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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Desperate for help (Birmingham, Twitter, car keys, NCP)

406 replies

LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:06

AIBU to beg for help from strangers on the internet?

I’m on holiday in Birmingham with three kids. I parked in an NCP car park on Monday night and we’ve been staying in a car park since.

We checked out this morning to leave and head home (Brighton) via Coventry to see my Nan (90 years old).

I can’t find my car keys 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:08

I’ve phoned the AA who can help within the next 6 hours for £250.

I can’t get hold of an actual human being at NCP to ask if my keys have been found/handed in.

OP posts:
CornishGem1975 · 04/08/2023 13:08

You're staying in a car park?

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:10

I’ve checked my car is still there and it is locked.

I’ve called the police, they can’t help.

We’ve gone through the hotel room (bins, linen, under the mattresses etc) and the keys aren’t there. They aren’t in the hotel lost property.

OP posts:
Istanbulnotconstantinople72 · 04/08/2023 13:10

Assuming you mean the car's been parked all week and you've been staying in accommodation somewhere else, have you gone back to the hotel/wherever you were staying to check?

Istanbulnotconstantinople72 · 04/08/2023 13:11

Lining of bags? Have the kids taken them to play with, if they're young kids? Call every cafe/museum/place you've been since Monday?

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:12

Istanbulnotconstantinople72 · 04/08/2023 13:10

Assuming you mean the car's been parked all week and you've been staying in accommodation somewhere else, have you gone back to the hotel/wherever you were staying to check?

Yes. I left the car on Monday evening and we haven’t been back since.

We’re back at the hotel now. Been here for a couple of hours looking and going through bags.

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 04/08/2023 13:13

Can a main dealer order you a set?

Skyblue92 · 04/08/2023 13:13

Have you checked the bags in case they are in their?
also just so you know A45 from Birmingham to Coventry is closed between Meriden and Allesley roundabout - factor this into travelling (you may already know)

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:13

Thanks @Istanbulnotconstantinople72. Emptied every bag, shook out every dirty sock, gone through all pockets in clothing and bags.

OP posts:
Yarnorama · 04/08/2023 13:14

Have you actually returned to your car to check they are not either still in the ignition or dropped by the car?

RectangleCushion · 04/08/2023 13:14

Call your breakdown people. If you don’t have one, two questions:

  1. Are you close to an accessible brick?
  2. Whats your experience of hot wiring?
ChannelyourinnerElsa · 04/08/2023 13:14

What help do you want from us?

Yarnorama · 04/08/2023 13:14

Yarnorama · 04/08/2023 13:14

Have you actually returned to your car to check they are not either still in the ignition or dropped by the car?

Aah, I see you have.

What a pain.

Davestwattymissus · 04/08/2023 13:15

I know this is probably a daft question so apologies in advance, but you didn't stash them somewhere Very Safe that you wouldn't normally think to look when you got to the hotel and forget? I've done this before, but I appreciate not everyone is as dizzy as me

mycoffeecup · 04/08/2023 13:16

where is your spare key?

lovelthesun247 · 04/08/2023 13:16

Is there not any security at the NCP car park for you to ask if any keys have been handed in?

Have you checked coat pockets? Sometimes I put things in my coat and forget about them.

£250 is expensive. If you can't find your keys, can you go to the local car dealership of the car make and ask if they can help? They would usually have a parts department

Davestwattymissus · 04/08/2023 13:17

If there isn't a person on site at the car park might someone have handed them into the police if they found them?

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:21

Yarnorama · 04/08/2023 13:14

Have you actually returned to your car to check they are not either still in the ignition or dropped by the car?

Yes, I popped back this morning. The car is where I left it and locked.

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:22

Davestwattymissus · 04/08/2023 13:17

If there isn't a person on site at the car park might someone have handed them into the police if they found them?

I called the police this morning. Unfortunately they’re not able to help.

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:23

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 04/08/2023 13:14

What help do you want from us?

Any ideas I haven’t yet thought of (eg a friend just recommended I try inyourarea.co.uk) @ChannelyourinnerElsa

OP posts:
CornishGem1975 · 04/08/2023 13:25

Where's your spare? It would be cheaper for someone to courier that up to you surely.

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 13:25

lovelthesun247 · 04/08/2023 13:16

Is there not any security at the NCP car park for you to ask if any keys have been handed in?

Have you checked coat pockets? Sometimes I put things in my coat and forget about them.

£250 is expensive. If you can't find your keys, can you go to the local car dealership of the car make and ask if they can help? They would usually have a parts department

Thanks @lovelthesun247, the £250 will cripple me which is why I’m hoping to find another way.

OP posts:
AHugeTinyMistake · 04/08/2023 13:26

Do you have a spare at home? Can you get national express coach home & come back for the car later?

Massive faff I know ☹️

Bonfire23 · 04/08/2023 13:27

lovelthesun247 · 04/08/2023 13:16

Is there not any security at the NCP car park for you to ask if any keys have been handed in?

Have you checked coat pockets? Sometimes I put things in my coat and forget about them.

£250 is expensive. If you can't find your keys, can you go to the local car dealership of the car make and ask if they can help? They would usually have a parts department

They likely would have to be coded to the car and the car recovered to them
Also need driving license and V5

Bonfire23 · 04/08/2023 13:28

Have you got key cover on your car insurance?