Wwyd?

[crusto2k3]

How did the mechanic KNOW it was from a different shop and not the customer? He knew it probably belonged to the customer and therefor stole it. Hes in the wrong totally and should be fired...

yup, goes back to.....what if there was an ipod accidentally left on top of the battery, would he have taken it too? After all, it's just a TOOL to play mp3s just the same as a flashlight is just a tool. Is it okay to steal tools, but nothing else?

[MikeW]

True there. But an iPod is obviously a "customer based item". Most people who work on their own cars dont bring them to shops. And had the customer come back and asked if any loose tools were found, they would've been given back without question.

This is more comparable to lifting a car up and finding a $100 bill stuck under it somewhere. The customer almost certainly had no idea it was there and if it was left there by someone else, then it's there fault for being careless with their shit. If the shoe were on the other foot, the same thing would've been done, i can guarantee it.

[Mista Juice]

in all honesty, i probably would have taken it out from under the hood mainly as a safety precaution.. but then i would have brought it up to the customer, but if they didnt claim it was theirs, i would have kept it..

as far as the snap-on guy asking about it, i would say that i would gladly give it back if he had some sort of proof of who the owner was.. if he did come back with the proof, like he did, i would have given it back with no issues..

[MikeW]

The light had no markings what-so-ever. No labels, no etchings, no nothing. The Snap-On guy says that Snap-On only allowed him (ONE) of these brand new lights and he sold it to Mechanic-A. When Mech-B ends up with an identical light, the snap-on guy sends Mech-A up here to get his shit. Mech-B is giving the light back, no issues. He's gladly giving it back.

I just dont think Mech-A needed to come up all puffed up, full of hot air, acting like a dickhead. IMHO, he should be glad that he's getting back at all. A few guys said they would've asked him what it's worth, but Mech-B is giving it back, free, hands down, no questions asked.

Everyone i talk to in person says they wouldve kept it but given back if asked and that's it not stealing.

Everyone online says it's stealing and they would'nt have kept it. Flame on, but i think people are worried about admitting to it.

[Bullhorn7]

I leave things im my engine bay that I would need all the time.. Theres a maglight under the power steering reservoir. If it went missing after I took it to a shop id be pissed no doubt. It doesnt matter if it was left in there by accident or purposely he still stole something that wasnt his.

[crusto2k3]

True there. But an iPod is obviously a "customer based item". Most people who work on their own cars dont bring them to shops. And had the customer come back and asked if any loose tools were found, they would've been given back without question.

This is more comparable to lifting a car up and finding a $100 bill stuck under it somewhere. The customer almost certainly had no idea it was there and if it was left there by someone else, then it's there fault for being careless with their shit. If the shoe were on the other foot, the same thing would've been done, i can guarantee it.

How bout a flashlight and a rag in the engine for emergencies?

[fatboy1185]

Wwyd?

[MikeW]

I dont know about you, but i wouldnt go leaving any loose items in my engine bay.

Trunk, yes. In the glovebox, yes. Under the hood? No.

Like someone said earlier, it's a tough call. It's getting a rental car and finding a loaded gift card in the console. If you keep it, no one's gonna know unless the previous person comes asking. And even then, most people deny it and the person doesnt get there card back. Im saying, yeah, the mechanic has shitty morals. So do alot of other people. But he's not lying about having it. He's more than glad to give it back.

The situation could've been alot worse. Someone could've lost a $200 light and someone else could've gotten one for free.

[Bullhorn7]

[MikeW]

Yeah, that made me lol.

I just think it's a tough call. If i were the mechanic, I wouldnt go taking anything anymore. No matter what it was. Less problems. I dont think he should lose his job over it, but he definitely needs to keep his hands to himself, lol.

[Tippey764]

You guys...

John Q Customer takes his car to Shop-A to get it worked on. Mechanic-A leaves light under hood.

A week later, John Q Customer takes his car to Shop-B where Mechanic-B finds light under hood.

The light wasnt taken from Mechanic-A. It was found under the hood of a customer's vehicle. Maybe we have some shady dudes working here but i dont think it's THAT big of a deal. No harm, no foul. All the guys Ive asked have said that it happens all the time and the dude should be lucky he's getting it back.

Thats exactly what i thought

It wasent the customers flash light, a person taking their car to be worked on dosent have easy access to snap on tools so they would never have a snap on flash light

[deevergote]

The mechanic that took the light was wrong. Plain and simple. It wasn't his to take. Regardless of where it was. He should have left it there, or given it to the customer. The guy who's car he found it in has more claim to it than anyone else. It was left in his vehicle.

However, the other guy should have to prove that it's his. It's likely. It probably IS his... but what proof does he have? He has no right to be angry, as it wasn't "stolen" from him. He lost it. It was found. He's actually LUCKY that your friend found it, and its location is now known.



Your friend's mistake was asking the local snap-on salesman for the charger. Of course these guys will know their customers!
I'd give it back, because the other guy is the rightful owner. I'd give it a good stinkpalm first, though!

[MikeW]

It very well may have been the customer's light but as i mentioned, finding tools under the hood is rare. Them belonging to a customer is ever more rare. Yes, him taking it was wrong. Im not doubting that. Had he been more reluctant to return it, i would've kicked him in the nuts.

Deev, good call on the stinkpalm.

[deevergote]

Your friend was given the opportunity to make it right, which ended up working out for the best. Chances are, if the car owner found it, he wouldn't have known what he had, and would be very unlikely to bother returning it. The real owner only got it back BECAUSE your friend found it.

He has no right to be a dick. Honestly, that attitude would make me want to say "oh yeah, prove this is your light, or I'm keeping it!"

However, the chances that it's anyone BUT his are slim... so stinkpalm it is!

[Makaveli2k]

Stinkpalm... that sounds vile.