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Original poster

Anyone else having a bad day? (3)

39 replies

emsiewill · 22/09/2002 16:10

Thought I'd start another one of these.
DH has just been to the gym (didn't want him to - but that's another story). While he was there, his wallet was stolen from his locker, as were his house and car keys. And guess what? so was his car. (So easy to work out which car goes with which keys nowadays - just press the button on the key). I've cancelled his cards, and there wasn't much (less than £20) cash in the wallet. But we need the car (school not particularly accessible by foot, dh needs it to get to work etc...), and I'm currently waiting for a locksmith to change the locks on all 3 of our doors. This is covered by our insurance up to £150, but something tells me that the call out on a Sunday will take much of that, even before the work has started.
Dh is meant to be at work this evening - no-one else to cover as one of the managers was helping out at another site last night and was held up at gunpoint, so is not feeling particularly good today (dh was meant to be there, but I said I didn't want him going away again - thank God), the other manager is on compassionate leave as her brother was killed in an accident last weekend. So me and the girls are going to be alone until past midnight in a house which will be secure, but where I'll be imagining that someone is trying to get in.
Sorry to sound a bit pathetic, but I'm trying not to let the children see how much this has shaken me.
And I've just remembered, we spent nearly £400 on the car on Friday - MOT and service.
B**D.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 22/09/2002 16:13

My god, that is a bad day emisewill, the homework must pale into insignificance. Is there anyone who could come round so you're not on your own? I'd be nervous too.

Original poster
emsiewill · 22/09/2002 16:21

Yes, if only my only worry was what has been recycled! Dh is trying to get someone to cover as we speak - here's hoping.

OP posts:
Snugs · 22/09/2002 16:37

Oh god what an awful time you're having. Shame you can't get hold of the b***d who nicked the stuff and 'recycle' him in one of those big crusher things ... I know I'd want to.

bayleaf · 22/09/2002 19:07

WHAT a bummer - when I came on tonight I was feeling marginally sorry for self havihg spent 2 hours in a&e as dh tripped and dropped dd from his shoulders on the way home this afternoon - but given that she's OK - hearing your tale made me feel very glad that I'm not you!
Think you badly need a large packet of chocolate biscuits - and probably a large glass or two of wine!

ScummyMummy · 22/09/2002 19:18

Poor old you, Emsiewill. Had never thought of the disadvantages to having a button push unlocker...Hope they catch this git and that you feel ok tonight.

Original poster
emsiewill · 22/09/2002 19:51

Thanks for all your good wishes - dh has managed to get cover at work, and the locksmith is here as I write.
Apparently, the man arrived at the same time as dh, and must have watched him put his wallet etc in the locker. While he was forcing it open, some kids were watching (didn't actually report it, just told the police when asked - what was that about a social conscience? ), and he said to them "these new lockers are harder to get open than the old ones". And the finishing touch is that this man had an 8-yr old boy with him. Puts my parenting skills into the shade!

OP posts:
jodee · 22/09/2002 20:11

What a rotten day - I hope you are feeling a little more secure now, Emsiewill. A similar thing happened to a friend of mine at the gym too.

kkgirl · 22/09/2002 20:22

emsiewll

So sorry about what has happened to you, that is so awful. I feel despair at why people can be like this, I suppose drugs or something.

Glad that your dh is able to be with you, and hope that tomorrow is a better day for you

kkgirl

ionesmum · 22/09/2002 21:39

Emsiewill, how terrible. Hope that things get better soon.

Willow2 · 22/09/2002 21:44

Emsiewill - what a bloody awful day. You poor things. You mustn't get too worked up though, it's highly unlikely anything would happen. It's doubtful the person who's nicked the car would want to risk getting caught by coming back to your home. Just a thought though to help put you at ease why not call your local police station and let them know your current situation - you never know, they might make sure they patrol past your house tonight, and just knowing they're aware should help you relax a bit more.

Ailsa · 22/09/2002 23:12

WHAT IS IT WITH B**Y CARS AT THE MOMENT!!!!

After a five month battle with the insurance company, we got our car repaired, a week later someone tried to break in - guess they got disturbed. Three weeks after that MIL's car was broken into, smashed up so badly that she didn't bother claiming on insurance and bought another at auction. Five weeks after that someone tried to break into FIL's car, and stole someone else's instead. Isolated incidents you may think. We all live in the same street!!

Each incident has been reported to the police, have we seen any extra patrols in that time - what do you think? As a family we don't have much faith in the police at the moment - and Brother-in-Law IS one of them!!

Sorry for rambling - just had to get it off my chest.

SueDonim · 23/09/2002 02:59

How depressing, Emsiewill. As the man was seen actually breaking into the locker at the gym, is there any chance someone would know him, or that he'd be on a security camera?

Hope you've managed to get some sleep.

Marina · 23/09/2002 08:00

What a rotten weekend, Emsiewill. Is the gym a local authority one? Just wondered what their liability/position is on this, given that they provided the "secure" lockers in the first place.
I am ashamed to say that dh wears a completely nerdish body belt rather than leave his keys unattended anywhere, and I have in the past rolled my eyes over this obsessiveness. But as we have the same sort of car keys as you did I can see what he was getting at now.
Do hope this week improves for you and that you got a decent night's sleep last night.

Ghosty · 23/09/2002 10:48

Poor you Emsiewill, hope you managed to have some sleep last night and that today looks a little brighter!

CAM · 23/09/2002 13:24

Sorry to hear about your bad day Emsiewill - gyms seem to attract thieves and, of course, they can't have security cams in the changing rooms. My alarm broke on my car recently so now I have to use the key to lock and unlock in the old-fashioned way. Think I'll keep it like that after what you said....

tigermoth · 23/09/2002 13:49

Emsiewill, You have made me see gym lockers and those new fangled car keys in a new light. Sorry your Sunday was so stressful and hope this coming week sees a great improvement.

Original poster
emsiewill · 23/09/2002 16:23

Thanks again to everyone for your good wishes. I never thought about the key thing before, but also realised today that the actual key has the make of the car written on it. How about a little inscription saying "please steal this car...." Feeling less nervy today - and actually slept v. well last night (through the earthquake), but I'm sure I wouldn't have been so relaxed if dh had gone to work.
Does anyone know how long you have to wait for the police to recover your car before the insurance company agree that it's gone for good and pay up? When dh called yesterday, they just said "let us know when it's recovered". Also, they didn't mention anything about the contents of the car - with a fully comp policy, are you usually covered for the contents? I seem to remember I left my diamond ring and "designer" buggy in there......
Seriously, though, if nothing else, I hope this has made people a bit wary about taking all their important things to the gym. And I'm not hopeful about taking action about the gym - I'm pretty sure they have one of those "articles left at your own risk" notices. Unless someone can tell me that they're not worth the paper they're written on?

OP posts:
helenmc · 23/09/2002 19:55

when our car was broken into we claimed the suitcases plus contents off the house insurance. I have to laugh as one suitcase was full of disgustingly dirty baby clothes...saved me washing them!!! Glad you had manged a good night sleep though. Bet it's a real pain not having a car tho.

robinw · 24/09/2002 18:49

message withdrawn

helenmc · 24/09/2002 21:22

Emsiewill - how are you getting on???

FrancesJ · 24/09/2002 22:18

Oh, yikes, Emsiewill, that was one really, really bad day. Hope things are getting more settled now, anyway.

Original poster
emsiewill · 24/09/2002 22:57

helenmc, thanks for asking. No news on the car at the moment. My battered old Golf, which we are trying to sell. and has been sitting untaxed on the driveway since the end of May has been called into service. Unfortunately for dh, on his way home from work this evening, he had a puncture. The spare tyre hadn't been replaced since the last time (I know, I know), so he had to call the breakdown people to bring him home. So that's £80 tax, and God knows how much for 2 (possibly 3) new tyres. Plus the taxi fares to & from dd2's nursery for the next couple of days... I hope the lovely man who's got our car REALLY needed it (to take his sick child to hospital or something).

OP posts:
Original poster
emsiewill · 30/09/2002 19:58

Thought I'd update for anyone who's interested. The car was spotted by an eagle-eyed friend on Saturday, literally around the corner from where it was stolen. The police recovered it and there is no obvious damage - although it is absolutely covered with fingerprint powder. We've had to pay £117 to get it back from the recovery people (will be paid by the insurance co). The locks will have to be changed, which is also covered by the insurance co, luckily, as it apparently will cost a bomb.
It was strange to drive it home knowing that some stranger had been driving around in it. He also spent about £300 on various cards - which we will not have to pay for.
So, we've really been let off quite lightly - in the end it's not cost us too much in taxis, etc. I'll never feel comfortable again leaving things in a leisure centre locker, though.
Thanks again for all messages of support.

OP posts:
FrancesJ · 30/09/2002 20:01

So glad you've managed to get the car back, and that things are getting sorted out

SueDonim · 01/10/2002 04:47

I'm glad you got the car back, Emsiewill. A nasty experience though.

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