Depression Recovery

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Actually, now that I think about this, it’s not so off topic.  There are many >newlyweds out there who will be moving soon.  So please be careful if you’re >putting things in storage, you never know what kind of idiots might be eyeing >your sentimental belongings! >-Megan > Oh god, all these posts are making me very nervous.  I will be moving up to > Boston to join my fiance, and am putting everything in storage for two months. > That includes all my paintings – my work for the past seven years.  I am having > an appraiser officially certify the value of the paintings, and I am insuring > everything for about $50,000 but hearing these stories is pretty scary. > Were these storage places self-storage places, or in a warehouse run by a > moving company?  I hope that if these guys know how much the stuff is insured > for, they will take good care of it. > Unexpectedly panicking, > –Natasha

"Don’t Panic" Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy… I’ve used storage successfully on several occasions.  A couple of thoughts: 1) Do not Use storage in remote areas.  If the place is off Highway 999999 10 miles from any town, in the middle of a field, behind a barn……   2) Do not use storage that allows anyone, at anytime access.  It may be more of a pain (and a bit more expensive) but I look for storage that has limited hours, and requires one to sign-in upon entry. 3) Use your own lock. Even if they are willing to provide one you know who has the key to yours. 4) Make sure to store valuable subject to moisture damage off the ground.  I had a box of books, and some other junk destroyed (not the end of the world) when the storage area leaked (rain). Fortunately I had (by Luck) kept my more valuable stuff off the floor. I used storage for five years while living in VA, and we stored many valuables from our Grandmothers estate for months when she in poor health. Other than one leakage incident, it’s worked out well. — Ron

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I had to get this off my chest … > I am the kind of person who takes it hard (probably too hard, in fact) > when awful things happen to people I care about so … imagine how this > broke my heart … > My friend Tiffany and her husband Adam wanted ti build a house.  So, they > moved out of their apartment and in with his parents.  They put *all* of > their belongings in a storage unit for safe keeping until they could move > into their new home.  They went to every outlet store from here to who > knows where and found furniture and decorations for their new home … all > of which went into the storage unit! > A couple of weeks ago, their unit was vandalized and *everything* was > stolen …. her wedding album, baby pictures of her and Adam, her wedding > dress, an heirloom quilt that has been in her family for several > generations! … all that was left was a pair of shoes and her veil! Can > you imagine?  I was in tears …. > I had to get that off my chest … I’m getting married in 32 days and to > think of someone stealing my wedding album and my dress makes me want to > be sick! > Just a small vent … thanks for listening! > Jessica (and Mike 5-25-96) >Actually, now that I think about this, it’s not so off topic.  There are many >newlyweds out there who will be moving soon.  So please be careful if you’re >putting things in storage, you never know what kind of idiots might be eyeing >your sentimental belongings! >-Megan > Oh god, all these posts are making me very nervous.  I will be moving up to > Boston to join my fiance, and am putting everything in storage for two months. > That includes all my paintings – my work for the past seven years.  I am having > an appraiser officially certify the value of the paintings, and I am insuring > everything for about $50,000 but hearing these stories is pretty scary. > Were these storage places self-storage places, or in a warehouse run by a > moving company?  I hope that if these guys know how much the stuff is insured > for, they will take good care of it. > Unexpectedly panicking, > –Natasha

"Don’t Panic" Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy… I’ve used storage successfully on several occasions.  A couple of thoughts: 1) Do not Use storage in remote areas.  If the place is off Highway 999999 10 miles from any town, in the middle of a field, behind a barn……   2) Do not use storage that allows anyone, at anytime access.  It may be more of a pain (and a bit more expensive) but I look for storage that has limited hours, and requires one to sign-in upon entry. 3) Use your own lock. Even if they are willing to provide one you know who has the key to yours. 4) Make sure to store valuable subject to moisture damage off the ground.  I had a box of books, and some other junk destroyed (not the end of the world) when the storage area leaked (rain). Fortunately I had (by Luck) kept my more valuable stuff off the floor. I used storage for five years while living in VA, and we stored many valuables from our Grandmothers estate for months when she in poor health. Other than one leakage incident, it’s worked out well. — Ron x

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is really not the same thing, but something you may > want to remember (for those of you who are getting > married and leaving for your honeymoon) is that any gifts > you get from you wedding should not be left in your home > or apartment when you are away on your honeymoon.  Some > theives watch the papers for engagements or weddings and > proceed to rob their homes with the intention of finding > lots of valuable gifts, etc.  The best advice is to keep > gifts at a family members home, etc.   >I don’t understand.  Most of the wedding gifts are for the household.  Once >a couple receives them, what should they do with them except leave them in >the house?  If you keep the gifts at the family member, then they will not >be able to enjoy them.  Or should the posessions be shuttled back and forth >every time they leave for a vacation? >–Peter Mlynek

Yes!  You do get household things, but that is not all.  Also, when your gifts (like blenders, etc.) are unwrapped and unpacked from boxes, they are not as desireable to theives.  If a thief breaks in and there are a bunch of wrapped up presents (sometimes china and other expensive gifts) its much easier to steal those things.  My main concern when we left for the honeymoon was the box that had all the cards and money.  In our area, most people do not open their gifts at their wedding, but wait until they get back from honeymoon to get togehter with close family and friends to open gifts, so this would apply.   It may seem stupid for a thief to want household appliances, but they could make a lot of money with gifts in the original packages by taking them back to Wal-Mart, etc. and getting refunds for the gifts. Even if all a couple got for gifts was household things, it still would not be O.K. with most if they came home from their honeymoon and all their gifts were stolen.  Whether or not all the gifts are small household things, there are still usually lots for those household things that do add up in value if you had to go out and purchase new.  Plus, if you were opening gifts when you returned, it would be a real pain in the a** trying to figure out what was stolen.   I’m sorry if some of you felt this was stupid advice, but I sure would not have wanted anything stolen, not even a blender. Melody

Response:

says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Although a little off topic, I just wanted to add a "me too" to this story. >My parents had the same thing happen to them about 2 years ago.  They had most >of their things in a storage unit when they were moving.  Someone broke in and >stole a lot of stuff.  Personal things included.  What they didn’t steal, they >ruined.  In the process of shuffling through things to look for valuables, they >broke my mom’s collection of depression glass that she’d been adding to since >she was very young.  It was downright sad! >Actually, now that I think about this, it’s not so off topic.  There are many >newlyweds out there who will be moving soon.  So please be careful if you’re >putting things in storage, you never know what kind of idiots might be eyeing >your sentimental belongings! >-Megan

Megan, The point you bring up is excellent …. one of the most important things you can do it READ THE CONTRACT CAREFULLY! Ask what kind of insurance they provide in case of theft, fire, flood, etc … my friend has found that she will be able to recover damages from the storage company and also from the credit card (Discover) she used to make her purchases.  Luckily, her wedding photographer still has her negatives and she will be able to get re-prints but … there are still family heirlooms that are missing that she will *never* be able to replace so … your advice to be wary is well taken! Jess

Response:

>Jessica, >I feel so bad for your friend.  My college roommate’s (and my wedding >coordinator) sister had this same thing happen.  She went to get her stuff out >of storage (she normally checked it every few weeks) and *all* of her things >were gone.  The unit had actually been filled with tires!  What a horrible >feeling. >Susan

Isn’t it hard to believe how cruel people can be?  What would a complete stranger want with her wedding and baby pictures?  She would let them take the furniture and house-hold stuff 10 times over if they’d just leave her albums and family heirlooms alone! They even took her wedding dress! It’s just appalling! Jess

Response:

This is really not the same thing, but something you may want to remember (for those of you who are getting married and leaving for your honeymoon) is that any gifts you get from you wedding should not be left in your home or apartment when you are away on your honeymoon.  Some theives watch the papers for engagements or weddings and proceed to rob their homes with the intention of finding lots of valuable gifts, etc.  The best advice is to keep gifts at a family members home, etc.  Just a word of caution! Good Luck! Melody

Response:

> This is really not the same thing, but something you may want to remember > (for those of you who are getting married and leaving for your honeymoon) > is that any gifts you get from you wedding should not be left in your home > or apartment when you are away on your honeymoon.  Some theives watch the > papers for engagements or weddings and proceed to rob their homes with > the intention of finding lots of valuable gifts, etc.  The best advice is > to keep gifts at a family members home, etc.  Just a word of caution! > Good Luck! > Melody

I am always amused when I read these posts.  I got some lovely wedding and shower gifts, but my really high ticket items didn’t come from there! I mean, if a thief REALLY wants my Braun hand blender or set of Pyrex baking dishes, s/he’s welcome to them.  So long as s/he keeps his/her hands off the VCR, stereo, jewelry …. Better advice would be DON’T print your wedding date in the newspaper … at least not until well after the fact.  (If you work in a large company, and have to send out *vacation notices* to people you work with, make sure you place them in an inter-office envelope ebfore distributing.  The custom at a previous job of mine was not to use an envelope.  A rash of burglaries was solved when the police realized it had to be someone in the mail room, who was using the memos to figure out when people would not be home.)  Put jewelry in a safe deposit box.  Use a light/stereo timer.  Make sure that you stop newspaper delivery, and have the post office hold your mail.  Have a friend or family member check the house periodically, to ensure that it has signs of life. And make sure that you are adequately insured. Barbara

Response:

> This is really not the same thing, but something you may > want to remember (for those of you who are getting > married and leaving for your honeymoon) is that any gifts > you get from you wedding should not be left in your home > or apartment when you are away on your honeymoon.  Some > theives watch the papers for engagements or weddings and > proceed to rob their homes with the intention of finding > lots of valuable gifts, etc.  The best advice is to keep > gifts at a family members home, etc.  

I don’t understand.  Most of the wedding gifts are for the household.  Once a couple receives them, what should they do with them except leave them in the house?  If you keep the gifts at the family member, then they will not be able to enjoy them.  Or should the posessions be shuttled back and forth every time they leave for a vacation? –Peter Mlynek

Response:

[Re: having your mail held] I apologize for not quoting the original article for context, but my newsreader is being funny. Anyway, after you get back from your honeymoon I highly suggest going to the post office yourself to pick up the held mail, instead of having them drop it off, no matter how secure you think your area is. We live in an apartment complex that seems to be really great.  Well, I had the mail delivered, and it came while we both were at work.  In the few hours between the mail was dropped off and I came home, someone apparently stole certain things, especially any packages that were mailed.  They even stole a wedding invitation to another wedding! One of the packages that was stolen was prescription medication. That’s replaced easily enough, but what a hassle! Another package was copies of photos from my best friend’s wedding that she’d paid a lot of money for, and she’s worse off financially than your average college student.  She still hasn’t saved enough money to replace them, and she just had her second son after being fired. About three months later, my Dad told me that my great aunt was asking if I’d recieved the vase, since she didn’t get a thank you.  Of course, he was using that tone of voice like, "You should really get those thank-you’s out… tsk tsk." (for the record, I had already mailed them a month before)  I asked him, "=What= vase?"  Apparently, she had mailed to my parents, for me, a nice cut crystal vase.  The mail was insured.  After opening the package to find out what it was (he didn’t know it was for me), he re-packaged it and mailed it, but he didn’t insure it.  Don’t you know he felt awful when he found out what happened!  I had to quickly write up a thank-you for a gift I never got… saying something about how much we appreciate the sentiment. We now have an arrangement with the post office that instead of leaving a package, they give us a slip saying that a package is in, and we have to go to the post office to pick it up.  It’s a pain. Live and learn, Jeanne Petrangelo

Response:

>A couple of weeks ago, their unit was vandalized and *everything* was >stolen …. her wedding album, baby pictures of her and Adam, her wedding >dress, an heirloom quilt that has been in her family for several >generations! … all that was left was a pair of shoes and her veil! Can >you imagine?  I was in tears ….

Jessica, I feel so bad for your friend.  My college roommate’s (and my wedding coordinator) sister had this same thing happen.  She went to get her stuff out of storage (she normally checked it every few weeks) and *all* of her things were gone.  The unit had actually been filled with tires!  What a horrible feeling. Susan

Response:

Although a little off topic, I just wanted to add a "me too" to this story. My parents had the same thing happen to them about 2 years ago.  They had most of their things in a storage unit when they were moving.  Someone broke in and stole a lot of stuff.  Personal things included.  What they didn’t steal, they ruined.  In the process of shuffling through things to look for valuables, they broke my mom’s collection of depression glass that she’d been adding to since she was very young.  It was downright sad! Actually, now that I think about this, it’s not so off topic.  There are many newlyweds out there who will be moving soon.  So please be careful if you’re putting things in storage, you never know what kind of idiots might be eyeing your sentimental belongings! -Megan

Response:

>Actually, now that I think about this, it’s not so off topic.  There are many >newlyweds out there who will be moving soon.  So please be careful if you’re >putting things in storage, you never know what kind of idiots might be eyeing >your sentimental belongings! >-Megan

Oh god, all these posts are making me very nervous.  I will be moving up to Boston to join my fiance, and am putting everything in storage for two months. That includes all my paintings – my work for the past seven years.  I am having an appraiser officially certify the value of the paintings, and I am insuring everything for about $50,000 but hearing these stories is pretty scary. Were these storage places self-storage places, or in a warehouse run by a moving company?  I hope that if these guys know how much the stuff is insured for, they will take good care of it. Unexpectedly panicking, –Natasha

Response:

As usual, Ron offers wise words, but may I also add: do NOT store in a storage area anywhere near a beverage carry-out…my fiance had a unit filled with stuff – he and his roommate had two of everything, so they stored one of the stereos, microwaves, all that. Anyway, some old JUDGE came through the drive-thru carry out to buy his n-th six pack of the night and plowed straight out of the carry-out and through the chain link fence and into Mike’s storage unit destroying most of the contents…judge is take away by police immediately with no citation, no breathalyzer, nothing….mike’s renter’s insurance fought with him for a long time and then just gave him a check for about 1/20th of the value of the destroyed items….fluke? or well-orchestrated conspiracy to smash a bunch of electronics and one man’s political dream? You make the call. Amy

** "Don’t Panic" Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy… ** ** I’ve used storage successfully on several occasions.  A couple of thoughts: ** ** 1) Do not Use storage in remote areas.  If the place is off Highway 999999 10 miles ** from any town, in the middle of a field, behind a barn……   ** ** 2) Do not use storage that allows anyone, at anytime access.  It may be more of a ** pain (and a bit more expensive) but I look for storage that has limited hours, and ** requires one to sign-in upon entry. ** ** 3) Use your own lock. Even if they are willing to provide one you know who has the ** key to yours. ** ** 4) Make sure to store valuable subject to moisture damage off the ground.  I had a ** box of books, and some other junk destroyed (not the end of the world) when the ** storage area leaked (rain). Fortunately I had (by Luck) kept my more valuable stuff ** off the floor. ** ** I used storage for five years while living in VA, and we stored many valuables from ** our Grandmothers estate for months when she in poor health. Other than one leakage ** incident, it’s worked out well. ** — ** Ron ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** x

Response:

I had to get this off my chest … I am the kind of person who takes it hard (probably too hard, in fact) when awful things happen to people I care about so … imagine how this broke my heart … My friend Tiffany and her husband Adam wanted ti build a house.  So, they moved out of their apartment and in with his parents.  They put *all* of their belongings in a storage unit for safe keeping until they could move into their new home.  They went to every outlet store from here to who knows where and found furniture and decorations for their new home … all of which went into the storage unit! A couple of weeks ago, their unit was vandalized and *everything* was stolen …. her wedding album, baby pictures of her and Adam, her wedding dress, an heirloom quilt that has been in her family for several generations! … all that was left was a pair of shoes and her veil! Can you imagine?  I was in tears …. I had to get that off my chest … I’m getting married in 32 days and to think of someone stealing my wedding album and my dress makes me want to be sick! Just a small vent … thanks for listening! Jessica (and Mike 5-25-96)

Response: