Someone 'keyed' my car :(

Well, I just stayed at a medium sized inn this weekend. My car stayed parked in their lot and I went off with family for a few hours yesterday. When I went to leave in the afternoon, I saw someone had dragged their key or something across the driver's side doors and hood. Big scratches on a black car. Why?? I had permission to leave my car there until 3 (their check in time) and left before 2 and it was off to the side in the furthest spot but not isolated. I had hardly any contact with anyone at the inn, just ate my breakfast quietly, was pleasant to people and they seemed okay with me ... so I assume it was some bizarre prank. I know it happened while parked there because I put my overnight bag in the back seat behind the driver's seat before I went off with family and no one I was with nor I noticed it then but we all noticed it when I was dropped off.
I mentioned it to the owner, not to blame them or expecting anything, but it's so random and upsetting. Their parking is not a cut through for cars or foot traffic so I am thinking some guest's child? He told me I could file some kind of claim with his insurance but wasn't sure how that would affect his insurance rate. Or if it would be covered. And they have those signs not responsible for damages. Anyway, I don't think I'll do that. But he seemed annoyed with me for telling him. Honestly, I likely won't stay there again.
Maybe I can get some serious patch paint.
But ... what the heck!?

If something like that happened in my car park I would be mortified!

Oh that is so sad. We're there kids staying in the inn? I would hate to think a guest would do that. And in broad daylight. Was the place fenced in? Off my itself? I too would be so angry! They may not feel they are responsible but it was their property. And they offered no compassion??? I would turn a claim in for vandalism. It will cost big bucks to fix it.no paint job is cheap these days. Or check with your own agent first
Sorry this happened to you. I would be livid.

EmptyNest said:

Oh that is so sad. We're there kids staying in the inn? I would hate to think a guest would do that. And in broad daylight. Was the place fenced in? Off my itself? I too would be so angry! They may not feel they are responsible but it was their property. And they offered no compassion??? I would turn a claim in for vandalism. It will cost big bucks to fix it.no paint job is cheap these days. Or check with your own agent first
Sorry this happened to you. I would be livid..

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MY friend was parked on the street and had her rangerover keyed - had to respray 3 panels so was about £500

Bizarre

I have comprehensive insurance and this is considered vandalism but there is a deductible and it's an older car.
So I will try some home remedies if anyone has suggestions? I see lots of products that might just be junk.
Yes, there were a few children there ... don't know who else would do this. *grouchy face*

Unfortunately, in today's world. it is not an uncommon thing. Someone could have mistaken your car for another or it could just be a jerk getting his jolloes. Some people are so bored or unhappy that they have to make others just as unhappy - or hurt them in some way and financially or destroying beauty are 2 most often chosen ways.
I am so sorry you had to be the receiver of this. It cannot be anyone who had contact with you in any way obviously, because anyone who had been in contact with you would not dream of doing ANYTHING hurtful to you.

seashanty said:

I have comprehensive insurance and this is considered vandalism but there is a deductible and it's an older car.
So I will try some home remedies if anyone has suggestions? I see lots of products that might just be junk.
Yes, there were a few children there ... don't know who else would do this. *grouchy face*.

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Sorry to say none of those miracle workers work on scratches. I have tried many of them...trying to hide some from my DH LOL!!! I finally confessed

seashanty said:

I have comprehensive insurance and this is considered vandalism but there is a deductible and it's an older car.
So I will try some home remedies if anyone has suggestions? I see lots of products that might just be junk.
Yes, there were a few children there ... don't know who else would do this. *grouchy face*.

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seashanty said:

So I will try some home remedies if anyone has suggestions?

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Not exactly a home remedy, but I like all sorts of vehicles and in a past life I've done paint and body work. A scuff can often be polished with fine rubbing compound (auto parts store), by scuff I mean the paint is damaged on the surface, but not cut through down to the metal. Intentional damage down to the metal is more difficult, rubbing compound may smooth up the look, but isn't a fix, not a lot of great options. The little bottles of touch up paint (like a bottle of fingernail polish in your vehicle color) may stop the scratch from rusting, when good and dry a little rubbing compound may help the look (same for spray cans in vehicle color). These are not really a "fix", but with luck may help preserve your car from further damage by rust.

Well, thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to start with the little paint bottle that matches the finish just to keep it from rusting. They don't look like gouges, just scratches. Lots of scratches. Ah well ... I'm guessing a bored child waiting in the parking lot with parents' keys, who knows? I looked for telltale initials or little drawings, but saw none.
If someone did that to a guest of mine I would be sorry and apologize even though it wasn't my fault. I'd probably offer a little discount for the next stay - or at least a little sympathy? But I wouldn't be annoyed at the guest for telling me with an attitude of 'what do you expect me to do about it?'

seashanty said:

Well, thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to start with the little paint bottle that matches the finish just to keep it from rusting. They don't look like gouges, just scratches. Lots of scratches. Ah well ... I'm guessing a bored child waiting in the parking lot with parents' keys, who knows? I looked for telltale initials or little drawings, but saw none.
If someone did that to a guest of mine I would be sorry and apologize even though it wasn't my fault. I'd probably offer a little discount for the next stay - or at least a little sympathy? But I wouldn't be annoyed at the guest for telling me with an attitude of 'what do you expect me to do about it?'.

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Agree.
When my guest locked her keys in the trunk of her rental car, I called the cops, who came and unlocked the door. The housekeeper jumped into the car trunk and grabbed the keys. We all helped. And we also calmed the poor woman down.
Hospitality can be learned, but I think there are some people who are good at it. And those people make the best innkeepers.

TheBeachHouse said:

seashanty said:

Well, thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to start with the little paint bottle that matches the finish just to keep it from rusting. They don't look like gouges, just scratches. Lots of scratches. Ah well ... I'm guessing a bored child waiting in the parking lot with parents' keys, who knows? I looked for telltale initials or little drawings, but saw none.
If someone did that to a guest of mine I would be sorry and apologize even though it wasn't my fault. I'd probably offer a little discount for the next stay - or at least a little sympathy? But I wouldn't be annoyed at the guest for telling me with an attitude of 'what do you expect me to do about it?'.

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Agree.
When my guest locked her keys in the trunk of her rental car, I called the cops, who came and unlocked the door. The housekeeper jumped into the car trunk and grabbed the keys. We all helped. And we also calmed the poor woman down.
Hospitality can be learned, but I think there are some people who are good at it. And those people make the best innkeepers.
.

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TheBeachHouse said:

Hospitality can be learned, but I think there are some people who are good at it. And those people make the best innkeepers.

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I think we can learn to do hospitality work, but enjoying serving folks, trying to ensure that they have a good time and helping to solve their problems may be something we're born to do

seashanty said:

Well, thank you for the suggestions. I'm going to start with the little paint bottle that matches the finish just to keep it from rusting. They don't look like gouges, just scratches. Lots of scratches. Ah well ... I'm guessing a bored child waiting in the parking lot with parents' keys, who knows? I looked for telltale initials or little drawings, but saw none.
If someone did that to a guest of mine I would be sorry and apologize even though it wasn't my fault. I'd probably offer a little discount for the next stay - or at least a little sympathy? But I wouldn't be annoyed at the guest for telling me with an attitude of 'what do you expect me to do about it?'.

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seashanty said:

I'm guessing a bored child waiting in the parking lot

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Makes me think of our youngest son who wrote and drew on the end of the dresser with a sharp object before trying to see sleeping daddy jump from a poke with the same object.

That stinks