Sorry OT, garage broken into

[88911coupe]

I realize this is OT but I'm so pi$$ed I could chew nails. Went out to open the garage at 6 a.m. and noticed my engine stands (thanks ED) was by the door...WTF?!?!? Then I start looking around and it's like a bad dream, air compressor gone, very nice power washer from my dad, whole tool chest FULL of tools, impact wrenches, misc. power tools...all gone. I keep "discovering" additional items that are gone. Frankly I'm getting sick to my stomach as I remember little stuff that I'll have to replace. Things I bought mainly for the rebuild on my 88 (hey, that's Porsche content) They must have gotten spooked since they left both bikes which are work far more than any of the tools. Also left a brand new pneumatic ratchet in the box.
Sorry to post something totally OT but just had to vent.
Any suggestions for websites that offer good suggestions on home security?
Really we are to blame, had to unlock the gate for the trash collectors, but still infuriating.

[brads911sc]

Wow. Sorry dude. That sucks. Damn.

I have a monitored alarm in my house (protect america)... I got it after my neighbors house burned down. All you need to add is a couple sensors in the garage. My entire system is wireless. Even the signal is cell and not a hard line... costs me $55 a month. Well worth it... most of the hardware was free with the exception of the fire detectors and motion sensors and a few extra window sensors. might have cost me $350.

[nineball]

i hope you do not have farmers insurance. 2 years ago my garage was broken into and the same thing - two 6' chests full of tools, two air compressors, all power and air tools, jacks, stands, extension cords, etc etc and 2 sets of wheels w/ brand new tires, one for each car. they cleaned me out AND damaged one of my cars by slamming a tool chest into the fender and making a 12" dent.

i had farmers and at first they wanted me to provide receipts for everything i lost. after a long conversation with the adjuster where i explained that having receipts for tools that have been acquired over 20+ years was not only ludacris but impossible they told me to make a list of everything that was gone. i spent quite a few hours going through a sears catalogue making a list and submitted it to the insurance company. for sake of ease i lumped some items together like sockets - i had every 6 and 12 point socket that sears makes (bought a big set then all the missing pieces individually) so instead of listing them one by one i listed the complete set they sell. the total came to around $13000 and 3 weeks later i got a letter telling me since i did not have receipts they were only going to replace the items which had a cost of $100 or less. if they make you do something similar me sure to list every single item individually. do not lump ANYTHING together.

when all was said and done they gave me $8000 total, but the bastards did it in parts like a f'n allowance. they would give me $2000, i had to spend it and provide receipts, then i would get another $2000. needless to say i no longer have them insure any of my vehicles or properties.

to add insult to injury they made me file 3 separate claims - wheels on one car's policy, the other set of wheels and damage on the second car's policy and all the tools on my homeowners policy. yep, i had to pay three $500 deductibles to the rat bastards.

good luck.

[onlycafe]

sorry to hear of this.
file a report and hope for the best.
start checking craigslist, e-bay, and pawnshops within a thirty mile radius.
good luck hunting.

[zippy_gg]

Sorry to hear about your ordeal.
Having had my car broken into several times years ago I certainly can relate to the "being raped" feeling.
When I am home it is S & W 686 .356 magnum 4inch barrel, red ramp, custom grips as my primary.
When I am away it is ADT and our homeowner's insurance, Mercury. Also we have a good neighbor network watching out for each other...

[nineball]

after my ordeal i wanted am alarm system on my garage but it is not attached nor heated. all the "professional" systems i found required a phone line or a mini cell tower to be added, or if not they worked on batteries. with out nasty ohio winters the battery thing was not an option so i made my own alarm system. you can read about it here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/511587-my-60-garage-alarm-system.html

[dicklague]

Security cameras a good idea too. Infrared type work in light and dark.

[efhughes3]

I'm really sorry to hear this Buck. I hope you end up OK thru insurance when it is all said and done.

[wswilburn]

SIG SAUER

[88911coupe]

Don't get me going on the insurance...not going to be much help. Wireless I/R cameras seems to be the best option since I can have that all run to a standalone PC. Obviously the horse is out of the barn, so to speak, but at least I can dramatically reduce the chance of a second attempt being successful. Stupid me sold my Combat Commander .45 ACP along with a Dan Wesson .44 mag few years ago...not that it would have been much good in this case. just a little worried in case some thief decides to go for that house on top of the garage. Not sure a Sig's in the budget but I like the way your're thinking.
Very reluctant to replace anything with good tools since I'd hate to have it get taken again.
Live and learn I suppose.

[nineball]

i felt the exact same way, but eventually i got over it. this time around i am more cautious and savvy. everything - tool chest, benches, compressor, cabinets, etc are bolted into the concrete floor with 12" lags. you would have to be about 300lbs and get a full speed running start to move anything, and even then i kinda doubt it. due to the layout there isn't enough room to get a running start and everything is either against a wall or next to another piece. i kept all the new receipts and once everything was in place i took a video of it all, drawer by drawer, quoting the tool and price. god forbid it ever happens again, but if it does i am prepared.


fight for what you lost with the insurance company, just BE NICE! be very nice, but don't take no for an answer. they (adjusters) deal with angry, frustrated, hurt people daily and they are sick of hearing it. you will get a lot further if you are cordial with them.

[mnewport]

fight for what you lost with the insurance company, just BE NICE! be very nice, but don't take no for an answer. they (adjusters) deal with angry, frustrated, hurt people daily and they are sick of hearing it. you will get a lot further if you are cordial with them.

Maybe it's just me, but I would get my attorney involved right away. I refuse to play around with insurance companies. I'm not advocating rude behavior because you'll catch more flies with honey. But in spite of all the huggy-touchy-feely advertisements they are in this only for money and they will string you along as much as they can.

Last year I had an issue that required the insurance company to pay just over $35,000 in a claim. I had everything submitted by an attorney to show them I was serious. They paid the entire amount immediately. It cost me a couple hundred in attorney fees, but I felt it was worth the expense.

It sucks that the system requires such excessive due diligence. Good luck.

[HawgRyder]

Being the paranoid that I am, I wired the 2 nice brass handles that you pull on to open the swinging doors with 220 VAC.
A simple cct with a relay to drop in when the lights are turned off supplies the handles.
One day while cutting the lawn, I noticed some black debris hanging from the handles.
It looked like burnt meat and very ragged.
I suppose some enterprising idiot tried the handles to see if the doors were unlocked, and found out that 220 Volts across the heart is not a good thing.
Shame I wasn't there to warn him, but on the good side, he now knows I don't like criminals.
Kill 'em all....let god sort them out.
Bob

[rnln]

I wonder how they can open the garage door when it's locked? THe opener is also locking the door down.

[BryanM]

inexpensive DIY stuff.
X10.com - Security Cameras, X10 Home Security, Wireless Camera, Home Automation, Electronics and More!

[curiousone940]

Hey, you're in Texas....try the Smith & Wesson system!!

[s_morrison57]

Originally Posted by nineball

i hope you do not have farmers insurance. 2 years ago my garage was broken into and the same thing - two 6' chests full of tools, two air compressors, all power and air tools, jacks, stands, extension cords, etc etc and 2 sets of wheels w/ brand new tires, one for each car. they cleaned me out AND damaged one of my cars by slamming a tool chest into the fender and making a 12" dent.

i had farmers and at first they wanted me to provide receipts for everything i lost. after a long conversation with the adjuster where i explained that having receipts for tools that have been acquired over 20+ years was not only ludacris but impossible they told me to make a list of everything that was gone. i spent quite a few hours going through a sears catalogue making a list and submitted it to the insurance company. for sake of ease i lumped some items together like sockets - i had every 6 and 12 point socket that sears makes (bought a big set then all the missing pieces individually) so instead of listing them one by one i listed the complete set they sell. the total came to around $13000 and 3 weeks later i got a letter telling me since i did not have receipts they were only going to replace the items which had a cost of $100 or less. if they make you do something similar me sure to list every single item individually. do not lump ANYTHING together.

when all was said and done they gave me $8000 total, but the bastards did it in parts like a f'n allowance. they would give me $2000, i had to spend it and provide receipts, then i would get another $2000. needless to say i no longer have them insure any of my vehicles or properties.

to add insult to injury they made me file 3 separate claims - wheels on one car's policy, the other set of wheels and damage on the second car's policy and all the tools on my homeowners policy. yep, i had to pay three $500 deductibles to the rat bastards.

good luck.

Thats insurance companies for you, they are all effing rat bass turds

[88911coupe]

Definitely looking at IR wireless but does anyone know if IR will "light up" a license plate or does it require regular light say from a spotlight? Maybe a dumb question...

[JFairman]

Originally Posted by HawgRyder

Being the paranoid that I am, I wired the 2 nice brass handles that you pull on to open the swinging doors with 220 VAC.
A simple cct with a relay to drop in when the lights are turned off supplies the handles.
One day while cutting the lawn, I noticed some black debris hanging from the handles.
It looked like burnt meat and very ragged.
I suppose some enterprising idiot tried the handles to see if the doors were unlocked, and found out that 220 Volts across the heart is not a good thing.
Shame I wasn't there to warn him, but on the good side, he now knows I don't like criminals.
Kill 'em all....let god sort them out.
Bob

Sounds good and effective, but what is a cct?
I googled cct and coudn't find it.

[88911coupe]

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