Had my radio stolen while car was being repaired

[TangoJuliet]

I got into an accident 2 months ago and had my car at a local repair shop to have the work done. Last week I went to pick up the car and it was in front of the shop with the windows down and unlocked. I get into the car and my satellite radio was missing.

I go into the shop and speak with one of the owners and ask him if they had removed it. He asks around and can't find it. He calls over to a bunch of shops that did some of the repairs and nobody will admit to it being lost. The owner then asks me for a receipt and that he would replace it. I told him it was a gift and that I didnt have a receipt but could get all the information off a site like Best Buy or Circuit City.

I went to the shop the next day with the print outs and he goes into the back and talks with the other owner. I hear a whole bunch of yelling and cursing about how theyre not going to pay for it and whatnot. So the owner comes back and says that he knows someone that works at a electronics store and wants to see if he can get it cheaper. I told him thats fine and for him to call me back.

Its been about a week and a half and I still havent heard anything back. I dont want to keep calling over there and harassing them because it probably wont help me out but they lost my radio and now I am paying a monthly service for something I cant even use. Should I just tell them its been long enough and I want all the money for a replacement? Is there any sort of legal action I can take against them?

Update 9/17/07

I just got back from the shop and the owner was pretty nice about the whole thing. He cut me a check for $200 for the radio. I accepted it because I can get a pretty descent deal on a new radio since I am a subscriber and I can put the rest towards the service. If he gave me the run around I was going to call the cops on the spot and let them take care of it.

Thanks everyone!!

/thread

 

[PELarson]

You are paying so someone else can listen to your satellite radio. Call the satellite company and cancel the service and report it stolen.

 

[BoomerD]

Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

 

[Indolent]

should have called the cops right a way. They're just delaying you and you have no proof they took it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: Indolent
should have called the cops right a way. They're just delaying you and you have no proof they took it.

I would have but I had to get to work. They told me the car would be ready at noon. I had someone drop me off at 2pm and thought I would have enough time to get to work at 4pm. The car wasnt ready and by the time I got into the car and saw that the radio was missing it was already 3:30.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

 

[dugweb]

the windows were down, and the car was unlocked...

i would be fuming pissed, especially if i overheard the owner arguing that they weren't going to pay for the radio.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

First, those "we're not responsible" signs are pretty pointless. Second, if the owner has admitted that the radio was in the car when you dropped it off then they are responsible for the radio. Third, your insurance company won't do dick unless there's a problem with the repairs. Your satellite radio is not covered by car insurance. If you have renters or homeowners insurance then that would probably cover it, but the deductible would make it worthless to file a claim.

Fourth, if it's a Sirius radio, they are running a deal for a free Starmate 4 for existing subscribers. They will also give you a deal if your radio gets stolen.

I had a car get totaled with a Sirius radio in the dash. They suspended my prepaid subscription and then applied the money to the radio in my new car. They also offered me a new radio at a deep discount.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: dugweb
the windows were down, and the car was unlocked...

i would be fuming pissed, especially if i overheard the owner arguing that they weren't going to pay for the radio.

I was pissed but they really helped me out with some of the repairs....getting the insurance company to fix some things they had deemed "wear and tear". I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt....things happen, etc.

Now that theyre taking their sweet time has got me pissed.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

First, those "we're not responsible" signs are pretty pointless. Second, if the owner has admitted that the radio was in the car when you dropped it off then they are responsible for the radio. Third, your insurance company won't do dick unless there's a problem with the repairs. Your satellite radio is not covered by car insurance. If you have renters or homeowners insurance then that would probably cover it, but the deductible would make it worthless to file a claim.

Fourth, if it's a Sirius radio, they are running a deal for a free Starmate 4 for existing subscribers. They will also give you a deal if your radio gets stolen.

I had a car get totaled with a Sirius radio in the dash. They suspended my prepaid subscription and then applied the money to the radio in my new car. They also offered me a new radio at a deep discount.

Yes, it was a sirius radio and I'm aware of the deals but I'm not buying it or paying for anything out of my pocket. It was their fault - why should I have to get a good deal for them?

 

[nick1985]

I can put a sign in my front lawn that says "not responsible if I blow your head off", but that doesnt mean that If I blow someones brains out that I wont go to jail. Those signs mean nothing. Gross negligence on their part cannot be negated by a dumbass sign.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: nick1985
I can put a sign in my front lawn that says "not responsible if I blow your head off", but that doesnt mean that If I blow someones brains out that I wont go to jail. Those signs mean nothing. Gross negligence on their part cannot be negated by a dumbass sign.

Exactly! I dont think they have a sign regardless....but they may take out a crayon and write it on some cardboard and say "there it is in writing!"

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

First, those "we're not responsible" signs are pretty pointless. Second, if the owner has admitted that the radio was in the car when you dropped it off then they are responsible for the radio. Third, your insurance company won't do dick unless there's a problem with the repairs. Your satellite radio is not covered by car insurance. If you have renters or homeowners insurance then that would probably cover it, but the deductible would make it worthless to file a claim.

Fourth, if it's a Sirius radio, they are running a deal for a free Starmate 4 for existing subscribers. They will also give you a deal if your radio gets stolen.

I had a car get totaled with a Sirius radio in the dash. They suspended my prepaid subscription and then applied the money to the radio in my new car. They also offered me a new radio at a deep discount.

Yes, it was a sirius radio and I'm aware of the deals but I'm not buying it or paying for anything out of my pocket. It was their fault - why should I have to get a good deal for them?

Because the cost of the radio is worth it compared to trying to get those schmucks to pay for the radio?

I don't know what your time is worth, but I'd rather deal with a Sirius mail-in rebate or pony up $10-$50 (depending on the radio) than some shady body shop which will probably get you nowhere.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Not likely. Odds are, they have a disclaimer something to the effect of "Not responsible for lost of missing items, or Not responsible for damage to your vehicle", etc...You'd probably have to deal with your insurance company to get any help...IF it's more than your deductible.

Not sure they can claim they have no responsibity for theft.

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

First, those "we're not responsible" signs are pretty pointless. Second, if the owner has admitted that the radio was in the car when you dropped it off then they are responsible for the radio. Third, your insurance company won't do dick unless there's a problem with the repairs. Your satellite radio is not covered by car insurance. If you have renters or homeowners insurance then that would probably cover it, but the deductible would make it worthless to file a claim.

Fourth, if it's a Sirius radio, they are running a deal for a free Starmate 4 for existing subscribers. They will also give you a deal if your radio gets stolen.

I had a car get totaled with a Sirius radio in the dash. They suspended my prepaid subscription and then applied the money to the radio in my new car. They also offered me a new radio at a deep discount.

Yes, it was a sirius radio and I'm aware of the deals but I'm not buying it or paying for anything out of my pocket. It was their fault - why should I have to get a good deal for them?

Because the cost of the radio is worth it compared to trying to get those schmucks to pay for the radio?

I don't know what your time is worth, but I'd rather deal with a Sirius mail-in rebate or pony up $10-$50 (depending on the radio) than some shady body shop which will probably get you nowhere.

I don't get what you are trying to say....I should just cut my losses and buy a new radio because they are giving me the run around?

 

[thepd7]

No you should go in and demand that they pay you market price (whetever CC or best buy charges) right then and there. If not, start talking to their future customers in the waiting room and outside. Hitting someone in the wallet is the only thing some people understand.

 

[needalife]

i wonder what will happen...

 

[Triumph]

Lesson learned, never leave anything of value in your car when it goes in for work. A friend of mine had his Accord repaired last year after a front end incident. He took everything out except for some change in the ash tray, just to see if they would take it. Sure enough, it was gone when he got the car back. It's only change, but its indicative of the mindset of these people. They know that they can take advantage of you and get away with it. People are scum.

 

[sohcrates]

i know a girl who got in an accident and they towed her car to a repair shop and when she went to check it out someone had stolen all the *wrapped* christmas gifts she had out of the car. this was a week before christmas.

apparently these people have no shame.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Before I dropped it off I took everything out of the car - loose change, ipod, pens and everything in the glove box. I was debating about the radio but thought because it was mounted to the windshield it would be okay. Guess not....it looks as if someone just ripped it right off the mount.

I'm going to give them a call later today and see what the story is. I'll update the thread as more information comes.

 

[TangoJuliet]

seems like they dont want to answer the phone today

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

Yes you can. The insurance company will look at the theft as a separate incident. If you have already paid your deductible from previous repairs for the year then you are as good as gold if you can provide adequate proof of the type of radio in your car. Try to pull some strings.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK

The owner said to me that he knew the radio was there when I dropped the car off but doesnt know if someone ripped it off in their lot or at one of the other places repairs were being done.

The owner apologized saying I was a good customer having almost $9000 done in repairs wanted to take care of the situation....which he has not done. Can I call my insurance company and complain about the repairs and tell them the radio is missing as well?

Yes you can. The insurance company will look at the theft as a separate incident. If you have already paid your deductible from previous repairs for the year then you are as good as gold if you can provide adequate proof of the type of radio in your car. Try to pull some strings.

Yep, already paid the deductible for the repairs. I'll shoot off an email to my insurance company and see what they can do for me.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Finally got in touch with someone at the repair shop and not suprisingly neither of the owners were available. The receptionist said that one of them would give me a call later on today. I wonder if they will call......they close at 5pm (almost 4pm now) and arent opened on the weekend.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK
Yep, already paid the deductible for the repairs. I'll shoot off an email to my insurance company and see what they can do for me.

Call them if you want to be taken seriously. Be nice, but remember that the squeaky wheel gets the oil first.