Am sorry to hear what happened. At least nothing happened to u directly in that they didn't physically harm u or your family.
As for security, why not try getting a dog like a big German Shepherd?
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Am sorry to hear what happened. At least nothing happened to u directly in that they didn't physically harm u or your family.
As for security, why not try getting a dog like a big German Shepherd?
yeah thought about that! but its just expensive enough with toy collection german shepherds are big dogs and are expensive to take care off. thanks anyway. :)
As you know, my collection room has locks on the window and door, and my gun Transformers are in a locked display unit; all part of the legal requirements for gun TF ownership, but the lock on the window and door provide additional security for the other Transformers in my room. And of course that's in addition to the regular perimeter security of my home (i.e. all other doors and windows have locks).
Just be mindful to keep everything locked when you're not at home. The mistake I made when I was burgled last time was that I left my small kitchen window open. The window is a bit high up and the window is quite small, but the burglar pushed the wheelie bin right up against the window to climb on, and must have squeezed through to get in. Part of the problem was that even if that window was closed, it didn't have a decent lock... and the back door lock was broken (I literally had to push a chair up against the door knob to keep it closed). But that's because I was renting at the time and my landlord was a tightwad who didn't want to pay to get anything fixed (my ceiling always leaked when it rained, water from the shower would soak into the adjoining room etc.). So I moved out of that house quickly after that burglary!
But yeah, assuming that all your doors and windows have working locks then just remember to lock them. I would follow the guidelines for secured storage for gun Transformers for your collection room, even if you don't own any gun toys. i.e.:
+ Install a lock on your collection room door
+ If your collection room is on the ground floor, install window security (bars or shutters)
Another option is to purchase display units with lockable doors. But this can be a very expensive venture if you have a large collection, or you could simply lock your most valuable toys in that unit and display the rest normally.
You could also buy a "Beware of Dog" sign just as a bluff? Another option (again costly) is to get a house alarm, preferably with back to base (i.e.: the security company will send someone to check your house if the alarm is tripped).
P.S.: Here's a useful link from National Crime Prevention: Lock Burglars Out
This is true. When my toys were stolen they only stole toys that were in box. Those original G1s were stolen because they were displayed in their G1 reissue boxes. Sometimes when I buy a reissue I'll "retire" the original G1 toy by keeping it inside the reissue's box. BTA Alert was loose in box and BTA Broadcast was MISB, so they were nicked. All my loose toys were untouched, including all of my convention and e-Hobby exclusives.Quote:
Most home burglars are not collectors. They don’t want to own or keep your goods. They just want to take as much out of your house as they can
and sell it as fast as they can, for as much money as they can get.
I've twice had bicycles stolen and yeah, during my last burglarly I had my DVD/VCR and PS2 nicked. They're looking for anything that they can easily sell off the street for cash.Quote:
Their primary targets are expensive items that are highly portable and easy to dispose of - like television or VCR sets, lap-top computers, cash,
credit cards, handbags, wallets, jewellery, home audio equipment, power tools and garden tools, household electricals, computers, prescription
drugs, bicycles, and clothing - especially brand labels and leather jackets.
While I was living at that dodgy rental house (I was burgled 3 times in that house!) I once had my wallet sitting on the dining table in the back room with the back door open because it was a hot day, but I was in another room on the computer. Someone walked in and took the wallet!Quote:
They’re usually not shy. They’ll not only walk right in if the door’s open, many of them don’t really mind if you’re happily pottering around somewhere else in the house - while they help themselves. According to statistics compiled by the NRMA in New South Wales, more than 30 per cent of home burglaries happen when someone is at home.
We keep our screen doors locked all the time, even when we're at home.
Now regarding the "Beware of Dog" sign...
For more information you can also check out www.crimeprevention.gov.au :)Quote:
They’re not keen on other people’s dogs.
According to recent research in the Australian Capital Territory, burglars prefer not to encounter dogs in the houses they’re breaking into; in fact 75 per cent of burglars questioned in an ACT survey in 1999 said the presence of a dog “puts them off” breaking into a house.
I bought a small alarm system for my collection and living room but I don't know how effective it may be if someone breaks in. The alarm will sound but would anybody care to contact the police?
The only thing that the alarm may be good for is to frighten the burglar away before he has a chance to steal anything but if he is aware that neighbors would generally not care then I have a problem.
They surveyed burglars? Those wacky Canberrans! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Chief Wiggum'd!
Another good link: Protecting Your Home From Intruders
That stuff about car security has me especially worried now because our school is currently undergoing some construction meaning that we've lost 60% of our staff parking. I parked my car on a street round the corner this morning! <TOUCH WOOD> :o
Same kinda thing happened at my fiance's work. Normally of a night she will park her car at a bowser so she can see it out the window. Now Woolies have said that she has to park around the side (no cameras) There either needs to be cameras there to watch over staff cars, or they can get f***ed in my opinion. It has happened a number of times that someone has done something to her car, and Woolies won't do a damn thing about it. Even once some ass stole one of her tires.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
God I hate Woolies and I dont even work for them :p
Could she recommend that they install one of those big look-round-the-corner mirrors that they have at some car parks and tight turn road corners (they have LOTS of them in Japan cos their roads are so narrow :D)? It would be a much cheaper and easier alternative that would work just as well.
A camera would be much better. If you have seen the Petrol station in Werrington, you'd know. Plus with a mirror, can't always look at it, a camera it can record.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
The mirror wouldn't be good as CCTV but it'd still be better than nothing. I'm imagining that Woolie's argument against your fiancée's suggestion is the cost of setting up and maintaining CCTV, so perhaps they would be willing to consider a cheaper alternative. <shrug> Or maybe set up a fake camera? I dunno. <shrug> I suppose another choice might be to install one of those sensitive car alarms that go off when someone touches the car... but they can be so annoying cos they're prone to being accidentally triggered (and people soon learn to ignore alarms that "cry wolf"). But in terms of alerting your fiancée while she's at work it might work.
Gawd... this reminds me of the first school I taught at in a rather shabby part of Western Sydney. I lost all my hubcaps! Another teacher had his new car _buried_ in dirt. Our Principal once told us at a staff meeting _not_ to bring our good car to school (which doesn't work when you only have one car! :/)
All valid points, but Woolies is useless. She told me that their A/C is broken and most likely won't be fixed for months or even years. And coming up to summer is going to make it fun. They cut costs at the expense of their workers. They change the price of petrol by only a couple of cents, even less sometimes, and expect them to change it as soon as they are told. But you can't when they are too stingey to have 2 workers on, and the place is full of cars. She didnt get to go and change it for nearly an hour bacause it was that busy, and they called up after and said, why did it take so long to change it? in the sort of tone "Do what you are told" stern voice.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I know too many bad things about Woolies, and Coles for that matter.
Sounds like you would have some pretty insane stories about teaching :p
Get yourself a Doberman :p Less fur to deal with, they dont eat much for their size hehe, And of course great with Kids (though I question my own dobermans gaurding ability at times... im sure he is so friendly he would help the intruders carry out the tv set if he had opposable thumbs.. :p) But I certainly woudlnt risk coming In my yard If I didnt know he'd lick me to death.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deceptic_Optics
But If anyone is thinking about having a security dog, bare in mind your looking at $1000's for a professionally trained dog... Obedience training is a must for any big dog to have your dog professionally trained to protect the home $1200 + But to me its money well spent.
My only fear would be getting sued by the morons who dare to break into my house for being bitten by my dog whos only doing his job. The idiocy of this world... Just be careful the crims dont try to sue you for cutting themselves on your broken glass.... you know you should have safety glass on your windows in case someone cuts themselves while trying to break in you know... :rolleyes:
...and while you're at it offer them a drink. :p
The really crap thing about being robbed isn't so much the loss of property but the sentimental value. If the burglar had stolen say an e-Hobby or convention exclusive toy, I could replace it. Sure, the aftermarket prices would make them expensive, but not impossible. Stealing those original G1 Transformers of mine... I grew up playing with those toys... so the SOB didn't just steal my toys, it felt like he stole a part of my childhood. Even if I replaced those original G1 TFs (I have replaced Optimus Prime) I can never replace that sentimental value. :(
So true there gok, one time my old house got robbed they stole replaceable things like my gamecube, but then to carry it those SOB's put it in my G1 Ultra Magnus pillowcase, I think I was more upset about that than any of the other stuffQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Thats the suckiest part of having anything stolen T_T no ammount of money can replace sentimental value of anything, thats what makes these crims so low... cos they dont care what they really are stealing... :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
When I got burgled I was talking to the cops, and one of them told me that thieves think that stealing is a victimless crime because they think that we all have home content insurance that will replace anything they steal. But of course we all know that money can't replace sentimental value. :( Perhaps if these thieves had something precious to them taken away... like their janglies.
It's definitely not a victimless crime... not that I need to tell anyone here. My parent’s house was broken into about 7 years ago when I was still living there. I was the one that discovered the break-in when I walked into the house as there was blood on the walls (the thief cut himself up on the window that he entered through) leading up the stairs to the bedrooms. My initial thoughts were to check my room for anything stolen but the trail led into my parent’s room. All the drawers were taken out and thrown onto the floor. Later it was discovered that they ran away with my mum’s wedding ring and other jewellery. What made this even harder to deal with was that my mum passed away the year before.
The police and forensics arrived within the hour to swab the walls and dust for prints. The only advice that I was given was to call any local Cash Converters in the hope that the jewellery showed up.
Afterwards, I couldn't help but think to myself "I wish I were home to catch them in the act". There would be no way they would walk back out of my house.
I'm watching Sunrise on Channel 7 atm, and there was a report of a lot of dust being blown about at Coogee Beach and therefore issuing a caution for "anyone with Aspergers."
Well... I don't have Aspergers but I do have Asthma, so I should be good to go down to Coogee today! :rolleyes: :o
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...movieprime.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...avatars/gg.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...s/facepalm.jpg
...such impeccable journalism
Um... Epic FAIL?? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
After 6 years, my first ex finds me on facebook. Dragging up old memories. Kinda hate it. But at least if I look on the bright side, it has given me some really good inspiration for more song lyrics. And when I get my BC Rich for Xmas, can finally convey it into music as well. And all the old lyrics I wrote 6 years ago as well :p (Gonna be some very angry heavy music :cool:) And I have the sudden urge to scream at the top of my lungs again (well sing in my kind of own way :p)
Discover the joys of Facebook's Ignore and Block functions. ;)
Its funny, I thought I got over it a long time ago, yet it still seems I didn't. Its true that you never get over your first love. But I suppose it could down to the fact that she never really apologised for what happened, and I never forgave her. I don't particularly care much anymore. At least I have some fuel for the fire that is my lyrical inspiration :pQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I think it would be the kind of thing where if you didn't have anything or hardly any you'd come home and be like "don't you just sometimes wish you had something there to fill the space"
WTF?!?
I am getting to the homestretch when it comes to finishing my G1 collection but it seems that the figures which I thought would be the easiest (cost wise) are turning out to be the more dear!
I have pretty much all the toys that have appeared in fiction (comics and cartoons) which I thought would have the most demand such as the Geewhuns, Bludgeon, Thunderwing, Dreadwind&Darkwing, etc and as a result, I went for them first BUT it seems that teh more character obscure stuff is turning out to be much more expensive to get!!
Why do people need to snipe stuff like the Micromaster Anti Aircraft set with over US$100? and why is Vroom get sniped wth US$140? Why do people want these toys at such high prices when many haven't even appeared in fiction and they are not that rare since they keep appearing on ebay and going for the same outrageous prices.
These toys are what supposedly "Ruined Transformers Forever TM" as in Pretenders, Micromasters and Action Masters so why the high demand and ourageously high snipes on such obscure characters?!?!
/Rant
Feel better now :)
Vroom has always been expensive (for at least a decade anyway) - he's hard to find complete and seemingly not produced in large numbers to begin with. I think there are two factors at play and it's actually related to the fact that they "rooined" Transformers "foreffer!!!"Quote:
Originally Posted by kup
1.) In later years of G1, individual Transformers were produced in much lower numbers than those from 1984-1986 because the line was less popular and they were selling so many fewer units.
2.) Geewun! fans have finished their 1984-1987 collections by now and so they have to start buying the very toys they've spent years disdaining.
You'll get those toys eventually, Kup - good luck!
I've pretty much given up on Ebay altogether as the recent popularity of Transformers has driven asking prices through the roof.
I'm fortunate though as I am not a 'completionist' in the true sense of the word e.g. attempt to complete various lines and / or series. To me, my collection is complete as there are very few figures out there, if any, that I still want (not including future releases like Animated Arcee). Sure, there's a couple that I would like to have, but they are waaay out of my price range and I need to be realistic in that I have bills to pay and a family to look after.
My target was to have all the ones I needed (yes, that's right... 'needed' not wanted :D) by the end of 2009. With the high prices of today, I feel sorry for the true fan that has been collecting for years and is unable to reach their level of completion.
Ah dammit! the pressure is just too much.....
..... PSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHTTTTT!!!!!!
ah that's better, I vented.
:eek:Quick someone get me a gas mask COUGH COUGH:p:DQuote:
Originally Posted by MV75
im bored and tired and thought coming back on here would entertain me.. nope =[
Ok then;Quote:
Originally Posted by nettie!
Oh man, how much does target suck? I mean, they have to be the suckiest sucks that ever did suck.
:p
Arrrgh! :mad: I must once again breath life into this unforutnate thread. yesterday I got a text from the Bank to say my card might have been compromised due to a card skimmer or similar tech, so I rang the bank and hey someone's made four significant withdrawls from my account! I pretty much went through the roof right then.
I left work early to see the bank and put in a dispute, so people tell my I should get it back but as anyone who's been stolen from knows it's the violation of ones space and property, even if it's not physical that really stings.
Anyways not suprising this sorta thing happens round Christmas, it's the perfect time for thieves using this tech, but Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:
That is more than annoying hope you get your money back dudeQuote:
Originally Posted by Lord_Zed
Sorry to hear that - Hopefully it will be sorted out soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord_Zed
It is very important that you work out where these transactions took place. Once i had a problem with this and the Commonwealth Bank refused to give me back my money because the unauthorized withdrawals took place on an ATM I frequented in Miranda.
After that incident, I opened up a new account which cannot be accessed externally and deposited all my savings onto it. I now only keep the absolute minimum in my mainstream account and add to it whenever I need more money through netbanking. If someone skims my card they would only be able to steal a max of $50-$100 as that is mostly what I have on it at any given time.
Sorry to hear that as well Zed :mad:
Something similar happened to my sister a couple of months ago.
Apparently a lot of people near her work also got comprimised, they all seemed to frequent the same ATM at North Sydney. When she bolted to the bank, it was full of many worried/angry customers.
Some people really are disturbed :(
What a low act to do to anyone at this time, or anytime of the year. I hope it all works out OK for you.
I heard the same thing happened a couple of weeks ago at certain MacDonalds in WA. Their EFTPOS machines were compromised and money stolen from a lot of people. Not sure if they ended up catching those responsible.
Last week someone stole the Autobot badge off the back of my car. I've since replaced but yeah... quite an unpleasant feeling when someone steals something from you. Times like this I miss the good old days when thieves would be placed in stocks where members of the public could come and watch them being flogged or perhaps hurl verbal abuse or vegetables at them. One can dream. ;)
One of my significant others caught the bouquet at a wedding last week. The killer catch was caught on camera which then panned over to me while I was facepalming.
One of your significant others? You have many? :D
:confused: Yeah, I agree with Kurdt - is this a Mormon wedding? ;) Are you sure you mean "significant others"?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lint
Bahaha! Right now it's sucking big sweaty hairy balls :mad: layby is so goddamn busy and people can be so pathetically stupid grrQuote:
Originally Posted by MV75
seriously how hard is it!? You got a letter, it says that if you didn't make a payment by such and such day then we would cancel your layby. Well you didn't pay and it's past that date so it's cancelled and no you can't have your stock back or get it at the July toy sale price.
.... Rant over. :D