Having had my driver's door lock damaged, I'm aware that my signage for having an alarm is pathetic. Yes, I have a flashing light front and back but that's invisible in the sunshine. The only other warnings I have are 2 small signs on the side windows, right at the front edge. None near the various door locks.
I thought I'd tape a bright-coloured post-it to the inside windows at the 2 exit doors.
What should they say? Minimal text is best. In Spanish and in Portuguese please. Thanks.
Totally pointless! Alarms don’t deter thieves. They will be in and out in less than a minute.
I know that sounds a long time but try timing yourself for a minute from opening a door, having a quick (so therefore very untidy) search of the obvious places and leaving. You will be surprised.
Ask yourself how much attention people pay to a car alarm these days, that will give you an idea of their efficacy.
I agree but we have just had an alarm fitted to our Spanish motorhome as I believe it will shorten the time the pondlife will be in the van and that way they wont, hopefully, find my little hidden spots.
I thought just Alarmado, but I looked at car alarms and the signs on Amazon.es just to check. Surprisingly all the signs on there are in English. Here's an example.
Yes, Andy, agreed - especially as I once drove from a carpark next to police quarters, and past a Spanish policeman with my alarm blaring - no one batted an eyelid (except us!!)
The alarm had been triggered by whatever security or communications they had in the area and was a known problem.
But.... If they can find easier pickings they will.
I was really thinking of something easy while I'm away, given that I was already targeted. However, I had 2nd thoughts about putting a handwritten sign up - I'm inclined to think that might say "I don't really have an alarm but I do have something worth pinching"!
I was really thinking of something easy while I'm away, given that I was already targeted. However, I had 2nd thoughts about putting a handwritten sign up - I'm inclined to think that might say "I don't really have an alarm but I do have something worth pinching"!
We have a strikeback alarm in the van, but put little store by it, although it came with multilingual warning stickers (4 in total).
My preferred option which we stick to fairly religiously is as follows.
1. Close end bedroom blinds on our island bedroom van.
2. Close the sliding door to create an impression that someone could be in there.
3. Place an open book on the table, together with a cup, teapot and a pair of glasses. These are obvious through the windscreen and uncovered side windows.
4. Put the radio on.
It creates, I hope, the impression that the van is occupied and I have as much faith in it as the alarm. I don’t like the French habit of having every blind closed as it would be easy for someone to engage in conversation if they knocked a French door. Once inside (if they enter having had no reply) the blinds give good cover to extend plunder time. Blinds closed in the UK looks out of place to my mind, so my efforts are Europe wide. I also have the old phone and decoy wallet reasonably accessible in the hope that potential thieves will grab these and run.
Little of value other than a 5 year old iPad are left in the van as increasingly there is little need to carry cash. The only other items of ‘value’ being passports which frequently are on our person. Consequently the inconvenience and cost, both financially and time wasted from damage and the emotional upset are the main issue.
I still say a large chain dog leash looped through the door handle and a food bowl below. They don't know if dog is in or out. Cheap insurance as I picked them up for a couple of euros at a boot.
Yes Jean. Usually vast industrial warehouses or small Aladdin's caves in backstreets. But plenty of boots as well.
Ray.
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