Need to let it all out....

[NewTeacher]

Oh dear! The AP has called me to say that the car key has snapped in the ignition! OOPS

Well now it means I have to leave work early, get the garage to come and see what can be done. Best case

Actually, I am hoping for reciprical hugs in return. Fab fab AP who stayed on after his replacement didn't work out has finally decided to do something else with his life - off to become a cabin steward next month.

Kids distraught - have loved him from the minute he arrived lasat summer; we're even more distraught - no cheerful hellos and 'no worries' when we've messed him round, no more of him sweeping up the kids regardless of whether he was on duty or not, I could go on and on. And the mums at the school will be distraught too because they all love him too (we have a 'waiting list' of mums that asked if we still needed him)

Sob.

{hugs} back at you too...

Here you go

Does your insurance not cover you for getting a garage to go out to rescue her and an emergency car? but hugs for you as well.

I snapped the key off in the ignition once, very very irritating. I can't remember what was done about it now but I don't think it cost me any money, from what I remember I called the AA/RAC but I had a spare key so maybe they managed to get the old one out and I just used the spare

Bad luck about the AP, it sounds like it's going to be very hard to find a like-for-like replacement...

Bugger to both

Hope you can get a repair done quickly/nice replacement.

looks over shoulder and gives quick un mn ((HUG))

NewTeacher.

Or no Squiffy.

Newteacher - sorry you've got this hassle. Re. tomorrow's school pickup. Could you order a taxi, put the car seats in it and send her to school in it to pick up the dc. If you speak to the school, they may be able to have them ready and waiting for her in the reception area so that the taxi doesn't have to hang around.

Or arrange playdates after school so you stay in work longer?

i was going to say cant a friend drop off dd or ap pick up in a taxi?

Update - The garage has taken the car and will let me know later today what the cost will be...

Luckily a friend does the am school drop off so we are ok! Rang the school and got DS a place at after school club so same friend can bring him home with her DS. phew.

Now just wait for the phonecall I guess....

Oh Dear had the update....
He said the quote was £200 but its likely to be a little more as they had to drill the lock for over an hour!

I asked how the key could have broken and he said......Being overly aggresive with the key when turning it. SO he's basically told me its the AP's fault! I'm so not happy.

So, peeps what would you do? I'm annoyed as this was unavoidable and also because she hasnt even offered to pay a little towards it.

Is it fair to say ask her to pay the difference between the £200 and the little more its going to cost? Or do I just leave it and put it down o bad luck?

I wouldn't take the garages word for it.

Normal metal fatigue could also have been a cause.
Or one of your children tugging on the au pairs arm as she inserted the key.

Any number of things could have caused the key to break. (I'm an engineer and qualified as a motor vehicle mechanic before retraining)

Also, I'm surprised the only way to get the broken end out was to drill out the lock.
Normally if a key snaps it snaps at the end near to the opening in the keyhole so needlenose pliers can be used to remove the broken portion if used carefully.
If they were not using the right drill bits to do this it would have taken a long time. If the correct ones are used it should only take 15-30 mins max.

So, in my opinion not fair to blame the aupair, it was a simple accident that could have happened to anyone.

Thanks for that. The key snapped at the bottom end! So most of the metal part of the key was still attached to the actual key fob! Just the tip was missing.

The kids werent with her when it happened.

sounds like a nightmare, but also sounds as if garage might be playing itup a bit....

We have a clause in our AP contract to the effect that the AP is potentially responsible for any damage caused by negligence (as opposed to accident) to the extent where the damage cannot be recovered by insurance.

It has proven to be worth its weight in gold although we normally swallow the stuff that just comes from their being daft/inexperienced

Talking of daft, did i ever mention the time when someone knocked on our door to ask if our car was for sale - it wasn't - and the Spanish AP (not the current one) said "no problemo here is keys!". We came home - "where is the car?" "si, si, is gone!"

Sounds like the key was fragile but am surprised at the time they say it took.

Squiffy:

Omg squiffy. What happened?

Op - def not ap fault. Keys snap

I feel that keys should not snap... and if they do the manufacturer has responsibility as they made a key which is not fit for purpose.
Wonder what the guarantee/warranty on car keys is? My car has a 5 year warranty, wonder if that includes the key... it had better do!

NewTeacher - alas I'd say that it isn't really your APs fault... there were probably many factors at play - possibly including a badly manufactured key. You may be able to claim on the insurance, though if it's worth doing given excess charges is another matter (plus policy may not include cover for a broken key).
Best to put it down to experience on this occasion though do have words with the AP about treating your property with care.

Breaking at the tip is a fault with the key not the way it was used.

If the key had been turned too roughly it would have broken at the top end of the key shaft as that is where the biggest stress would have been.

(only in my opinion though)