An Inside Job? What Would You Do If THIS Happened To You?

An Inside Job? What Would You Do If THIS Happened To You?
I left my car at Schaumburg Audi for 5k service on Saturday. I was supposed to pick it up the same day, but they leave me a VM 5 minutes before closing time telling me to come pick it up. WTF.

So today comes and I get a call from the service guy, Ted. So before he starts talking, I tell him that I'd be happy to pick the car up after work. He proceeds to tell me that I can't. I go wtf?! and he, without any hint of apology whatsoever, tells me that the wheels (Hartmann 19" RS4 reps) have been stolen off of my car. I was in shock. This is one one of the better/bigger Audi dealers in Chicago/NW Suburb area... mind you. I ask him if they had the video rolling. Ted tells me that it wasn't working at the time. How the F does a car dealership have a non-functioning video camera over a weekend? I thought "BS!" but went with it. I ask him if the car is sitting on bricks and he tells me it's sitting on jacks and that there is no other damage at all beside the wheels missing. I say bullshit, but went along with it again. He said he's got a police report in (which I don't know if it is true, but i'm sure my insurance people will get that taken care of).

This whole thing smells foul with inside job. First of all, the wheels are just RS4 reps that look like 20 other sets of wheels on other cars.. Second, non-functioning camera? Third, thieves don't go on a dealer car lot and steal shit unless they want to get caught on the security camera. It's got to be one of the employees that saw my car.

The biggest thing that pisses me off is the attitude of Ted. He sounded annoyed rather than apologetic.

I have the claim initiated with Allstate and I told them this sounds fishy and wanted it investigated thoroughly. And they better pay my 500 dollar deductible. The wheels can be replaced easily but I hate the fact that I might need to go back to this shitty dealership for service.

I want these incompetent/shady dealership pay to the fullest extent. (i'm not looking to make bucks from this incident. I just want them to be exposed for their fuck up) Not just replace my wheels. What should I do?




Read Article

Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 1:38:51 PM
-3 Boost
That is an obvious answer, but it is a bit odd at the time of the theft the security cameras were not on.

So with that wrinkle, is the dealer on the hook for failing to provide proper security?


B7FANB7FAN - 6/18/2010 1:54:37 PM
+4 Boost
Contact the BBB which is your best option but that does sound like some shadyness and maybe go to a news outlet and get them exposed because they would have had to write a check right then and there for my wheels or someone would of gotten a size 13 in the face the way my attitude is.


Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 6/18/2010 2:18:07 PM
+4 Boost
Odd my you know what! ...dude..you hit the nail on the head when you suspected one of the employees did it. If I were you I would certainly persuade your insurance company to go after Audi for reparations. If not...it seems that they are going to have an issues keeping their cars safe if the cameras aint' working...know what I mean ;-)


cdokecdoke - 6/18/2010 8:09:15 PM
+5 Boost
Yes, call your insurance company. Look at the document you signed that has your estimate for anything pertaining to the dealership being absolved of damages as the result of security- your insurance company may ask for this document.

When you call your claims person tell him exactly what you have said above, and also specifically ask him about putting your case into subrogation. Although I think it unlikely that your insurance company will do this, if they do it, it will certainly send a message to the dealership when they find out they are being sued by your insurance company for the value of your stolen property.

If they agree to pay your deductible I would not do this.

In that case I would speak to the owner of the dealership directly.


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 6/20/2010 2:52:32 AM
-4 Boost
you can't go after a company because they have your car on their lot

Most dealers will help you out though. I bet they will help with your deductable or a replacment car if your car is a total loss


aarononymousaarononymous - 6/18/2010 1:45:01 PM
+4 Boost
This happened where I work, our dealer doesn't have cameras...it happens. They should cover the replacement if nothing else to avoid bad publicity...




Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 1:55:05 PM
-9 Boost
Your IP address says you live in another part of the country. A long work commute?


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 6/18/2010 2:00:31 PM
-6 Boost
I think he means this scenario... not this incident.


aarononymousaarononymous - 6/18/2010 2:10:22 PM
+13 Boost
reading comprehension > 009


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 2:22:29 PM
-7 Boost
Oh hell you know those two things don't always go together...


zatarregazazatarregaza - 6/18/2010 2:23:53 PM
+4 Boost
I'd be curious to know what your dealership did for the poor fellow that this happened to.


aarononymousaarononymous - 6/18/2010 3:59:11 PM
+1 Boost
not much, bad move on our part...actually the manufacturer stepped in and paid their insurance deductible.


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 6/20/2010 2:53:55 AM
+3 Boost
009 i don't get it ?


800over800over - 6/21/2010 11:49:21 AM
+1 Boost
The dealer's insurance should pay for everything. This guy shouldn't even have to make a claim with his insurance.


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 1:55:40 PM
-5 Boost
Oh my shadow returns...


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 2:23:45 PM
-5 Boost
Ahh so the truth is out, you drive a Kia!


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 3:20:00 PM
-4 Boost
Yawn! Did you say something? I don't think either one of us is insecure. I can tell you that because all it takes is a simple mouse click from either one of us and you go away forever.

Play nice.


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 4:18:24 PM
-6 Boost
But didn't touch the nerve of that finger that makes you truly Invisible... yet


truckmantruckman - 6/18/2010 3:53:47 PM
-5 Boost
Very few dealers are trust worthy, shady practice shouldn't be part of the business, and they should pay for the wheels, isn't there insurance supposed to pay for it? Defiantly an inside job.


LACMANLACMAN - 6/18/2010 4:15:06 PM
+5 Boost
Schaumburg? I thought I was the only one from the Chicagoland area, 009.

As for your story, yes, it sounds way out for that to happen with your car under the dealers care ESPECIALLY considering what dealer it was. Did you have wheel locks btw? And I thought the story of my 300C sitting on bricks when I was on the way to work in the morning, IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, was strange!

On a side note: How do you get away with tint on the front windows! Unless its the pic, the cops made me pull into a gas station and peel mine off! Oh, and why is your license plate sitting to the side?


LACMANLACMAN - 6/18/2010 4:18:07 PM
+5 Boost
...I forgot to add: What I would do if I was in this situation is get the dealer to pay the deductible (as you stated) and just shrug my shoulders. Thats all you can do. You dont have proof of anything. Sh*t happens. Sometimes "strange" sh*t, but sh*t happens.


Agent009Agent009 - 6/18/2010 4:27:53 PM
-6 Boost
Lacman - Nah it wasn't my car but the question is valid for the poor guy that it happened to.

I would have paid the deductible but appeal to the dealership for relief on the charge since their inoperative cameras put my car at risk. After all if there are caught in the act I could at rest assured that it won't happen again. Right now it will still be at risk if I return for service again.

Now if they really didn't agree with me on the recourse, you simply call in a local news advocate on your behalf. Usually the threat of bad press isn't worth the $500 deductible and they roll.

I would think it would stop there.

But something tells me this guy isn't quite telling the whole story here, so we will have to let it develop a bit more.


LACMANLACMAN - 6/21/2010 7:01:54 AM
+1 Boost
Oh, I see.


TCLATCLA - 6/18/2010 4:26:10 PM
+9 Boost
009, where does my ip address say I am?


chris357chris357 - 6/18/2010 4:28:17 PM
+6 Boost
car dealerships have there own insurance for situations like this.. they are responsible!!


gjoseph05gjoseph05 - 6/18/2010 11:01:51 PM
+5 Boost
I went to Schaumburg Audi for a while... the service dept was actually pretty nice but the sales guys had major attitude.

First of all your insurance shouldn't do anything. Secondly you should NOT have to pay $500 in any deductible.

Those docs that say that they're not liable for anything that happens are nothing for a good lawyer to get past.

The insurance claim should be with the dealer's insurance company. Make them do everything. Don't involve your insurance co. since it will count as a filed claim whether you pay or not. Just say you'll be contact an attorney to handle the whole matter on your behalf and then just clam up. They hear attorney they will automatically stop using the its out of our hands and its upto the "insurance companies".

I wouldn't walk in their and say pay for the wheels and by "pay" I mean write me a check so they cant "accidentally" give you reconditioned rims.


clsboyclsboy - 6/19/2010 9:39:31 PM
+4 Boost
Correct.... The Stealerships's Garage Keepers' Liability Insurance should cover, not only the wheels, but also a nice loaner whilst they investigate & get it fixed... And yes, filing a claim with your insurance company will count against you down the road.


LACMANLACMAN - 6/21/2010 7:04:24 AM
+1 Boost
You guys are both absolutely correct, now that I think about it. They were going to make my premium go up because of the claim I filed about my wheels with my insurance. (Luckily they didnt)

The dealer should take care of everything.


AMiodynskiAMiodynski - 6/26/2010 4:13:41 PM
+1 Boost
That sucks to hear. BTW, I wouldn't bring my car to them, they can't even put a plate on in the right place.
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC