Robbed in Florence
May 25th, 2007, 04:03 AM
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Robbed in Florence
We were waiting for a taxi after checking out of our hotel. A man stumbled and spilled what looked like hand lotion on my wife. As were were distracted trying to remove this, they walked off with our carry on bags. Reported all of this at the police station but got no help from the hotel. Any suggestions about getting the hotel to pay for our loss?
May 25th, 2007, 04:20 AM
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I'm sorry about your misfortune, but it is *your* misfortune. Is there any reason why the hotel should be held responsible for the actions of people who were not (I presume) their staff? Or have obligations to people who were no longer their guests?
I hope you had insurance. That's what it is for.
I hope you had insurance. That's what it is for.
May 25th, 2007, 04:44 AM
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My parents just got back from Europe and I told them about this trick because I read it here months ago. I told them that if anyone spills something on you to immediately grab your belongings, luggage, purse, wallet whatever.
May 25th, 2007, 06:12 AM
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.....Any suggestions about getting the hotel to pay for our loss? ......
Typical Am tourist response ???? Why not sue the City of Florence? They are more responsible for controling street theft than the hotel. Find someone else to blame. Don't take any responsibility for your actions, or lack of action or what you may have contributed to the theft -- too much luggage, valuables in unsecured bags, not paying attention to your surroundings, looking like an easy target, etc.
Typical Am tourist response ???? Why not sue the City of Florence? They are more responsible for controling street theft than the hotel. Find someone else to blame. Don't take any responsibility for your actions, or lack of action or what you may have contributed to the theft -- too much luggage, valuables in unsecured bags, not paying attention to your surroundings, looking like an easy target, etc.
May 25th, 2007, 06:40 AM
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This theft is a variation on an old scam that often involved a newspaper and a squirt bottle of catsup. The scam artist approaches the mark while holding a rolled-up newspaper in which the catsup bottle rests. He squeezes the paper and out comes a squirt of catsup onto the mark. He apologizes profusely, produces a rag or handkerchief, wipes down the mark, thus distracting one and all. While this goes on, his accomplices take advantage of the mess and confusion, often making off with the mark's valuables. This used to be very common in Latin America, particularly on the streets of Buenos Aires. So now you are sadder but wiser. Save your breath, however -- the hotel has no responsibility in this affair. You had checked out, you were off their property, and the event happened on a public street. Sorry.
>-
May 25th, 2007, 07:42 AM
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So sorry to hear your tale. I got pickpocketed in tiny Vernazza about 10 days ago. I called my husband, he filed a claim for me with our homeowners insurance, no police report was required. We will get reimbursed for part of the loss.
May 25th, 2007, 07:48 AM
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um, didn't really see a "political agenda" in the response by fmpden. it's pretty much a fact of life that lawsuits, often frivolous or even outrageous, have permeated American society. Like a burglar successfully suing a homeowner for injuries sustained while committing said burglary? Remember the McDonalds hot coffee lawsuit? ridiculous but true.
May 25th, 2007, 07:57 AM
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Travelnut - when someone says "Typical American Tourist Response", that is just plain rude and ignorant, not a commentary on lawsuits generated in the U.S. (which I would agree with you are over the top). But let's not generalize American Tourists as is so 'in fashion' these days. How does he know that glk11b is even American? Just plain ignorance.
