Dashcam disconnected after visiting dealership

My husband dropped his car off at the dealership for routine maintenance, and when he picked it up later, we discovered that the dashcam installed in the car had been disconnected.
There were two plugs next to the rearview mirror, and they had been unplugged.
I reconnected them, but the dash cam wouldn't turn on. Even after turning the ignition on and off, there was no power.
While it seems likely that the dealership would resolve this issue if he visited them again, I'm wondering if anyone here has managed to fix this problem on their own.

 

A dumb question but did you press the power button to turn it back on? lol

 

Ya gotta eliminate all possibilities...

 

Maybe I’m paranoid but I’d also want to know what gave them the impression it was within their rights to disconnect it in the first place. I’ve known and taken my truck to the same service advisor for almost a decade but that still didn’t keep the good techs at my local dealer from putting several deep scratches in the bumper of my 4Runner. A dash cam seems like a fantastic way to incentivize good behavior (or to find the bad actor in case of a “mishap”).

 

You brought a camera into my business to film my employees, I would turn it off as well. And I bet it’s well within thier rights to do so

 

Yeah this^^^ if you asked permission to leave it in there and gave them a heads up then no problem. If you didn't request it I would have unplugged it too....waaaaay too many sensitive people out it the world these days to hear what is being said around your car while its being worked on. I guarantee you the dealership has their own cameras and it isn't public property so you don't have any right to film anything without permission.

 

Now that I think about, if I was an auto shop I would cover the front and rear glass with a blanket. It’s pretty easy to see a dash cam

 

It doesn't give them permission to touch someone's private property! They can have a camera within their vehicle filming and the dealer has no right to touch it!

They could refuse to work on the vehicle unless you turn it off. That is acceptable.

 

I was thinking someone probably went joy riding in it.

 

The owner handed the keys of his “ private property “ To them. If he didn’t disclose it which he did not, problem is on the owner not the service shop. Wasn’t like they entered it without knowledge. Spin it what ever way you want, but that’s the facts and your argument is weak at best.

 

Wow this thread is taking off LOL

I take no issue with audio-visual recording not being allowed on private property, including commercial property. But we’re not talking about a hidden camera. We’re talking about a dash cam that records only when the vehicle is on.

If my vehicle (my private property) has a dash cam (my private property), a business owner is certainly within their rights to refuse me as a customer. But if they agree to repair (and operate) my vehicle it doesn’t mean I’ve given them permission to alter my radio presets, memory seats, child locks, or any other features including a dash cam.

If the dash cam is only operational when driving the vehicle, what compelled the dealer to disconnect it in the first place? If they drive the vehicle respectfully and in accordance with the law why would they feel the need to disconnect it?

FWIW, I don’t have a dash cam. But I’m in favor of transparency and accountability. Reputable businesses have nothing to hide.

Getting back to the OP’s issue: the dealer disconnecting her dash cam and not putting things back the way they were is unacceptable. Not everyone lives close to their dealer, so returning to get it fixed could be a big hassle. If only we had been of more help to her…

 

For starters, OP didn't state what service the vehicle was in for. If it was an electrical issue and the dealer needed to unplug it to diagnose or isolate the issue and simply forgot to plug it back in then oh well...sheet happens.

*she just said routine maintenance whatever that means

If I were a shop owner then I would A) disconnect the Neg batt terminal and do this:

One could also post a very visible sign on the front door that says "No video taping on these premises". Then if the owner forgot to unplug it I would, you were warned.

 

Reaching a bit…..you don’t need to post a sign to condone it in your personal business. Like your saying you need to post a sign that says “ don’t shit on the floor “.

 

What's that old sign in garages say? $50 hour labor. $100 if you watch. $200 if you help.

 

There is a boat launch not far from my summer house. “ Boat Launch $20, second try $50 “

 

Talk about a weak argument. I suppose you think it's ok if they go through your glove compartment and door pockets and the like even if they had NO BUSINESS requiring it? This is a COMMERCIAL business not a Private business. There is no expectation of PRIVACY. If Harry's Motor shop is offended by a camera because he might do unprofessional ass slapping in his shop, this is altogether different.

 

Notsureifserious.jpg to this comment, and similar point of view (from any one here).

Were this a Tesla in "your" Tesla dealership, would you and your crew spray paint over all of its cameras?
Just one silly example above, but I assume you/everyone gets the point.

If you have a policy re: no explicit/deliberate video/audio recording on your premises, make it clearly known, and refuse service for non-compliance.


...the irony here however............a Toyota customer brings a Toyota truck to a Toyota dealership for service while having Toyota accessory installed and active, and the Toyota representative (dealer) dishonors and disrespects not only the customer, but Toyota itself.
GG

 

She saw right through our BS and wisely shut down her account.

 

Silly example from a silly person. You took turn off.and fabricated it to what ever you want to make yourself feel good. At this point, you make the ignore list.

 

Nowhere in OP's thread did she specifically state "Toyota" anything...nor did she sate what the "dealerships" response was because she hadn't reached out to them as of her post.

 

So much trolling on this forum. Low post count members do the hit and run.

 

In a legal sense you are dead wrong. Businesses are all privately owned. It is private property. That is why they can tell you to leave. It is not a public space, so you don't have a right to film like you do in public.

 

My dash cam is a factory installed accessory. I would be pissed if the dealer disabled it and it was still disabled when I picked up my truck.

 

You are going to get roasted for that hahahaha. Trust me.

 

How so? Private businesses are private property and have the same rights. They can refuse service and ask you to leave, if you refuse they can trespass you and have you removed/arrested. What would I be "roasted" for?

 

IBTL

Ok, child.
Disconnect my camera while you're at it too, lol.

 

I usually leave my dashcam plugged in and operational when dropping off my truck for service. I do want to know if anything shady happens to my truck.

Never ever I've had my dealership disconnect it. It was always on. They done probably 5-10 test drives on my truck without disconnecting it.

There are two ways to think about this:

1. The Krusty way - no filming inside of my business! Bark Bark Bark!

2. The other way - we treat our customers vehicles with respect and have nothing to hide. If they want to leave their dashcam on, they're welcome to and we respect their property and would not touch it. This is another way we earn our customers trust and develop long-term business relationships which result in repeat business.

Which one would get more repeat business and new cars bought from?

 

Here is a thought: ask them why they disconnected it. You are the customer paying them. They are not doing you a favor taking your business. If you don't like their answer go somewhere else for service

 

Legally, you folks are talking about eavesdropping as I assume the OP wasn’t present. You can be sued for it.

A lot of states are one party consent though, which is why you see shows with undercover recording in private businesses. But that means that the one consenting party is present.

Assuming this was a Toyota dealership or reputable repair facility, and leaving out legitimate reasons as the OP didn’t say what the service was for, they could have informed the OP that they were going to disconnect it. But we all know they were probably busy and forgot to plug it back in. Mistakes happen. Esp if the service didn’t involve the cam.

I would’ve taken it back to the shop and asked them why it was unplugged and see if they could fix it. Any repair shop nowadays should expect a dash cam. Hell, everyone should expect to be recorded when you leave your property.