stereo theft, as performed by morons...

Post by **werldhed** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:35 pm

So... my girlfriend's car was broken into this weekend and the brainless troglodytes stole the faceplate to her cd player, but left the rest of it there.

I'm not optimistic, but is there any possibility that I can get a new faceplate and still have it work? Or is the only solution to buy a whole new deck? Anybody happen to know?

Post by **Canis** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:39 pm

I think you can just get a new faceplate.

Post by **Canis** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:40 pm

...but who's the dumbass here? The one who stole it or the one who left it there to be stolen when it's easy to just snap off and take it with you?

Post by **R00k** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:43 pm

LOL, touche.

Post by **werldhed** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:47 pm

She had it for one day and didn't know the face detached. I'm sure she was planning to leave it for the purpose of being stolen, though. That's like saying, "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it on the street."

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:12 pm

werldhed wrote:She had it for one day and didn't know the face detached. I'm sure she was planning to leave it for the purpose of being stolen, though. That's like saying, "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it on the street."

No, its like saying "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it unlocked with the keys in the ignition".

Anyway, if the unit's model isn't too old, the faceplate will be easy to find on eBay.

Post by **werldhed** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:25 pm

ToxicBug wrote:
werldhed wrote:She had it for one day and didn't know the face detached. I'm sure she was planning to leave it for the purpose of being stolen, though. That's like saying, "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it on the street."
No, its like saying "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it unlocked with the keys in the ignition".

Anyway, if the unit's model isn't too old, the faceplate will be easy to find on eBay.

lol, yeah, I guess it was a poor analogy, since that very thing happened to a friend of mine. Then again, she did have a $500 camera in the trunk that she "left to be stolen" that they didn't bother to take either. Not being a thief, though, I don't understand these things.
Anyway, thanks for the advice. Do you think there's a chance it can be purchased from the manufacturer? I haven't bothered to call them yet.

Post by **SOAPboy** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:52 pm

werldhed wrote:
ToxicBug wrote:
werldhed wrote:She had it for one day and didn't know the face detached. I'm sure she was planning to leave it for the purpose of being stolen, though. That's like saying, "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it on the street."
No, its like saying "well your car was stolen, but you were stupid and left it unlocked with the keys in the ignition".

Anyway, if the unit's model isn't too old, the faceplate will be easy to find on eBay.
lol, yeah, I guess it was a poor analogy, since that very thing happened to a friend of mine. Then again, she did have a $500 camera in the trunk that she "left to be stolen" that they didn't bother to take either. Not being a thief, though, I don't understand these things.
Anyway, thanks for the advice. Do you think there's a chance it can be purchased from the manufacturer? I haven't bothered to call them yet.

Call the manufactuer, tell them it got broken.. they generally will send a new one for FREE one time

Post by **seremtan** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:05 am

track the fuckers who stole it by the scent of cockcheese and brut 33, then stab them and get back your faceplate

always works for me

Post by **YourGrandpa** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:06 am

You will need to have the original purchase receipt and the serial number off of the instruction manual.

People use to steal units all the time that were missing the removable face plate and then try to order one from the manufacturer. Most of the time the new face plates have to be ordered by a licensed distributor before the manufacturer will send it out.

So if you've actually stolen this unit yourself, your best bet would be ebay.

Post by **werldhed** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:02 am

YourGrandpa wrote:You will need to have the original purchase receipt and the serial number off of the instruction manual.

People use to steal units all the time that were missing the removable face plate and then try to order one from the manufacturer. Most of the time the new face plates have to be ordered by a licensed distributor before the manufacturer will send it out.

So if you've actually stolen this unit yourself, your best bet would be ebay.

I kind of thought this might be the case, otherwise they'd think I stole it myself. Luckily, I'm pretty sure she still has all the info, so I'll try giving the manufacturer a call tomorrow. I'd rather not have to go back to the store it came from -- I'd expect they'd want to know why she needs a new one.
Thanks for the tip. :icon14:

Post by **Nightshade** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:40 am

seremtan wrote:track the fuckers who stole it by the scent of cockcheese and brut 33, then stab them and get back your faceplate

always works for me

No doubt made that much easier by your intimate familiarity with the scent of cockcheese.

Post by **bitWISE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:48 am

Canis wrote:...but who's the dumbass here? The one who stole it or the one who left it there to be stolen when it's easy to just snap off and take it with you?

I've gotten pretty relaxed when it comes to the security of my car. I used to be really paranoid about going into a store with the top down until I started noticing Porsches, Vettes, Benzs, and BMWs all with their tops left down and realized I was a much smaller target.

They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?

Post by **seremtan** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:10 am

Nightshade wrote:
seremtan wrote:track the fuckers who stole it by the scent of cockcheese and brut 33, then stab them and get back your faceplate

always works for me
No doubt made that much easier by your intimate familiarity with the scent of cockcheese.

and brut 33

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:29 am

bitWISE wrote: They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?

Maybe they didn't have the right tool to remove it. Honestly, I don't understand the differece between a pro install and an install by me, since the same brackets are used to remove the unit.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:33 am

bitWISE wrote:
Canis wrote:...but who's the dumbass here? The one who stole it or the one who left it there to be stolen when it's easy to just snap off and take it with you?
I've gotten pretty relaxed when it comes to the security of my car. I used to be really paranoid about going into a store with the top down until I started noticing Porsches, Vettes, Benzs, and BMWs all with their tops left down and realized I was a much smaller target.

They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?

actually to tell you the truth, a few of my buddies where into taking audio equipment from car's.. and to say the least, seeing a beater with a system was there best friend.. MUCH MUCH easyer to get into and get the shit out rather then a BMW/Merc etc

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:37 am

now there's something to be proud of

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:41 am

actually it isent, i just thaught i would share and tell them wha i've found out.

Would you have rathered for me to keep my mouth shut and let him continue thinking like that?

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:42 am

AmIdYfReAk wrote:actually it isent, i just thaught i would share and tell them wha i've found out.

Would you have rathered for me to keep my mouth shut and let him continue thinking like that?

the fact that they're your "buddies" makes it all the more laff-able.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:43 am

and to answer your question:

yes.

Post by **YourGrandpa** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:02 am

ToxicBug wrote:
bitWISE wrote: They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?
Maybe they didn't have the right tool to remove it. Honestly, I don't understand the differece between a pro install and an install by me, since the same brackets are used to remove the unit.

A pro install is using more support brackets than normal. Most installers just slap in the factory adaptor kit and they're done. The best way to install an in-dash unit is to use the factory kit and an additional back strap. Radio's usually have a little threaded post that sticks out of the back. All you have to do is take the metal stap that usually comes with the unit, use a self locking nut and fasten that strap to the back of the radio once it's in place. Then screw the other end of the strap to a metal part of the car with security screws. A theif would have to spend hours in the dark trying get the unit out. They'd most likely give up before they actually got it out.

Post by **bitWISE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:06 am

AmIdYfReAk wrote:
bitWISE wrote:
Canis wrote:...but who's the dumbass here? The one who stole it or the one who left it there to be stolen when it's easy to just snap off and take it with you?
I've gotten pretty relaxed when it comes to the security of my car. I used to be really paranoid about going into a store with the top down until I started noticing Porsches, Vettes, Benzs, and BMWs all with their tops left down and realized I was a much smaller target.

They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?
actually to tell you the truth, a few of my buddies where into taking audio equipment from car's.. and to say the least, seeing a beater with a system was there best friend.. MUCH MUCH easyer to get into and get the shit out rather then a BMW/Merc etc

Well, my spyder is hardly a beater but I get your point.

Post by **bitWISE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:09 am

ToxicBug wrote:
bitWISE wrote: They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?
Maybe they didn't have the right tool to remove it. Honestly, I don't understand the differece between a pro install and an install by me, since the same brackets are used to remove the unit.

I said proper not pro. I've seen some ghettofabulous installs let me tell you. When I got my spyder, the dude didn't feel like putting the OEM DIN piece back in so he just duct-taped the factory head-unit in place. Looked ok from the outside but boy was I surprised when I pulled off that dash....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:23 am

bitWISE wrote:
ToxicBug wrote:
bitWISE wrote: They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?
Maybe they didn't have the right tool to remove it. Honestly, I don't understand the differece between a pro install and an install by me, since the same brackets are used to remove the unit.
I said proper not pro. I've seen some ghettofabulous installs let me tell you. When I got my spyder, the dude didn't feel like putting the OEM DIN piece back in so he just duct-taped the factory head-unit in place. Looked ok from the outside but boy was I surprised when I pulled off that dash....

oh

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:02 am

YourGrandpa wrote:
ToxicBug wrote:
bitWISE wrote: They probably broke in thinking it would be a piss-poor install and ran into a proper job. At that point why leave empty handed?
Maybe they didn't have the right tool to remove it. Honestly, I don't understand the differece between a pro install and an install by me, since the same brackets are used to remove the unit.

A pro install is using more support brackets than normal. Most installers just slap in the factory adaptor kit and they're done. The best way to install an in-dash unit is to use the factory kit and an additional back strap. Radio's usually have a little threaded post that sticks out of the back. All you have to do is take the metal stap that usually comes with the unit, use a self locking nut and fasten that strap to the back of the radio once it's in place. Then screw the other end of the strap to a metal part of the car with security screws. A theif would have to spend hours in the dark trying get the unit out. They'd most likely give up before they actually got it out.

additional backstrap? most kits include one, which is all you need. i agree though, if they didn't use a backstrap, they're lazy and probably not MECP certified.