Bad dream

[David Matz]

I had a bad dream the other night. I was retired. I got home from a morning walk. I walked into my dedicated room to jam my system. But my speakers were disconnected from my giant monoblocks. Three or 4 guys with guns pushed me aside. They disassembled my system and drove off.

Most of us have a decent investment in our systems. Fortunately most of the world does not understand quality audio, and the amps and preamps may not be the first things stolen. However, the speakers would surely be tempting to a thief. Nevertheless, how do you protect your systems? Personally, I own a German Shepherd.

 

[DrJRapp]

Heavy insurance! A professional and determined thief with a gun will think nothing of disabling the dog, before or after he disables the alarm.

 

[amey01]

Yep, insurance is the most important. A thief will take what they need regardless.

That said, I certainly don't "advertise" my system's presence or make it easy. But once they know it's there and that they want it - no security is enough security - it's as good as gone.

So insure.......and prevent. Prevention is better than cure. You want your home to not be a target - once they have reached your defences, it doesn't matter if you have alarms or whatever - they're there, and they can be in and out in 30 seconds.

On the positive side though, you don't hear too often of things as large as stereo systems being stolen - it's usually opportune theft - things like cash, jewellery and easy to carry and offload items such as laptops/mobile 'phones, etc. A PS3 might be the biggest/heaviest item they grab. Noone's going to sell a ML at the local pub or at Cash Converters.....

 

[Bernard]

Definitely insurance, and I value my health/life more than my stereo system, so I would help them load my stuff onto their truck, if it came to that !

 

[twich54]

I agree, insurance, for everything in my collection of "gear" can easily be replaced, now my music collection (LP's and CD's) that's another matter !

FWIW, I do like the sticker that reads...."Screw 911, We Prefer Smith & Wesson" !!

 

[C.A.P]

No matter what ya have if they want it and know what you have, they will stake out your house and wait till you are gone. Insurance can help but unless you have it listed as separate add on to your homeowners its not much.

Now if someone is stupid enough to try when I am home, They better have Life insurance !

 

[DrJRapp]

Another word of advice. I had fits a couple of years back when my teenage step-son would bring his friends into the house and brag about my gear. The real problem was that his friends were mostly druggies and outcasts; you know, the type that would most likely want to reallocate our assets.

I never could get it into his head how he was potentially harming us. Fortunatly, he chose to move out at 18. Now at 19 he, and his friends are banned from the house and the community we live in because he was arrested for breaking and entering at a local flea market...to get rent... because he spends his earnings on drugs.

 

[Diamonds]

I have two police trained dogs:

German Shepherd - 110 pounds - Mean as they get
Belgian Malinois - 80 pounds - As fast of dog as I have owned

Nobody is coming into my house. Besides all my A/V equipment is really heavy. I don't see you normal criminals taking the time to lift all that stuff. Besides, that the hell are they going to do with it? Pawn it? Listen to it? Probably neither.

 

[FOUNTAIN]

It's interesting that you brought this up because after my wife hit a deer with her car, we made some adjustments in our car insurance policy. Then a few days later I began thinking of my homeowners policy and if my stereo would be protected and covered fully. We contacted them and according to our policy we do have more than enough to cover it along with the other belongings in our house. We did double and triple check with them though just to make sure that we did not have any miscommunications with them covering full price the stereo equipment minus the deductible. They did however advise us to write the S/N's down and take pictures of each piece for easy cataloging then store it in a safe place. So that peace of mind did keep me from having any bad dreams. Now if I can get over the fear of a dead girl coming through my television screen when the picture is snowy then I believe I'd be ok.

 

[RUR]

Hmmmm.....

1) Quality alarm system
2) Four dogs (1 large+3 small, but hyperactive early-warning systems)
3) Benelli M4 + misc handguns with big holes in the end
and, when all else fails
4) Insurance which stipulates full replacement coverage for the gear

I think I have all the bases covered.

Folks really should keep a home inventory which includes anything of value, with photos, in a safe place. Mine's in a large vintage safe, but a safe deposit box or other secure offsite location (so it survives if your home doesn't) will do.

 

[FISH_MAN]

pics and serial numbers are a must this will help keep the insurance companies from squirming out of the deal. it's like no what I had was not used and beat up I want a brand new one that looked like the one that was stolen no scratches but new looking! like my pics.

unless you keep your gun loaded at your side and ready to pull the trigger it is really no use in a home invasion.

 

[JonFo]

Interesting thread, yes, keeping a full inventory of your gear is required if it's above what the insurance company considers 'normal' value.
I think everyone here exceeds normal, matter of fact you're all exceptional

As well as S/N's, I also log date purchased, for how much, what list was, and even have a column labeled 'replacement cost'. I also keep all receipts.
BTW- It’s way too easy to see just how much you’ve actually spent on this stuff. Pretty alarming to see …

Full set of pics, plus posting about this silly thing for years all over the web should sure provide enough 'evidence' that it's real

But if someone did try and take it, the local cops would catch them ‘in flagrante delicto’, as it would take all friggin’ day to unhook and extract over a ton (literally) of gear. :devil:

 

[FISH_MAN]

Besides, that the hell are they going to do with it? Pawn it? Listen to it? Probably neither.[/QUOTE]

you are thinking to much like a law abiding citizen. most crooks are addicted to drugs and will trade a 5k amp for a bag of dope! all they know is that it is expensive and they can trade for drugs

 

[RichTeer]

Folks really should keep a home inventory which includes anything of value, with photos, in a safe place. Mine's in a large vintage safe, but a safe deposit box or other secure offsite location (so it survives if your home doesn't) will do.

I couldn't agree more, which is why I wrote a web-based home inventory system, which can be found at www.myonlinehomeinventory.com. Take a tour and let me know what you think (or better, sign up!).

Sorry for the shameless plug, but I thought it was apropos for this conversation. Being able to replace my audio gear if it ever got stolen or my house burned down was one of my motivations for writing MOHI.

 

[jtwrace]

Sorry for the shameless plug, but I thought it was apropos for this conversation. Being able to replace my audio gear if it ever got stolen or my house burned down was one of my motivations for writing MOHI.

Rich-

Great job and no prob on the plug. I'm sure that your offering us MLOF guys/gals a special rate.

Actually I think you would make a great site sponsor.

 

[zaphod]

- monitored alarm system
- "beware of dog" signs
- 2 foot diameter dog dish outside door

when the neighbours kids broke in, they ignored all the good stuff and stole the VCR.

 

[kach22i]

They disassembled my system and drove off.

I had a similar dream, but it was the IRS collecting for back taxes.

 

[RichTeer]

Rich-

Great job and no prob on the plug. I'm sure that your offering us MLOF guys/gals a special rate.

Actually I think you would make a great site sponsor.

Given that I recently lost my job, I'll have to plead poverty on the latter for now. :-(

As for a special rate: no probs! The current MOHI business model isn't working at all, so I need to change it. When that happens (early next year, hopefully), I'll let everyone here know. Free accounts for my MLOC friends and colleagues!

 

[User211]

We got burgled a while ago at our last house because my wife left the utility room door open one hot summer's evening. None of my gear got nicked. Only my wife's stuff went, including her car.

Eventually they found the car parked near to the dealer. And they got him, too. He confessed to 17 other burglaries. So instead of locking him up, they gave him 2 years free drugs and some counselling.

What kind of BS is that? My wife wa really angry.

BTW: if you're hi-fi is big/fragile or very heavy, they won't nick it. Unless it is pre-planned and they know it is there, I guess.

 

[slowGEEZR]

BTW: if you're hi-fi is big/fragile or very heavy, they won't nick it. Unless it is pre-planned and they know it is there, I guess.

I'll bet that's right! I had a heck of a time carrying my tube integrated up the stairs!