[Yapakanichi]

This is going to be a big lesson hopefully learned. OP I say make it rain on his parade. I wouldn't allow that to happen.

I'd lawyer up too for damages (foot stomp) while the car was in their hands if they don't play nice. Maybe you have a case, maybe you don't. And if you're a lawyer, stomp em.

[Wolf 335]

I could understand him disconnecting the camera if it was recording the interior of the car and his face was in the view.

But disconnecting the camera that is facing the road is wrong and he was clearly trying to cover for any wrongful use of vehicle.

Was there any damage to the car after you took it back?
What was the mileage range from the time you dropped it off to the pick up time?

Keep us posted please, interested to see how this pans out.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

how is it illegal, its dashcam mounted on his car to record anything that may occur to his property in his absence. Also serves a purpose while the vehicle is in motion, during an accident. its a security.

so home security cams are illegal???

I think the laws against recording video and voice are designed to protect people from having their likeness and/or speech used without their consent, for profit or malicious intent. I'd bet a week's pay that if you caught an illegal act with a camera whose sole purpose is to safeguard you and/or your property, there's not a court in the land that would entertain a suit against you as long as you don't misuse the video. Nor would there be a prosecutor who thought it worth their time to pursue such a suit.

[FuriouslyFast]

I'd raise hell.

Speaking of dash cams, I should probably finally get one, but no idea what to get. Not spending a fortune & not dealing with a ton of wiring.

[NEfan508]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

I think the laws against recording video and voice are designed to protect people from having their likeness and/or speech used without their consent, for profit or malicious intent. I'd bet a week's pay that if you caught an illegal act with a camera whose sole purpose is to safeguard you and/or your property, there's not a court in the land that would entertain a suit against you as long as you don't misuse the video. Nor would there be a prosecutor who thought it worth their time to pursue such a suit.

My state has a old "wire taping law" must announce your recording, but on (your property) car or home it's ok? nanny cam, front door cam and car sentry mode all seem fine to this liberal

maybe a sticker "smile your being recorded" satisfies
The announcement?

[Our03z4]

Here is my guess. He unplugged it worried it would drain the battery. It was already parked when he saw the camera.

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

Here is my guess. He unplugged it worried it would drain the battery. It was already parked when he saw the camera.

Did you even listen to the audio?!

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by FuriouslyFast

I'd raise hell.

Speaking of dash cams, I should probably finally get one, but no idea what to get. Not spending a fortune & not dealing with a ton of wiring.

I've been using ddpai mini3 for my current F80 and F30. Since there's a front cig port under the glove compartment, just use that and route the micro usb around the trim. Didn't bother to hardwire it since the fuse box is located under the rear trunk.

[FuriouslyFast]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

I've been using ddpai mini3 for my current F80 and F30. Since there's a front cig port under the glove compartment, just use that and route the micro usb around the trim

My outlet is in the center by the shifter. The wire would be in my line of sight & drive me nuts...unless it's super long & I could run it under glove, up a pillar & across top of windshield... Looks like that one has to be hardwired to record when parked. PITA since my fuse boxes are engine bay & trunk.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

how is it illegal, its dashcam mounted on his car to record anything that may occur to his property in his absence. Also serves a purpose while the vehicle is in motion, during an accident. its a security.

so home security cams are illegal???

Google dash cam privacy laws in PA.

[SteveinArizona]

This is one of the many reasons that I try very hard NOT to use a valet service. Unfortunately, sometimes it is unavoidable (e.g., recently I took a client to lunch and there was no real alternative).

If you do use a valet service, it is a good idea to take note of the mileage before you exit the car.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

OP, do you take odometer pics whenever your car is given into someone else's care? If not, you should. Automatic time and date stamp plus geo code. Irrefutable.

This. I just got a dent repaired and there were 3 new miles on the OD. They had to take it to the clear armor place for some of the work so it checked out, but you always have to protect yourself.

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by pz619

Google dash cam privacy laws in PA.

tints are illegal but 95% cars on the road in NY NJ CT and PA have them

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

I feel like people wouldn't disconnect dash cams unless they have something to hide...

100% this. If all you are doing is moving the vehicle a short distance from point A to B, like a valet should, then there is no reason whatsoever to unplug the camera. Not to mention there is no reason at all for a valet to tamper with anything in a customers car. Just turn the car on, move it, and turn it off. Nothing else needed.

[MPBK]

what was the actual damage?

[pz619]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

tints are illegal but 95% cars on the road in NY NJ CT and PA have them

Apples to Oranges. When was the last time you heard of one party suing another for window tint? Never?

How often do people get sued over privacy violation? All the time. Point is, if nothing is broken on the car then there isn't really any restitution here. Push too hard, the business might make an issue of the audio recording. Doubt it would go to any sort of litigation, but who wants the headache in the first place.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by MPBK

what was the actual damage?

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

I could understand him disconnecting the camera if it was recording the interior of the car and his face was in the view.

But disconnecting the camera that is facing the road is wrong and he was clearly trying to cover for any wrongful use of vehicle.

Was there any damage to the car after you took it back?
What was the mileage range from the time you dropped it off to the pick up time?

Keep us posted please, interested to see how this pans out.

So far, they are reviewing the videos...they have not comments on them yet.

As for damage - he pulled the wires from the headliner...honestly, couple minutes to fix. However, the rear camera (which is one of the wires he pulled), seems to be acting oddly. It turns on, but after a few minutes shuts off. Won't know what that issue is until I look at the wires. They are aware of this issue.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

Here is my guess. He unplugged it worried it would drain the battery. It was already parked when he saw the camera.

Every dash cam I have (3 different brands over 5 cars) all have a shut off voltage for park mode recording. The camera will not drain the battery dead...but it sounds like I should thank him for thinking of my cars well fair

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by pz619

Worth noting that some states it’s illegal to record without consent, especially audio recordings. Not taking sides here, just advising caution as your videos contain audio and PA is a 2 party consent state (assuming that’s where the video was taken).

Might be better to just drop it and not give them your business next time.

In California, it only applies when the people involved reasonably believe they are involved in a confidential communication.

A person driving my car has no expectation of privacy.

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by Yapakanichi

I'd lawyer up too for damages (foot stomp) while the car was in their hands if they don't play nice. Maybe you have a case, maybe you don't. And if you're a lawyer, stomp em.

Some people think every problem in life is a way to hit the lawsuit jackpot... but any lawyer knows this situation isn't worth the time and effort to sue anybody.

And no lawyer with half a brain would try to "stomp em" because the other side would file an anti-SLAPP action, and the lawyer would end up paying the parking lot's legal fees as well.

When people start threatening to call lawyers, most businesses just say, "fine, have your lawyer call our legal department" and stop trying to resolve the issue. That's because they know the customer will suffer sticker shock when they find out a lawyer wants a $5,000 retainer to take on their ten dollar dispute.

[F32Fleet]

They have every right to disconnect the camera.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

They have every right to disconnect the camera.

Why in the fuck would that be? It's my personal property, part of my car.
Do they have the right to go through my glove box, centre console and trunk while there?

If the lot attendant raced my car around the lot and wrecked it...I have every right to know.