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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:
ScaryGrandma · 05/08/2023 23:59

I think rude - or just complete bitches! What sort of human being capitalises on someone else's misery?

Grrrrdarling · 06/08/2023 00:11

LostCarKeys · 04/08/2023 22:37

I got home about 20 mins ago. It's been an eventful day. I'll post an update tomorrow for any of you who are invested.

Glad you got home safely ❤

Downtherabbitholeyetagain · 06/08/2023 00:13

Spare set anywhere?

Jillybloop393 · 06/08/2023 02:01

What a nightmare! Update please, did you find your keys?

JMSA · 06/08/2023 02:14

An automobile locksmith can cut you a new key there and then, if you give them the make, model, year, etc.
I know it's too late for the OP, but might help someone else!

Siouxiesiouxiesioux · 06/08/2023 02:36

Glad you're home.

I was wondering if you'd checked under the bed, behind the headboard and under the cushions of any sofas/chairs in the hotel room - but I'm sure others asked you that already. Good luck.

Momtotwokids · 06/08/2023 02:37

Why do they come back and tell us what happened??

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 06/08/2023 06:49

I think OP must have lost her phone now!

Newandveryconfused · 06/08/2023 10:52

It probably would of been cheaper staying another night at the hotel and getting a family member to post the spare key to you special delivery.. To the hotel that is.

Emjeet · 06/08/2023 12:21

I seriously doubt you’d get a replacement key from anywhere for less than £250 due to the programming involved, it’s not as simple as cutting a key like it is for a house key.

£250 is actually cheap compared to what you would pay from anywhere else to get a replacement car key made!

bellac11 · 06/08/2023 12:42

Hopefully OP will update that she was able to see her nan

But for all those suggesting earlier in the thread that a courier go and get the spare key, how would that happen, the courier would have to break into the house, find the key and drive up with it. Is that the sort of thing couriers do?

I cant even imagine that would be much cheaper than the cost of the AA anyway

MasterBeth · 06/08/2023 14:39

Siouxiesiouxiesioux · 06/08/2023 02:36

Glad you're home.

I was wondering if you'd checked under the bed, behind the headboard and under the cushions of any sofas/chairs in the hotel room - but I'm sure others asked you that already. Good luck.

Of course! Under the bed! The OP would never have thought of that! I bet the keys are there.

CherryMaDeara · 06/08/2023 14:41

MasterBeth · 06/08/2023 14:39

Of course! Under the bed! The OP would never have thought of that! I bet the keys are there.

Show quote history

Bit mean, they did read all of OP’s posts and acknowledged what they’re wondering has probably already been posted.

MasterBeth · 06/08/2023 15:28

Yet still they posted.

Hadenough2021 · 06/08/2023 21:07

I need an update! So invested in this

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:30

I’m back!

Sorry for not updating sooner.

After I received the call from the AA man, I went to meet him nearby so I could show him where my car was. He then went back to his van to get his bits and pieces. While I was waiting for him to return, I spotted a cleaner in the car park and asked if where lost property was kept. He asked what I had lost and when I told him “car keys”, he asked which manufacturer. I told him and he wandered off to a room (supplies rather than an office) then came back with MY keys!!!

OP posts:
SmoothSeasDoNotMakeGoodSailors · 07/08/2023 09:34

LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:30

I’m back!

Sorry for not updating sooner.

After I received the call from the AA man, I went to meet him nearby so I could show him where my car was. He then went back to his van to get his bits and pieces. While I was waiting for him to return, I spotted a cleaner in the car park and asked if where lost property was kept. He asked what I had lost and when I told him “car keys”, he asked which manufacturer. I told him and he wandered off to a room (supplies rather than an office) then came back with MY keys!!!

Your prayer to St Antony worked OP 😊

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:40

I was so relieved and grateful, I welled up when I told the AA man and realised how much I’d been holding in.

So we loaded up the car and set off for Coventry. My Nan was over the moon to see us. I’ve made my peace that I might now see her again.

We set off and when we got on the M40, I realised I’d forgotten to fill up with petrol so had to use the motorway services (1.74 per litre!), then we hit a stand still as a car slightly ahead of us had caught fire. I felt like I couldn’t take any more at that stage but still, I persisted.

My day was long and difficult. Getting home after 10pm almost finished me off. And I had to turn around the DC on Saturday morning as they were going with their dad.

I feel incredibly grateful for all the supportive and helpful messages. And that we got to see my Nan and that we all got home safely, eventually.

Thank you for being there in my hour of need 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:40

SmoothSeasDoNotMakeGoodSailors · 07/08/2023 09:34

Your prayer to St Antony worked OP 😊

Show quote history

He’s definitely getting a Xmas card from me this year @SmoothSeasDoNotMakeGoodSailors!

OP posts:
FriedEggChocolate · 07/08/2023 09:42

Shout out to that cleaner.

ScribblingPixie · 07/08/2023 09:46

Did you have to pay the AA even though you found the keys, OP?

Original poster
LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:47

FriedEggChocolate · 07/08/2023 09:42

Shout out to that cleaner.

Definitely @FriedEggChocolate! He’s lucky I didn’t profess my undying love to him.

OP posts:
Original poster
LostCarKeys · 07/08/2023 09:47

ScribblingPixie · 07/08/2023 09:46

Did you have to pay the AA even though you found the keys, OP?

I had to pay when ai booked the service @ScribblingPixie.

OP posts:
Inowseeyourtruecolorsandredflagswhattookmesolong · 07/08/2023 09:48

@LostCarKeys Have you looked on the local Facebook group to see if anyone has found a set of keys?

Or put a post on there yourself asking if anyone has found any?

tattygrl · 07/08/2023 09:48

Great update, OP! I'm so pleased for you! I bet you're still knackered. Unbelievable that it's not easier to access lost property in that car park! You did it though :D