ThosL Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 This is not really a mechanical question but is relevant to trusting the place you have work done on your car. In this case a "Splash" outfit in Norwalk, CT I paid to have my oil changed. I had bought a rare coin the day before, a high relief 1921 Peace dollar that was uncirculated that was missing a couple hours later when I checked the small group of coins in the tray, including some dingy looking Barber silver coins. So I filed a report with the town's police department, I waited an hour for the cop to be ready to take a report. To his credit, he said he was going up to the place before they closed tonight. What was suspicious, was a woman who handled the oil change cars as they get driven in, came up to me as soon as I went back reporting the missing coin, saying they did not do a vacuum of the car. I spoke to the manager, a nice Hispanic guy and then did the police report. When others get their oil changed do they keep all valuables in the trunk or in back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montana tom Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I grew up in east norwalk, and it was not like that 35 years ago. But as far as leaving anything like loose change (rare coins in particular) in a vehicle that was going to be entered by minimum wage workers ... even then I would have removed the visible stuff. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) I lost a handful of change at a fast lube place once decades ago. we try to remove 'interesting' items and particularly 'cash/coins' . Edited May 22, 2015 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 It was dumb of me, but most service stations and basic service places you can trust the workers totally. In the police report the oil change guy listed his address as the homeless shelter in Norwalk and the intake woman listed her home as the car wash. My options at this point are waiting and hoping the valuable turns up, but pawn shops don't have to do photos of coins just jewelry and similar valuables with a hold period; option 2 is small claims court which is up to a $90 filing fee. NY is $10 or so for claims under $1000. Hopefully this will be a useful alarm for those who go to these places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstevens76 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 And this is why I go to Einstein's oilery (local company) where you never leave your vehicle while they do the oil change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinky26 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Yep, the days of trusting nearly everyone you are around have flown by us , honesty in general is just a thing of the past... I even have to take what my boss says with a grain of, OKAY a really LARGE grain of salt, I don't feel she would steal anything but I can't trust what she tells me of course I do work in a government entity and with that comes very large lack of trust (legal theivery there) I won't leave anything of value in the car if I take it anywhere to be serviced or of the sort I've heard of people leaving their :excl:gun under the seat when they have taken the car to the car wash, talk about just stupid , of course that will come up missing.....idiots . Oh for the things we should not have to do but are highly encouraged to do in this day and age. ALL at the same time........ This is another reason why I change my own oil. I feel for those of you that either don't have the time/place/means or otherwise to do such a thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconer315 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Seems like everyone these days is out to make a quick buck off the backs of others. Can't even leave anything in a car overnight anymore without wondering if someone's going to try and take it. I don't even lock my car. Locks only keep the honest people honest, and give the unhonest people a reason to break my windows. So, I leave the car unlocked, and leave nothing in the car worth stealing. If they want the car bad enough then the insurance company will get a call in the morning if my driveway is empty. I'm with Dinky, changing your own oil is the best way to make sure that people don't rifle through the belongings in your car. If you can't do it at home, find a buddy who is willing to let you do it at their place. If anyone out there is in CNY and needs a driveway to change your oil, drop by and I'll gladly lend you the space/tools/help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Bridgeport guy here - sorry - can't trust these type of shops. Small shop in New Canaan not likely a problem. The shoreline / Post Rd. places are mostly turnstile employees. Homeless shelter and using the work location as a home address , well there may be some indicators ..... So many pawn shops now too. Best of luck. Yes , East Norwalk is still expensive but the pockets of less desirables swelling. And those folks change oil and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stelcom66 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I had the company Jeep oil changed at a chain in eastern Conn., of course I removed that laptop (nice that they had Wi-Fi in the waiting area) and my Mp3 player. I do my Forester and my son's Legacy myself. Even as low as the Legacy is, the filter is easy to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I can't even leave stuff in my car in front of my own house. Years ago I left my truck unlocked all the time. One morning I left for work and noticed the drivers door was cracked open. (Like someone had opened it and tried to shut it but only got it one click. It was a Ford, you had to slam the door to make it close all the way.) Ash tray was pulled out and the glove box was hanging open. Nothing missing, so I guess they were looking for change or GPS/electronics. There was nothing of value in the truck except some jumper cables behind the seat. Then had to use those to jump start it because the glove box light drained the battery! Since then about once every 6 months someone else on the street has to file a report for items missing from their vehicle. Always a vehicle with doors left unlocked. Usually change/money from the console, and portable electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLsubedrivr Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 That is a bummer. I recommend you find a local shop,(owner operated), that's been in business for awhile. Usually safer places with established employees and a reputation to protect. Might cost more, but many small business owners care about their customers and oil changes are a way to build trust for the big repairs. Hope that coin shows up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 I work in a WalMart TLE. If even a quarter is on the carpet. I decline vacuum simple as that. Its very serious to me, but to some workers, they don't get paid enough not to be tempted I'd guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 I'm filing in small claims court, probably the evidence isn't strong enough for the judge to side with me, but too few citizens shrug their shoulders when their rights are violated. To have secure possessions is a very fundamental right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Did you ask for a franchise owner or regional manager and explain and ask if video is available to review? Time gone by now. They're going to tell you they have a three week loop or ??? Etc etc etc Doubt they caught the coin on camera but it might show the employee reaching into the center console which they don't need to do during the course of an oil change. Good luck ! I'm in Bridgeport but do oil changes to full engine swaps generally in Milford. Awful busy but if you care to maybe we can synch up when I'm doing my work. You can pull alongside and we'll have you're oil changed , filter , whatever little things done , and all topped off real easy. Storage / workspace off exit 35 in Milford just off the exit - real easy. I have in stock Subaru oil filters and crush rings I change both every oil change. But synching up with me might mean real early on a Saturday or Sunday. Have a nice weekend !! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 OK, thanks for your nice offer of help. The cop did look at the video but said he didn't see anything. But I was on my phone when they returned the car and someone got the keys out and may have grabbed the coin then? I was on the phone in back because it was too loud out front. I wrote out a description of the timeline, etc., they say I don't have any evidence or a case in small claims court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I'm really sorry for you. Southwestern CT has changed drastically in the last 40 years but so has the nation. Feel free to give me a try next time you're ready. And best of luck with getting back to enjoying your hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 I got a letter today from the Small Claims Court notifying me I won by default--"Splash" car wash/oil change did not reply to my filing. Now the challenge will be getting my $$$ back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Have a friend pay them with a check. Once they deposit the check and you see where they bank, you can get a court order and hire a marshall through the court to seize/freeze their bank account. All fees paid by you will be added to the judgment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_Loyale Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 (edited) I don't trust quickie oil change places, I do it myself. Beyond theft they mostly hire people that don't know or care what they are doing. After they used a wrench on my oil filer years ago on a truck of mine and dented it, I swore off those places. They denied it of course but the situation was such that after you get the truck back and look down there is a dent in the oil filter and you haven't driven it, where did it come from? I wonder if you can place a lien on their store? Edited August 2, 2015 by MR_Loyale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I got a letter today from the Small Claims Court notifying me I won by default--"Splash" car wash/oil change did not reply to my filing. Now the challenge will be getting my $$$ back. If you got a judgment you'll get your money. If they won't pay the court clerk can instruct you on the next step to take. Probably a garnishment or something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1996BlackBauer Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I work at a dealer, and when somebody leaves money, or any other valuable in their vehicle I ask the customer to remove it, I don't trust the porters cleaning the cars, and I don't want to be blamed for it. So that is what I do. For real though why do people leave that stuff in the open in their cars? I get a lot of weird stuff too, such as drugs, stack of money, phones, jewelry, ect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 I had the hearing this week; won by default; the judge just wanted my testimony. My claim plus costs were all awarded, I hope I don't have to go through a lot of trouble to get the money now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratbro Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 That's why I do my own oil. Hope you will to after this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 If they don't pay in the allotted time (determined by the court) then you will need a marshal to get your money. All costs associated with marshal, additional fees AND interest are added to your judgment. As I suggested earlier, have a friend pay them by check if possible and then you can see where they bank and freeze their account until they settle up with you. THAT will get their attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_CT Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Congratualtions on your win! As I read the thread, I didn't think you stood a chance... so it's nice to win by default. For what it's worth, I live in Fairfield and use Midas on the Post Road near town for oil changes. They're very professional and in 15+ years never had a problem, I also limit temptation by taking money and electronics out of the car when I leave it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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