New AP "loses" car

[Anonymous]

We are a 4 time host family. We live in walking distance to metro, restaurants, and things to do. Driving to DC is less than 3 miles. We have a car curfew of midnight, but no curfew on AP. Our logic is that (as I would) use uber for less than $5 to DC or $3 to our local bars - less than parking and pain of finding a spot in most cases plus limits the drinking and driving potential.

We explain this ad nauseaum to APs that where we live it is the towing capital of the world, and DC is not much better - so we highly encourage AP to use uber, metro, or whatever.

We have a new AP who is an experienced driver - we are just getting to know her so she has been driving us around for first few days, not the kids. She is not great, not bad - we are not ready to let her drive kids solo yet. We have been letting her take the car out alone.

So last two days she went to see friends in DC, the first time we thought it was odd that she was driving into DC at night for her first solo outing but whatever. Car was back by curfew.

Last night we get a text at 11 after car was taken back to DC that the car is missing. Long story short but by 2am and after being on the phone with DC police a few times we went to bed and told AP not to come back without a police report that car was stolen so we can file with insurance company. By 6am car was back and some vague text from AP that she got a ticket and learned her lesson.

So is this our fault for not being more strict with the AP and car when she is new to the city? Or is this a sign of general irresponsibility? Kind of at a loss on this one. We have done rematch once in our time as HF. Never had an AP do this in first week with us - sure they got the car towed in first few months once or twice but first 3 days is a record.

[Anonymous]

If your OP can walk to the metro from your house, why does she need to take your car into the city? We live in NYC metro within walking distance from the commuter train (which also doesn't run at night, like the metro), and our APs figure out a way to come back home without a car.

Like you, we have no AP curfew, but we have a car curfew. AP is welcome to go out with our car as she pleases in our county, but no driving into the city, period.

If I were you, I would do the same after this episode.

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure she cant file a Police report for a stolen car as she is not the owner. How would she know the VIN etc?
That seems bizarre to me.
Are there any other red flags or is this the only one?
My only thoughts on them using Uber, metro etc all the time is that it eats into their weekly pay. Car is cheaper.

Not to derail the thread but can you really get an Uber for $3? Doesnt seem worth it for the driver.

[Anonymous]

We texted her the VIN and license plate to file the report.

Yeah, depending on the time (surge/whatever) you really can uber for under $5 and drivers do take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure she cant file a Police report for a stolen car as she is not the owner. How would she know the VIN etc?
That seems bizarre to me.
Are there any other red flags or is this the only one?
My only thoughts on them using Uber, metro etc all the time is that it eats into their weekly pay. Car is cheaper.

Not to derail the thread but can you really get an Uber for $3? Doesnt seem worth it for the driver.

No, you can't. There's always a minimum.
http://uberestimate.com/prices/Washington-DC/
UberSUV: Minimum Fare: $25
UberBlack: Minimum Fare: $15
Black Car + car seat: Minimum Fare: $25
SUV + car seat: Minimum Fare: $35
UberXL: Minimum Fare: $7.35
UberX + car seat: Minimum Fare: $15.35
UberX: Minimum Fare: $6.35

[Anonymous]

it is called uberpool. $3 min.

[Anonymous]

We live well beyond walking distance of the metro and still require that our Au Pairs park and take the metro into the city instead of driving. We know many other families that also have a no driving in the city rule.

[Anonymous]

No more driving into dc.

[Anonymous]

Will you also not let your 20 yo daughters drive into the city and give them 11pm curfews on the car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you also not let your 20 yo daughters drive into the city and give them 11pm curfews on the car?

While my daughters (3 of them) live with me rent free, they will have to respect my rules and won't have free reign my car.

I certainly hope that by the time my DDs are 20yrs old, they will be in college and not living in my basement under my tyrannical regime. And if for some reason they are stilling in my basement, they better save their money to buy their own car like I did when I was that age.