At 01:00 PM 12/08/2000 -0800, you wrote:
>Paul, what do you consider to be an area that is free of "lurking thieves"?
Bahrain, where I'm located, for one. I've also been in shops in the US and
the UK where lots of valuable "collectibles" grace the places without being
nailed down, covered by cameras or other theft detecting devices.
In some of those places, the feeling of being "at home" would dissuade
property removal. After all, people who are made to feel at home don't
steal from their hosts.
>If you were familiar with our location you would understand the chuckle I
>got when reading it.
If I was in a location where I had to be constantly on guard, I'd cry
rather than chuckle.
>Our store is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is on
>a very busy intersection in a good demographic area, less than a mile from
>some of the most expensive homes in Vancouver. Our store is located on the
>ground floor of an apartment building where the 'cheapest' unit sells for
>more than 300k. You really can't find many areas in a North American city
>that would be considered better, in this respect.
Better for what? For thieves who will walk off with anything they find not
tied down? That's worth a chuckle!
>I've spent many years, not only in the cybercaf� business but in managing
>retail store programs and theft is always a concern, regardless of where you
>are located.
How unfortunate!
>David mentioned security tags and sensors. We have those installed across
>our front doors, primarily to protect or software retail area. All they
>really do is cause thieves to open software packages and remove the jewel
>case, leaving the package and sensor tag behind. The people who do this on a
>regular basis know how to get around these systems, and they all have weak
>points that can be easily exploited.
Perhaps you're playing into the thieves' hands by giving them a
challenge. I've had thousands of dollars worth of antique prints and
paintings along with loose CPU's, camcorders, bric-a-brac, plants and
flowers, a library full of books and magazines, etc. all over the place on
two floors and in five rooms that would be easy to pilfer from if I was
challenging thieves rather than hosting guests. My guests come from all
over the world: Arabia, Egypt, S.Africa, India, Pakistan, Philippines,
USA, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, S.America, and even Canada, to name a
few. If there's been a thief among them at home, they've restrained their
urges when visiting us.
>It would be great to live in a world were everyone is as honest as we view
>ourselves to be, but that is not reality - at least not in any of the parts
>of the world that I've traveled through.
Those parts of the world could use some revision. Many people are crazy
enough to have businesses in New York city You'd have to be a lunatic to
want to be in business in a place where you've got to look over your
shoulder out of fear of muggers or carry a gun in case of a holdup. Yes,
Ron, I've been to the places you refer as well. But, as I said originally,
I just would not want to set up a business in those places.
>Although most people are generally honest, it only takes one or two to
>cost you big bucks and inconvenience
>your customers.
I suppose that the one or two like that would feel uncomfortable at my parties.
<snip>
Paul B.
***The Idea Gallery***
P.O. Box 54565
Adliya, Bahrain
(973)714828 / fax: (973) 771847
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.ideagal.com
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