What Do You Make Of This? ........

[Jeza]

A guy knocked on my door today and asked if that was my car. I said yes. He then told me how lucky I was that it hadn't been broken in to as many car had overnight in my area. He went on to say the thieves were stealing the contents plus tax discs and disabled badges. He said this allowed them to sell them in London for £100's of pounds to avoid the congestion charge. He told me that for £40 he would etch my windows, headlights and anything else that was steal able. When I said I would think about it and to leave his card he started to flatter me on how he was amazed that I did not look old enough to be on a state pension, but because I was he would knock £10 off. Suspicious me then said No Thank You and closed the door. I thought of phoning the police to see if many cars had been broken into and vandalised overnight. I didn't as I thought they wouldn't tell me anyway.
WHAT would you have done.

[murraymints]

I'd have sent him on his way with a firm no thank you...

[tonyav]

Yeah it's a scam, Jeza, you did the right thing.

[Tilly2]

I think I would have called the local station and told them about what had happened, Jeza.

[Peaspeculiars]

Be very wary Jeza - I wonder how many peoples doors he has knocked on, they have agreed, and his next sentence is... 'Chuck me your car keys then and I'll get on with it'

Flattery can get you anywhere... in some cases...

[sherrardk]

Contact your local PCSO, their might be vulnerable people in your area who are not so switched on.

[Sparkles62]

Sounds a bit sus to me,
Having your windows etched won't stop someone breaking in and taking your disabled badge, sat nav etc,
I think you did the right thing Jeza. X

[marval]

I agree with Tilly I would have contacted the local police.

[Psybbo]

Yes, I'd have given the police a ring anyway if only to alert them to a possible scam

[Jeza]

I'm pleased you all think I was right. I think I will call the local nick tomorrow and tell them.

[Prudie]

He was probably just trying to earn a few bob. Etching car windows is quite a common anti-theft procedure. I had it done once
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIN_etching

[Sparkles62]

It's still not too late to let the police know, at least they will be aware of it and can keep an eye out for him if they don't already know about him. X

[tonyav]

I had it done for free some years back, the insurance company were promoting it at that time.

[joggerjayne]

Not a scam or a thief. Just someone using a bit of patter to try and drum up some business, I'd think.

[silliemillie]

The etching of car windows is a legitimate anti thieft deterent but I cant see how that would stop your blue badge being taken.

If in doubt, best to say no.

[askyourgran]

Drumming up business, we've had our car windows etched with the engine number, if it gets stolen it could be identified by the engine number - registration plates can be changed.

[joggerjayne]

I'm in a Zone D for car insurance ...

http://www.motorcarinsuranceuk.co.uk/post-code-ratings.php#D

Which is quite a bad risk zone.

[Ann]

I would just let the police know. I'm afraid I don't trust any door step sellers since we were conned 40 years ago in having our drive tarmaced (this was before we knew of such scams) They were a very smartly dressed band of gypsies the police were trying to catch for stealing lead off church roofs, this was happening even back in the early 70s.

[boxtops]

Well done jeza, for being on your guard!