Theft and loss thread

[Darth_Anton]

Unfortunately, this happens sometimes. We're eager to talk about our recent acquisitions, but it might be actually therapeutic to talk about the rare occasion of loss, which I just experienced.

I had a contractor, whom I've used before, come over to do some work, and being summer, he had his 11 year old son with him helping. His son was geeked out with all the SW toys. You all know the pride I take in my imperial collection. Well, I had it out and organized in trays as I re-organize it, fill in some holes and customize some officers. Long story short, his son left with 6 figures when they wrapped out for the day:

Evo trooper from the FU 5-pack, only one I had
Jump trooper from the FU 5-pack, only one I had
Shadow trooper from the FU 3-pack
Ultra dirty Sandtrooper from the Evo pack
Female Stormtrooper
Random votc/tac style Stormtrooper

There is no question, the contractor's son took the figures. I bought the loss to the contractor's main office's attention, but the contractor actually took offense to the accusation and the official stance is that since I did not witness the theft, there's no proof of theft. Needless to say, I've fired the contractor. However, if you look at the list, these pieces aren't going to be cheep to replace. It's just a bummer to be so close to finishing a project off only to have it set back.

[Greg]

That absolutely sucks man.

I rarely have people in my collection room, mostly because I'm slightly embarrassed. My brother and/or friends will typically move something around, just to mess with me, but I have never had anything stolen. Even the neighbor's kids didn't touch or take  anything when they took a trip to look at my toys, and I didn't even go up there with them. The exterminator is the only regular payed visitor to visit my toy room, and he always marvels at the sheer number of action figures. He says that he gets excited when he sees that he is going to the Bridgeman house, because he's always stoked to see my room.

The worst part about your story, to me, is that the contractor is pretty much supporting his son's stealing. The son could have taken a POTF2 R5-D4, but it's still wrong. And it's pathetic because it seems his father is merely instilling those habits by defending his son. I would say that it's unfortunate that you didn't have a chance to ask the son. Maybe he would have fessed up to it if he was asked.

[McMetal]

Man, that S-U-C-K-S. Sounds like the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

You'd think the guy would at least want to talk to his kid first, children are prone to stuff like that, although at that age he had to know it was wrong.

I love that they threw out the "official stance" BS too. You should have asked them if it's their official stance to bring underage kids to job sites when they are supposed to be working.

[darth broem 2]

Yep, I have to watch what the neighbor kids or whomever come over to play with the Star Wars stuff with my 5 year old.  I have actually taken the toys from their hands as they walk out the door.  One kid has tried 3 times to "borrow" the toys.  LOL!  Yeah, nice try kiddo.  I don't get mean about it I just take it from them.

[P-Siddy]

That stinks, Anton. I hate dealing with contractors and this is one of my big worries, entrusting them access to your home. I have a small collection and keep it in one cabinet in my downstairs office, so it's easy to manage who goes in and out.

As for the contractor and his son, that might have some legal issues.

[Keonobi]

It probably varies by state, but I can't imagine most states consider contracting an appropriate occupation for children.  You might double check on CA law, but per this Child Labor Pamphlet children under 16 can't be a "student learner or apprentice" in Occupations involved in the operation of power-driven woodworking machines and Occupations involved in the operations of circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears .

Not sure what type of work they were doing, but it might not be legal from him to take his son on help on job sites.

Not that you should threaten the contractor, maybe just point out that it would be unfortunate if the state was notified.

[Morgbug]

This is why my collection room has a keyed lock on the door.  It seems silly most of the time when it's just family in the house but there are literally tens of thousands of dollars of collectibles in that room.  I lost a number of chase Kubricks to a family member's child but thankfully the parent was apalled rather than in denial and I got them back.  It was a couple of hundred dollars worth of figures but the kid had no idea and just thought they were cool and that I wouldn't miss a few.  Wrong few to grab son. 

Sorry to hear about your situation Anthony, that sucks.  We'll have people in to do the bathroom and the a fireplace in the basement at some point and I may actually add another lock at that point. 

[Jabba the Slug]

That's absolutely terrible, Anton. I'm sure we can all imagine what losing a piece of what we take pride in feels like. And what makes the situation worse is that, at 11 years old, a kid like that is already capable of having a conscience and knowing the difference between what's right and wrong.

My collection covers two shelves, so whenever there's a house party or just little kids over, I have figures falling off the shelves or being moved without my permission. I actually remember recently for my birthday party when a grown man (he must have been 24 years old) started drooling over my collection (he didn't collect, btw), and started asking if I had any Aayla Secura figures. I lied and said no, but, sure enough, he found her, and proceeded to take her off the shelf, right in front of me, and admire her.

I hate house parties!

[Daigo-Bah]

Yeah, I'm too paranoid (and my wife too bossy) for my collection room to actually be IN the house.  When we bought it about 10 years ago, I made sure to get a standalone "shed" (more like a bedroom) separate from the house.  Needless to say, there's been a lock on the door from the beginning.

I actually have 2 of those dirty EVO Sandtroopers, Anton, and I don't need both.  Please PM me if you want one!

[Darth_Anton]

Thank you, thank you. Pm sent. That would be helpful.

As a matter of resolution, the company is going to give me some reimbursement. A couple of follow up things, though. I had a conversation with his dad and I was totally disappointed with the whole "Oh, my son wouldn't do that" stance. I know it's tough to hear when your kid is accused of doing something wrong. I know, I have a 10 year old (who wasn't even home that day,) but you have use some logic and then take the opportunity to make a learning experience for you child. I wasn't even that mad. I was 11 myself once. If everyone had fessed up and the items returned, no harm, no foul. Then, ironically, just after the conversation, outside, I found a couple of the accessories the kid had swiped that I hadn't even realized, an imperial rifle and an extra bandolier I had laying around from commander Weir.

[Jabba the Slug]

Then, ironically, just after the conversation, outside, I found a couple of the accessories the kid had swiped that I hadn't even realized, an imperial rifle and an extra bandolier I had laying around from commander Weir.

This is quite a story!

[Daigo-Bah]

I wonder if his father's aware of it, either when it happened or after the fact, or is just too trusting.  If he isn't aware, at some point he'll probably find out and it'll be interesting to see what he does about it.  Hey- maybe it wasn't the kid!  Maybe it was the contractor!!

[Captain Piet]

I wonder if his father's aware of it, either when it happened or after the fact, or is just too trusting.  If he isn't aware, at some point he'll probably find out and it'll be interesting to see what he does about it.  Hey- maybe it wasn't the kid!  Maybe it was the contractor!!

Either way, it's pretty pathetic. As a society we are just to accepting of theft. A number of kids were caught stealing out of the cafeteria line at school this year and there was NEVER any police involvement. How are they ever supposed to learn?

[Keonobi]

Not sure if this is the best spot...

Was at Target last night to try and find the Mini-Muggs (not yet) and a Halloween costume for my 2 year old.  There was no end-cap, so I took a look in the aisle.  There were atleast two items that had been swapped.  The below multipack (the sharp-eyed might be able to catch that those are not infact Clone Troopers.... ).  Also swapped was an old Obi-Wan for one of the Obi-Wan Saga Legends.  I took both up to the front desk and explained how the figures in the package weren't the correct items and that clearly someone had bought, swapped and returned them.  She seemed to have heard of this happening before.  If it was Wal-Mart they would be back on the shelf within 20 minutes, I'm hoping Target is better about it.  I know I've found swapped items at both Target and Walmart locally, but I can't recall if the Target items made it back on shelf or not...

Note-I can't upload the picture    Stinking software won't let me go to any of those photo hosting sites..

I think the white suited guys in this ebay auction are the same figures.  I don't know GI Joe figures very well...

[Scockery]

I think the white suited guys in this ebay auction are the same figures.  I don't know GI Joe figures very well...

Those are Lanard STAR CORPS figures from the late 90's/early 2000's. GI JOE knock-offs, once commonly available at Toy R Us and Wal-Mart.