Support NeoGAF

[Jito]

I have never seen a car in real life with a boot on it.

I see them every day constantly, in fact, my car has one on it right now.

 

[GiantEnemyGoomba]

Just start making boots that you can call and pay for a code to get off. These will just cause even more problems for stupid people that think they can take it off and get away with it.

 

[Dishwalla]

Oh that British humor...

 

[Dreavus]

Is this kind of thing supposed to be more of a deterrent than just a regular parking ticket? I guess people won't pay them unless you lock down their car and force them to?

 

[KingV]

It's for this very reason I smear Vaseline on my windshield daily.

 

[vwnut13]

Have you car towed to your garage, then call the company that if they want the thing back, they are free to pick it up.

 

[cwmartin]

Oh you wacky brits! Boots in the back?! LOL!

 

[Rest]

I have never seen a car in real life with a boot on it.

I have. It was parked at a mall for three days or so, seemingly abandoned...
So they put a boot on it so that no one would move it. Why not just tow it?

 

[Version 3.0]

I have never seen a car in real life with a boot on it.

I've put boots on cars, while working in a parking garage. Before and after that, though, I've never encountered one.

I don't know if this thing is harder to remove than a boot, but it does have one clear advantage: you can't (claim to) not notice that it's there. We had a couple of people do damage to their car trying to drive with a boot on.

Is this kind of thing supposed to be more of a deterrent than just a regular parking ticket? I guess people won't pay them unless you lock down their car and force them to?

Yes, that's the situation: someone who hasn't paid. Where I worked, it had to be a lot, too.

 

[Pejo]

So basically I can park illegally anywhere I want with this, as long as I put a thin layer of plastic over my windshield. I mean even cellophane would work.

Deal.

 

[To Far Away Times]

I do think the legallity of a private company putting something on your car to disable it or towing it for ransom is something that needs to be re-evaluated.

 

[luoapp]

Can this thing work?

 

[Noobcraft]

I haven't either, but I'm aware of what they are. Are they used anywhere in the US or are these more in use around the world? Who here has ever had one placed on their car?

Seems like a lot of trouble just to get someone to pay a parking ticket.

They're super common where I live (near a University campus). Lots of businesses don't want students parking in their lots so they boot them. I've seen dozens of booted cars this year.

 

[1044]

So what if my windshield has a small chip or crack in it and this suction thing ends up making it worse or even destroying the windshield? Does the company pay me for damages they caused?

 

[Septimus Prime]

I've put boots on cars, while working in a parking garage. Before and after that, though, I've never encountered one.

I don't know if this thing is harder to remove than a boot, but it does have one clear advantage: you can't (claim to) not notice that it's there. We had a couple of people do damage to their car trying to drive with a boot on.

 

[SprachBrooks]

Guaranteed someone has tried this in real life lol.

 

[TheCochese]

Yeah for people with glass coverage and it isn't winter time this is pretty much a no brainer.

Break windshield, remove barnacle, drive away and park somewhere else, take photos of broken windshield, submit insurance claim.

Probably would have time to take the pics right there before anyone shows up about the barnacle being removed.

I suppose They have your plate # though so you'll probably just get into more trouble. People won't care though lol. Fuck this I'm breaking my windshield to get this fucking thing off my car. Ain't paying no ticket.

You should actually read your windshield coverage. Chips might be free, but if you are replacing the entire glass it is usually your deductible cost.

 

[Faddy]

Guaranteed someone has tried this in real life lol.

https://youtu.be/fC4uhOxHqk8

 

[Onemic]

Who uses this?

 

[____]

Guaranteed someone has tried this in real life lol.

Yup

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iyOW5p_8tJY

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

It's for this very reason I smear Vaseline on my windshield daily.

Aww yeah, like you're in a N64 racing game in real life

 

[redmetal86]

This is a car boot.

This is a clamp.

Would you call this a foot clamp?

 

[Razzorn34]

So what if my windshield has a small chip or crack in it and this suction thing ends up making it worse or even destroying the windshield? Does the company pay me for damages they caused?

First thing I thought of too. Anyone with a cracked windshield is fucked if they get one of these put on their car.

 

[EYEL1NER]

This is a car boot.

I believe you are mistaken, sir. Storage space located on the rear-end? That is clearly what is known as a "car pocket."

 

[HideyoshiJP]

Well then. Two can play at this game.

 

[HStallion]

Well then. Two can play at this game.

What happens when it rains?

 

[HideyoshiJP]

What happens when it rains?

Uh, I think you just gotta go faster than the rain.

 

[SomTervo]

A boot?

Like a car bonnet?

 

[Alcoremortis]

Alternatively, just buy one yourself and pre-barnacle your car. You've only got one windshield, so once you've got a barnacle on it, nobody can put a second one on.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Alternatively, just buy one yourself and pre-barnacle your car. You've only got one windshield, so once you've got a barnacle on it, nobody can put a second one on.

Ignoring the ridiculous price they probably cost. You probably could do that if your area used them. Depending on a multitude of things, cops might even think it's their barnacle and roll right by, letting you park wherever.

 

[KHlover]

Yup

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iyOW5p_8tJY

Made the mistake of reading the comments. Ugh.

 

[EYEL1NER]

Alternatively, just buy one yourself and pre-barnacle your car. You've only got one windshield, so once you've got a barnacle on it, nobody can put a second one on.

lol, just use it like a sun visor to keep your car cool. Then you're able to park illegally anywhere you want with no fear of getting Barnacle'd. Meter maid just passes on by thinking "Hmmm, Kyle must have gotten that asshole last shift. Man do I wish I could be around to see the look on this chump's face when he sees his car."

 

[Angry Grimace]

Breaking your own windshield to avoid paying a parking ticket seems like a dumb attempt at a workaround, guys.

 

[inner-G]

1. cover it with honey
2. cover it with fire ants
3. drive 25 feet
4. leave quickly

 

[StalkerUKCG]

Yea, I mean I don't see this stopping me if I really wanted to remove it.

Fairly certain you could cut it off fairly easily. Looks plastic

 

[commedieu]

I imagine thee are charges for tampering with it. And it probably sends a signal if it's touched. So you'll get a another fine sent to the registered address.

Smarter game is to just hack it. Then toss the code online for everyone.

They call you and give you a code.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

So i can't make any more Das Boot references?

 

[HawksWinStanley]

I still don't see how either of these things are legal.

This. I barely trust professional autobody workers with my car. You know the people putting these on couldn't give a bigger shit about your car. I'd be pissed if they even put a scratch on one of the lug nuts let alone what probably actually happens to your car when they're doing it.

Same goes with tow truck drivers.

 

[Leunam]

Too many people coming up with a work around to the barnacle but no work around for the fine itself. I don't think removing it with no damage to your vehicle or the barnacle absolves you of the fact that you still have a parking ticket.

 

[ameratsu]

.

 

[Version 3.0]

Pretty much, yeah. There really is a Simpsons .gif for everything.

Too many people coming up with a work around to the barnacle but no work around for the fine itself. I don't think removing it with no damage to your vehicle or the barnacle absolves you of the fact that you still have a parking ticket.

In my experience, you have to have a lot more than one parking ticket to get booted. Like Jim Carrey in Liar, Liar.

 

[Memory]

This is a car boot.

This is a clamp.

Thank you.

 

[daviyoung]

you call a clamp a car boot? how cute lol

 

[Peter Ian Staker]

Step 1: Break your windshield
Step 2: Claim someone else broke it so your insurance company pays for the replacement.
Step 3: Nothing

They haven't really thought this through. I clamp is infinitely better. At least people won't drive with zero visibility with a clamp.

 

[Somnid]

It's plastic so you just need a cheap drill to release the pressure. Also I don't think they have any real legal options if you damage it as they would need proof it was, in fact, you.

 

[BadHand]

Yea, I mean I don't see this stopping me if I really wanted to remove it.

Fairly certain you could cut it off fairly easily. Looks plastic

Looks like you could just poke a slim jim under it and lift up the pad to release the pressure.

 

[Imperfected]

I believe you are mistaken, sir. Storage space located on the rear-end? That is clearly what is known as a "car pocket."

It's a trunk. You know, like elephants have on their butts.

 

[Soodanim]

What about future cars with self-driving modes?

 

[a.wd]

Well then. Two can play at this game.

Genuinely giggled

 

[Kozak]

All the jokers in here saying they could pry it off..You think you're the only genius to think about that?

That's probably the first level of thinking they cover when they design these things...

They address it in the article too.