Porch Pirates

[Zorba]

that's all true, but I believe that's just another byproduct of the age of online/delivery commerce. As I recall life before Al Gore invented the internet & put us on this trajectory, I never had a problem going to the store whether it was Sears, the mall, or the mom & pop shop & grabbing whatever I needed, things use to be in stock when it made sense for brick & mortar to stock everything as they were the only game in town...

If, and it's a big if, retail stores ever make a comeback it follows that the out-of-stock problem will also largely disappear.

Unfortunately, I can't say I had the same experience. It may have just been the particular town in question: Salinas, California. I was heard to say MANY times "Typical Salinas business: 'Temporarily out of stock.'". Especially at Sears. It got real old real fast.

I'm just thankful we have a local hardware store that has been in the same location since 1880 - if its oddball, they have it. If its more "commercial/industrial", they have it. Fantastic place to shop - but don't even TRY to find "it" - ask one of the guys hanging out by the register, and they'll lead you right to "it" - its a multi story warren spread through 3 buildings.

There is an old time auto parts store near where I lived in California - has been there since just after the war. Same drill, they probably have "it" in stock when nobody else does. If they don't have it in stock, they can get it in next day - even stuff that the other guys can't order and you play hell finding it online. I haven't found one like it here in Florida.

 

[DuckNut]

I feel like a red headed step child for not being able to play this game. My neighborhood will not let them past the guard gate. We have a room where the packages are left all under camera and an employee. Driver puts packages in a bin/box, snaps picture to show delivery and our lazy azzes have to go get them. After a decade of living in here I have never heard of anything being stolen. Every single person who enters must show id and the id is scanned, not just the drivers.

 

[Woodrow]

I feel like a red headed step child for not being able to play this game. My neighborhood will not let them past the guard gate. We have a room where the packages are left all under camera and an employee. Driver puts packages in a bin/box, snaps picture to show delivery and our lazy azzes have to go get them. After a decade of living in here I have never heard of anything being stolen. Every single person who enters must show id and the id is scanned, not just the drivers.

That sounds very safe… and horrible. I know that kind of thing makes a lot of folks feel comfortable and surely offers some protection but its just not the world I want live in, or even visit. Yes, yes, I know. I wasn’t invited to your party anyway.

 

[DuckNut]

Unfortunately, I can't say I had the same experience. It may have just been the particular town in question: Salinas, California. I was heard to say MANY times "Typical Salinas business: 'Temporarily out of stock.'". Especially at Sears. It got real old real fast.

I'm just thankful we have a local hardware store that has been in the same location since 1880 - if its oddball, they have it. If its more "commercial/industrial", they have it. Fantastic place to shop - but don't even TRY to find "it" - ask one of the guys hanging out by the register, and they'll lead you right to "it" - its a multi story warren spread through 3 buildings.

There is an old time auto parts store near where I lived in California - has been there since just after the war. Same drill, they probably have "it" in stock when nobody else does. If they don't have it in stock, they can get it in next day - even stuff that the other guys can't order and you play hell finding it online. I haven't found one like it here in Florida.

We have a place here in Tampa like this. By place I really mean an area. It is called Drew Park. Walk into an upholstery shop with a car part and they will tell you where to go get it. When you get there they will have it, can get it, or know someone who can make it. There is literally nothing that can't be had here.

 

[Woodrow]

&

I feel like a red headed step child for not being able to play this game. My neighborhood will not let them past the guard gate. We have a room where the packages are left all under camera and an employee. Driver puts packages in a bin/box, snaps picture to show delivery and our lazy azzes have to go get them. After a decade of living in here I have never heard of anything being stolen. Every single person who enters must show id and the id is scanned, not just the drivers.

Sorry, I can’t help posting my wife’s response when I read this post to her because it made me laugh… “oh, he’s in prison, right?… or maybe assisted living?”

 

[DuckNut]

&

Sorry, I can’t help posting my wife’s response when I read this post to her because it made me laugh… “oh, he’s in prison, right?… or maybe assisted living?”

That is funny. Tell her thanks for being quick on her toes.

The community has voted to lock the hood down. No deliveries other than big stuff. All parcels go into the guards house. We also do not allow garage sales. Every visitor must be put on a guest list or the resident gets a phone call - don't answer your phone, your friend is turned away. No theft. No robberies. No break-ins.

Might sound like a prison but we created it to keep the porch pirates over at your neighbors house.

 

[Zorba]

That is funny. Tell her thanks for being quick on her toes.

The community has voted to lock the hood down. No deliveries other than big stuff. All parcels go into the guards house. We also do not allow garage sales. Every visitor must be put on a guest list or the resident gets a phone call - don't answer your phone, your friend is turned away. No theft. No robberies. No break-ins.

Might sound like a prison but we created it to keep the porch pirates over at your neighbors house.

Unfortunately, this is going to become more common.

 

[Westtown Willy]

That sounds very safe… and horrible. I know that kind of thing makes a lot of folks feel comfortable and surely offers some protection but its just not the world I want live in, or even visit. Yes, yes, I know. I wasn’t invited to your party anyway.

Sounds to me to be a microcosm of the future if/when the leftist agenda comes to full fruition, as we continue to spiral down this hellhole of an artificially manufactured lawless society intentionally created by these devil fucks that appear to have a strangle hold on the government, the media, & big tech, we the sheeple will be begging mother government to protect us at all costs, all, or so I believe their theory goes.

I've managed to avoid ever living in an HOA infested property because I cannot tolerate any fuck face or group of fuck faces waiving their rule book around & wagging their finger at me whether its about where I can park my car, what color I can paint my door, what fuel I can burn to smoke a brisket & on & on & on... the guard tower is another level, though I do like it for my parent's elder community especially as they're pushing 90.

 

[chili_pepper]

Not certain the increase in DAs refusing to charge thievery is accidental, or without a plan.

It most certainly isn't, on either count. The reasons for it are debatable, but suffice it to say that common sense and logic did not factor in the "plan". Not the best problem solvers, those lefties (and that's not opinion, their track record proves it). It's not just theft, they bounce people for assault, firearm violations, the list goes on. They release repeat felons and gun offenders regularly in places like NYC and other lib/dem enclaves with a slap on the wrist or less, scream about defunding the police, and then can't seem to understand why they have increases in criminal activity...

until we get so tired of it we welcome a more authoritarian government

Not while there's breath in my lungs...

When crime gets bad enough we'll clamour for stronger leaders that push for a harder line, often at the expense of civil liberties.

Not giving guff but what's with the "we" shit? Maybe I'm alone here but, not only do I not have a particular need to be lead by someone else, there's not a single rotten soul in DC or any statehouse qualified morally, ethically or intellectually to be my leader. None of these assholes are leadership material.

 

[DuckNut]

That sounds very safe… and horrible. I know that kind of thing makes a lot of folks feel comfortable and surely offers some protection but its just not the world I want live in, or even visit. Yes, yes, I know. I wasn’t invited to your party anyway.

At first I was thinking the same thing. It has turned out to be fabulous. The community is at ease but not at rest. Everyone looks out for each other and those who work there keep an eye on strangers things too.

I'll give you an example. I was out of state over the summer and received a call from my pool guy. He knew I was out of town and called to say the cushions on my furniture are positioned differently than they were the previous week. A review of my cameras showed a raccoon wiggled under the cushions, pushing them off the couches/chairs. After living here and experiencing this level of community belonging, I don't want to live anywhere else. At ease but not off guard.

 

[DEValken]

It most certainly isn't, on either count. The reasons for it are debatable, but suffice it to say that common sense and logic did not factor in the "plan". Not the best problem solvers, those lefties (and that's not opinion, their track record proves it). It's not just theft, they bounce people for assault, firearm violations, the list goes on. They release repeat felons and gun offenders regularly in places like NYC and other lib/dem enclaves with a slap on the wrist or less, scream about defunding the police, and then can't seem to understand why they have increases in criminal activity...



Not while there's breath in my lungs...



Not giving guff but what's with the "we" shit? Maybe I'm alone here but, not only do I not have a particular need to be lead by someone else, but there's not a single rotten soul in DC or any statehouse qualified morally, ethically or intellectually to be my leader. None of these assholes are leadership material.

"We" being the majority of the masses. A person can be intelligent; people are very stupid and lack the ability to learn from history. Give them gladiators (football, the Bachelorette, et al.) and something to blame for societies troubles and they will continue to vote "their guy" into office, while calling the rest of them crooks.

I wholeheartedly agree with the last paragraph (actually, everything you wrote), you are not alone. There's quite a few here (on the forum) who feel the same.

 

[Westtown Willy]

Not giving guff but what's with the "we" shit? Maybe I'm alone here but, not only do I not have a particular need to be lead by someone else, but there's not a single rotten soul in DC or any statehouse qualified morally, ethically or intellectually to be my leader. None of these assholes are leadership material.

I can't speak for him but I use the term in the collective, as in what the majority 'wants', recognizing that of course it doesn't mean all of us, no more that 'we' elected so & so as President means we all voted for him...

I was out of state over the summer and received a call from my pool guy. He knew I was out of town and called to say the cushions on my furniture are positioned differently than they were the previous week. A review of my cameras showed a raccoon wiggled under the cushions, pushing them off the couches/chairs. After living here and experiencing this level of community belonging, I don't want to live anywhere else. At ease but not off guard.

yea that happens everywhere with good neighbors, freedom killing rule book not required...

 

[Apparition]

&

Sorry, I can’t help posting my wife’s response when I read this post to her because it made me laugh… “oh, he’s in prison, right?… or maybe assisted living?”

It does sound like the old peoples encampment that my mom lives in when she winters in AZ.

 

[chili_pepper]

"We" being the majority of the masses. A person can be intelligent; people are very stupid and lack the ability to learn from history. Give them gladiators (football, the Bachelorette, et al.) and something to blame for societies troubles and they will continue to vote "their guy" into office, while calling the rest of them crooks.

I can't speak for him but I use the term in the collective, as in what the majority 'wants', recognizing that of course it doesn't mean all of us, no more that 'we' elected so & so as President means we all voted for him...

I got ya, but those all-inclusive terms always get me a bit. But the media and politicians sure love them, don't they?

As for history, sadly they can't learn from it if it isn't being taught (either correctly or at all). I've had some opportunities recently to inquire as to what's being taught in schools today, suffice it to say that both the courses available to students as well as the curriculum would seem to be falling well short of the mark. The education system in this country has been corrupted and needs an overhaul as well as a political agenda-ectomy.

 

[steelhd]

"We" being the majority of the masses. A person can be intelligent; people are very stupid and lack the ability to learn from history. Give them gladiators (football, the Bachelorette, et al.) and something to blame for societies troubles and they will continue to vote "their guy" into office, while calling the rest of them crooks.

Same as it has always been

“...if the old Emperor had been surreptitiously
Smothered; that same crowd in a moment would have hailed
Their new Augustus. They shed their sense of responsibility
Long ago, when they lost their votes, and the bribes; the mob
That used to grant power, high office, the legions, everything,
Curtails its desires, and reveals its anxiety for two things only, Bread and circuses.
‘I hear that many will perish.’ ‘No doubt,
The furnace is huge.'”
Satire X, Juvenal, ~100AD

 

[Zorba]

Since we touched on the subject a bit, here's yet another failure of brick-and-mortar...

Needed a dirt common 1/4-20 tap. Figured I'd go to either Ace or Homeless Despot to get one. Checked on their respective websites, checking the "In stock TODAY" box. Both showed a couple of taps in the search results. BUT - when I clicked on the individual item, a "not in stock" message popped up. This was on BOTH Ace and H.D. websites. So I thought I'd try bLowes - they're a little bit further way, but I really want this thing NOW. Nope, they didn't have them in stock either.

Shit

So I look online. Amazon of course had them, but the ONE fucking time I'm willing to pay for expedited shipping, that option was not available. Ended up buying one on eBay - hopefully the damn thing won't take 2 weeks to get here.

 

[Woodrow]

I guess things aren’t apocalyptic if you are posting here about on-line vs local shopping, but I hope you and your family are staying safe tonight.

 

[Zorba]

I guess things aren’t apocalyptic if you are posting here about on-line vs local shopping, but I hope you and your family are staying safe tonight.

Not apocalyptic at all, and probably won't be - it ain't over until the fat lady sings, but wunderground agrees with the NHC. I ignore talking heads...

 

[OHFIVETJ]

A Police Captain long time buddy of mine told me, NEVER use your home address for anything. Get a PO Box, $200 per Year problems solved & no option for porch pirates. All my daily drivers, kids cars & high end collectible cars are registered to the PO Box. My drivers license even has a PO Box on it as well. You can't run my plate & find out where my car collection & other goodies are garaged. If you just so happen to find a another way, well then Peety the Pitt will meet & greet you at the door !