Dealership left my car unlocked over night and someone broke into it

Relak · 03-25-2019, 05:59 AM

Interested in getting you alls' (ya'll) opinion on how to handle this situation. I dropped my car off for service last week and the service took a couple days to diagnose and complete. After getting the M3 back on Friday, I sat down and reviewed my dash cam footage over the weekend.

To my surprise at about 8pm on the 19th, a guy is seen on cam walking around my car taking pictures. It's well past closing for this dealer and he is in the service lot, that's partially gated behind the dealership. He appears to be speaking to someone on the phone and excitedly gets in my car when he realizes it's unlocked. I can hear him rummaging through my things and bragging to his contact that he's in an M3. Eventually he realizes I have a dash cam and that it's blinking 'On' and wisely gets out of the car.

Now, I looked in the car and didn't notice anything missing and the interior doesn't show any issue from him being in it. Question is, how would you guys feel if this happened to your vehicle? I'm wondering why the cars in the lot are left unlocked and really glad I didn't have my work laptop in the car at the time. Just want to get your opinion on how you might handle this with the dealer, or if it's even worth bringing up? Thanks.

CanAutM3 · 03-25-2019, 06:50 AM

Wow, I’d be pissed

You didn’t suffer any damages though, so I would not make a big stink out of it. But I would definitely bring it up with the dealer as they clearly have a security issue to resolve.

SMGCFP · 03-25-2019, 07:02 AM

That's interesting. Leaving your car unlocked in the lot to me is a fairly major breach. I sold cars in the late 90's and we'd get written up if we didn't secure every car we touched that day. That being said, if you report the breach, someone could get in trouble or even fired. Especially since you have a recording.

I'd let my SA know what happened and see what he/she thinks.

G4BR13L · 03-25-2019, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMGCFP

That's interesting. Leaving your car unlocked in the lot to me is a fairly major breach. I sold cars in the late 90's and we'd get written up if we didn't secure every car we touched that day. That being said, if you report the breach, someone could get in trouble or even fired. Especially since you have a recording.

I'd let my SA know what happened and see what he/she thinks.

Was it left unlocked or did the company owner or one of his employees unlocked the car to show a friend, customer, ... Nevertheless this is unacceptable imho.

M3anth · 03-25-2019, 07:12 AM

I would 100%, bring it up and start by asking what their policy is for locking customer cars. I'm sure their insurance company wants them locked.

RickFLM4 · 03-25-2019, 07:24 AM

Reminds me of this commercial:

Seriously, though, that is unacceptable. I would show the service manager the footage and ask how they will prevent it from happening in the future. Nothing was damaged or stolen so I wouldn't expect any compensation, but there is something wrong in that service lot if anyone can walk in and get in a customer's car.

Relak · 03-25-2019, 07:26 AM

when I owned a Ford Shelby GT350 I remember going to the dealer to get something out of the car and they had me go around back to get what I needed. When I got there the key was in a lock box on the window but the comfort access let me unlock the door since the key was in close proximity. I mean, they at least had it locked originally but still sounds to me like some dealers don't really care about vehicle security in their lots.

G35POPPEDMYCHERRY · 03-25-2019, 09:28 AM

"sir its OKAY because nothing was stolen and none was hurt!!!!!"

Relak · 03-25-2019, 09:50 AM

I sent a text to my SA this morning and he immediately called me back, sounding very concerned. He's going to have security camera footage pulled and the director "will be in contact with me shortly".

I wonder how many people this happens to that don't have dash cams? I'd be interested in seeing what they find when they review their security camera footage.

Jim B · 03-25-2019, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Wow, I’d be pissed

You didn’t suffer any damages though, so I would not make a big stink out of it. But I would definitely bring it up with the dealer as they clearly have a security issue to resolve.

+1 I'd complain vigorously to the service manager and the general manager of the dealership, letting them know in uncertain terms that this is totally unacceptable.

icegrill · 03-25-2019, 10:35 AM

Wow I'd be pissed, that dealer needs to reevaluate its security measures and employee access.

Humdizzle · 03-25-2019, 10:51 AM

I would definitely complain. Luckily they didn't take anything, but your privacy was violated. If they push back then let them know you have dash cam footage and a lawyer and see if they change their tune.

At the very least you can get a service discount or some free oil changes.

Relak · 03-25-2019, 10:54 AM

This is the managers response to my having sent the DashCam footage:

"Good morning. I saw the video.

Our policy is that all vehicles that are parked in the back are locked. That includes when they first go out back after being dropped off by the customer , or being worked on by the tech or being washed. Judging by the time the video was taken, it looks like the late night porters did not lock the vehicle.

I'm very sorry that occurred. We will be refreshing the process to the team, as well as double checking all the vehicles to make sure they are secure.

Again my apologies.

Let me know if you need anything else."

SMGCFP · 03-25-2019, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relak

This is the managers response to my having sent the DashCam footage:

"Good morning. I saw the video.

Our policy is that all vehicles that are parked in the back are locked. That includes when they first go out back after being dropped off by the customer , or being worked on by the tech or being washed. Judging by the time the video was taken, it looks like the late night porters did not lock the vehicle.

I'm very sorry that occurred. We will be refreshing the process to the team, as well as double checking all the vehicles to make sure they are secure.

Again my apologies.

Let me know if you need anything else."

They take this process seriously. Behind the scenes, someone got in some trouble.

ntg44 · 03-25-2019, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relak

This is the managers response to my having sent the DashCam footage:

"Good morning. I saw the video.

Our policy is that all vehicles that are parked in the back are locked. That includes when they first go out back after being dropped off by the customer , or being worked on by the tech or being washed. Judging by the time the video was taken, it looks like the late night porters did not lock the vehicle.

I'm very sorry that occurred. We will be refreshing the process to the team, as well as double checking all the vehicles to make sure they are secure.

Again my apologies.

Let me know if you need anything else."

Not even $100 off parts or accessories? Lame.

Relak · 03-25-2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relak

This is the managers response to my having sent the DashCam footage:

"Good morning. I saw the video.

Our policy is that all vehicles that are parked in the back are locked. That includes when they first go out back after being dropped off by the customer , or being worked on by the tech or being washed. Judging by the time the video was taken, it looks like the late night porters did not lock the vehicle.

I'm very sorry that occurred. We will be refreshing the process to the team, as well as double checking all the vehicles to make sure they are secure.

Again my apologies.

Let me know if you need anything else."

Not even $100 off parts or accessories? Lame.

Lol. Not one to try and get free stuff out of something but I don't really feel there's much sympathy in his email. Luckily I have the video and will continue to use my DashCam when it's in for service in case anything happens in the future.

ntg44 · 03-25-2019, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relak

Lol. Not one to try and get free stuff out of something but I don't really feel there's much sympathy in his email. Luckily I have the video and will continue to use my DashCam when it's in for service in case anything happens in the future.

Neither am I, but I've been given something like that in the past for my service taking longer than they told me it would. Some stranger going through your car is way worse than that. Anyone can say sorry. It's a cheap good-will gesture for catching them with their pants down. Idk, not trying to sound entitled, more of a PR control thing in my opinion.

FAKE__NEWS · 03-25-2019, 11:44 AM

This is actually hilarious because I'm in your area and I recently traded in my F80. The car was at service over the weekend getting inspected for resale and the doors were unlocked and the sunroof was cracked.

Relak · 03-25-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAKE__NEWS

This is actually hilarious because I'm in your area and I recently traded in my F80. The car was at service over the weekend getting inspected for resale and the doors were unlocked and the sunroof was cracked.

Wait, someone cracked the sunroof while it was at the dealer..? Was this BMW of Silver Spring?

solrac6262 · 03-25-2019, 12:54 PM

more crazy is why he didn't took the dash cam LOL. what kind of dash cam do you have??

nioh_lbbm2 · 03-25-2019, 01:11 PM

I'm playing devils advocate here but perhaps he wasn't trying to be malicious and just saw a nice car at a dealership that was unlocked and he wanted to check it out.

That would be my only explanation why he didn't take the dash cam or anything but was more embarrassed he got caught.

Not saying it's ok but just a thought

NoMoreAudi · 03-25-2019, 01:19 PM

LoL at the lawyer comment. Exactly why the USA is going to shit. Lawyer lawyer lawyer, sue sue sue. If you mention lawyer you'll never get treated the same again (this is a negative).

Nothing was stolen, nothing was damaged. They need to implement corrective action and review security measures for their vehicles on the lot.

If you really want to do something, have the police pull prints off the door handle. Wait- they won't because once they hear that nothing was stolen, they'll just laugh.

Just ask them to clean the interior of your car and move on. They will clean the exterior without you asking, for customer satsifaction.

03-25-2019, 05:59 AM	#1
Relak Battle Buddy 247 Rep 453 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Maine iTrader: (2)	Dealership left my car unlocked over night and someone broke into it Interested in getting you alls' (ya'll) opinion on how to handle this situation. I dropped my car off for service last week and the service took a couple days to diagnose and complete. After getting the M3 back on Friday, I sat down and reviewed my dash cam footage over the weekend. To my surprise at about 8pm on the 19th, a guy is seen on cam walking around my car taking pictures. It's well past closing for this dealer and he is in the service lot, that's partially gated behind the dealership. He appears to be speaking to someone on the phone and excitedly gets in my car when he realizes it's unlocked. I can hear him rummaging through my things and bragging to his contact that he's in an M3. Eventually he realizes I have a dash cam and that it's blinking 'On' and wisely gets out of the car. Now, I looked in the car and didn't notice anything missing and the interior doesn't show any issue from him being in it. Question is, how would you guys feel if this happened to your vehicle? I'm wondering why the cars in the lot are left unlocked and really glad I didn't have my work laptop in the car at the time. Just want to get your opinion on how you might handle this with the dealer, or if it's even worth bringing up? Thanks. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-25-2019, 06:50 AM	#2
CanAutM3 General 21117 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	Wow, I’d be pissed You didn’t suffer any damages though, so I would not make a big stink out of it. But I would definitely bring it up with the dealer as they clearly have a security issue to resolve. __________________ Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black Last edited by CanAutM3; 03-25-2019 at 07:54 AM..
	Appreciate 3 MrSmartyPants359.50 eau_rouge515.50 M3xican178.50 Quote

03-25-2019, 07:02 AM	#3
SMGCFP Lieutenant 585 Rep 512 Posts Drives: '20 F82 M4 '23 G05 x40i MSport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Helena, MT/Albany, NY iTrader: (0)	That's interesting. Leaving your car unlocked in the lot to me is a fairly major breach. I sold cars in the late 90's and we'd get written up if we didn't secure every car we touched that day. That being said, if you report the breach, someone could get in trouble or even fired. Especially since you have a recording. I'd let my SA know what happened and see what he/she thinks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 07:12 AM	#5
M3anth Enlisted Member 11 Rep 39 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I would 100%, bring it up and start by asking what their policy is for locking customer cars. I'm sure their insurance company wants them locked.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 07:24 AM	#6
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10971 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Reminds me of this commercial: Seriously, though, that is unacceptable. I would show the service manager the footage and ask how they will prevent it from happening in the future. Nothing was damaged or stolen so I wouldn't expect any compensation, but there is something wrong in that service lot if anyone can walk in and get in a customer's car. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 07:26 AM	#7
Relak Battle Buddy 247 Rep 453 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Maine iTrader: (2)	when I owned a Ford Shelby GT350 I remember going to the dealer to get something out of the car and they had me go around back to get what I needed. When I got there the key was in a lock box on the window but the comfort access let me unlock the door since the key was in close proximity. I mean, they at least had it locked originally but still sounds to me like some dealers don't really care about vehicle security in their lots. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 09:28 AM	#8
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY Banned 4999 Rep 4,139 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (1)	"sir its OKAY because nothing was stolen and none was hurt!!!!!"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 09:50 AM	#9
Relak Battle Buddy 247 Rep 453 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Maine iTrader: (2)	I sent a text to my SA this morning and he immediately called me back, sounding very concerned. He's going to have security camera footage pulled and the director "will be in contact with me shortly". I wonder how many people this happens to that don't have dash cams? I'd be interested in seeing what they find when they review their security camera footage. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 10:35 AM	#11
icegrill Lieutenant Colonel 2078 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Oregon iTrader: (3)	Wow I'd be pissed, that dealer needs to reevaluate its security measures and employee access.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 10:51 AM	#12
Humdizzle Brigadier General 6066 Rep 3,626 Posts Drives: GT3 + M2c Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I would definitely complain. Luckily they didn't take anything, but your privacy was violated. If they push back then let them know you have dash cam footage and a lawyer and see if they change their tune. At the very least you can get a service discount or some free oil changes. __________________ 2018 Porsche GT3 6MT 2021 M2C DCT Previous: Ferrari 458 \| R35 GTR \| F80 M3 \| E46 M3 \| E36 M3 \| Scion FRS
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 10:54 AM	#13
Relak Battle Buddy 247 Rep 453 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Maine iTrader: (2)	This is the managers response to my having sent the DashCam footage: "Good morning. I saw the video. Our policy is that all vehicles that are parked in the back are locked. That includes when they first go out back after being dropped off by the customer , or being worked on by the tech or being washed. Judging by the time the video was taken, it looks like the late night porters did not lock the vehicle. I'm very sorry that occurred. We will be refreshing the process to the team, as well as double checking all the vehicles to make sure they are secure. Again my apologies. Let me know if you need anything else." __________________
	Appreciate 1 jmg18703.50 Quote

03-25-2019, 11:44 AM	#18
FAKE__NEWS Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 204 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NoVA iTrader: (3)	This is actually hilarious because I'm in your area and I recently traded in my F80. The car was at service over the weekend getting inspected for resale and the doors were unlocked and the sunroof was cracked.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 12:54 PM	#20
solrac6262 First Lieutenant 76 Rep 380 Posts Drives: bmw X5 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: tx iTrader: (0)	more crazy is why he didn't took the dash cam LOL. what kind of dash cam do you have?? __________________ 23 BMW X6MC 21 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 01:11 PM	#21
nioh_lbbm2 Lieutenant Colonel 1717 Rep 1,899 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I'm playing devils advocate here but perhaps he wasn't trying to be malicious and just saw a nice car at a dealership that was unlocked and he wanted to check it out. That would be my only explanation why he didn't take the dash cam or anything but was more embarrassed he got caught. Not saying it's ok but just a thought
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2019, 01:19 PM	#22
NoMoreAudi Lieutenant 222 Rep 421 Posts Drives: F86 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: California iTrader: (3) Garage List 2019 X6M [0.00]	LoL at the lawyer comment. Exactly why the USA is going to shit. Lawyer lawyer lawyer, sue sue sue. If you mention lawyer you'll never get treated the same again (this is a negative). Nothing was stolen, nothing was damaged. They need to implement corrective action and review security measures for their vehicles on the lot. If you really want to do something, have the police pull prints off the door handle. Wait- they won't because once they hear that nothing was stolen, they'll just laugh. Just ask them to clean the interior of your car and move on. They will clean the exterior without you asking, for customer satsifaction.
	Appreciate 0 Quote