Word to the Wise: Traveling w/Laptop Computer

[JAM]

Since many who read this forum travel to various pool events around the world, I thought it worthy to post of my recent misfortune in Albany, New York. My laptop computer was stolen out of our hotel room at the Albany Courtyard Marriott sometime between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 11:50 p.m. this past Saturday.

The Colonie Police Department came about midnight and the case is under investigation. The manager of the hotel cooperated with the police and provided a "lock interrogation" record, which displays what room keys were used during the hours that we were not in the room.

It turns out there's a little statute [unknown to me] called the Innkeeper's Statute, which varies from State to State. Bottom line, a hotel "may" not be held responsible for any thefts unless there is an eyewitness to the robbery. In essence, anybody who enters a hotel room, according to the Innkeeper's Statute, whether a robber or a hotel employee, can steal your belongings and you have lost your property, with no hope for compensation for your loss.

I travel quite a bit, and this is the first time I've ever had a theft in a hotel room. I had never heard of the Innkeeper's Statute. I hope this thread may provide a warning to secure anything of value, especially something that cannot be replaced, when staying at lodging facilities "on the road."

On a good note, the manager of the Marriott did not charge us for our 2-day stay, i.e., $216. The laptop computer was worth $600. ALL of my data on that laptop was backed up, so I did not lose anything.

JAM

 

[Rude Dog]

That really sucks JAM! Sorry to hear about that.

 

[Eric.]

Thanks for the heads up, Jen. You brought up a good point too. Always back up you stuff. I know alot of us don't alwyas do that (myself included).


Eric

 

[JAM]

JAM's investigation underway...

I never leave home without my digital camera!

Here is a view of our hotel room with ME standing in the doorway. Do you see the two lamps on the left? Behind them is a table. My laptop was hidden from view because of those two lamps and TV in front of it. Nobody could have seen the laptop where it lay from walking down the hallway.

JAM [Watch too much CSI]

 

[JAM]

JAM Exhibit No. 2

Here is the view from inside the hotel room. You can see the front doorway, where I was standing when I took the above-depicted photo.

My laptop was sitting on that light-colored wood table, all the way to the right, with the two lamps and TV blocking its view from anyone strolling down the hallway.

Nobody would know there was a laptop in that room unless they were inside of it. The lock interrogation of who entered that room with a hotel key will reveal the alleged robber (IMO).

JAM

 

[drivermaker]

Here is the view from inside the hotel room. You can see the front doorway, where I was standing when I took the above-depicted photo.

My laptop was sitting on that light-colored wood table, all the way to the right, with the two lamps and TV blocking its view from anyone strolling down the hallway.

Nobody would know there was a laptop in that room unless they were inside of it. The lock interrogation of who entered that room with a hotel key will reveal the alleged robber (IMO).

JAM

Sounds like a good reason to start using those in room safes. Will a laptop fit in there?

 

[Shorty]

Hey JAM,

Let me know if or when you go to purchase a new laptop. I am always finding deals and such online and always have people in my business selling laptops as well. I just sold my own laptop here a few weeks back for $300.

Anyway, let us know when you find the dirty creep...I can send Moose and Rocko over to help them find their checkbook...HA HA (You have to be a Caddyshack fan to understand that comment)

Shorty

 

[Jack Madden]

Several years ago the same thing happened to my wife. It was a business owned computer and the IT guy reported the theft to the manufacturer. It was registered with the manufacturer that the ABC company owned the computer (don't we all do that when we get a new computer). The theory is if someone later reports a problem with the computer and the manufacturer is contacted about it then there will be an update sent to the police (?) that computer XX11XX that was stolen from JAM is being fixed by the "new owner". If this is still the practice, then maybe you have a long shot at getting it back.
Jack

 

[hustlefinger]

Csi: Jam

I never leave home without my digital camera!

Nobody could have seen the laptop where it lay from walking down the hallway.

JAM [Watch too much CSI]

CSI: JAM

JAM -- Nobody could have seen the laptop where it lay from walking down the hallway.
Grissom -- Looks like a shot in the dark.

Well, that’s my attempt anyway for an opening cornball line.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck, that sucks.

Rick <-- watches CSI too.

 

[JAM]

Anyway, let us know when you find the dirty creep...I can send Moose and Rocko over to help them find their checkbook...HA HA (You have to be a Caddyshack fan to understand that comment)

Well, JAM's investigation is in progress, and they ain't heard the last of me yet. I will endeavor to seek every resource available to me, to include seeking legal counsel for advice on any recourse within my reach.

The Baltimore Orioles did beat up on the New York Yankees pretty good that day, which for some strange reason gave me a little cheap thrill being a victim of crime in New York last Saturday.

JAM

 

[CaptainJR]

Sorry to hear that JAM. I was considering bringing my camera down to Hagerstown next weekend and what your are talking about is exactly why I wasn't sure if I wanted to bring it. I just couldn't afford to replace it right now (fuji S2 + lens, memory, etc. $3500.00). Maybe I'll bring my cue stick instead. Will I see you there?

 

[Barbara]

JAM,

I just got a refurbished Dell Inpsiron 6000 with a 2 year in-home warranty for $800. It still needs to be tweaked with the wireless nic card, but it was a good deal!

BTW, they have the same "Inkeeper's statute" in the state of NJ. It is advisable to have all your goodies kept in the hotel's safe instead of leaving them in your room as the hotel will not be responsible for them.

Barbara

 

[TATE]

Since many who read this forum travel to various pool events around the world, I thought it worthy to post of my recent misfortune in Albany, New York. My laptop computer was stolen out of our hotel room at the Albany Courtyard Marriott sometime between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 11:50 p.m. this past Saturday.

The Colonie Police Department came about midnight and the case is under investigation. The manager of the hotel cooperated with the police and provided a "lock interrogation" record, which displays what room keys were used during the hours that we were not in the room.

It turns out there's a little statute [unknown to me] called the Innkeeper's Statute, which varies from State to State. Bottom line, a hotel "may" not be held responsible for any thefts unless there is an eyewitness to the robbery. In essence, anybody who enters a hotel room, according to the Innkeeper's Statute, whether a robber or a hotel employee, can steal your belongings and you have lost your property, with no hope for compensation for your loss.

I travel quite a bit, and this is the first time I've ever had a theft in a hotel room. I had never heard of the Innkeeper's Statute. I hope this thread may provide a warning to secure anything of value, especially something that cannot be replaced, when staying at lodging facilities "on the road."

On a good note, the manager of the Marriott did not charge us for our 2-day stay, i.e., $216. The laptop computer was worth $600. ALL of my data on that laptop was backed up, so I did not lose anything.

JAM

The hotel did a good thing comping your room, but it sounds like they need to beef up their security. My buddy was in New York city sleeping in his hotel bed and woke up to a guy stealing his wallet out of his pants pocket which were on a chair next to him!

I don't know if you have homeowners, but they might cover the laptop.

I just ordered a new laptop from Dell. It's got the new wide screen setup with DVD and it was about $700. We need to be a 2 computer family at home (our daughter loves the internet), so I'm having the laptop set up for a wireless connection to our cable modem. It's only $5 per month more, so we can take the laptop anywhere in the house and we don't have to fight over the workstation computer.

Chris

 

[drivermaker]

My buddy was in New York city sleeping in his hotel bed and woke up to a guy stealing his wallet out of his pants pocket which were on a chair next to him!
Chris

Hmmmm....seems like the common denominator here is New York. OK JAM...have 'em put a tail on both Jude and SJM...I never trusted those guys to begin with. (I'm still watching Hawaii Five-O) "BOOK 'EM DANO...."

 

[Sweet Marissa]

I've actually had some designer sportswear stolen (with my Ralph Lauren garment bag) from a hotel in Tennessee when I was on the road. I even offered a reward, but never got anything back. I've learned a few things: lock everything up in my suitcases when I'm not in my room; keep more expensive items with me (my car has an alarm); and when checking in/entering and leaving the room, be inconspicious with laptops, photography equipment, et cetera... you never know who's watching. I keep an "inventory" list to ensure I leave with everything I came with, also.

Jam, please keep us updated on the progress of the investigation. Hope they catch the bastard!

 

[Wally in Cincy]

I don't know if you have homeowners, but they might cover the laptop.

Lately many insurance companies have been dropping people that turn in more than 1 claim in a period of 3 to 5 years or so. So JAM may want to keep that in mind.

My parents turned in a $1000 theft claim and a $1500 vandalism claim 3 years later and the insurance co. (OH Casualty) dropped them. They had been with OC for 37 years.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

Hi Jenn! Sorry about your laptop and as an IT Specialist, I'm extremely happy that you had a backup of your files! Very smart!

During the U.S. Open in 2003 during the hurricane, we had no electricity so our cell phones died out on us because we couldn't charge them up. The next morning we left our phones in our rooms charging up since the electricity came back and my Florida friends were making fun of my New York mentality 'cause I was extremely worried about just leaving my phone up there. It was there when I got back but I would be totally freaked out had it been my laptop.

 

[JAM]

Points and authorities: Empire State Statute

Lately many insurance companies have been dropping people that turn in more than 1 claim in a period of 3 to 5 years or so. So JAM may want to keep that in mind...

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, my computer was only worth 600 bucks. I haven't filed a claim on my homeowners, but I think I do have a deductible.

I called American Express, thinking they may provide some sort of protection of theft, since I used my AMEX to charge the hotel room at the Courtyard Mariott in Albany. No luck there. However, if one flies on planes quite a bit and is enrolled in the "Baggage Insurance" protection program of American Express, which I am not, AMEX does provide theft coverage, to include incidents such as mine.

According to the "The Empire State" Consumer Law Manual: An owner of a hotel or motel, or an innkeeper is liable for up to $500 for the loss of personal property while in the hotel or motel. If the loss was caused by the fault or negligence of the innkeeper, there is no liability limit.

If articles of clothing or other personal property are delivered to the innkeeper to be stored, then he or she is liable for any loss up to $100. If, at the time of the storage, the innkeeper gives the owner a written receipt stating that the value of the article is in excess of $100, then the innkeeper will be liable for the excess. However, s/he will not be liable for more than $500, unless the loss occurred through the innkeeper's fault or negligence.

Unless there is an eyewitness to a theft at the Innkeeper's [Courtyard Marriot in Albany, New York], they are not held responsible. Anybody can walk in your hotel room -- housekeeping staff, maintenance, front desk clerk, prospective thief strolling down the hallway -- and take whatever they want.

Lesson to be learned, I hope for all who read this thread, don't ever leave anything of value in a hotel room, at least in New York State. The Innkeeper's Statute varies from State to State.

In my instance, I had an older Sony laptop [nice 15-inch monitor though] with Windows 98 operating system. I need a Windows 98 operating system because some of my work software runs on DOS. The newer Windows applications provide a "fake" DOS prompt, and my macro programs and other work-associated software doesn't work properly, freezes the screen. It will be a hard laptop for me to replace, finding a NICE one with an older Windows application for my DOS-associated work.

JAM [Investigation still in progress]

 

[Tom In Cincy]

In my instance, I had an older Sony laptop [nice 15-inch monitor though] with Windows 98 operating system. I need a Windows 98 operating system because some of my work software runs on DOS. The newer Windows applications provide a "fake" DOS prompt, and my macro programs and other work-associated software doesn't work properly, freezes the screen. It will be a hard laptop for me to replace, finding a NICE one with an older Windows application for my DOS-associated work.

JAM [Investigation still in progress]

This might help.. laptops with Win98 already installed. Under $300

Cheap Laptops

 

[JAM]

Sorry to hear that JAM. I was considering bringing my camera down to Hagerstown next weekend and what your are talking about is exactly why I wasn't sure if I wanted to bring it. I just couldn't afford to replace it right now (fuji S2 + lens, memory, etc. $3500.00). Maybe I'll bring my cue stick instead. Will I see you there?

If you do bring your camera, keep it on your person at all times. As an alternative, lock it in your automobile making sure it is not in plain view from a would-be thief strolling through the parking lot!

Hagerstown has a good room I hear, CaptainJR, and I've been hearing quite a bit of talk from the local players about going to this PP 9-Ball event. I hope to be there as well!

At Champions in Laurel, Maryland this coming weekend, April 23-24, there will be a $1,000-added Hampton Ridge tournament, with play beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday.

JAM