Foo - Charity can be a ***** sometimes.

Sorry for the profanity in the subject, but I'm venting the little that I have to vent.

So I'm sitting in Starbucks charging the new iPod Touch that I just traded in my iPhone for. Two kids come in asking for some financial support. I'm in a giving mood, so I wanted to give a dollar or two. Only problem: I didn't have singles. So I ask neighboring people to watch my stuff, but they weren't listening. I went quickly to get change, to come back with my iPod missing.

Pretty easy to guess the fail move that I made here, right?

Fortunately, I saved about $325 in anticipation of getting a new Powerbook. I'm aborting mission on that plan, buying a new iPod Touch and saving the rest for more important stuff.

I think I'm more upset that they are stealing other people's hard-earned money for their own benefit, and under the name of a good cause. I hope that they see the error in their ways...and the HARD way. ***hats.

Holy ****!

http://themiddleway.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/karma.png

moral of the story is: don't go to starbucks. (http://www.snopes.com/rumors/starbucks.asp)

moral of the story is: don't go to starbucks. (http://www.snopes.com/rumors/starbucks.asp)

No. That's not it at all.

I guess one could say the moral is: Don't leave your stuff unattended, but that still leaves no excuse for theft. May they burn in the eternal damnation of their choice.

Wow, that stinks. Sorry.

This isn't a consequence of charity, per se, though. It's about thieves.

Yeah, that sux. Never trust anyone or anything. Even your mom.

That was my dad's motto.

To be honest, the mistake was mine for leaving it unattended. However, I'm pretty happy that they stole it (though I do hope that they burn for their thievery). It set my goals and priorities in check.

I was saving for a Powerbook, but I really don't need it. I wanted it, but the truth of the matter is that I'm broke right now. I'm waiting for my Mom to reimburse me for the bike that I bought, but I won't be able to last that long. I had saved $325 for it, but that could be much better used to replace my iPod Touch, get me a super basic phone (that was the plan) and have money left over to loosen my collar until I get my reimbursement (or until Obama spreads the wealth around; whichever comes first :D)

Your homeowner's insurance *might* cover your iPod Touch. Also, if you bought it with a credit card, you *might* be covered by the credit card company as well, as some companies have an accident/theft ability. I know my insurance covers my computers, but I also got a rider to cover everything from theft to accidental microwaving of computer equipment.

In any case, it really sucks that people take advantage of this.

That's cool, Crassic. Good way to make a margarita out of the lemons and salt that life handed you. :)

Your homeowner's insurance *might* cover your iPod Touch. Also, if you bought it with a credit card, you *might* be covered by the credit card company as well, as some companies have an accident/theft ability. I know my insurance covers my computers, but I also got a rider to cover everything from theft to accidental microwaving of computer equipment.

In any case, it really sucks that people take advantage of this.

Don't own a home, and bought it with cash. Thanks for the tip, though. I'll keep that in mind if someone Zabriskie's my house in the future. :)

moral of the story is: don't go to starbucks. (http://www.snopes.com/rumors/starbucks.asp)

I thought the moral was: Don't give money to spangers.

ignore my sig:lol:

You should have made SURE the people around you that you asked to watch your stuff heard you, and agreed to watch it. That doesn't excuse the thieves, of course. It was kind of like leaving the keys in your car.

I'm wondering why you didn't just take the iPod with you when you went to get change? I have one and they're not that big.

Because I was dumb, pretty much. :)(

Well, the next time that charity approaches you, you can say with conviction, "No thanks...I already donated."

Actually, next time charity comes my way, I'm punching them in the face.

Yes, even the Girl Scouts.

:p

I'm punching them in the face.

Yes, even the Girl Scouts.Don't let the sappy advertising fool you. Give them an inch, and they'll take your ****ing kidneys and leave you in a tub of ice.

I have not had girl scouts bother me, surprisingly. Guess the crazy woman on the motorcycle in the rain doesn't look like she wants cookies.

Funny thing is, I'd love to tell them how wonderful the cookies look and how my friends tell me they are delicious, but sadly I am allergic to them and the thought makes me cry. :D

Guess the crazy woman on the motorcycle in the rain doesn't look like she wants cookies.


POTD Award!

I think we all need to be more aware of what panhandling looks like. There are places to feed, clothe, shelter and employ anyone down on their luck. No one has to take to the streets to beg for cash. Those that do are choosing it as a way to make money. I've heard some of the classics: "My kid needs an inhaler" "I need a couple bucks for gas so I can get to the hospital to visit my critically injured kid" "Life sure is hard these days" "I need bus fare to get back to Wichita". It's all bull****.

It's just funny because I normally don't fall for those schemes. I give money when I'm giving, but my line of thought is that I can make that money easily and honestly; that other guy can't.

This was just all-out stupidity. Which is fine, because it helped me make a smart choice in the end.

POTD Award!

I think we all need to be more aware of what panhandling looks like. There are places to feed, clothe, shelter and employ anyone down on their luck. No one has to take to the streets to beg for cash. Those that do are choosing it as a way to make money. I've heard some of the classics: "My kid needs an inhaler" "I need a couple bucks for gas so I can get to the hospital to visit my critically injured kid" "Life sure is hard these days" "I need bus fare to get back to Wichita". It's all bull****.

+1 People only beg for money because it pays a lot better than a job. In the OPs case, very well. If anyone tries to tell me a sob story, I top it. I can win a *****ing contest with most anyone that hasn't lost a limb. Most times, they will walk away as soon as they realize they should be the ones giving you money. Or they realize you aren't going to pony up the cash, so you are a waste of time. Sometimes I'll tell them about a shelter I've donated to and suggest they go there. Either way, as soon as they realize you aren't handing over cash they are gone.

Don't let the sappy advertising fool you. Give them an inch, and they'll take your ****ing kidneys and leave you in a tub of ice.

So are you coming to Candy Mountain or what?

I have not had girl scouts bother me, surprisingly. Guess the crazy woman on the motorcycle in the rain doesn't look like she wants cookies.

Funny thing is, I'd love to tell them how wonderful the cookies look and how my friends tell me they are delicious, but sadly I am allergic to them and the thought makes me cry. :D

I never have either, but their cookies are freaking amazing.

It's just funny because I normally don't fall for those schemes. I give money when I'm giving, but my line of thought is that I can make that money easily and honestly; that other guy can't.

This was just all-out stupidity. Which is fine, because it helped me make a smart choice in the end.

I just realized you are in Brooklyn and you left electronics out of your sight. At least it didn't happen with the new macbook you were saving up for. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'm in a decent area of a southern city (most cops write lots of speeding tickets for lack of anything else to do) and I am cautious to leave a CVS bag in the front seat of the car where it can be seen through the windows.

I never have either, but their cookies are freaking amazing.

Not amazing enough to make me eat them. :D I think the gluten intolerance is lyme related and slowly getting better thankfully. I ate a Luna bar today and hopefully no crapping my guts out tomorrow. :thumb:

This happened in Soho (Manhattan).

That sucks, but perhaps learning the lesson this way prevented an even greater loss down the road.

This happened in Soho (Manhattan).

Not that far from Canal St. Bet the Ipod gets traded for a hooker. :p

^^^

Funny!

It's just funny because I normally don't fall for those schemes. I give money when I'm giving, but my line of thought is that I can make that money easily and honestly; that other guy can't.

This was just all-out stupidity. Which is fine, because it helped me make a smart choice in the end.

Well, apparently they made it pretty easy off of you.

Sure, but they won't make it easily from everyone.

Sure, but they won't make it easily from everyone.

Actually, begging pays better than most unskilled jobs, and no annoying taxes to deal with. I think I read in the newspaper that the average guy on the side of the road here makes between $20 and $50 an hour. :eek:

Actually, begging pays better than most unskilled jobs, and no annoying taxes to deal with. I think I read in the newspaper that the average guy on the side of the road here makes between $20 and $50 an hour. :eek:

I think I just found my new career.

If only I had x136's looks...I'd make a mint.

I think I just found my new career.

If only I had x136's looks...I'd make a mint.Ah yes, can't underestimate the pity donation.

Ah yes, can't underestimate the pity donation.

;)

Actually, begging pays better than most unskilled jobs, and no annoying taxes to deal with. I think I read in the newspaper that the average guy on the side of the road here makes between $20 and $50 an hour. :eek:

Though that's not surprising, that's pretty funny.

Though that's not surprising, that's pretty funny.

What's even funnier is that one was outed by the paper as well. He was in a wheelchair on Franklin St. They followed him for several blocks back to his BMW where he folded up the chair and stashed it in the trunk, then drove off. No handicap parking tag. ;)

Bet the Ipod gets traded for a hooker. :p

At least the Ipod was put to good use.

At least the Ipod was put to good use.

Whether it's an iPod or a hooker...you get screwed either way.

What's even funnier is that one was outed by the paper as well. He was in a wheelchair on Franklin St. They followed him for several blocks back to his BMW where he folded up the chair and stashed it in the trunk, then drove off. No handicap parking tag. ;)

There was a guy that begged practically everyday on the corner of 52nd and Park Avenue. He looked pretty ragged, but I wouldn't doubt that he had serious money backing him up. He even talked to some of the fellow workers around!

To make even more out of an undesirable situation, the iPod they stole was a first generation Touch. I bought a 2nd generation Touch, which apparently has many more advantages.

I lose, but win at the same time.