Caution, be aware of Ourisman Volkswagen & Mazda of Rockville and their Collision Center. My vehicle was stolen from inside the shop with my own keys and totaled. They claim that they are not responsible for any damages that occurred.
On Wednesday July 10, 2013, I dropped my car at the Ourisman Collision Center for a core support repair, they said it would take about one week. On Wednesday July 17, I received a call that my car had been stolen and given one version of events. I went to the shop on Thursday July 18, and was told a different version. According to the manager some one had removed a pane of glass from the bay door, opened the shop and walked through all the bays, about 4 or so, and found my Mini without a bumper. My keys were not left in the vehicle, but were placed on the techs tool box. When the car was driven out of the shop, they closed the bay door and replaced the glass that they had removed. This happened some time Tuesday July 16. I got another surprise the next evening when I arrived home and found letter from D.C. Police Hit & Run Unit. My Mini was involved in a hit & run accident the night of Sunday July 14. I emailed a copy of the police report to Ourisman and called them the next day. They took a very long time responding to my email. Late in the day they sent an email to my insurance company and yet another story had been conjured up.The general manager claims that because there was another Red Mini S parked outside of shop doors, they assumed it was mine and went about their business. There were, however, differences between the two vehicles and, had they looked, they would have realized that the bumper was intact on that Mini where as mine was completely off the vehicle. Also, the hood is very different on the other Mini. My car was driven 114 miles after it was dropped off at the dealer but when it was found it was not more than 20 miles from Rockville in N.E. DC. Also the shop claimed car could not be driven far. I guess this was an incredible Mini.
I am writing this to just warn people and make them aware that this is in the realm of possibilities and to always check on the liability policies when dropping off the car. According to consumer Affairs in Montgomery county the standard under the law is they should take reasonable care of your vehicle.
They don't have to have alarms, lock boxes were they keep keys or cameras, so leaving keys is dangerous.
You need to prove beyond a doubt that they were negligent.
There is no protection, as a consumer, so I ask is this correct? I was lucky I have an amazing insurance company, and gold plated policy, they were great. But not all have this.
Claudia
Brthesda Maryland