Am I the only one paranoid about someone ripping off my collection?

[Funky]

Am I just paranoid?
First off, yes, my collection is insured. That, however does not put my mind at rest.
I know that the majority of us have pretty cool collections that we are proud of and look for any opportunity we can to show it off. Am I the only one who's a little nervous about who I show it off to?
Scenario: My father in law (well, soon to be ) is over at our house to replace a faucet while the little lady and I are at work. A neighbor (which I don't know) comes by to drop off some of our mail that was delivered in his mailbox by mistake. Nice enough. My father in law opens the door and neighbor explains the situation. Dad thanks him and the guy looks over dad's shoulder and sees my lifesize Yoda in the living room. Says to dad he loves Star Wars and dad invites him in to check out my prop room! The dude spends about 15 minutes in there checking out everything and taking pics! He then tells dad how awesome it is and asks if he can bring his kids over sometime to see the collection and dad says, "of course!" :confused

Now, this guy for the most part keeps to himself and is quiet. The only time we see him is when he's outside on Saturdays in his wife beater tuning up his low rider.

Okay, tell me I'm being paranoid.

 

[PHArchivist]

When I have laborers or tradesmen over, and I have replica guns out, I get a bit worried...

 

[Arwyniel]

If it's any consolation I'd be the EXACT same way. Am I paranoid too? You can't afford NOT to be in this day and age.

 

[MooCriket]

Yeah...I would feel the same way you do. I feel the same way whenever anyone is in my house doing repairs, etc, and for good reason. When I was younger my father coached Baseball, among other sports. One day after practice he gave two players our house keys to drop the equipment bag off in our rec room.

I had a very nice collection of Samurai swords and assorted martial arts weapons and memorabilia. One of the two stole my autographed Bruce Lee picture and letter that my Father had given me.

Even though it was obvious that one of them stole it, no one talked and the police did nothing

 

[Clutch]

Is paypal history a good proof of an item's value?

 

[Monteburns]

A random thief breaking into your house would likely not steal props or displays.

I am however not a fan of letting strangers /tradesmen in to view the layout of your collection.
People tend to talk & if the wrong person hears about what you have there may be a problem down the road.

If you are really worried get a security system & display many security signs.
Having dogs is also a good deterrent for would be thieves.

I would be a little angry if I found out that my family was giving tours of my stuff while I was not home.

 

[lint]

get a video camera and document every portion of your collection. store the video or photos off site. talk to your insurance broker about how to best cover the collection (as awkward as a conversation as that might be).

 

[Psammead]

Is paypal history a good proof of an item's value?

I wouldn't say so, theres things I've picked up recently way below the current value if the Junkyard is anything to go by. Moreover, it is only representative of the value of the item once upon a time and not now, also some people don't know the value of their items. Think of how many people here have got Hengstler counters for less than £5.

I'm not really keen on people getting near my collection either, friends are fine as even though they can occasionally be clumsy they respect my stuff and would never steal from me. Workmen, no way, all stuff of identifiable value goes away if they need to go in to the room. The biggest problem is some of the stuff is irreplaceable or pretty close to it. Then there is sentimental value, after all insurance doesn't cover that.

 

[gyoung2993]

Oh definitely ,I am too , anyone comes in ,that I dont know ,that hobby room door gets closed before ,eyes start looking around ,you just dont know about people anymore ,so I am thankful for the alarm system ,me and my wife have ,it helps more keeping my mind at ease....but you never know.....

 

[Forsaken]

In not paranoid but cautious as to who knows what I have and where I keep things.
I’m basically a trusting person.
Crime Statistics show in high percentage of a home burglars its usually a neighbor or a acquaintance that if the culprit.

Al

 

[CessnaDriver]

Your not paranoid soldier!

"Friends are just enemies that haven't attacked you yet."


I would kindly advise others to not show off your collection to strangers.
Say it was sweet to be nice to someone, but it isn't something you can do with an expensive collection.
Others are not going to be aware of that, they are just excited to show it off and share.
People talk, others listen. Word spreads.
Kids are going to blab to the entire planet.

 

[handler]

Am I just paranoid?
First off, yes, my collection is insured. That, however does not put my mind at rest.
I know that the majority of us have pretty cool collections that we are proud of and look for any opportunity we can to show it off. Am I the only one who's a little nervous about who I show it off to?
Scenario: My father in law (well, soon to be ) is over at our house to replace a faucet while the little lady and I are at work. A neighbor (which I don't know) comes by to drop off some of our mail that was delivered in his mailbox by mistake. Nice enough. My father in law opens the door and neighbor explains the situation. Dad thanks him and the guy looks over dad's shoulder and sees my lifesize Yoda in the living room. Says to dad he loves Star Wars and dad invites him in to check out my prop room! The dude spends about 15 minutes in there checking out everything and taking pics! He then tells dad how awesome it is and asks if he can bring his kids over sometime to see the collection and dad says, "of course!" :confused

Now, this guy for the most part keeps to himself and is quiet. The only time we see him is when he's outside on Saturdays in his wife beater tuning up his low rider.

Okay, tell me I'm being paranoid.

I don't see what a wifebeater or lowrider has to do with your prop collection. So I suppose if I were your neighbor you would think of me like that, too? Haven't you ever seen Crash? You said you don't even know your neighbor, so you have a pretty bad preconceived notion to begin with. So, yes, you are being paranoid in those regards. I think you should be more worried about losing your items to a house fire than being concerned about a neighbor whom you don't know and has done nothing to you.

 

[BAK55]

Have you ever talked to your neighbor? If he is a fan of Star Wars, at least you have that in common besides living on the same block. Seems to me you both need to break the ice in some way. Your soon to be Father-in-law may be able to help out here since he’s already talked to the guy.

A little paranoia isn’t a bad thing, but if it puts up walls between you and a potential fellow fan, who just might be a great guy as well, is a little sad. I’m not saying bring him into your home to show your stuff, but get to know him before letting the fear that something may happen get to you.

You may be delightfully surprised with a new friend or at least you’ll find out that your paranoia is justified.

 

[Simmon M]

I don't mind people checking out my collection unattended (and this is coming from someone who is missing a BR blaster from a bbq I threw a few years back). I enjoy seeing everyone's reaction when they walk into my prop room for the first time. It's especially cool showing the collection off to the younger crowd who really get wow'd by it. The cellphone picture taking thing is par for the course with 'outsiders' getting a taste for the hobby.

Personally, yeah, I think your being paranoid but that's just me. You said it yourself the dude is quiet and sticks to himself. I'm pretty much the same way.

 

[irishamericanlad]

I don't see what a wifebeater or lowrider has to do with your prop collection. So I suppose if I were your neighbor you would think of me like that, too? Haven't you ever seen Crash? You said you don't even know your neighbor, so you have a pretty bad preconceived notion to begin with. So, yes, you are being paranoid in those regards. I think you should be more worried about losing your items to a house fire than being concerned about a neighbor whom you don't know and has done nothing to you.

i understand what you’re saying and how you can be a little upset but this is funkys reality, how he feels and the descriptors he used to explain his story shouldn’t be scrutinized, and he didn’t say anything about race, he didn’t single anyone out but his neighbor whom he may or may not be comfortable with… but his feeling that the neighbor didn’t belong in his home is his right to believe, I wouldn’t be ok it and the fact he used the words wife beater and lowrider shouldn’t be offensive….

 

[defstartrooper]

Of course you aren't being paranoid he's obviously a thief and his children he wants to bring by later are clearly in his employ, he's like a modern day Fagin.
It's classic burglar MO to break into your neighbours house so just in case you are seen you're instantly recognised and get the propz you deserve for your cunning criminal caper.
It's a nice day out for the family too, without large travel expenses.

 

[wildabeast]

In reality, Funky I think that you are the only one paranoid about your collection being ripped off......the rest of us on the other hand....:love

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

I am the exact same way. Family are the only ones who see my 1:1 collection and a small handfull of friends whom I've known for 15+ years. NOBODY touches ANYTHING. I too worry what with my real MG34, real Sterling, plus the 3 mausers and Boba's Webley. Heck a display MG34 can bring in thousands these days and what with 5 full blown costumes.....well....you guys get the picture. Think on terms of a womans jewelry collection...one that take years or decades to collect.....worth thousands of dollars. You don't bring just anyone up to the room and place where it's all kept and show it all off...I think this is Funky's concern ....and yes it's human to judge based on image.

I worry more on how and when I'll be able to sell it all when the time comes. It's been on my mind lately with the guns. I bought all of them pre-9/11, except for the MR, when mailing guns in the lower 48 was like mailing a letter. Now, I just don't know how much of a headache it could or would be.:confused

Steve

 

[Xxblackbird]

We had a break in here about a year ago where a guy had his replica Pulse Rifle stolen.
The police found it near the boat dock in a trash can. One of our local bums broke in and stole it and probably thought it was a real gun then ditched it when it didn't work.

 

[Interceptor6]

I keep the "high end" stuff in a safe, but dearly LOVE to show off my displayed collections to anyone that'll put up with my rambling. In 30 years, I've only had a couple of thefts, and both were from previous "friends", not strangers.