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Inconsiderate Drivers

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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:19 PM
  #1  
9elf S's Avatar
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Inconsiderate Drivers

I know I'm not alone in having experienced this. Last weekend, went to dinner and parked my C204 on the street. No one could park in front of me because I was near the street corner and just before the red zone begins. The closest car behind me was almost 2 car lengths away. So, I thought I should be safe... even a moron could parallel park behind me with plenty of room to spare.

Well, I underestimated morons. I came back to the car and a piece of sh*t, 10+ year old, never washed, completely neglected Ford minivan had parked behind me. I checked my back bumper, and there were two star like patterns of broken paint that matched up exactly to the front license plate screws of the Ford parked about 18 inches behind my car. It's a black car, so they are noticeable.

I almost lost complete control. I've been thinking of keeping a ball pein hammer in my car for protection. I'm glad I don't. I'm not sure I could have controlled myself from inflicting a large amount of damage on the Ford.

So, what to do. I let it go. Obviously, someone that inconsiderate is not going to pay for the repair without having to go through a lot of effort. Ultimately, the opportunity costs (hassle of tracking down the person, etc.) aren't worth the repair costs.

Last edited by 9elf S; Oct 1, 2008 at 04:38 PM.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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f-that man, you should have taken justice...

should have done something comparable that they would not appreciate to their car... if you were 100% sure it was them and that they were not going to pay you...
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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Should've called the cops and reported it while waiting on them (cops) to show up. Unless you were in a hurry to get somewhere else.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:30 PM
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I'd report it, but like you said, maybe the hassle is not worth it in the end.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by amdeutsch
Should've called the cops and reported it while waiting on them (cops) to show up. Unless you were in a hurry to get somewhere else.
Thought about it, but I'm in CA. Do you know how long it would have taken the police to respond to a non-injury property damage call?
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by rb23lb
f-that man, you should have taken justice...

should have done something comparable that they would not appreciate to their car... if you were 100% sure it was them and that they were not going to pay you...
No doubt in my mind that the Ford did it. I thought about knocking out the headlamps and tail lights. It would prevent the person from driving at night and during the day because you can't drive without functioning lights. And it's probably comparable damage in terms of cost to fix.

In those 30 or so seconds, alot went through my mind.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 04:45 PM
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At least, take down the license plate and report them...
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 07:45 PM
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its bound to happen again

I suggest bumperpad.com
its usually on every luxury car in NYC especially in Manhattan.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 07:48 PM
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a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by syrAMG
its bound to happen again

I suggest bumperpad.com
its usually on every luxury car in NYC especially in Manhattan.
I was in Manhattan a couple weeks ago and witnessed about 10 instances of people just pushing on cars while parallel parking. ouch.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 07:56 PM
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unfortunate there are a lot of a$$holes like that around
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 9elf S
Thought about it, but I'm in CA. Do you know how long it would have taken the police to respond to a non-injury property damage call?
almost never. They are too busy eating free donuts.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 09:31 PM
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lol
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 10:02 PM
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NYC is the worst drivers out there. Some people just don't give give a crap as long they get their way. They will park in that spot if it is 3/4 of a car length. I seen so many thats why i park away from the avenues and streets.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by e1000
I was in Manhattan a couple weeks ago and witnessed about 10 instances of people just pushing on cars while parallel parking. ouch.
Sadly that's not the only case.

The reason why I purchased the bumper guards to begin with is because I usually never park outside thinking someone or something may damage my car.
It turns out that some idiot at a parking lot on 23rd street, crunched my front end leaving 3 dents on my front bumper. unfortunately it was too dark to see the dent at the lot, and noticed the damage when I got back... couldn't file a complaint because I left the scene of the incident.

I highly recommend to everyone. You could be 150% cautious and some idiot behind/in front of you could ruin your day.

Inconsiderate Drivers = NYC...well at least some of us aren't

Last edited by syrAMG; Oct 2, 2008 at 12:17 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by syrAMG
its bound to happen again

I suggest bumperpad.com
its usually on every luxury car in NYC especially in Manhattan.
That looks so funny!
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 01:54 PM
  #16  
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a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by syrAMG
Sadly that's not the only case.

The reason why I purchased the bumper guards to begin with is because I usually never park outside thinking someone or something may damage my car.
It turns out that some idiot at a parking lot on 23rd street, crunched my front end leaving 3 dents on my front bumper. unfortunately it was too dark to see the dent at the lot, and noticed the damage when I got back... couldn't file a complaint because I left the scene of the incident.

I highly recommend to everyone. You could be 150% cautious and some idiot behind/in front of you could ruin your day.

Inconsiderate Drivers = NYC...well at least some of us aren't
damn. I actually saw an FX with one of these things hanging over it's rear bumper and thought to myself "what a fantastic idea". As I was standing there thinking that, a car pushed up on it trying to park. HAAHAHA
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 02:04 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by 9elf S
I know I'm not alone in having experienced this. Last weekend, went to dinner and parked my C204 on the street. No one could park in front of me because I was near the street corner and just before the red zone begins. The closest car behind me was almost 2 car lengths away. So, I thought I should be safe... even a moron could parallel park behind me with plenty of room to spare.

Well, I underestimated morons. I came back to the car and a piece of sh*t, 10+ year old, never washed, completely neglected Ford minivan had parked behind me. I checked my back bumper, and there were two star like patterns of broken paint that matched up exactly to the front license plate screws of the Ford parked about 18 inches behind my car. It's a black car, so they are noticeable.

I almost lost complete control. I've been thinking of keeping a ball pein hammer in my car for protection. I'm glad I don't. I'm not sure I could have controlled myself from inflicting a large amount of damage on the Ford.

So, what to do. I let it go. Obviously, someone that inconsiderate is not going to pay for the repair without having to go through a lot of effort. Ultimately, the opportunity costs (hassle of tracking down the person, etc.) aren't worth the repair costs.
I believe your "cooler head" prevailed. Damaging the other vehicle intentionally wouldn't have made you feel better past a few seconds, and that kind of malicious action opens you up to criminal/civil litigation. It sucks that considerate and honest people have to deal with these situations often, but we must all pick our battles.

You obviously have a lot to be thankful for (I mean you drive one sweet *** car ;-D) and I don't think you should waste anymore time being upset about this. Move forward on repairs, move on with your life, and never be surprised about the lack of consideration people can show.

Last edited by Vector02; Oct 2, 2008 at 02:07 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 02:34 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Spec_Davis
NYC is the worst drivers out there. Some people just don't give give a crap as long they get their way. They will park in that spot if it is 3/4 of a car length. I seen so many thats why i park away from the avenues and streets.
After having moved to Florida from Jersey, the problem is not just with NYC drivers. It has more to do with the "NY" plate - I think the act of putting a NY plate on the car dramatically decreases peoples' IQ. Wherever they are (mostly here in Florida since this is the 6th borough), they think they own the d**n road. A##holes.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 03:49 PM
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I get those sudden urges aka Hulk, but best not to stoop down to pre-caveman levels. People that hit other nice cars really don't care about damaging their own cars.

Still, I do feel your pain.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 07:11 PM
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You totally did the right thing IMO. Karma will get that driver back one way or the other so you do not have to. You might have created a larger problem by doing something to his car. You took the high road and that is the better thing to do
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