the internet radio and was on my way.

Fast forward to this morning. Woke up to clumpy, sour, though not expired yet milk. Had to throw out perfectly good Cookie Crisp. No breakfast.
Go to car, start it up. Reach for my portable hard drive to listen to some tunes. Missing. Wait, whys my cigarette lighter/ash try door closed? ::open door:: No change, dollar, or membership keytag cards. Valentine 1 radar detector? GONE!
Being ROYALLY pissed I called the valet service company, asked for a manager and/or owner and tore the guy a new one. I'm pissed because I noticed something out of place last night and didnt check up on it, and furthermore didn't catch the other missing items 'til this morning. Either way, this is a parking lot business that my company solely uses when we're all away on trips. They've been around a looooooong time (20+ years) and I'm told they've been the best. And so far, they've been right. However, my s*** missing is extremely not kosher!

I don't know what my course(s) of action are/can be.
I am driving down there to file a police report or at least make it difficult to ignore me, but other than that, I don't think there is much that can be done. Unless they have cameras that can prove that their guy(s) didnt steal my belongings, its my word against theirs...


AGHGHDHFVGYHFDSGYFDSHGYKHFDSYGHFSHUYGFHSHFD, BULLSXIT!

Any ideas?

[Encryptshun]

Check the fine print on the valet ticket. Most clearly state they are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

That sucks the big one, Ray -- I hope as a valued customer they try something to make it up to you, but you might try filing a claim with your insurance.

[PoorManQ45]

Check the fine print on the valet ticket. Most clearly state they are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

I don't believe that that disclaimer absolves them of responsibility for the theft though.

Typically those places have security. I'm probably way off base, but this establishes an expectation that your property is secure when in their compound. The disclaimer does not override this.

Sorry to hear about your lose FrapJap. Stick on the management. Also, if that doesn't get anywhere, do you have full coverage insurance?

[Jesda]

Indeed, a disclaimer on the back of a stub isn't enough to wipe your hands clean. We covered this in business law for some reason, but I cant remember the technical reason. Something to do with expectations of safety and security.

[Encryptshun]

Hey, I'm happy to be wrong in this case (and hope I am).

[frapjap]

I hope Jesda is right, too. Thanks for the input, I was able to pull out that line and catch his attention right off the bat.
PMQ- I do have full coverage, but auto insurance will only cover items in stock locations or things that originally came with the automobile. I learned this when some jackoff tried to steal my car 2 winters back.

After calling and reaming an employee first thing in the morning, I thought it best to demonstrate my level of pissed off to the owner/and manager by taking time out of work and driving the 35 minutes to the airport valet. Bob, the owner/manager, was not suprised to hear from me, but was suprised that I'd show up in person. I explanined to him that it was best that this matter was discussed in person. He fed some lines that summed up to how he hasnt had a new hire in 7 years, doesnt know how this could have happened, and doesn't have cameras. I gave more BS back regarding how the person who stole was so pertty that he cleaned out the change in my ashtray in addition to the hard drive and radar detector.

He asked when I thought it could have happened- to which I had two replies. 1. when I drop off the car it is unlocked and unattended while the employee drives me to the airport. and 2. when the airport driver comes to get me, leaves the windows down and the keys in the ignition at the front of the lot. He showed some concern because this is indeed a weak spot in protocol. Wasn't enough for me though. I told him that we've (the company I work for) have been using them for a long, long time (15+ years, 12+ people who travel regularly) and that I spoke to HR about the incident and would let them know how the situation is handled- implying that we will cease doing business with them if this isn't resolved favorably or in a timely manner. I think he got the message. I was informed that they do have insurance up to 2 million, and hopefully, I'll be compensated from their claim. I was asked for proof of receipt and value of the stolen property. I should hear from the parking lot by tomorrow morning.

[Encryptshun]

Awesome. Nicely handled.

[BusyBadger]

Be sure to inform Valentine of the detector theft and give them the serial number so it can't be updated.

[frapjap]

Received a call back. Some forgetful employee didn't lock the car and the thieves let themselves in.
Bob was very apathetic and apologetic since he was able to get to the bottom of my problem internally.
I will be getting a new V1 and portable hard drive and be reimbursed by his valet company. My guess is he probably didn't want to pay a hefty deductible on some stolen possessions.

Another day versus the world. But still, f*** thieves. If I ever caught that sob....

[sentrastace]

glad you got it resolved and reimbursed, youre so lucky they took care of it fairly. i thought the stupid fine print about now being liable for theft would absolve them of responsibility of your belongings. good work.

[Warped161]

wow nice work, glad it worked out.

[Alfador]

Glad it turned out alright.

glad you got it resolved and reimbursed, youre so lucky they took care of it fairly. i thought the stupid fine print about now being liable for theft would absolve them of responsibility of your belongings. good work.

Not likely. A company declaring it is not responsible for something doesn't make it not responsible for something. "contracts" like that are invalidated all the time because they wind up being unreasonable, lack consideration, or just plain illegal.

The most that covers them for is an incident they could in no way have prevented. It doesn't clear them if they were at all negligent. The legal issue is bailment. When you take possession of someone else's property voluntarily, you are at least somewhat responsible for it especially when you benefit from the relationship by getting paid like a valet. It's pretty much just a trash statement to deter people too lazy or soft from bothering to pursue something that is well within their rights.

[Jesda]

Glad it turned out alright.

glad you got it resolved and reimbursed, youre so lucky they took care of it fairly. i thought the stupid fine print about now being liable for theft would absolve them of responsibility of your belongings. good work.

Not likely. A company declaring it is not responsible for something doesn't make it not responsible for something. "contracts" like that are invalidated all the time because they wind up being unreasonable, lack consideration, or just plain illegal.

The most that covers them for is an incident they could in no way have prevented. It doesn't clear them if they were at all negligent. The legal issue is bailment. When you take possession of someone else's property voluntarily, you are at least somewhat responsible for it especially when you benefit from the relationship by getting paid like a valet. It's pretty much just a trash statement to deter people too lazy or soft from bothering to pursue something that is well within their rights.

THATS THE WORD I WAS LOOKING FOR! BAILMENT!

Man, those two semesters of Bus Law are creeping back. Its been a while.