Bastards messed up my Tundra!

Some asshole crankhead broke the passenger window of my brand new Tundra
last night and pried open the locked glove box. In the process, the paint
on the door got scratched and the dash right at the top of the glove box has
a couple small pry marks. Son of a BITCH! The truck has 3000 miles on it.

I'm particularly bummed about the dash, because it appears to me that I now
have two choices: either I live with the little pry marks for the next 15
years, or I have a new dash put into the rig. RIght now, I have no rattles
or buzzes and I just know if I have new dash put in, it's not going to be as
"tight" as this one, the factory installed one, is. Next in line that I'm
bummed about is the scratches on the door. I don't see how that can be
fixed other than overspraying it and blending it into the other panels. My
truck is metallic silver and that seems to be a particularly hard color to
get right, judging by some stuff I've seen on the road.

Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a pisser!

I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?

Damn it.

-jeff

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:19:52 GMT, Jeff Olsen
<handywired@earthlink.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Some asshole crankhead broke the passenger window of my brand new Tundra
>last night and pried open the locked glove box. In the process, the paint
>on the door got scratched and the dash right at the top of the glove box has
>a couple small pry marks. Son of a BITCH! The truck has 3000 miles on it.
>
>I'm particularly bummed about the dash, because it appears to me that I now
>have two choices: either I live with the little pry marks for the next 15
>years, or I have a new dash put into the rig. RIght now, I have no rattles
>or buzzes and I just know if I have new dash put in, it's not going to be as
>"tight" as this one, the factory installed one, is. Next in line that I'm
>bummed about is the scratches on the door. I don't see how that can be
>fixed other than overspraying it and blending it into the other panels. My
>truck is metallic silver and that seems to be a particularly hard color to
>get right, judging by some stuff I've seen on the road.
>
>Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
>glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a pisser!
>
>I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
>of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?
>
>Damn it.
>
>-jeff[/color]

They will most likely try to get you to go to one of the shops they
usually do business with, meaning cheap, after market parts.

I went through this a couple of years ago and got three estimates from
three Toyota dealers, making sure the one I usually go to was the
lowest. I has some initial resistance because the insurance agent
wanted me to go to one of the places they usually do business with. I
was insistent and they finally admitted that I could get the truck
repaired anywhere I choose.

My Tundra was fixed using factory parts and, while it cost the
insurance company more than taking it to the cheap place, it didn't
cost me any more than the deductible I had to pay anyway.

My advise is to get estimates from places that have factory parts and
be a step ahead of the insurance people. Remember, the insurance
company's job is to NOT pay you if they can get away with it.

Skip

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:19:52 GMT, Jeff Olsen
<handywired@earthlink.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Some asshole crankhead broke the passenger window of my brand new Tundra
>last night and pried open the locked glove box. In the process, the paint
>on the door got scratched and the dash right at the top of the glove box has
>a couple small pry marks. Son of a BITCH! The truck has 3000 miles on it.
>
>I'm particularly bummed about the dash, because it appears to me that I now
>have two choices: either I live with the little pry marks for the next 15
>years, or I have a new dash put into the rig. RIght now, I have no rattles
>or buzzes and I just know if I have new dash put in, it's not going to be as
>"tight" as this one, the factory installed one, is. Next in line that I'm
>bummed about is the scratches on the door. I don't see how that can be
>fixed other than overspraying it and blending it into the other panels. My
>truck is metallic silver and that seems to be a particularly hard color to
>get right, judging by some stuff I've seen on the road.
>
>Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
>glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a pisser![/color]

WHOA. Stop RIGHT there. There was a PISTOL in the glove box?

This should have been mentioned right up front, not buried in the
next-to-last paragraph of the story. In newspaper accounts, this
deliberate suppression of 'uncomfortable' details that they want to
downplay is called "Burying the Lead" - they have to say it, but they
also hope nobody reads through to the end of the article and spots it.

First: When this happened, did you immediately call the local police
or sheriff's and have them come take a theft report, including the
weapon serial number, and dust the truck for prints? If someone
commits a crime (or several) with that weapon, and it is recovered and
traced they will come right back to you - and without a police report
to back your side of the story, to quote Ricky Ricardo "You have some
'splainin' to do, Lucy..."

Next: Who saw you put the weapon in the glovebox, or would
otherwise have reason to know it was in there?

Odds are if this happened at your residence it was done by someone
you know. It could have been a "Friend" who isn't, or a neighbor kid
who saw you handling the weapon and always wanted a new toy. And if
you catch them, you can make them pay for the repairs to the truck.

If someone may have observed you put the weapon in the glovebox at a
gun range or police station (or other public location), go there first
thing tomorrow and see if they have cameras, review the security
camera tapes for the last few days if they do, and see if you get any
ideas on who it might be. It may be a known local lowlife - but if
the tape gets recorded over in the weekly rotation, you'll never know.

And the obvious: Why in the F*** were you leaving a weapon in the
glovebox instead of placing it in a locked gun safe securely bolted
under the car seat, where they would have to work at getting it? Car
Gloveboxes are NOT proper secured storage for weapons.

I have no problems with proper concealed carry, but leaving the
weapon not properly secured is stupid at best. Depending on your
state and local laws, either get a proper concealed carry holster or
carrying case and take the weapon inside the house with you at night,
or buy a proper and secure storage box and be a bit more discreet when
using it.
[color=blue]
>I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
>of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?[/color]

It all depends on your insurance coverage. I would insist on
matching factory glass - it shouldn't cost much more - and if they
made a model-year change to the glass, that's going to be the only
place to get it for a while till it gets into the aftermarket
pipeline.

The entire door will have to be painted rather than a spot touch-up.
You are right that metallic paints are very fussy about paint
technique, because the metal flakes act like millions of tiny mirrors.
The painter has to match the 'wetness' of the paint and thinner mix,
and match the 'hand' of the paint robots at the factory (spray on the
right-to-left or left-to-right stroke only), or the repainted panel
will literally stand out like a beacon in direct sunlight.

I wouldn't try changing the dash pad - you are right that you're
inviting rattles. They have repair putty and vinyl paints you can use
to repair and blend out the scars on the dashboard, so nobody sees
them unless they know where to look - and let the last faint tracks
remain there as a reminder, so you'll never be tempted to do that
again.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

"Jeff Olsen" <handywired@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:C06898CF.1D4EB%handywired@earthlink.net...[color=blue]
> Some asshole crankhead broke the passenger window of my brand new Tundra
> last night and pried open the locked glove box. In the process, the paint
> on the door got scratched and the dash right at the top of the glove box
> has
> a couple small pry marks. Son of a BITCH! The truck has 3000 miles on
> it.
>
> I'm particularly bummed about the dash, because it appears to me that I
> now
> have two choices: either I live with the little pry marks for the next 15
> years, or I have a new dash put into the rig. RIght now, I have no
> rattles
> or buzzes and I just know if I have new dash put in, it's not going to be
> as
> "tight" as this one, the factory installed one, is. Next in line that I'm
> bummed about is the scratches on the door. I don't see how that can be
> fixed other than overspraying it and blending it into the other panels.
> My
> truck is metallic silver and that seems to be a particularly hard color to
> get right, judging by some stuff I've seen on the road.
>
> Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
> glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a
> pisser!
>
> I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
> of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?
>
> Damn it.
>
> -jeff
>[/color]

I was sympathetic until you mentioned "pistol". I own guns, too. But, only a
complete moron leaves a gun in the car. The BEST scenario now is that it's
in the hands of a truly bad guy who knows how to use it. He probably won't
shoot anyone unintentionally. If statistics are true, he'll probably shoot
someone just like himself. But, in reality, most car break-ins are done by
youngsters. So, now your pistol's in some kid's sock drawer and he's
probably got NO idea how to even pick it up safely.

Nice work, putz.

Doug Kanter wrote in message ...
[color=blue]
>I was sympathetic until you mentioned "pistol". I own guns, too. But,[/color]
only a[color=blue]
>complete moron leaves a gun in the car. The BEST scenario now is that[/color]
it's[color=blue]
>in the hands of a truly bad guy who knows how to use it. He probably[/color]
won't[color=blue]
>shoot anyone unintentionally. If statistics are true, he'll probably[/color]
shoot[color=blue]
>someone just like himself. But, in reality, most car break-ins are done[/color]
by[color=blue]
>youngsters. So, now your pistol's in some kid's sock drawer and he's
>probably got NO idea how to even pick it up safely.[/color]


Yep, my biggest worry would have been the gun, and why I would ever
think of carrying it in the glove box in the first place. Forget the
truck with a few scratches IMO.

Cheri

"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
news:csOdnU3eLcFqUt7ZnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@inreach.com...[color=blue]
>
>
>
>
> Doug Kanter wrote in message ...
>[color=green]
>>I was sympathetic until you mentioned "pistol". I own guns, too. But,[/color]
> only a[color=green]
>>complete moron leaves a gun in the car. The BEST scenario now is that[/color]
> it's[color=green]
>>in the hands of a truly bad guy who knows how to use it. He probably[/color]
> won't[color=green]
>>shoot anyone unintentionally. If statistics are true, he'll probably[/color]
> shoot[color=green]
>>someone just like himself. But, in reality, most car break-ins are done[/color]
> by[color=green]
>>youngsters. So, now your pistol's in some kid's sock drawer and he's
>>probably got NO idea how to even pick it up safely.[/color]
>
>
> Yep, my biggest worry would have been the gun, and why I would ever
> think of carrying it in the glove box in the first place. Forget the
> truck with a few scratches IMO.
>
> Cheri[/color]

Hey Jeff,

Betcha never expected the comments about the gun in the glovebox, huh?

Yeah he screwed up by placing the weapon there, but what's done is done and
hopefully a lesson learned, so that automatically disqualifies him from
seeking an answer about the vehicle?

"bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
news:VLmdnYhUg5zzSN7ZnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
> news:csOdnU3eLcFqUt7ZnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@inreach.com...[color=green]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Doug Kanter wrote in message ...
> >[color=darkred]
> >>I was sympathetic until you mentioned "pistol". I own guns, too. But,[/color]
> > only a[color=darkred]
> >>complete moron leaves a gun in the car. The BEST scenario now is that[/color]
> > it's[color=darkred]
> >>in the hands of a truly bad guy who knows how to use it. He probably[/color]
> > won't[color=darkred]
> >>shoot anyone unintentionally. If statistics are true, he'll probably[/color]
> > shoot[color=darkred]
> >>someone just like himself. But, in reality, most car break-ins are done[/color]
> > by[color=darkred]
> >>youngsters. So, now your pistol's in some kid's sock drawer and he's
> >>probably got NO idea how to even pick it up safely.[/color]
> >
> >
> > Yep, my biggest worry would have been the gun, and why I would ever
> > think of carrying it in the glove box in the first place. Forget the
> > truck with a few scratches IMO.
> >
> > Cheri[/color]
>
> Hey Jeff,
>
> Betcha never expected the comments about the gun in the glovebox, huh?
>
>[/color]

No. He can still have an answer to the body work questions. But, keep this
in mind: There is a segment of the population which likes to say "Well...it
was legal for me to leave my gun in the truck. It wasn't legal for them to
come and steal it, so don't blame ME if somebody's little brother shoots
himself with it".

Hopefully, the OP is not going to come back and try THAT routine here, even
though he might be the type who thinks it's a valid thing to say.


"Grip" <mbetts@suscom.net> wrote in message
news:7LCdnbwDEbvLYt7ZnZ2dnUVZ_umdnZ2d@suscom.com...[color=blue]
> Yeah he screwed up by placing the weapon there, but what's done is done
> and
> hopefully a lesson learned, so that automatically disqualifies him from
> seeking an answer about the vehicle?
>
> "bearman" <noyb@home.com> wrote in message
> news:VLmdnYhUg5zzSN7ZnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
>> news:csOdnU3eLcFqUt7ZnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@inreach.com...[color=darkred]
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Doug Kanter wrote in message ...
>> >
>> >>I was sympathetic until you mentioned "pistol". I own guns, too. But,
>> > only a
>> >>complete moron leaves a gun in the car. The BEST scenario now is that
>> > it's
>> >>in the hands of a truly bad guy who knows how to use it. He probably
>> > won't
>> >>shoot anyone unintentionally. If statistics are true, he'll probably
>> > shoot
>> >>someone just like himself. But, in reality, most car break-ins are done
>> > by
>> >>youngsters. So, now your pistol's in some kid's sock drawer and he's
>> >>probably got NO idea how to even pick it up safely.
>> >
>> >
>> > Yep, my biggest worry would have been the gun, and why I would ever
>> > think of carrying it in the glove box in the first place. Forget the
>> > truck with a few scratches IMO.
>> >
>> > Cheri[/color]
>>
>> Hey Jeff,
>>
>> Betcha never expected the comments about the gun in the glovebox, huh?
>>
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

Grip wrote in message <7LCdnbwDEbvLYt7ZnZ2dnUVZ_umdnZ2d@suscom.com>...[color=blue]
>Yeah he screwed up by placing the weapon there, but what's done is done[/color]
and[color=blue]
>hopefully a lesson learned, so that automatically disqualifies him from
>seeking an answer about the vehicle?[/color]

I didn't see anybody say that. He got a lot of answers about the
scratches. I'm just saying my biggest worry would have been the gun gone
missing, since the scratches can be fixed.

Cheri

bearman wrote in message ...[color=blue]
>
>Hey Jeff,
>
>Betcha never expected the comments about the gun in the glovebox, huh?
>[/color]

If he didn't want comments about the gun, he shouldn't have included
that info in the message.

Cheri

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:19:52 GMT, Jeff Olsen
<handywired@earthlink.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Some asshole crankhead broke the passenger window of my brand new Tundra
>last night and pried open the locked glove box. In the process, the paint
>on the door got scratched and the dash right at the top of the glove box has
>a couple small pry marks. Son of a BITCH! The truck has 3000 miles on it.
>
>I'm particularly bummed about the dash, because it appears to me that I now
>have two choices: either I live with the little pry marks for the next 15
>years, or I have a new dash put into the rig. RIght now, I have no rattles
>or buzzes and I just know if I have new dash put in, it's not going to be as
>"tight" as this one, the factory installed one, is. Next in line that I'm
>bummed about is the scratches on the door. I don't see how that can be
>fixed other than overspraying it and blending it into the other panels. My
>truck is metallic silver and that seems to be a particularly hard color to
>get right, judging by some stuff I've seen on the road.
>
>Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
>glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a pisser!
>
>I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
>of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?
>
>Damn it.
>[/color]

This is why you carry low deductable comprehensive insurance. I had a
rock smashed thrugh my windsheild a year ago by some kids partying and
it damaged hood too. Insurance fixed it quickly no problems and it
only cost me 100 bucks out of pocket.

-----------------
The SnoMan
[url]www.thesnoman.com[/url]

"Grip" <mbetts@suscom.net> wrote in message
news:7LCdnbwDEbvLYt7ZnZ2dnUVZ_umdnZ2d@suscom.com...[color=blue]
> Yeah he screwed up by placing the weapon there, but what's done is done
> and
> hopefully a lesson learned, so that automatically disqualifies him from
> seeking an answer about the vehicle?
>[/color]

Who said anything about that?

Bearman

IMHO, mistake to keep a weapon in the truck, but a good body shop
should be able to fix everything back to the original or near-original
condition. I would think the truck alarm would sound without putting
in an ignition key within so many seconds--mine does! Sorry you
became a victim--vandalism can happen to anyone.

Very good point
"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
news:6LWdndsln8bAn9nZnZ2dnUVZ_vadnZ2d@inreach.com...[color=blue]
>
>
>
>
> bearman wrote in message ...[color=green]
> >
> >Hey Jeff,
> >
> >Betcha never expected the comments about the gun in the glovebox, huh?
> >[/color]
>
> If he didn't want comments about the gun, he shouldn't have included
> that info in the message.
>
> Cheri
>
>[/color]

in article [email]3uc642d5rerd4paoir86lvhnclieg1vs4n@4ax.com[/email], Bruce L. Bergman at
[email]blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.inva[/email]lid wrote on 4/17/06 12:23 AM:

[color=blue][color=green]
>> Then there's several plastic parts that need replacing, and of course the
>> glove box itself. And the pistol that was in the glove box. What a pisser![/color]
>
> WHOA. Stop RIGHT there. There was a PISTOL in the glove box?
>
> This should have been mentioned right up front, not buried in the
> next-to-last paragraph of the story. In newspaper accounts, this
> deliberate suppression of 'uncomfortable' details that they want to
> downplay is called "Burying the Lead" - they have to say it, but they
> also hope nobody reads through to the end of the article and spots it.[/color]

No, it's called being on-topic! This is a truck group and that comment was
incidental to the thrust of THIS posting.

If you want to, go look at the rec.guns and see my post entitled "Bastards
stole my gun" or something like that. Typed moments before (or after <g>!)
the post you replied to...
[color=blue]
> First: When this happened, did you immediately call the local police
> or sheriff's and have them come take a theft report, including the
> weapon serial number, and dust the truck for prints?[/color]

I of course notified the police, gave them the serial number etc. They
cannot or will not or want not to have any involvement beyond that. Dusting
for prints would be absolutely out of the question. The police are very
understaffed here, or so they say.
[color=blue]
> Next: Who saw you put the weapon in the glovebox, or would
> otherwise have reason to know it was in there?[/color]

Nobody. Someone might have seen me lock the box. The pistol was in it when
I left the house.
[color=blue]
>
> Odds are if this happened at your residence it was done by someone
> you know. It could have been a "Friend" who isn't, or a neighbor kid
> who saw you handling the weapon and always wanted a new toy. And if
> you catch them, you can make them pay for the repairs to the truck.[/color]

I was playing guitar in a band at a benefit party for a friend with probably
terminal cancer. It was at a pub owned by friends of mine. Though it would
be legal for me to carry in their pub since it's not posted otherwise, it
would be disrespectful to them. Plus I knew I'd be getting hugged a lot!
:-) Getting "made" in their would be disastrous. OTOH, it's not a good
neighborhood and I had about $5k in equipment with me.

I think it was because my new Tundra was by far the nicest, shinyest vehicle
there and this dope needed his fix and played the odds there'd be at least
some cash in there (which there was).

(by the way, we raised over $3200! Maybe a vacation for a very sick man)
[color=blue]
> And the obvious: Why in the F*** were you leaving a weapon in the
> glovebox instead of placing it in a locked gun safe securely bolted
> under the car seat, where they would have to work at getting it? Car
> Gloveboxes are NOT proper secured storage for weapons.[/color]

Easy there big fella. In Oregon people routinely do that; not many safes in
cars here. Not saying I won't do that, mind you (I've only had the truck 2
months). Bedliner was the first priority by far. Do you know of such a
safe for the Tundra Access cab truck? I had a Tuffy in my Jeep...
[color=blue]
> I have no problems with proper concealed carry, but leaving the
> weapon not properly secured is stupid at best. Depending on your
> state and local laws, either get a proper concealed carry holster or
> carrying case and take the weapon inside the house with you at night,
> or buy a proper and secure storage box and be a bit more discreet when
> using it.[/color]

Some good advice in there. I live in the deep woods and have several other
guns of various types in the house (in a gun safe, I agree gun safes = good
thing). Nobody can see where I park the vehicles on my land. I don't like
concealing in a holster; I can do it better without.

[color=blue]
>[color=green]
>> I am going to insist on Toyota glass for the window; anyone know what kind
>> of resistance to expect from the insurance company on that issue?[/color]
>
> It all depends on your insurance coverage. I would insist on
> matching factory glass - it shouldn't cost much more - and if they
> made a model-year change to the glass, that's going to be the only
> place to get it for a while till it gets into the aftermarket
> pipeline.
>
> The entire door will have to be painted rather than a spot touch-up.
> You are right that metallic paints are very fussy about paint
> technique, because the metal flakes act like millions of tiny mirrors.
> The painter has to match the 'wetness' of the paint and thinner mix,
> and match the 'hand' of the paint robots at the factory (spray on the
> right-to-left or left-to-right stroke only), or the repainted panel
> will literally stand out like a beacon in direct sunlight.
>
> I wouldn't try changing the dash pad - you are right that you're
> inviting rattles. They have repair putty and vinyl paints you can use
> to repair and blend out the scars on the dashboard, so nobody sees
> them unless they know where to look - and let the last faint tracks
> remain there as a reminder, so you'll never be tempted to do that[/color]

Thanks! I get the window (Toyota glass) tomorrow... that puts it out of
crisis mode at least!

-jeff

[color=blue]
> again.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]