GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: AndyC on 11 February 2007, 00:04
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On Thursday some little 8rse broke in through the back door of my house, and raided my kitchen and lounge looking for VW keys, they were unable to find GTI keys as these where in the safe hidden, but they managed to find my Ford Focus keys "Company Car" . and took that instead. I have now been suspended by my Employers for there vehicle being stolen. The Police told me It is a Gang of ex Prisoners who have been released recently and are living in the Wigan area. They have managed to steal 96cars including Range Rovers, BMW X5s, Porsche Carreras, Ford Focus St and Golf GTIs, etc, he stated non of these cars have been recovered, and they are desperate to get this gang. My advice is to you is to make sure your High performance Vehicle keys are well hidden.
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Holy $hit man! :angry:
Sorry to hear about your break in / job suspension...... surely the Police can advise your employers it was a genuine case and they can re-instate you? Bit harsh to be treated like that by your company..... :cry:
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That's bad news :angry: :angry:
It's just one of the reasons I always debadge my motors.
What I don't understand, though, is why did you not have a Tracker fitted :rolleyes:, they would certainly have caught the low-life scum then!
Rgds
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Just goes to show people are ar5eholes!
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I asked the police about trackers, they stated some of the cars that already been stolen had trackers fitted, but still were not traced and recovered, something about when these cars are parked in containers they cant be traced or something. Found out that company car had third party insurance only, no fire or theft "Oh Dear". Will be having a meeting tomorrow at 14:30 with the boss man.
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I'm not claiming to be an expert on the subject or anything, but I think if you took your boss to a tribunal for suspending you, he'd be f*cked six ways until Sunday.
Unless it specifically states in your contract of employment or company car users policy that theft from or of your company car will result in such action then he has no right to act in this manner - your boss is acting like a pr1ck.
He is obvioulsy smarting from being a proper cheapskate (insuring cars 3rd party only? What is he, 17 and just passed his test?) as it's now going to cost him a replacement vehicle. I have never, ever heard of a company insuring such valuable assets in such a penny pinching fashion.
How big is your company fleet? I can't imagine why anyone would do that - our FC insurance fleet cost is £12k p/a for 6 cars (My scoob, a new A4, a Passat, 320d SE and two 9-3 Saabs) 5 vans (3 new Kangoo's, 2 hi-aces) and a Lorry, plus cover on any vehicle we hire/are loaned.
Not wishing to move away from the core issue (the house being broken into/car being stolen etc) but do not let this guy take liberties. You have no idea how many rights as an employee you have, seriously. When you meet with him make sure he knows you know what he's done is wrong, and further examples of such attitude will not be tolerated.
If I treated someone like that I would be expecting a resignation or a mouthfull for acting like a c0ck.
As for the house being burgled, you have my sympathies, and I hope you and yours get over this intruision as soon as possible.
Unfortunately this is becoming more and more common, with the need for the keys in order to physically snatch the car, and indeed, sell it on. I rarely bother with locking my keys in the safe, but they are never left anywhere obvious and this fella is always strolling around the house. My advice to potential thieves, try next door...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/S11EPS/Dylan%20the%20Dobermann/DSC00459.jpg)
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Sorry to hear of your bad news Andy, low life scum what their hands chopping off IMO. I hope you can get over the thought of them in your home, I'm sure you will in time, I know it's a bit "after the horse has bolted" but have you thought of a house alarm, might help you and your family sleep a bit better at night, and also detracts from your house being the soft target.
You can get a good alarm for around £500 nowadays, and some insurance companies give 5-10% discount
Anyway, good luck, and I hope the Plod catch them soon.
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Sorry about your loss. My parents have just had the same thing happen with their X5. Some really tall fair haired bloke - claims to be swedish declared his interest in my dad's car and paid with a banker's draft which was signed by the bank manager. However, all his ID was fake, the draft was fraudulent and my dad is now less of a car. The police have informed us that the car is probably in a container or in another country by now. this all happened last sunday. the police have also said that some vehicles have been recovered.
Sorry to hear of your bad news Andy, low life scum what their hands chopping off IMO.
My old man would do more than cut his hands off believe me!! The theiving b@stards!!!
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Hands chopping... yeah thats sounds good - if only we could send them to Saudi Arabia for punishment :grin: :grin: :grin:
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I asked the police about trackers, they stated some of the cars that already been stolen had trackers fitted, but still were not traced and recovered, something about when these cars are parked in containers they cant be traced or something.
Hmmm . . . there are trackers, and then there are "Tracker" - http://www.tracker.co.uk. A few years back at a motor show, I had some bunch of tossers try and flog me some el-cheapo vehicle tracking system - long and short of it, they were trying to sell on the grounds that is was better than the proper "Tracker", was approved by all the Police forces etc, etc, but when questioned, NO Police force actually used their system. 9 months or so later, I heard the same company had been prosecuted by trading standards, on a whole host of charges, including obtaining money by deception, and the two directors (who were both at the motor show) were jailed as a result!!
Trouble with tracking systems in general, some peeps just buy the cheapest, most basic system, just to satisfy any "insurance" requirement, and invariably the thieves know the weak points in most of the cheaper systems. Even the orginal official Tracker Retrieve has been obsolete for some time now. The latest offerings from Tracker include three separate, but complementary "tracking" technologies, as well as key tagging. These can not be "hidden" in containers, because one of the technologies will find it.
Regarding your job, and your boss, I merely echo what others had said, and feel for you!
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Very sorry to hear of the news on this thread, can't imagine how frustrated you guys must feel :angry:. Just goes to show there are some people who find "enjoyment/pleasure" in causing others harm and distress. Really hope everything is sorted for you.
I have been considering purchasing a tracker device for my new car in March, but know nothing about them. I have had a (brief) look at the tracker website and was considering getting the tracker retrieve until i read your post Teutonic_Tamer. Are these devices any good? which one is best? Also, do they track your day to day commuting or are they only active once the car is stolen?
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I'm not claiming to be an expert on the subject or anything, but I think if you took your boss to a tribunal for suspending you, he'd be f*cked six ways until Sunday.
Definitely agree with that - your Employer must be nuts, take them to the Employment Tribunal, they won't have a leg to stand on! You can probably find a lawyer to deal with this on a conditional fee basis.
As for Trackers - I personally don't see why I should spend hundreds more pounds fitting trackers and paying their ongoing fees unless I had an particularly unique, rare, expensive and collectable car.
If someone nicks my car, that is what I have been paying thousands of pounds to insurers for over numerous years, and I would happily go out and buy a replacement car, maybe even use it as an opportunity to upgrade or try something different :smiley:
For this reason, I would never put my keys in a safe - if violent crims break in determined to steal a car, I'd speedily hand the keys over and send them on their way, rather than risk me or my wife being threatened / beaten until you tell them where the keys are.
- I would probably be really disappointed if a stolen car was found and returned :wink:
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I have been considering purchasing a tracker device for my new car in March, but know nothing about them. I have had a (brief) look at the tracker website and was considering getting the tracker retrieve until i read your post Teutonic_Tamer. Are these devices any good? which one is best? Also, do they track your day to day commuting or are they only active once the car is stolen?
If you are considering a tracking device, then the only product which is used by all 52 UK Police forces, all major UK shipping ports, and also covers certain European countries - then ONLY Tracker are suitable.
The RAC used to do a system, called TrakBak (I think), but this has no Police support, is operated by Group4, and they can't even keep hold of prisoners in transit! :sick:
IMHO, they are very, very good, but, they are not cheap. There are 4 different systems offered by Tracker, with quite differing prices. Only you can decide which one you want, based on a number of factors.
1. Is your car highly desireable,
2. Do you live rural or in a city,
3. Do you have a garage or secure parking,
4. Do you have secure parking at work,
5. Are you in an area (or frequently travel to) which is a hotspot for car theft,
6. Have you ever had a car stollen before,
7. Do you have a specific requirement from your insurer,
8. Are you a 6ft6" tall, 3ft wide monster of a bloke, or a 5ft dainty woman????
When you have weighed up the above Qs, then hopefully you should have narrowed down your options.
Regarding day-2-day general route tracking - the commercial fleet trackers have this facility, but the car (and motorbike) only "stolen vehicle recovery" trackers do NOT have this function. The car trackers are only "activated" and actively send out tracking data, via a secure centre, to the Police, only after confirmation of unauthorised vehicle movement is detected. :nerd:
Any more Qs, ask away!
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As for Trackers - I personally don't see why I should spend hundreds more pounds fitting trackers and paying their ongoing fees unless I had an particularly unique, rare, expensive and collectable car.
There are other circumstances to consider, see my reply to Stiggy. Regarding ongoing fees, you can elect to pay for a "lifetime duration" subscription, handy if you keep your motor longer than 3 years.
If someone nicks my car, that is what I have been paying thousands of pounds to insurers for over numerous years, and I would happily go out and buy a replacement car, maybe even use it as an opportunity to upgrade or try something different :smiley:
Yes, absolutely. But there is more to Trackers than is offset by insurance. If your P&J gets stolen, and not recovered, then the insurer will pay out, LESS any excess you may have. You may never get the true value from the insurer, and they may drag out any payment, leaving you with no wheels in the process. Your future premium will be loaded, and it would be likely you get a "return visit" from the scrotes who had away your previous.
However, if you had a Tracker, and your P&J did get stolen, and then recovered, you would lose no excess (unless the Scrotes pranged it). The scrotes themselves would be tasting porridge for a few years, and won't be back a second visit. If you then decided to get rid of the stolen/recoverd, you could do so in your own time, at your own pace, and getting a decent crust for your motor, and still not affecting your insurance.
For this reason, I would never put my keys in a safe - if violent crims break in determined to steal a car, I'd speedily hand the keys over and send them on their way, rather than risk me or my wife being threatened / beaten until you tell them where the keys are.
Yes, but with the very latest Trackers, they have the technolgy to track them, even if the original car keys are used, so gun touting scrotes who target you, merrily get given your keys, unaware they are being tracked, get pulled by the BiB, charged for vehicle theft AND firearms!
- I would probably be really disappointed if a stolen car was found and returned :wink:
Ahh . . . that's another story though - it obviously wasn't your P&J in the first place then!
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duplicate post deleted :sad:
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Received phone call from police to let me now that the Ford was at Edgetons Garage in Crewe, Cheshire police had discovered car at Nantwich, only God nows how it managed to get there, they must of had a really long walk home with all my tools and kit, these t0ssers have put me through hell this past week. Told the boss about the car, as of yet not contacted me back, I have contacted the union about arranging a tribunal. Will keep you posted on my progress.
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Best of luck man. Hope they nail your cheap-ass boss to the wall.
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This country is just getting worse, seems to be going the the way of America or dare i say it South Africa.... :shocked:...the law needs to be changed and allow us to all carry guns, atleast then we would stand a fairer chance... :angry:.
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car was most likley being"stolen to order" so it can be stripped and parts used on damaged cars or sold as profit... cars no good with broken windows it stands out so they have to nick the keys...
tracker is about as good as a choclate tea cup... these days, for a hefty sum, you can buy a tracker blocker that blocks any kind of signal behind send around it inc mobile phones signals..theives want a car BADLY consider it gone imo...apart from problems at work i think you got off lucky mate!!!
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Received phone call from police to let me now that the Ford was at Edgetons Garage in Crewe, Cheshire police had discovered car at Nantwich, only God nows how it managed to get there, they must of had a really long walk home with all my tools and kit, these t0ssers have put me through hell this past week. Told the boss about the car, as of yet not contacted me back, I have contacted the union about arranging a tribunal. Will keep you posted on my progress.
Glad to hear some progress regarding the stolen car there, and hope justice is done with these idiots and your boss!
Thanks for the advice concerning the tracker devices. Been really helpful. I may wait for a while, as my car (ed30) will be garaged in a rural area, where there haven't been many reports of burglaries etc. However, i will start locuming soon, so will not know the kind of place i'll be working in everyday; i may get a device for peace of mind.
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As for Trackers - I personally don't see why I should spend hundreds more pounds fitting trackers and paying their ongoing fees unless I had an particularly unique, rare, expensive and collectable car.
There are other circumstances to consider, see my reply to Stiggy. Regarding ongoing fees, you can elect to pay for a "lifetime duration" subscription, handy if you keep your motor longer than 3 years.
Erm,yup, must admit I was confused by one of your other "circumstances": :shocked::smiley:
8. Are you a 6ft6" tall, 3ft wide monster of a bloke, or a 5ft dainty woman????
- I would probably be really disappointed if a stolen car was found and returned :wink:
Ahh . . . that's another story though - it obviously wasn't your P&J in the first place then!
The TVR is definitely my P&J, but at the end of the day I can accept it is just a bunch of metal tubes, glassfibre and other stuff which can easily be replaced as there are always plenty of them advertised on Pistonheads - and this is a relatively rare car, with less than 400 in existence, so if I can easily replace that, it would be incredibly easy to replace a Golf of any type, and pick and choose whatever spec you want.
And I'm quite happy to slog it out with the insurers :wink:
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tracker is about as good as a choclate tea cup...
Oh really . . . If you are talking about any old tracking device, maybe, but the "proper" Trackers are actually approved by all 52 UK Police forces, AND, they also have Thatcham approval . . . and . . . I could go on, but some people just can't hear valid opinions from others!
these days, for a hefty sum, you can buy a tracker blocker that blocks any kind of signal behind send around it inc mobile phones signals
Care to quote your sources for these "blockers". You are aware that the latest Tracker actually uses three completely separate active tracking technologies, and a fourth passive technology. Two of those technologies have never actually been blocked, which is exactly why it has Thatcham approval.
At the end of the day, if there are scrotes who are such low life, and so determined to take your P&J at all costs, let em have you motor. Tracker has never claimed to be absolutely "bomb proof" (a figure of speach :wink:), and they have never claimed an exact 100% recovery record, but their recovery record IS mighty and impressively close to 100%!
No security product is completely safe, all have weaknesses somewhere, but the official "Tracker" is a proven product from a proven company!
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Ding ding - Round 2 coming up ???
:shocked:
:undecided:
Cass
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Best of luck man.
Agreed :smiley:
Hope they nail your cheap-ass boss to the wall.
By his scrotum . . . outstreched to the size of a dinner plate . . . with testes flattend to the shape of the blue oval . . . delicately held in place with 6" nails (rusty of course!) :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
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[By his scrotum . . . outstreched to the size of a dinner plate . . . with testes flattend to the shape of the blue oval . . . delicately held in place with 6" nails (rusty of course!) :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
A man after my own heart, good torturing skills boss :wink:
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Erm,yup, must admit I was confused by one of your other "circumstances": :shocked::smiley:
8. Are you a 6ft6" tall, 3ft wide monster of a bloke, or a 5ft dainty woman????
All I was trting to say, if your wheels were being potentially targeted, and the driver was known/visible; then if you were a shy, retiring meek, petit woman, then Tracker. If on the other hand, you were Lenox Lewis or Audley Harrison, or the likes of, and could easily stand up for yourself and any posessions, then Tracker no!
The TVR is definitely my P&J, but at the end of the day I can accept it is just a bunch of metal tubes, glassfibre and other stuff which can easily be replaced as there are always plenty of them advertised on Pistonheads - and this is a relatively rare car, with less than 400 in existence, so if I can easily replace that, it would be incredibly easy to replace a Golf of any type, and pick and choose whatever spec you want.
I fear there may be a "divergance" of opinion, regarding the speed and efficiency of sourcing replacement wheels to the exact same spec. :wink: No worries! :smiley:
And I'm quite happy to slog it out with the insurers :wink:
I see from your sig you have adequate means of alternative transport :wink: :nerd:
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I hear the debate for and against tracker type products a lot, the classic quote is “ I wouldnÂ’t want my car back after itÂ’s been raggedÂâ€Â
Well IÂ’d sooner have my car back “after itÂ’s been ragged†and then have the chance to sell it on, rather than loose it completely and have to settle for a - £2k insurance pay out, because they will only offer trade values.
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Ding ding - Round 2 coming up ???
:shocked:
:undecided:
ROTFLMAO
fx/on <searches for fresh supplies of mud, can't find any, chucks white towel over ropes> fx/off
:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
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I hear the debate for and against tracker type products a lot, the classic quote is “ I wouldnÂ’t want my car back after itÂ’s been raggedÂâ€Â
And to be fair, it is a reasonable and valid comment - but they miss the point, by failing to see the "bigger picture"! :nerd:
Well IÂ’d sooner have my car back “after itÂ’s been ragged†and then have the chance to sell it on, rather than loose it completely and have to settle for a - £2k insurance pay out, because they will only offer trade values.
Egzakerley :smiley:
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I hear the debate for and against tracker type products a lot, the classic quote is “ I wouldnÂ’t want my car back after itÂ’s been raggedÂâ€Â
And to be fair, it is a reasonable and valid comment - but they miss the point, by failing to see the "bigger picture"! :nerd:
Eye, tiz true. :rolleyes:
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tracker is about as good as a choclate tea cup...
Oh really . . . If you are talking about any old tracking device, maybe, but the "proper" Trackers are actually approved by all 52 UK Police forces, AND, they also have Thatcham approval . . . and . . . I could go on, but some people just can't hear valid opinions from others!
these days, for a hefty sum, you can buy a tracker blocker that blocks any kind of signal behind send around it inc mobile phones signals
Care to quote your sources for these "blockers". You are aware that the latest Tracker actually uses three completely separate active tracking technologies, and a fourth passive technology. Two of those technologies have never actually been blocked, which is exactly why it has Thatcham approval.
At the end of the day, if there are scrotes who are such low life, and so determined to take your P&J at all costs, let em have you motor. Tracker has never claimed to be absolutely "bomb proof" (a figure of speach :wink:), and they have never claimed an exact 100% recovery record, but their recovery record IS mighty and impressively close to 100%!
No security product is completely safe, all have weaknesses somewhere, but the official "Tracker" is a proven product from a proven company!
just wantd to revive this post to prove a point 6months later :tongue:....
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=60456&in_page_id=34
These things have been round for about 2 years... if a thief wants your car there are ways to get it
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f**king hell. Just read that and i am surprised you aint gone on a rampage yet. Your boss needs his bollocks reattaching and to stop being a dick.
I hope it all works out for you man. f**king bosses are stupid.
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f**king bosses are stupid.
Yeh - his boss should have his bollocks chopped off for using Fords.
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tracker is about as good as a choclate tea cup...
Oh really . . . If you are talking about any old tracking device, maybe, but the "proper" Trackers are actually approved by all 52 UK Police forces, AND, they also have Thatcham approval . . . and . . . I could go on, but some people just can't hear valid opinions from others!
these days, for a hefty sum, you can buy a tracker blocker that blocks any kind of signal behind send around it inc mobile phones signals
Care to quote your sources for these "blockers". You are aware that the latest Tracker actually uses three completely separate active tracking technologies, and a fourth passive technology. Two of those technologies have never actually been blocked, which is exactly why it has Thatcham approval.
At the end of the day, if there are scrotes who are such low life, and so determined to take your P&J at all costs, let em have you motor. Tracker has never claimed to be absolutely "bomb proof" (a figure of speach :wink:), and they have never claimed an exact 100% recovery record, but their recovery record IS mighty and impressively close to 100%!
No security product is completely safe, all have weaknesses somewhere, but the official "Tracker" is a proven product from a proven company!
just wantd to revive this post to prove a point 6months later :tongue:....
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=60456&in_page_id=34
These things have been round for about 2 years... if a thief wants your car there are ways to get it
Oh FFS - you clearly have no fcuking idea how the "proper" Trackers work. That device, as quoted in the Metro (a really reliable and knowledgeable "rag" - not!) will NOT affect the operation of a proper Tracker.