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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have a word with car keying suspect

16 replies

Winteriscominginnit · 03/05/2017 19:10

Last weekend I couldn't find a place to park on my street so I parked on an adjacent street, on the public road, but in a parking bay iykwim. Completely legal to park there, no yellow lines, no numbered bays or residents only parking. Just bog standard residential road with parking outside.

When I was parking up a man came out of the house outside of which I was parking, walked up to his fence and glared at me before going back in. He didn't say anything.

I left my car, went home and only came back to the car on the Tuesday (bank holiday weekend). No spaces freed up on my own street, that I could see, over the weekend. Upon return I noticed that someone had keyed my car :( It wasn't there when I parked up. My car is just over a year old (I got it second hand) and this is the first mark on it. I had parked the car considerably, not too near or far from the car behind it etc.

Here's my AIBU: I know that I have no proof and it could have been literally anyone but... I suspect the man who came out of his house especially to glare at me. Some people can't stand having any other car bar their own parked outside their house... AIBU to knock on the man's door to see if he saw anything whilst my car was parked outside his house, as some hooligan has keyed it..? If he did it then I will at least make him squirm and if he didn't then he won't be any the wiser.

I fully realise that I may be unreasonable here...

OP posts:
GlitteryFluff · 03/05/2017 19:11

Yeah I'd ask. What do you have to lose?

luckylucky24 · 03/05/2017 19:15

Don't see why not. As long as you don't sound accusing.

JigglyTuff · 03/05/2017 19:19

You can but I can pretty much guarantee it won't get you anywhere. I used to park on a road with no parking restrictions for work and got a note asking me not to park outside number 17. I ignored it. Next time I parked there, the car got keyed - really deeply - on both sides. I didn't park there again Sad

Winteriscominginnit · 03/05/2017 19:25

Ouch JigglyTuff :(

OP posts:
pipsqueak25 · 03/05/2017 19:28

some people are complete tossers about parking outside their houses, who gave them ownership of the road ??

MaximaDeWit · 03/05/2017 19:31

Honestly, I think if he is the kind of person who would key a car like that he might well get off on seeing the result - namely you being bothered by it. Best punishment would be to routinely park there to spite him, or buy an old banger and leave it there for a week or so.

But life is too short for that. I'd pity him and forget about it but just don't be put off using the space in future if you need to. Maybe let all your neighbours know there's always a bay empty outside his house.

Sorry, getting into petty revenge territory again

Tapandgo · 03/05/2017 19:38

I wouldn't ask - wouldn't give him the satisfaction. It will be him. I'd keep parking there.

HildaOg · 03/05/2017 19:38

Him not wanting you in front of his house doesn't mean that it was him who keyed your car. If you parked in a way that blocked prams or wheelchair users there'd be plenty of potential culprits. If you drive a type of car that elicits jealousy then there'll be people who'll key it for that. If you drive a huge car then some people will target it.

You don't know. You can't go around accusing people and what's the point? If he did, he won't admit it. Whether he did or not, you'll get a denial.

WallisFrizz · 03/05/2017 19:44

I don't see the point but I wouldn't stop parking there. I would be tempted to wait round the corner for a bit and watch him though.

Winteriscominginnit · 03/05/2017 19:50

Most definitely didn't block wheelchairs, prams etc. And I don't have a big or fancy car. Just standard really. Yeah life probably is too short and ultimately whoever did it must have a bit of sad life so is to be pitied. I might park there again and just watch from the corner though, as suggested...

OP posts:
Greatbigspud · 03/05/2017 19:56

Perhaps you can understand residents feeling annoyed but actually damaging someone's car is completely unforgivable! A colleague of mine used to park in an area off a row of houses near our workplace and one winter night came out to find dog poo smeared on her door handles. What kind of person actually does this kind of thing??

hazeydays14 · 03/05/2017 19:56

I completely sympathise with you. I had to park in a street that wasn't mine, I made sure I parked away from drive ways next to an area of green. The first time I had a small scratch which could have easily been an accident from someone riding their bike/pram/handbag but then it happened again.. definitely not an accident. I was so angry because I was so far away from people's houses. Why do people key cars, what could they possibly gain Angry
I wished I would have knocked on doors but I didn't bother. Not to accuse, just for more info.

To have a word with car keying suspect
picklemepopcorn · 03/05/2017 20:18

Get a dash cam! You can leave it running to see who did it. Then report them.

Kyyria · 04/05/2017 22:28

I find mumsnet bizarre. Majority here saying yes to going asking grumpy man when no proof.

I posted a similar query a couple of weeks ago regarding suspicions over neighbours kids keying my car whilst parked outside my house and was made to feel like the worst person in the world for daring to even think that, let alone ask parents if they'd seen anything.

Ho hum.

Anyway, yes, nothing wrong with asking as long as it's not in an accusatory manner. Sorry this has happened. Worthwhile reporting to police also. Mine has 2 deep gouges down drivers side over 2 doors - family holiday now cancelled as estimates have been approx £700 Angry

myusernamewastaken · 04/05/2017 22:54

Why are people telling the op to still park there??? Why risk even more damage to your car..I'd give up and park elsewhere as i dont need the hassle of worrying whether my car was being damaged.

birdladyfromhomealone · 04/05/2017 23:20

If you are brave enough knock on his door and ask and then drop it in at the last minute thanks anyway i thought id ask as i have footage on my dash cam.
Then watch him for a reaction!

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