topic Re: Stolen jacket in Community Chat

Stolen jacket

pommom — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:28:26 GMT

My DS met some friends for dinner and used valet parking. Earlier in the day he had placed his London Fog windbreaker on the back seat of his car.

It wasn't until New Year's Day when he went looking for it and remembered he had left it in the car that he discovered it was gone.

He called the establishment he visited the evening before and spoke with the manager who then gave him the valet service owner's name and number. He talked to the owner and the owner told him that he could not take responsibility for the missing jacket. Asked DS for the name of the valet parker and, of course, my son didn't know it. The restaurant is reputable and upscale, family owned. So, it isn't in a sleazy part of town - quite the contrary.

Bottom line: it's gone forever.

Has this ever happened to you?

Re: Stolen jacket

Desertdi — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:31:53 GMT

At work.............

Re: Stolen jacket

Plaid Pants2 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:16:45 GMT

I'm sorry that your son jacket was taken.

But the business isn't responsible for stuff that goes missing while the car is being valet parked.

If anyone has ever read the back of the ticket stub, it states that the business is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

The onus is in the car owner to make sure that any and all valuables are secured in the trunk, and it is always best to do a once over before driving off the property.

Re: Stolen jacket

BabyYoda — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:22:52 GMT

That's a real shame the valet took his jacket. It is true they have no responsibility for your personal items in your car. If I know I have no choice but to valet my car, I take my personal items out and lock my glove department or put them in my trunk (I have a valet key that only works for the door and to start the engine but they cannot get into the glove dept or the trunk)

When I was young I have had sunglasses stolen, money (roll of quarters), a coat, even a fleece throw I kept in my car. I learned real fast either to take my things with me if I must valet or I park my car myself.

Re: Stolen jacket

123SuzyQ123 — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:27:33 GMT

Pommom, if your son has homeowner's insurance, he can file a claim with them for the jacket. Or if he is still a member of your household, perhaps your homeowner's insurance will cover it. Depending upon the deductible you might have and the cost of the coat, of course. Because your deductible could be higher than the value of the coat. But it won't hurt to call your/his insurance company and see! Sorry that this happened to your son.

Re: Stolen jacket

chrystaltree — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:30:31 GMT

Everyone knows that you never leave anything of any value in your car when you valet park. Everyone knows that, we also know that there is always a disclaimer on your ticket. Your son messed up, lost his jacket but he learned a valuable lesson. I don't understand how the section of town or the menu prices affect this. Theft happens everwhere.....especially in nice towns. To anwser your question...yes. I have had expensive items stolen but not from my car, I don't leave things in my car, not even when it's parked outside my door. I once had an expensive leather jacket stolen from the coat rack where I work Another time, I carelessly left my handbag on a chair in my office and someone snuck into my office and stole my wallet. It was a secure building with a security guard and id's required for entrance and no public access to the floor. But....stuff happens..

Re: Stolen jacket

songbird — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:29:05 GMT

At school....almost. I was in a lounge (waiting for a ride after work) and took off my leather jacket. (my lamb moto jacket from Nordstrom) I remember seeing a girl eyeing the jacket. I wondered over to some magazines & started talking to someone I knew. From the corner of my eye, I saw her move over where the jacket was. She reached out for it. I promptly left my freind and asked do you want something. She mumbled nother and scurred away. I contacted the security desk and described the student. But I never heard anything. Needless to say I stopped taking it off at any of the public places on campus. Still wear it to work though

Re: Stolen jacket

ValuSkr — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:49:32 GMT

I'll use valet parking only as a last resort or if I've had a chance first to empty the car of all things valuable / things I wouldn't mind being taken.

Re: Stolen jacket

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:57:33 GMT

@pommom wrote:
My DS met some friends for dinner and used valet parking. Earlier in the day he had placed his London Fog windbreaker on the back seat of his car.

It wasn't until New Year's Day when he went looking for it and remembered he had left it in the car that he discovered it was gone.

He called the establishment he visited the evening before and spoke with the manager who then gave him the valet service owner's name and number. He talked to the owner and the owner told him that he could not take responsibility for the missing jacket. Asked DS for the name of the valet parker and, of course, my son didn't know it. The restaurant is reputable and upscale, family owned. So, it isn't in a sleazy part of town - quite the contrary.

Bottom line: it's gone forever.

Has this ever happened to you?

I would go online and give an accurate and cautionary report of what happen when I used XYZ valet at ABC restaurant as a way to REMIND others not to leave anything in their cars.

The valet company and rest. may pony up some money just to make the review 'go away'.

NOTE: only state true facts or it could be considered slander. He can not write a scathing angry review, just the facts.

Re: Stolen jacket

gabstoomuch — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:05:13 GMT

Has anyone ever watched those hidden camera shows? There have been ones that show valet parkers going through people stuff in cars. Taking change out of coin holders, and anything else they find. Creeps me out to watch those shows, but they are certainly informative.

His jacket is most likely gone forever. Good lesson though.

Thanks for posting this also. It is a good reminder for people like me who still believe the world is honest. I have never used valet parking, not because I wouldn't but because I never go to places that have it Now if I ever do, I will remember

Re: Stolen jacket

KYToby — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:16:57 GMT

I would not go online and leave a review or account of the situation because you are esentially accusing someone of theft without having any proof.

While it is an unfortunate situation, there is absolutely no evidence that the valet took it. In fact, you only have a suspicion because your son remembers putting it in the back seat -- the same son who forgot about the jacket and did not notice it missing for a while.

The human memory is far from perfect, and he could have left the jacket elsewhere. I think to accuse the restaurant or valet service of theft is, at minimum, unfair. I think this is a lesson learned, but it in no way justifies accusations which, if posted, could be considered libel.

Re: Stolen jacket

Pearlee — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:21:11 GMT

I never use valet parking, partly for this reason and also because of the way valets handle cars. Uh uh, not touching mine.

But I did have a coat stolen. This happened around 30 yrs. ago but I remember it well beause it made me so mad. I went to a function at a very nice hotel and hung my brand new, pretty and stylish mauve raincoat-with-hood in the common coat room where everyone else attending the function had done the same. At the end of the evening, I went to get my coat and it wasn't there. What was there was a ratty, tattered old raincoat in my size and a similar color that someone had "exchanged" for my brand new stylish one. Live and learn. I've never hung a coat up and left it unattended again anywhere.

Re: Stolen jacket

nunya — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:31:08 GMT

, Yes, my daughter had 2 coats stolen at college. One was a brand new NorthFace and the other was a barn jacket from Field and Stream. Lesson learned, either don't take off your coat and always lock your room when you aren't there.

Re: Stolen jacket

MaggieMack — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:37:35 GMT

I'm sorry the coat was lost. I've heard about these things happening. I'm having lunch at the club today, and had already planned to keep my long faux fur coat with me before reading this thread. Why tempt someone?

One time my DH and I went to a function. He grabbed his coat from the rack at the end of the evening. The next day we received a phone call asking us to check the coat because there was one left at the function and it wasn't the guy who called. Sure enough, DH had grabbed that guys coat and not put it on so didn't notice. When they exchanged, the guy commented that if he could wear a 42L he would have kept the coat on and his mouth shut because DH's coat was nicer.

Re: Stolen jacket

Deanie — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:45:39 GMT

I am of the opinion that maybe we all need more street smarts. Street smart people recognize that there are limits to good will and that people are not basically good. It is a sad truth. Perhaps in past years there were constraints on troubling and criminal behavior due to family and religious pressure. And, shame. There is not much of that today and certainly not shame. So, IMHO, it would behoove us all to examine our frames of reference and to adjust our behavior accordingly. I know I have.

Re: Stolen jacket

Pearlee — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:48:39 GMT

@KYToby wrote:
I would not go online and leave a review or account of the situation because you are esentially accusing someone of theft without having any proof.

While it is an unfortunate situation, there is absolutely no evidence that the valet took it. In fact, you only have a suspicion because your son remembers putting it in the back seat -- the same son who forgot about the jacket and did not notice it missing for a while.

The human memory is far from perfect, and he could have left the jacket elsewhere. I think to accuse the restaurant or valet service of theft is, at minimum, unfair. I think this is a lesson learned, but it in no way justifies accusations which, if posted, could be considered libel.

Truth is an absolute defense in any lawsuit for defamation, which libel is.

I don't think the OP has anything to worry about. OP, don't lose any sleep over it. <wink wink>

Re: Stolen jacket

Pearlee — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:50:46 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
I'm sorry the coat was lost. I've heard about these things happening. I'm having lunch at the club today, and had already planned to keep my long faux fur coat with me before reading this thread. Why tempt someone?

One time my DH and I went to a function. He grabbed his coat from the rack at the end of the evening. The next day we received a phone call asking us to check the coat because there was one left at the function and it wasn't the guy who called. Sure enough, DH had grabbed that guys coat and not put it on so didn't notice. When they exchanged, the guy commented that if he could wear a 42L he would have kept the coat on and his mouth shut because DH's coat was nicer.

@MaggieMack Similar to my story, but I'm sure mine was intentional. If you'd seen the one that was "traded" for mine, you'd think so too!

Re: Stolen jacket

pommom — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:57:43 GMT

Yes, DS learned a lesson and that is to look before leaving the car in someone elses care.

I know car washes are known to have this type of thing occur. I go to the kind of car wash that allows me to stay in the car while it goes through the tunnel. Found a great one nearby that does a great job.

Re: Stolen jacket

Buck-i-Nana — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:58:33 GMT

@123SuzyQ123 wrote:
Pommom, if your son has homeowner's insurance, he can file a claim with them for the jacket. Or if he is still a member of your household, perhaps your homeowner's insurance will cover it. Depending upon the deductible you might have and the cost of the coat, of course. Because your deductible could be higher than the value of the coat. But it won't hurt to call your/his insurance company and see! Sorry that this happened to your son.

I would NEVER submit this type of claim on my homeowners insurance! Besides the deductible probably being higher the the cost to replace the jacket, any claim on your homeowners can end up raising your premiums or worse not being renewed.

Re: Stolen jacket

CatsyCline — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:11:15 GMT

Leather jackets are a prime target for thieves, i used to wear leather jackets out to go dancing in clubs and i never checked my jacket for that reason. in fact i would leave it balled up in the back floor in the car and make a mad dash for the doors in the freezing cold! we never valet'd the car though.

one time we were out dancing and i set my small designer purse down by the wall where the DJs booth was. i always kept an eye on it as i was dancing. as the music changed and some were milling about and left the dance floor. some guys were in the way and a girl marched right over to my purse and picked it up and walked off with it! i had to scramble to get to her, but i got it right back from her, she already had it on her shoulder . i should have said something to management but it was a nightclub loud and packed to the gills.

this is the kind of thing where you live and learn