Dealership Disconnecting Dash-Cam During Service

[M4-CPA]

I wanted to get some opinions on how individuals would feel with their dash cams getting disconnected during service? I have a standard front and back Thinkware Q800 from Bestbuy, nothing fancy - set to motion detection during parking, and to continuous mode during driving.

I had MPPSK installed yesterday, and I noticed that my camera was disconnected when I got my car back.

I’m not upset, or annoyed by it. I understand that there is no expectation of privacy when in public, so everyone is fair game - with this being a private dealership I understand that it would be their choice to disconnect my camera.

Anyone have a similar experience? Or strong feelings otherwise?

[gosi]

I would want them to notify me. Disconnecting it makes me want to think that they hooned my car or were generally sloppy with their work, even though that’s unlikely.

[msan]

Whats the car's mileage at drop off and at pick up?

[M4-CPA]

Originally Posted by msan

Whats the car's mileage at drop off and at pick up?

Ha. No change, I was sure to check.

[roastbeef]

its probably more annoying than anything. imagine being at work on a job or whatever for one or two hours talking with a coworker and some stranger recording everything you talk about.

[Pauloxxi]

Mixed feeling. They should not disconnect your personal items from your car. They could put an obstacle in front of the camera lens instead of disconnecting.
However, if your cam records sound, then it is not nice that you have records of all the conversation happening around your car. Meaning the workers around your car have the right for privacy.
Kind of difficult point here.

[M4-CPA]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

its probably more annoying than anything. imagine being at work on a job or whatever for one or two hours talking with a coworker and some stranger recording everything you talk about.

I guess I can appreciate that.

[M4-CPA]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

Mixed feeling. They should not disconnect your personal items from your car. They could put an obstacle in front of the camera lens instead of disconnecting.
However, if your cam records sound, then it is not nice that you have records of all the conversation happening around your car. Meaning the workers around your car have the right for privacy.
Kind of difficult point here.

It does, it's in a very conspicuous place right behind the rear view mirror.

It records on a loop and erases old stuff as new video and audio comes in. Although, I've only ran the video once when I saw a car bounce off a guard rail - other than that I forget it's there most of the time.

[golferboy2312]

my dashcam was disconnected when i got my car back from the dealer as well.

[pz619]

Depends on your local and state laws as well. California is a 2 party consent state so they can disconnect the dash cam. I've seen one of the local dealerships here with a sign that says if you have a dash cam it must be powered off before being accepted for service.

[MurrayB]

That's better than going in for an oil change and getting the car back with twenty more miles and your driving gloves stolen.

[David70]

If I was them I would tell you up front that I was going to disconnect it because the dealership employees don't want to be recorded at work. If someone came to work on my A/C or whatever at my house and I told them I was going to record them I would expect they would have a problem with it also. I wouldn't work somewhere that I had to deal with being recorded. If you don't trust me to get the work done correctly then feel free to go somewhere else. The "I trust you but want to video tape you" is pretty weak.

[519.E82]

Mines always been disconnected by the dealer which did result in me missing recording an accident right infront of me which was annoying. I work at a dealership though and understand it. The way other techs describe it is "I dont film them doing their jobs why should they film me doing mine" even though the cameras turn off right away.

But if the cars sitting for a 40 minute update with the camera recording it is kinda weird.

[FlyingLow78]

I sent my car for engine work here in Italy, and during the post-maintenance test drive the camera was plugged in and recorded everything. AFAIK, they never drove with it disconnected.

I’d be more suspicious if it was disconnected during the test drive, but I wouldn’t have proof they’d done anything wrong.

[243Racing]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

Mixed feeling. They should not disconnect your personal items from your car. They could put an obstacle in front of the camera lens instead of disconnecting.
However, if your cam records sound, then it is not nice that you have records of all the conversation happening around your car. Meaning the workers around your car have the right for privacy.
Kind of difficult point here.

No such thing as a "right to privacy" at work. Especially when you're on the clock

[David70]

Originally Posted by BeastieBombRacing

No such thing as a "right to privacy" at work. Especially when you're on the clock

Depends on whether you are talking about the law, dealerships policy, or what he thinks is the correct thing. Dealership is welcome to have a "right to privacy" policy that allows the tech to disconnect the camera. Dealership is welcome to put cameras and recording devices all over the place.

The customer has the right to go somewhere else.

[243Racing]

Originally Posted by David70

Depends on whether you are talking about the law, dealerships policy, or what he thinks is the correct thing. Dealership is welcome to have a "right to privacy" policy that allows the tech to disconnect the camera. Dealership is welcome to put cameras and recording devices all over the place.

The customer has the right to go somewhere else.

That's not a "right", it's a privilege.

[CDirks]

If the camera isn't interfering with the work being done then what would the rationale be for disconnecting it? I can understand the business not wanting customer camera's rolling constantly since shop talk can be pretty vulgar, but does a customer have no choice in the matter of monitoring their vehicle during service?

A buddy of mine dropped his GTI off at his dealer for warranty work. After the warranty work was completed, the tech took it out for a 20 minute long joyride. Dashcam caught it all. Buddy showed footage to the manager, tech was fired in short order. Icing on the cake there is my friend worked for the dealer group in another department.

Not wanting shop banter on film is understandable, but more often than not that stuff gets glossed over anyways. Experiences like the above are what people care about.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by gosi

I would want them to notify me. Disconnecting it makes me want to think that they hooned my car or were generally sloppy with their work, even though that’s unlikely.

Agreed. Had they notified me ahead of time that they were going to disconnect my dashcam prior to the work, I may have been OK with it. But the dealership didn't and said it was their policy to do so when I confronted them about it after the fact. A few exchanges with the VP of service and I basically just told them that they will no longer get my business

[David70]

Originally Posted by CDirks

If the camera isn't interfering with the work being done then what would the rationale be for disconnecting it? I can understand the business not wanting customer camera's rolling constantly since shop talk can be pretty vulgar, but does a customer have no choice in the matter of monitoring their vehicle during service?

A buddy of mine dropped his GTI off at his dealer for warranty work. After the warranty work was completed, the tech took it out for a 20 minute long joyride. Dashcam caught it all. Buddy showed footage to the manager, tech was fired in short order. Icing on the cake there is my friend worked for the dealer group in another department.

Not wanting shop banter on film is understandable, but more often than not that stuff gets glossed over anyways. Experiences like the above are what people care about.

Rationale for disconnecting it could be the tech's don't want to be videotaped and the dealership agrees. If my boss told me they were installing a camera to watch me I would find another job. Customers making the point they don't trust me (what you are saying) also wouldn't sit well. If I was the shop mgr. I can see a reason to not want customers recording everything that goes on.

As for the "does the customer have no choice?", ask the repair shop but if they say no then you still do, like any other business you are free to go somewhere else.

Can't imagine things will go smoothly or in your favor when the manager tells the tech that you demand the camera stay on because you don't trust him.

[yco]

they should ve told you and turn it off.. or maybe you already signed for it before leaving your car to service in those small letters.. turning off "find my iphone" app when handing over my iphone to an Apple service annoys me more..

[dreamingat30fps]

Probably more hassle then it's worth for the dealer to leave it on. I'm sure if a tech says anything, or does anything it can easily be blown out of proportion and become a huge pita for the dealer. I'm sure 99% of the people taking their cars in either don't have a dash cam and/or don't care if it's disconnected. So its probably not worth dealing with for the 1% that does care.

Thats my guess anyways.