SKis and burglary

So if you could figure out a foolproof way of stealing 1/2p from every
adult in Britain without them noticing it, netting yourself say
UKP150k, would you do it?

I wouldn't.

 

Agree entirely. Those people who've already smiled, and said they expect
I will make a few quid here, have been puzzled when I've simply said
"No".

For my part, I'll replace all the camera kit with new stuff (the 801S
has been superseded now, but I think the F90 is close enough in spec)
and of course all the digital kit is less than a year old anyway.

The old Nikon AF35 I bought in a market recently (so I'll just claim the
ukp30-odd I paid for it) and The Doctor's Minolta XG9 and lenses are 20
years old, manual focus, basic SLR, only worth a hundred quid with the
lenses at best.

Those I'll go for value only.

The kids' silverware - difficult to quantify. Estimated values, but with
these the real loss is sentimental.

My model bike collection - I dunno. The Kwack Z1 might still be
available (genuine listed Kawasaki spare part, believe it or not!) and
cost about ukp40. There was another pricey one or two bikes there. For
the rest - I dunno. 30-40 small model bikes, each worth maybe three or
four quid.

So no, I shall not, how shall we say, be generous in my assessment of
the loss. If the InsCo drags its heels though, I shall be very, very
rude indeed.

 

Colin Irvine wrote

I bloody would.

The only reason I don't, apart from I don't know how to, is my fear of
getting caught. If I thought for a moment I could get away with it I
would commit every crime in the book.


And so would you.

 

Nope. Really.

 

The Older Gentleman was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

I think you're underestimating the value of old school Minolta
equipment here a tad. It does depend on the lenses a bit, but a good
condition XG9 body alone should be worth something like 50-70. Get me
the list of nicked lenses and I can probably give you a better idea
what they're worth, alternatively have a gander at
http://www.ffordes.com/.

That'll be the one you broke another one for spares, right?

 

This is the rub, for me.

It's a legal requirement to insure a motor vehicle, but they will try to
wriggle out of claims, pass the buck, penny-pinch over genuine expenses,
delay, write endless letters, and all the rest of it.

I'm not sure I'd go as far as to fraudulently claim, but I'm very far
from impressed by the balance of power in the relationship.

 

If there were a simple one-word convention to represent a *ding* at
130+ dB, I'd be using it here. We have to have insurance. Insurers
don't have to GAF.

 

Thanks. The lenses were, er, um standard 50mm (valueless, then) and a
70/210 zoom (worth a bit more).

Yeah. And they took the broken one as well. Cunts.

 

The Older Gentleman was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Well, the 50/1.7 is worth about 20 quid for a good user one, 30 for a
mint one. A 50/1.4 is worth about 45-50 mint, the 50/1.2 about 150
(no, that's not a typo). With the 70-210 zoom it really depends, the
range from just about worthless (aka Russian Paperweight) to about
50-70 quid for a mint Minolta one.

I'd say 120-150 would be a fair valuation. You can pick up all of the
above cheaper and then spend the difference at the repairer of your
choice. Good XG9s are actually getting a bit rare, a lot of them
either stopped working or the prongs on the takeup spool have broken
off.

Actually, let me know if Anne would want a replacement MF Minolta. I'm
always on the lookout for good 'uns as I'm kinda collecting them so
over time I should be able to pick up all the bits and pieces.

 

I wouldn't, no.

If you read the thread I was suggesting the thought process that was
followed, not supporting it.

Would you take stationary from your office's supplies, the odd pen or
pack of post it notes for non-work use?

 

We only have to have 3rd party insurance. Many of us choose to cover
against theft, or come to that all risks.

 

Previously on usenet, Champ said...

No. People buy from trained sales people.

 

No, 'victims' buy from trained sales people.

 

Not always.

 

Previously on usenet, said...

I only have TPO insurance on my CB250RS. If it was to catch fire I'd
probably laugh and stand around warming my hands on the flames. If it
was nicked I'd lose the 20 quid it cost me, big deal.

 

No.

 

An uncle of mine, in the 40s/50s, had some bike or other (Maternal
Grandfather and Uncle had their fair share of bikes). It caught fire in
the farmyard and his father started to put it out. My uncle suggested
it might be best to let it burn; 'cos it was knackered and insured.

It transpired it wasn't insured... whoops!

 

Well I'd suggest you'd be in the minority. I wouldn't steal the pens
(I'm fussy about what I write with) but would (if I wanted them) take
other supplies; then again given that I work from home and use my
printer, ink etc. etc. etc. I'd feel 'justified'.

Having said all that the only thing I can remember taking from the
office stationary was a couple of screen wipes. Hmm... spend 10+ hours
a week working using my monitor connected to the co. laptop; suppose
that wasn't theft either.

 

I can't decide if I should put personal post in the company post tray or
not. Prima facie the answer is no, of course - but if I have to leave
the office and go to the post office to buy stamps and post a letter,
haven't they lost more in my productivity than the cost of a first class
stamp?

 

Not if you do it in your lunch hour. I've not used co. resources for
personal mail either now I think about it. Blimey I've missed out.