GPS stolen from Boardwalk Valet Parking

[lacool]

I posted this on the resorts board as well, but the only reason we used valet is because it is free to DVC members, so I thought other DVCers would be interested .....

We just returned from a wonderful trip, but our last day was certainly a bummer when we retrieved the car from the valet to leave and the GPS unit was gone. It had been there on Saturday night when we went to Downtown Disney, but it was gone Tuesday morning when they brought the car up.

There was no forced entry, so the unit was either taken by a valet or the car was never locked, which I find extremely negligent. The valet manager said he'd file an incident report (BTW, he mentioned ours was the second GPS stolen that week) and gave me a number to call. Apparently the valet company is a subcontractor, not Disney employees. I called and they said I needed to talk to a woman named Sherry who "handled" these incidents. When I got hold of Sherry it seemed she never got any incident report from the manager and she informed me that the valet ticket clearly instructed me not to leave valuables in the car, so they had no liability. She gave me the number for the Orange County Sheriff's office to file a report.

I realize that it was foolish to leave it in the car, but I really expected a minimum level of care when I left the car with the valet. That includes locking the doors when they park it, just as I would do when I park it. Am I expecting too much?

UPDATE 5/6/08

I received a letter from the valet company in the mail yesterday ... It may just be me taking it personally, but it sounds kind of snotty ....

"We have decided to deny your claim. The owners of the Walt Disny World Resort and Cars Company will not be responsible for property damage or loss incurred due to the actions of others. As per our policy we assume no liability for fire, theft, or damage in any case. Also when parking it clearly states on the ticket that before parking your vehicle to please take all personal valuables with you as the owners of the Walt Disney resorts and Valet Company do not assume responsibilities for the loss of such valuables. This notification is being sent to you per your request, and our company is not taking responsibility. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

For the record, the only "claim" I made was the incident report that the valet manager on duty filed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Did you file a claim with the police? I wouldn't think you could even get anything from insurance unless you did that much. I never trust anyone anywhere in public. I wont leave anything of value visible in a car.

 

[Chuck S]

It still doesn't indicate negligence on the part of the valet. Our flashy car alarms that come pre-installed really aren't that difficult for a professional thief to jimmy. As Diane said, file a police report, then try filing a claim on your insurance.

 

[eliza61]

I realize that it was foolish to leave it in the car, but I really expected a minimum level of care when I left the car with the valet. That includes locking the doors when they park it, just as I would do when I park it. Am I expecting too much?

So sorry this happened to you. Unfortuantely this is becoming a huge problem across the nation. Here in Philly, theives are even looking for the "suction cup" marks on peoples windshields and then breaking into cars on the assumption that some thing valuable is inside.

As for expecting to much, not sure which way to answer that one. No place is crime free, my car was stolen from the underground parking garage at the Mandarien Oriental hotel in Washington D.C. I have lojack but by the time they recovered the car it was stripped.
Orlando has one of the highest crime rates in Florida and Disney is a tourist destination smack dab in the middle of the city. Thieves are looking for a busy place with lots of opportunity. I believe you did get competent care with valet parking. Valet parking does not imply some one is watching the cars all the time, it just means you don't have to park yourself.
believe me, I sooo empathize with you, it absolutely sucks having your car broken into or worse stolen. Thank you for the warning.

 

[hemispheredancer]

Sorry this happened to you. For one, I would have never left the GPS in the car. Anyone that leaves a phone, iPod, GPS, etc. in the car is looking for trouble. I cannot tell you how many vehicles I see with the suction rings on them. That right there says "there's a GPS in here". I never, ever leave anything of value (besides my CDs) in my truck. You never know when it will disappear.

 

[lacool]

I did file a police report. I even called Garmin to see if they had anyway of tracking the unit. They do not, but suggested I fax them a copy of the police report in case the unit is returned to them instead of me.

I recognize my own responsibility in not removing the unit from the car, but I still think that the valet company, armed with the knowledge that this has happened in the past, and aware that the area is a target for criminals, should have taken the precaution of locking the car doors.

 

[Chuck S]

I did file a police report. I even called Garmin to see if they had anyway of tracking the unit. They do not, but suggested I fax them a copy of the police report in case the unit is returned to them instead of me.

I recognize my own responsibility in not removing the unit from the car, but I still think that the valet company, armed with the knowledge that this has happened in the past, and aware that the area is a target for criminals, should have taken the precaution of locking the car doors.

Do you know they didn't lock the car doors? Again, electronic alarm system mean nothing to professional criminals, they can over ride the alarm easily and there will be nothing to indicate a forced entry.

 

[eliza61]

I recognize my own responsibility in not removing the unit from the car, but I still think that the valet company, armed with the knowledge that this has happened in the past, and aware that the area is a target for criminals, should have taken the precaution of locking the car doors.

And they might. As so often the case with crime, you have that one moment in time when there is a glitch and wammo. Maybe that particular day the driver of your car heard his name called and thought he locked the car, maybe the thief was a professional and getting into cars is his profession. My dad (a retired NYC cop) used to tell me all the time, don't waste your money on car alarms, as fast as a new one comes on the market- a professional thief has picked it apart and found a way around it.

Please believe that I am in no way saying that this is your fault, the only person I blame is the thief and I definitely know how mad you are feeling

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thank you for the warning. It is a good reminder. Dh likes to park his own car (much to my chagrin) but I have to say, we use valet in Vegas all the time and never had so much as a Quarter stolen.

I saw a valet at BWV jump the curb to the valet lot to avoid waiting for the gate to open. We haven't valet parked our car there since.

Sorry this happened to you

 

[bwvBound]

lacool - Sorry this happened to you and I'm glad you are already home.

One concern with stolen GPS systems is that they may be used to identify target homes for theft. The idea is that many GPS owners will mark their home with an easy to recognize tag ("home") and that the house is likely unattended as the owner's car is parked at a resort in FL or other travel destination. It isn't so much the electronics themselves ... but the data the unit contains.

 

[CarolA]

Once again a reminder folks!

GPS units are currently the most popular things for thieves to take.

Disney parking lots are full of "cars" with toys. If I were a thief looking for a place to steal GPS units, where would I go? Disney!!! All those folks coming from out of town, I bet they have units!!!

These need to be removed from the cars. There is a theory that even the "ring" mark left by the mounts is a sign to a thief that "there might be a GPS unit" in here!

 

[lacool]

Sadly, I left the whole unit mounted, under the misguided belief that Disney valet parking was somehow more secure than the rest of the world. I just never think about crime in the "happiest place on earth." I guess I will now, though.

I wonder if it would be a deterent for theives if I were to leave the mount but take down the unit. Would they be tempted to search the car, or believe I took the unit with me? I just don't have a criminal mindset.

 

[eliza61]

Sadly, I left the whole unit mounted, under the misguided belief that Disney valet parking was somehow more secure than the rest of the world. I just never think about crime in the "happiest place on earth." I guess I will now, though.

I wonder if it would be a deterent for theives if I were to leave the mount but take down the unit. Would they be tempted to search the car, or believe I took the unit with me? I just don't have a criminal mindset.

isn't it horrible lacool. If you can remove the mount, I would do so. Here in Philly & surrounding areas theives are now looking at the front windshield targeting cars with mounts or even imprints of "sucky cups". It is a profitable business because gps's are small and every one wants one. Shopping mall parking lots are really getting hit, even in broad daylight on weekends. It really makes my blood boil.

 

[kgc07]

Sorry to hear this happened to you. I was a victom of theft in Las Vegas. The maid stole a Tiffany necklace and a watch. My point is it happens everywhere. I never thought about the mount ring left on the window. My car has a built in GPS, but my DH uses one that is removeable.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just my 2 cents...
I'm sorry your GPS was stolen. You have recognized your part in it, although you really shouldn't have to. You didn't do anything wrong, the criminal did!!!

Now onto my main point..
I firmly believe if Disney still ran the valet service you may still have your GPS. If not, you would have at least recieved better customer care from the person that you called.

I don't like the outsourced valet... Period.
I have written letters to Disney expressing my discontent over several valet issues.
It was a world of difference when Disney cast members were running the show..

MG

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks for posting about this. First off, I'm really sorry, and I can see this happening to us. We're driving down, over 2 days. We love our Garmin. We have probably used a valet parking maybe 5 times total in our lives. We're staying at AKL, and I was kind of psyched about the valet parking. But I totally wouldn't have remembered the Garmin or cel phone. I would have left them in the car, just like you said. Especially after driving 2 days, with the kids yammering in the backseat the whole way....agghh....why am I driving again?

 

[Cyndibear]

So sorry to hear about this. I know what you mean by saying you would never think of this happening at the "happiest place on earth". Thanks to everyone for the warnings. We have a Garmin and I have that suction ring on my window right now. I'm gonna be cleaning that windshield tomorrow morning! Hope everything works out for you!

Cyndi

 

[Peepster]

Slightly off topic, I agree that the outsourced valets stink..period...and,yes, I did let Disney know how I felt. I witnessed a valet cutting a deal with a towne car driver and felt it was extremely unethical and unprofessional.

To the OP...I'm very sorry for the theft and yes, I've shared your belief that valet parking was more "protected". Between this outsourcing and housekeeping Disney has lowered their standards tremendously. Raise your voice. If our volume gets loud enough Disney just may listen.

 

[disneynoob08]

i'm so sorry you got your GPS stolen. this is why i don't use my mount in my car so i don't get the suction cup marks and if i ever valet, i always take the gps with me. i hate to lose something i use all the time!

same thing with hotels, i always always lock anything worth stealing in my suitcase and take the keys with me.

thanks for the warning about valet parking... i don't think i'll be valeting at WDW anytime soon!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

i'm so sorry you got your GPS stolen.
thanks for the warning about valet parking... i don't think i'll be valeting at WDW anytime soon!

Sorry to burst your bubble, but your car isn't any safer if you park it yourself. The only effective way to park your car is to not leave anything visible that would entice someone to want to take it.

My work parking lot is accross the street from the police station, and whos' car's would do you think get broken into most often? Ours! Theives are bold and better equipped now, they don't even have to smash windows anymore, they have devices ? that unlock the doors. Crime happens every where and Disney, Orlando is no different, quite the contrary, tourist come w/ cash and toys to steal.