I just went to take the garbage out and my van was not there. There was smashed glass where the van used to be.
I'm just stunned. I called the cops, filed a report. She said that they usually turn up sooner or later. Usually just used to commit the crime then abandoned.
I called my insurance company but I HAD NO THEFT INSURANCE on that car. I had it on my Subaru for YEARS and just sold that car three weeks ago. Figured the van was 'worthless' enough that if anything ever happened to it, I'd just deal. I guess I'm dealing.
Uggghh. My GPS was in there, as well as my FAVOURITE Keen shoes. Some work related stuff (switches and tools) and never mind that I was *VERY* attached to that van because it was bought with the money I inherited from my friend and represented her, as well as the big trip I took in it.
I'm so annoyed. I don't even know what to do next. I live about one block from a rental place, so I guess I'll go rent a car for a week or so and wait to see if mine turns up. My friend said that when cars are hotwired it usually fucks the ignition up to the point where it's very expensive to repair. I'm almost better off just buying a new (used) car.
I JUST sold my other car. This is so insane.
Holy crap, Jo. I am so sorry! That sucks.
I hope it turns up soon and without much damage.
Oh, Jo!!!
I am so sorry that this happened. Never mind the loss of transportation, but I know that you had such great memories from your trip and the connection to your friend and her legacy to you.
Also there is that feeling of being violated. I hope that the cops are right and that it is found quickly.
You have to have Theft insurance? I thought it was just automatically covered and not a separate option. SIGH So what CAN the insurance folks do for you?
Nope, I did not have theft insurance. It was optional and apparently I opted out.
I'm up the creek as far as insurance goes. *Sigh*
Oh, that really sucks.
I'll hold out some hope that it comes back to you.
/crosses fingers
Yeah, that sucks big time. I never knew there was special theft insurance. I hope you get your van back. I always think I should booby trap my stuff to kill or maim intruders, but apparently that's illegal. But then somebody's mom would be saying "but he was a good kid, he didn't deserve to die". But I digress. Anyway I hope your good karma takes care of your problem.
I am sorry to hear this. That sucks. Hopefully your shoes might still be in it when it's recovered.
WHoa! That's horrible! I'm so sorry....
I'm sorry to hear that Jo. I hope the cops find your van. I also hope the karma gods come around and bite the thief/thieves in the rear end/s.
It doesn't actually matter if the cops find it or not -- at the very least, there will be a smashed window and a punched in ignition, and those things together are probably $500-$700 to fix. The van isn't even worth that. It's not worth repairing.
I'm more concerned about my prescription sunglasses and my stereo and my favourite shoes. Never mind some of the knick knacks... like the center console and the seat covers... it's all nickle and dime, but we wrote it down, and it adds up. It's also the last remnant of my friend Angela as well as the memento of my trip.
I'm trying to put it into perspective. It's just a van. I am getting a $1400 tax return next week, I will buy something of similar vintage and I've learned my lesson. It's just a mondo inconvenience.
Ugh. How awful for. This sucks. Regardless of whether or not you get it back, I hope everything works out for the best.
Man, I'm sorry.
My very first and beloved car was stolen when I was 17. I did get it back, but it was fucked up from then on. Then, a year or so later someone tried to break in and steal it again, but I had an alarm installed by then, so they ran off and I had a smashed window. People are so fucking worthless.
Jo Wrote:I'm more concerned about my prescription sunglasses and my stereo and my favourite shoes. Never mind some of the knick knacks... like the center console and the seat covers... it's all nickle and dime, but we wrote it down, and it adds up.
FWIW, put some signs up and post on craigslist that you would like the following items returned that were in your stolen van, no questions asked. Offer a small reward.
UPDATE:
Got my van back. And everything in it (FOR REAL) except the GPS. I forgot to check for the sunglasses. But the computer switches, my tools, my stereo... everything was still there. My pictures of Brad Pitt for gods sakes. OH and they left me some stuff -- ladies socks, a scarf, mitts and the tool they used to crack my ignition. A bigass flathead.
AND GET THIS... they went through my change tray and took all the Canadian change and left ALL the US change. How funny is that.
So I've decided to spend the $750 for the repairs and suck it up. It was minimal damage -- the best case scenario, really, as it was JUST the smashed window and the steering column. It could have been so much worse.
The tow truck guys were SUPER nice and the cops were even nicer. A nightmare situation turned into an okay day after all. The tow truck guy even got me a better deal on a rental -- I paid $78 to rent a fucking car today. Unreal. Considering I don't have insurance paying for it, it's highway robbery, really.
Anyhow, I'm happy. EVERY SINGLE cop I talked today said the same thing though... Dodge Grand Caravans are the MOST stolen cars in Hamilton. And I have the fucking CLUB for god's sakes, I just don't use it all the time. I'm going to start using it.
AWESOME ! I am so glad to hear that! I'm not surprised they took your GPS. But at least you got everything else back.
Will your vandalism insurance cover the repairs?
I guess we can safely say that the thieves were Canadian if they didn't touch your U.S. change.
YAYY!!! LOL at the Canadian change. At least they are...um....narrowly self-interested!
Late coming into this, but I wanted to say that its great that you got the van back!
The hassle and stress though....geez!
People can be such assholes.
I did not have theft insurance
I did not have vandalism insurance
I do not have home owners insurance
I do not have collision
I do not have comprehensive
I do not HAVE INSURANCE!!! LOL
I only pay $50 a month for something called 3rd Party Liability which means if I kill someone and they sue my insurance company, they are covered.
I do not really do the insurance thing. I think it's mostly a waste of money. I have paid tens of thousands of dollars into insurance in my lifetime and never once made a claim. If I'd have claimed the damage today, it would have been around $1000 for the repairs and car rental and replacement of the GPS. So it's hardly worth it.
It sucks that it was stolen but at least you got it back along with most of your stuff. I hope karma kicks the thieves in the butt.
I'm so GLAD you got the van back! I CANNOT believe that they left the stereo. I'm not surprised that they took the GPS, but I am blown away at what they left. Including the socks and scarves
It's still so cold that I cannot imagine leaving those behind.
With all these things it is the sentiment rather than the money that makes the difference. Maybe Angela's spirit was still there, causing the van to travel yet again but always getting it home again
