Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jaykie on January 10, 2009, 08:40:41 am
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I found this on another site and thought id share it with you, its David Slaters van so keep your eyes peeled, it was stolen on thursday.
I am so f*&^%$ hacked off.....
The van had a flat battery as it hadnt moved over christmas/new year.
My parents have gone on holiday and as their drive is a lot bigger than mine, I parked the van up there for christmas.
I had my house keys, my parents house keys and some letters for me from home and their mail which I was collecting for them while they were away in the front seat of the van.
I got the jump leads out and connected them up to my car and the van. Got the van started, unclipped the jump leads from the van, turned round and started walking back to the car.....then the next thing I hear is van engine revving!!!......and then its off down the street Shocked
The little B&&^%$ must have been watching me fiddle about with the jump leads.
I was in such a state of shock I never even thought to go after him in the car. I just stood there in disbelief for a few seconds before ringing 999....by which time the van had gone out of sight.
I've been told the insurance company will probably refuse to pay because the keys were in the ignition.
Its cost me £334.00 to get my locks (and my parents locks) changed. They have my bank details and a couple of other bills, so no doubt they'll try and raid my bank account.
I just wanted to curl up and die yesterday.
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man that is terrible news. What is it with people these days. I'd shoot these people
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sorry to hear that dave
i would be gutted as well , lets hope they catch the barstuarards
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Chris you haven't said what where supposed to be looking out for? Was it in our area ?
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Sorry to hear that Dave. Two low life tried to break into my van whilst I was around the back of a house window cleaning some time ago in a quiet area mid-day-unreal.
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Hope it all gets sorted and he gets his van back asap.
Highlights a major potential disadvantage of wfp - if your van is off the road for any length of time - accident/breakdown or just nicked - you can't just use wife's car or other vehicle with roofrack for ladders to get back to work.
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I believe it was stolen in Manchester.
The van details -
Vauxhall Vivaro LWB
Registration: KG06 XAY
Colour: White
Markings:
1. it has fulll lengh roof rack
2. it has a small diamond red 'flammable' sticker on the rear near side door.
3. it has a strobe beacon at the rear centre of the roof.
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God, that would hurt, lovely setup too.
I'll keep my eyes open.
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He only got it in November, I hope they catch the scum.
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Some vehicles can be locked with your spare key whilst the engine is running.
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this is really unheard of where i live,..... i guess i am just lucky, here in south west wales!
i hope the scum get caught >:(
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they do tell you not to leave it running with your keys in, i freeze my nuts off every morning while my car defrosts ;D
He was jump starting the van and had to go and fiddle with the leads a second and considering this was at his parents house and that he was sttod right in front of the thing I think he has been very unlucky. As I said before David I hope you get the van back in one piece and sorry to hear about your misfortune
Pete
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it will be pme idiot as well who has no idea what its worth, does any one know were the set ups from cause it looks the bees knees,
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yeh looks a cracking bit of kit 8)
i see a harris pole there as well ;D
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From memory I think it is a DIY job with a lot of help from his dad who is an engineer.
A lot of time, planning and effort went into the project from what I recall of his early posts.
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well they could both make alot of money making systems!!
and if there from manchester not to far away mmmmmmmmmmmm
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I'd be gutted if that happened to us. We had one of our vans with a flat battery after christmas and I did exactly the same thing, luckily there was no scumbag nearby watching me.
As everyone on here has said, a lovely tidy set up that probably took a lot of time and effort to put together.
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Thanks for posting this up Jaykie,
It was taken from south Manchester - Chorlton
Yep, its a DIY hot water system.
Guys,
Thanks for your comments on my system. My dad is on holiday for another 12 weeks....I'm sure he'd be delighted to hear what you thought of it too.
Dont know about building them for sale!!.....but I know its got a better layout and design than whats on offer.
Fingers crossed in comes back in one piece.
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Hope you get it back soon, you must be gutted.
At least it is unique so if it gets seen it will be readily recognisable. Looks like a very neat and professional set-up, the guy probably didn't even know it was in there.
You have got me thinking, I wonder is it worth getting a tracker system fitted to these type of vehicles as it is more than just a vehicle it is the hub of a business. I am just about to get a brand new van with a fitted WFP system. Although it will have the option of remote connection for reels, there are other occasions that it will be vulnerable. I have just checked and for the installation of the full GPS/Police Tracker option in a van it would cost £560 for the installation and then about £123 a year afterwards. Quite expensive, but hearing your account I am going to have to think seriously about it.
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Hope you get it back soon, you must be gutted.
At least it is unique so if it gets seen it will be readily recognisable. Looks like a very neat and professional set-up, the guy probably didn't even know it was in there.
You have got me thinking, I wonder is it worth getting a tracker system fitted to these type of vehicles as it is more than just a vehicle it is the hub of a business. I am just about to get a brand new van with a fitted WFP system. Although it will have the option of remote connection for reels, there are other occasions that it will be vulnerable. I have just checked and for the installation of the full GPS/Police Tracker option in a van it would cost £560 for the installation and then about £123 a year afterwards. Quite expensive, but hearing your account I am going to have to think seriously about it.
Age old saying.
"what price, is piece of mind?"
If you have a brand new van, with a tasty system, then why not, for the "what if" factor.
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david and totally of topic but would you be intrested in helping me make a simalar hot system?
i live in hyde manchester so not too far?
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Hope you get it back soon, you must be gutted.
At least it is unique so if it gets seen it will be readily recognisable. Looks like a very neat and professional set-up, the guy probably didn't even know it was in there.
You have got me thinking, I wonder is it worth getting a tracker system fitted to these type of vehicles as it is more than just a vehicle it is the hub of a business. I am just about to get a brand new van with a fitted WFP system. Although it will have the option of remote connection for reels, there are other occasions that it will be vulnerable. I have just checked and for the installation of the full GPS/Police Tracker option in a van it would cost £560 for the installation and then about £123 a year afterwards. Quite expensive, but hearing your account I am going to have to think seriously about it.
Alex,
I think the answer has to be - YES!!
Always thinking of the DIY route....you could buy a cheap PAYG mobile phone and hide it under the seat (or in the rear) linked up to your leisure battery so its always on, then join up to one of these phone locators: www.mobilelocate.co.uk/
It only cost a couple of quid a month to subscribe and gives location down to street level to a accuracey of 50 metres.
If (when) I get the van back, thats what I'm going to do.
Ronnie,
I'll ask my dad when he gets back off holiday....he wont be back for 12 weeks.
I cant imagine he'd have a problem sorting another one out. He did say if he did another one, he would make lots of subtle changes to improve/refine the sytem further.
I made the Harris Pole. My dad made the system...I just sort of stood around holding things!
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Thanks for posting this up Jaykie,
It was taken from south Manchester - Chorlton
Yep, its a DIY hot water system.
Guys,
Thanks for your comments on my system. My dad is on holiday for another 12 weeks....I'm sure he'd be delighted to hear what you thought of it too.
Dont know about building them for sale!!.....but I know its got a better layout and design than whats on offer.
Fingers crossed in comes back in one piece.
No worrys mate just thought the more people aware the better chance of getting it back, good luck and let us know the outcome.
Chris
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david very much appreciated, i hope you get it back andif i can help at all give me a call.
numbers on my sites
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Always thinking of the DIY route....you could buy a cheap PAYG mobile phone and hide it under the seat (or in the rear) linked up to your leisure battery so its always on, then join up to one of these phone locators: www.mobilelocate.co.uk/
It only cost a couple of quid a month to subscribe and gives location down to street level to a accuracey of 50 metres.
If (when) I get the van back, thats what I'm going to do.
just a quick note on this
i did the same thing with my VW campervan ( afterall its fairly easy to steal and is worth 15 K ) , i used the old PAYG mobile and its not that accurate :( i tracked my mobile that was on my kitchen worktop and it said the phone was about 5 mins away in the car :( so its not 100 % all good
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Always thinking of the DIY route....you could buy a cheap PAYG mobile phone and hide it under the seat (or in the rear) linked up to your leisure battery so its always on, then join up to one of these phone locators: www.mobilelocate.co.uk/
It only cost a couple of quid a month to subscribe and gives location down to street level to a accuracey of 50 metres.
If (when) I get the van back, thats what I'm going to do.
just a quick note on this
i did the same thing with my VW campervan ( afterall its fairly easy to steal and is worth 15 K ) , i used the old PAYG mobile and its not that accurate :( i tracked my mobile that was on my kitchen worktop and it said the phone was about 5 mins away in the car :( so its not 100 % all good
Hmmmm...
Thats not so good is it Matt?
I thought these things were supposed to be pretty accurate (reading their website).
I only paid £3,800 for the van so dont fancy paying the best part of £700 a year just to track it.
There must be a DIY solution?
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Always thinking of the DIY route....you could buy a cheap PAYG mobile phone and hide it under the seat (or in the rear) linked up to your leisure battery so its always on, then join up to one of these phone locators: www.mobilelocate.co.uk/
It only cost a couple of quid a month to subscribe and gives location down to street level to a accuracey of 50 metres.
If (when) I get the van back, thats what I'm going to do.
just a quick note on this
i did the same thing with my VW campervan ( afterall its fairly easy to steal and is worth 15 K ) , i used the old PAYG mobile and its not that accurate :( i tracked my mobile that was on my kitchen worktop and it said the phone was about 5 mins away in the car :( so its not 100 % all good
Hmmmm...
Thats not so good is it Matt?
I thought these things were supposed to be pretty accurate (reading their website).
I only paid £3,800 for the van so dont fancy paying the best part of £700 a year just to track it.
There must be a DIY solution?
i was disappointed with it to be honest, it would give you a rough idea on the area
a few of the classic car people use it and are happy with the idea that if it gets nicked they have a rough area to look
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Always thinking of the DIY route....you could buy a cheap PAYG mobile phone and hide it under the seat (or in the rear) linked up to your leisure battery so its always on, then join up to one of these phone locators: www.mobilelocate.co.uk/
It only cost a couple of quid a month to subscribe and gives location down to street level to a accuracey of 50 metres.
If (when) I get the van back, thats what I'm going to do.
just a quick note on this
i did the same thing with my VW campervan ( afterall its fairly easy to steal and is worth 15 K ) , i used the old PAYG mobile and its not that accurate :( i tracked my mobile that was on my kitchen worktop and it said the phone was about 5 mins away in the car :( so its not 100 % all good
Hmmmm...
Thats not so good is it Matt?
I thought these things were supposed to be pretty accurate (reading their website).
I only paid £3,800 for the van so dont fancy paying the best part of £700 a year just to track it.
There must be a DIY solution?
i was disappointed with it to be honest, it would give you a rough idea on the area
a few of the classic car people use it and are happy with the idea that if it gets nicked they have a rough area to look
Its not really good enough for our use is it Matt?
Dont these mobile tracker firms sell these systems for protecting your children as well???
"Within 5 miles"....sounds a bit useless all round. I'd hate a kid of mine to get abducted only to find out they were 'within 5 miles'
I'm sure it states on their website 'within 50 metres' if you use a Vodafone phone?
How do we check their claims?
I'd like to do a trial run and see what happens?
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the outfit i used i could buy 30 quid of credit and each track was 60 p
this was at the start of last year though, so things might have improved
i will dig out the details ( its on my other pc ) and you can try it out, you are more than welcome to try my account and see if its better
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the outfit i used i could buy 30 quid of credit and each track was 60 p
this was at the start of last year though, so things might have improved
i will dig out the details ( its on my other pc ) and you can try it out, you are more than welcome to try my account and see if its better
Nice one!
I want to see if its works.
It could save us all a pile of cash.....and we'll be able to put 'TRACKER FITTED' stickers in the vans.
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ive just got all the details off my office pc and the "credit" i paid for expired ( it seems they changed the T&C so that they expire after 6 months )
a plus side is the min order is now only 10 quid ( which lasts for 6 months ) thus 20 quid for 1 years tracking is a fairly ok price
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This tracker idea could be a real winner if there is a more accurate service. I've an old phone that isn't being used, an old car charger too somewhere. If I could hide it properly, leave it switched on (On silent) and run the charger cables up to it,... hey presto, job done!
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I have a look at the Tracker service which looks good, but there is also the Trackstar service which says it doesn't rely on the Police to track it down.
Which is the better one? Anyone got one?
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this is really unheard of where i live,..... i guess i am just lucky, here in south west wales!
i hope the scum get caught >:(
My sis-inlaw and brother inlaw got there car nicked in south walkes when bro inlaw was seeing his little girl for christmas, they made off with car and present that were in the boot, so it happenes everywhere unfortunatly.
Hope you get it back or at least findout who did it.
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This tracker idea could be a real winner if there is a more accurate service. I've an old phone that isn't being used, an old car charger too somewhere. If I could hide it properly, leave it switched on (On silent) and run the charger cables up to it,... hey presto, job done!
you need access to the phone though, as they send text messages to inform you the phone is being tracked, when the messages cannot get though ( because your inbox is full ) they stop tracking, so you will need to get at the phone every 6 months or so to empty the inbox
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I can't find a phone tracker service that works in the Republic of Ireland??? :(
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
that looks really good ,price is good to
thanks ,mike
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
So whats the deal with this unit?....you'll have to explain it in laymans terms!!! I'm not good with technology :(
1. Do you just pay for the unit then hide it in the van?
2. Do you need to pay for credits to track it (like the other systems discussed?)
3. Do you need to sign up to a service?
4. Do you need to have a phone contract as well (for the unit?)
5. Do you need to link it up to a power supply?
So what is this unit?...is it like a little TomTom unit (like my Sat Nav?)
Or is it a little mobile phone that doesnt make calls? (if you get my drift!)
For £150 quid... I might just get one for the car. I'll definitley tell my dad to get one for his motorhome!
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hi david
have you got your van back yet ?
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hi david
have you got your van back yet ?
Nope, nothing as yet.
Got the loss adjuster coming round on Thursday afternoon... :o
That little unit looks really intertesting....can anyone explain how it works in a bit more detail?
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
So whats the deal with this unit?....you'll have to explain it in laymans terms!!! I'm not good with technology :(
1. Do you just pay for the unit then hide it in the van?
Yes, as I understand it you only pay for the unit.
2. Do you need to pay for credits to track it (like the other systems discussed?)
No, it is just a GPS with a SIM slot for a sim card.
3. Do you need to sign up to a service?
No
4. Do you need to have a phone contract as well (for the unit?)
No, just use PAYG.
5. Do you need to link it up to a power supply?[/color]
Remember to change the battery every 5 days or so and yoy should be ok.
This is just my understanding of the system. You would need to verify it with Easydevices. I used to deal with them on a wholesale basis a few years ago and they have an excellet rep within the GPS business.
So what is this unit?...is it like a little TomTom unit (like my Sat Nav?)
It is basically a GPS receiver with a mobile phone sim slot. You can have the tracker send the coordinates of where it is to your mobile by text. You can even listen to what is going on around the tracker as it has a built in microphone. It is a SIRF3 chipset so it is a top of the rng solution. Sirf3 is excellent. If anybody can remember the older solutions, they used to need a view of the sky to pick up satelites. Sirf3 often works in doors it is that good.
Or is it a little mobile phone that doesnt make calls? (if you get my drift!)
Kind of, but the location is much more accurate.
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
So whats the deal with this unit?....you'll have to explain it in laymans terms!!! I'm not good with technology :(
1. Do you just pay for the unit then hide it in the van?
Yes, as I understand it you only pay for the unit.
2. Do you need to pay for credits to track it (like the other systems discussed?)
No, it is just a GPS with a SIM slot for a sim card.
3. Do you need to sign up to a service?
No
4. Do you need to have a phone contract as well (for the unit?)
No, just use PAYG.
5. Do you need to link it up to a power supply?[/color]
Remember to change the battery every 5 days or so and yoy should be ok.
This is just my understanding of the system. You would need to verify it with Easydevices. I used to deal with them on a wholesale basis a few years ago and they have an excellet rep within the GPS business.
So what is this unit?...is it like a little TomTom unit (like my Sat Nav?)
It is basically a GPS receiver with a mobile phone sim slot. You can have the tracker send the coordinates of where it is to your mobile by text. You can even listen to what is going on around the tracker as it has a built in microphone. It is a SIRF3 chipset so it is a top of the rng solution. Sirf3 is excellent. If anybody can remember the older solutions, they used to need a view of the sky to pick up satelites. Sirf3 often works in doors it is that good.
Or is it a little mobile phone that doesnt make calls? (if you get my drift!)
Kind of, but the location is much more accurate.
WOW!!!....it sounds good.
I'm going to ring those guys in the morning and have a chat.....I might even give them this link so they (hopefully!) will come on and explain it to us.
Chipsets and SIRF3 dont mean a lot to me I'm afraid! It does sound really interesting though.
...and a cheaper alternative to LoJack and that sort of stuff.
I'd prefer it if I could go and find the van myself. I'd make SURE I found the thing!!
....I think the police are a bit busy at the best of times and maybe wouldnt put in 110% effort (as you would if you were looking for you own vehicle).
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What are your options david?
as in falling behind with work all the time. Do you buy a new van tomorrow, or wait for your old one to turn up?
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What are your options david?
as in falling behind with work all the time. Do you buy a new van tomorrow, or wait for your old one to turn up?
I was lucky in that respect...I'd just started!!
I have off-loaded the few jobs I had onto the local windy fella (with the promise I'll take them back as and when I can)
My options now are - leave window cleaning all together (not an option!)
Or - start again.
I'll have another van/system up and running in due course. It will be better than the first one. I will bounce back.....its just one of those things that happen!...you live and learn ::)
I'll post up pictures of system No.2....if I dont get system No.1 back.
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we're all different but this is not how i would have handled it.
I would not give my work away even if i had just started. I understand the punch to the stomach that you've just had but some intestinal fortitude has to be shown.
I would crawl on my belly to do those jobs.Your options are.
go trad
setup with a trolley and barrels with the logic that you can use this stuff later.
Throw a van together with the wfp component being about £1,500.
I can't beleive you are going to fold.Even ewan would make a better fist of it than this.
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If you got a new van on say monday you could have all WFP stuff delivered on wednesday and have it all fitted and done by thursday,that`s what i would do.You would then only lose a week at the most.
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i agree with discount
go out and buy a old estate car as a temp vehicle
get a sack truck and spend a few hundred quid on a pump, sack truck, some 25 L barrels and keep at it
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What about something like this.
www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GLOBALSAT_TR150_REMOTE_TRACKING_DEVICE.html
It will sms you its coordinates, then google map it to see where it is. Forget the police, you can go get it yourself ;D
So whats the deal with this unit?....you'll have to explain it in laymans terms!!! I'm not good with technology :(
1. Do you just pay for the unit then hide it in the van?
Yes, as I understand it you only pay for the unit.
2. Do you need to pay for credits to track it (like the other systems discussed?)
No, it is just a GPS with a SIM slot for a sim card.
3. Do you need to sign up to a service?
No
4. Do you need to have a phone contract as well (for the unit?)
No, just use PAYG.
5. Do you need to link it up to a power supply?[/color]
Remember to change the battery every 5 days or so and yoy should be ok.
This is just my understanding of the system. You would need to verify it with Easydevices. I used to deal with them on a wholesale basis a few years ago and they have an excellet rep within the GPS business.
So what is this unit?...is it like a little TomTom unit (like my Sat Nav?)
It is basically a GPS receiver with a mobile phone sim slot. You can have the tracker send the coordinates of where it is to your mobile by text. You can even listen to what is going on around the tracker as it has a built in microphone. It is a SIRF3 chipset so it is a top of the rng solution. Sirf3 is excellent. If anybody can remember the older solutions, they used to need a view of the sky to pick up satelites. Sirf3 often works in doors it is that good.
Or is it a little mobile phone that doesnt make calls? (if you get my drift!)
Kind of, but the location is much more accurate.
WOW!!!....it sounds good.
I'm going to ring those guys in the morning and have a chat.....I might even give them this link so they (hopefully!) will come on and explain it to us.
Chipsets and SIRF3 dont mean a lot to me I'm afraid! It does sound really interesting though.
...and a cheaper alternative to LoJack and that sort of stuff.
I'd prefer it if I could go and find the van myself. I'd make SURE I found the thing!!
....I think the police are a bit busy at the best of times and maybe wouldnt put in 110% effort (as you would if you were looking for you own vehicle).
ref the GPS receiver idea
a few on a VW campervan forum looked at these aswell
you also need to buy the software its about 40 quid and from what i remmber you needed a win smartphone to run it on ? ? ? ?, this might have changed as davids3511 mentions they send the coordinates to your phone as a text message
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Guys,
Trust me,
I'm going nowhere ;)
You guys down in London have nothing to fear.....just yet!!
Slater isnt a quitter. I've had worse than this happen over the years.
If I do something, I'll do it right. I have time. I'll overcome this hiccup.
I did think of crawling away with my tail between my legs and getting a job, but after reading the posts on this site and the "other site"...and listening to my dad I thought...NO WAY am I going to let some a$$ole drag me down.
Sh&t happens, I'll deal with it....I can honestly say I've learnt something from this experience.....DONT let it happen to you!!
Watch this space, I'll be back ;D
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Guys,
Trust me,
I'm going nowhere ;)
You guys down in London have nothing to fear.....just yet!!
Slater isnt a quitter. I've had worse than this happen over the years.
If I do something, I'll do it right. I have time. I'll overcome this hiccup.
I did think of crawling away with my tail between my legs and getting a job, but after reading the posts on this site and the "other site"...and listening to my dad I thought...NO WAY am I going to let some a$$ole drag me down.
Sh&t happens, I'll deal with it....I can honestly say I've learnt something from this experience.....DONT let it happen to you!!
Watch this space, I'll be back ;D
Good for you David,