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Looking under car cover - etiquette question

B

bubinga

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Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
SgtHawkUSMC said:
The protocol is you don't do it...
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TRUE!!!

But here's a Story..................
Nephew of a well to do garage owner I worked at had a new'ish Camaro,
The fellow was 'Ranting and raving" about another fellow that worked at another one of there garages, or did odd jobs for the family, (Can't recall the relationship, but he was a good guy)
They had hired the fellow to do some painting at one of the nephews dads house, , exterior painting, or siding, something along those lines, not sure.
The nephew He was rightfully proud of the car daddy had brought him.

So he told the "helper" OH MY CAMARO is in the garage, Go ahead, Check it out!
Guess the helper mentioned in passing, That he had removed the cover to look at it, not thinking Tommy would have gotten all bent out of shape???

Like I said, The owner of the car was "ranting And Raving,"
saying, "HE TOOK THE COVER OFF!!!
HE TOOK THE COVER OFF!!!........TOOK IT OFF!!!!!" and looked at it.
The other mechanics and I asked him,
What the hell did you want him to do, "CHECK IT OUT!!" through the cover.....lol..........


The helper was a good craftsman, But he was not superman, with X ray Eyes.....LOL
I thought the owners nephew was clearly in the wrong, and the other crew agreed............
IDK.
It was a long time ago, (Mid 90's) but this thread made me think of that story.
But............No, I don't think it would be right to lift a cover off a strangers car..:evil:
 
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M

Miss the Pontiacs

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Saskatchewan Canada
Take a few pictures pics and post them. Everyone can take some guesses from the silhouette from various sides. I always try to figure out what is under the cover. We then can post our guesses and when you do find out take some more pics of the automobile and post. The owner might even take you for a spin. Just don’t put a message on the cover, go through the property management to find the owner.
 
G

gtsgarage

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California
Never touch another persons car. Especially a classic or exotic. That said I would never leave my cars covered in public. Too pretentious.
 
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red61cj5

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Wow, only 3 "kill or shoot someone for touching my car" responses so far. The cold must be hard on keyboard commando's. Everyone else is pretty reasonable. I cant believe no one asked, "Does it have distinctive wheels?";)
 
OP
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gotham

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Colorado
I'll get pictures so everyone can guess. Usually seeing the wheels is enough but this car cover goes almost to the ground.
 
C

crewchief888

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NW indiana
Bluevista said:
I walk around with my hands behind my back at car shows, and I'm usually a participant.
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yea i do too. i wouldnt think of laying my hands on someone elses car, unless i was working on it.

i show my raggedy *** s-10 blazer. i cant recall anyone ever touching it.
conversation usually starts with me asking if they have their tetanus shot...
:lol_hitti


:beer:
 
T

T_R

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Maine
red61cj5 said:
Wow, only 3 "kill or shoot someone for touching my car" responses so far. The cold must be hard on keyboard commando's. Everyone else is pretty reasonable. I cant believe no one asked, "Does it have distinctive wheels?";)
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Didn't say I would, just stated that you risk getting shot for it here. I'm easy going and wouldn't make a big deal over it. Others, not so much. If not shot you would surely be staring down a barrel.
 
7

77Birdman

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North Eastern MD
I bought a brand new 1982 Firebird. I had just graduated HS and it was my pride and joy. I had a cover for it and when not in use it was always covered. I worked construction, and drove it to a jobsite on a Saturday to use the dump truck that was parked there. I parked my car out of the way and covered it up. This was in the middle of town. I came back several hours later to return the truck and my car was gone!! I called the police to report it stolen. They said the owner of the building we were working on saw a suspicious car parked in his lot with a cover and thought there was a dead body in it. He had them tow it. This was sat evening by then, and the shop that towed it was closed until Monday morning. So i was without my car for the rest of the weekend. Devastating to an 18yo. After hearing the story the owner was apologetic and paid the towing fee.
 
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red61cj5

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T_R said:
Didn't say I would, just stated that you risk getting shot for it here. I'm easy going and wouldn't make a big deal over it. Others, not so much. If not shot you would surely be staring down a barrel.
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Id still love to hear you explain to the police why you were brandishing a firearm at an unarmed person who touched your car cover. FYI, most police consider "staring down a barrel" a big deal. If you don't believe me, try it sometime.:Gun1:
 
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wssix99

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There's no problem if they never see you do it.

chloroform-250x250.jpg
 
2

2level

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The only valid reason to lift / "peak" under a vehicle cover without the owners permission, that I know of, is if you're a law enforcement officer that has legal justification (legit investigation, probable cause and in plain view, ect.).

I've read that in some jurisdictions a non-LEO employee can lift a cover to check for expired license tags. Not sure if that's true.
 
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T_R

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Nor'Easter said:
That's a serious exaggeration.
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I don't think so.

red61cj5 said:
Id still love to hear you explain to the police why you were brandishing a firearm at an unarmed person who touched your car cover. FYI, most police consider "staring down a barrel" a big deal. If you don't believe me, try it sometime.:Gun1:
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I think you misread, I wouldn't have to explain a thing. I said I wouldn't make a big deal about it, I'm not pulling a gun on somebody.

But if somebody was trespassing on your property, looking under a car cover you would not have to explain a thing to the police here. That's a possible felony in progress.
 
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gotham

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I know what the car is now. I'll let guesses come in for a bit if people are interested. Hard to get a side shot because of the other cars. This shows the setup. Guest parking. Probably 5 or 6 spots for guests of the building. Residents have a spot in the indoor garage.
 
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Nivekdodge

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Pittsburgh PA
In PA it's against the law to cover the vin on a car while it's parked. otherwise everyone would do that and the ticket would be incomplete. Is the car allowed to be where it's at?
 
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BDT/NWMN

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I can see merit in that law when it pertains to vehicles parked on public streets or parking lots; But I understand the Covered car being discussed is in the guest area of a private parking lot.
 
L

Lunker

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Very Gray area.....recommend you Uncover it and admire it then post up the owners reaction on here. Bonus if you scratch the car putting the cover back on!!!
 
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BDT/NWMN

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Lunker said:
Very Gray area.....recommend you Uncover it and admire it then post up the owners reaction on here. Bonus if you scratch the car putting the cover back on!!!
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Not sure I would want paint chippings all over My rings, cuff links, watch and billfold chains, or belt buckle while I take a peek; not to mention all over My pooche's chain leash and spiked collar when He jumps up against the car for a peek on the other side. If pooch licks and chews of the mirror; I sure wouldn't want to see Him get poisoned from the chrome polish---they should outlaw that stuff.
Al least pooch will give one wheel a free wheel wash when checking His territory. I hope the car's owner isn't upset about a little pile of dog ****.
But I am sure He will like petting My pooch as much as I like peeking at His car.
 
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