Mechanics disconnecting dash cams and going into glove boxes? Here's My perspective

[@ItsJustMe-e7h]

I once had a circlip from an after-market cruise control motor, slip of the pliers and go under the bonnet and chip the windscreen. Since then I most times I would place a couple of extra fender covers over the windscreen depending on what work I am doing. If the customer says I can't disconnect his dash cam, I tell him it will be covered to protect the windscreen, but you're welcome to stay and watch me work.

[@BigSmokeLV]

Some of these shops do need 24/7 surveillance with the horrendous jobs they be doing. "I don't want to be recorded because I want to talk shit and laugh with the boys, and handle the customers car however I want and be comfortable" all the trash fake mechanics who always get in trouble running to comments is hilarious. Its a fkin camera dude wtf are doing in their cars anyways that you don't want to be recorded? taking naps straight clowns.

[@VitoVeccia]

Dash cams didn't catch on until after I left automotive. But best glove box find, was a 20 dollar bill during a used car inspection. Worst was, I found the customers drivers license while doing diagnostics on her HVAC. When I handed it to her " oh, that's just my fake ID to get into clubs".....yikes.

[@yzrippin]

Scumbag thief

[@Epro95]

When I took my car to a mechanic before I started wrenching, I didn't mind them disconnecting it. I do take issue with them NOT reconnecting it. I could go a week without noticing and could get in an accident.

[@bypass9690]

For me, I disconnect the dash cam because it's the same as asking a contractor to carry out a repair on your house and then setting up a camera in the room he is working in. Anyone demanding it be left on, etc., is the kind of person who is going to sit at night and watch the full 2-3 hours the car has been in the shop, dying to find something to go viral or get money out of, which is not a customer I want or need dash cams are for crashes and door dings. when one comes in the shop i disconnect it the second i sit in the car and reconnect it when i am finished.

[@gurt003]

Digging around a car to find a wheel lock key is annoying to me. Sometimes it’s in the glovebox or maybe with the spare tire or maybe some other random place in the car and I just don’t like digging through people stuff lol

[@lb9gta307]

At the last 2 dealerships I worked for I asked for advisors to prompt customers to put wheel lock keys out when the sell a job that requires wheel removal. Customers don't want us going through their junk and we don't want to waste time hunting for a key that we really shouldn't have to look for in the first place. Seems like a no brainer to me yet none of the multiple managers or multiple advisors thought it was reasonable.

[@SKATETOSLAYER]

Didn’t know you were in Ontario as well, cool.

[@bw6078]

Glove box stories and what we find in vehicles we're repairing are fodder for another video LOL. I'm in Ontario as well and didn't realize it was against the law to go into the glove box.

[@Lancemechanics]

oh I'll defiantly do a video on that one day. the Ontario thing is a grey area. they had some laws for it in 2016 and they've changed. best to always just cover your but. specially if its locked

[@Maguffin604]

On a road test, sure leave it running. Once in the shop, hell no. Customers weaponize it and complain any phantom grievance to try for freebies. They heard profanity, you were on job less time than they paid in labour, KZbin said the tech should have done this. Hell no, shut it off or somebody else works on it.

[@johnmartin2079]

If I wanted to be in movies I would have moved to Hollywood as long as I'm the mechanic turn off the camera

[@tundras4ever552]

Video evidence protects both parties. Guarantee your recorded a lot more on your cellphone and various stores and other locations. They all have face recognition software as well now too. They know everywhere you are what you say and what you do. What you buy. What you watch.

[@Drunkis1337]

I felt weird at first with the dash cams but now its pretty common. I feel like I don't want the camera running for an extended period of time just for the fact I don't want them to hear our stupid banter between my fellow techs and I. We say stupid things back and forth to each other. Something fun for us. Some people may take it out of context. Technically every car for the mpi we need to remove the glove box to inspect the cabin filter. Seen some things but the glove box isn't the worst place to find things in a car.

[@jparker1823]

Never thought a dash cam was an issue when bringing my car to the dealership. First time, my micro SD card died. Second time, I found oily fingerprints all over my dash cam. Now I just unplug it beforehand to worry about one less thing.

[@justinclark6053]

I am a mechanic, I would never disconnect a dash cam without the customer’s permission. Period. End of story.

[@markvoluckas4571]

Ever tried to use a scan tool thru an obd port and fight with it only for find out that it's the dashcam doubler port that is stopping it from working? Much easier to disconnect it first

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Yeah so call the client and if you can't reach them roll it outside.

[@tomthackston1442]

Yeah and be on the lookout for manhole covers too.

[@thisisausername1265]

I would love to see the law that prevents someone legally allowed to operate the vehicle, from disconnecting or unplugging a dash cam. I can operate the vehicle as I see fit, the customer literally signs paperwork stating such. We can operate/move the vehicle to test/inspect/repair/deal with space constraints within the shop. No, you can't tear down panels and uninstall it if hardwired, but it's easy to just pop the plug out if it bothers you. Doesn't bother me so I never touch them. Many shops require/expect cabin filter checks as part of the courtesy inspection. With no pay to the tech obviously. Cabin filters are often behind glove boxes. I work in the US, no idea what Canadian laws are, we're expected to open glove boxes. My favorite glove box find was a loaded revolver with the hammer cocked - I refused to do anything else with the vehicle.

[@TinoR626]

Were I'm at in the state, I don't allow dash cams in my shop. Customers don't need to know the layout of my shop and where tools or chemicals are stored. As well as my insurance has it against the policy I have. As for the glove box, yeah, I fund guns all the time. They get placed in a gun safe. I keep in my office, and I'll call them and let them know it's in my safe if they want to come get it or I'll hold it till the car is done and they pick up the car. The odd thing was 2 dildos, a butt plug, and the wheel lock. Yeah not sure what the wheel lock was doing in there.

[@BirdwellingtonAmalgamation]

Only time I go near a glovebox is cabin filter, wheel lock, or if it needs removed(passenger airbag etc). Seen too many weird things. Curiosity killed the cat.

[@Matt-d8m]

Personally I don’t want to be filmed by the customer. Especially on road tests where us mechanics have to put cars through their paces to properly diagnose steering/suspension & drivability issues. Can’t do that driving like a grandma. Also, I hate rummaging through peoples belongings to find wheel lock keys! If customers would think ahead and leave in the cup holder or passenger seat that would be great! That way I don’t have to look like a petty thief. I disconnect the negative battery lead before doing ANY repairs on vehicles with cameras. My defence is I’m following manufacturers repair procedure and 9/10 that’s the first thing mentioned for the technician to do LOL

[@Capitanvolume]

My only thing was driver facing. F that. But foreward is fine. You pull in the shop and lift the hood. Dash cam wont see anything.

[@MadMaxx570]

GDPR says dashcams running is no bueno over in norway at least. Either its off, or you wont get your car into the workshop. Not because you film the mechanics, but because you film other people's vehicles, wich is illegal.

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

So dashcams are entirely illegal??

[@MadMaxx570]

@Mountain-Man-3000 only in the workshop, so peoples cars in the workshops care arent recorded. The open road is public space, so its fine there

[@aaadamt964]

When i was at the dealership they told customers it couldnt be on for insurance purposes.

[@smokeskull]

I smoked a cigarette in a customers car back in 1989 and he saw me and wanted a new car.

[@kenmorrisproducer]

Don’t most shops have security cameras?

[@lb9gta307]

None that generate footage that customers have free access to.

[@ghostwrench2292]

Dash cams don’t bother me much. If I drive their car hard, it’s for a reason and I will explain why if they want to complain about it. In some states, it is illegal to video/audio record without everyone’s consent. Some dash cams are hard to see, so if anyone were to complain about something I say on camera, well, the car isn’t hurt by my words and what I say in and around your car when you are not present is of no consequence. In all my years, I have never been spoken to by anyone about my conduct around dash cams.

[@asvardfjelstad5095]

Ted was right… welcome to the dystopian nanny/police state where you are constantly under surveillance by the government and citizens. I would decline to work on any vehicle that’s going to sit there and film me. I don’t have any social media platforms for a reason, I don’t want to be on camera or have pictures taken. I have no problem turning down jobs with unruly customers. They can fix their own shit then.

[@ghostwrench2292]

Camera can’t see when the hood is up.

[@yzrippin]

Are you doing drugs or shady work? Why do you care?​@@ghostwrench2292

[@kenmorrisproducer]

Does your shop have security cameras?

[@asvardfjelstad5095]

@kenmorrisproducer We only had cameras in the yard and outside of the building but nothing inside the bays

[@yzrippin]

@@asvardfjelstad5095 what are you afraid of? Are you not just fixing the car?

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

A shop rag over it?

[@Justiceincorporated.]

Get used to cameras, they are here to stay.

[@chinovaldez3441]

Dealership disconnected my cam. I never went back. For the price I'm paying, disconnection should not be an option in my opinion. I'd pay extra if the mechanic wore a go-pro, so I could watch the work being done later on.

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Disconnect my camera without authorization and you're fired.