Need advice about a thief

You make a very good point - people who will steal right from under a neighbor's nose are doing it because they are counting on the neighbor being too nervous about rocking the "peaceful" boat over a petty theft.

In addition to stealing goods & possibly reputation these people take another important thing... Trust. And they aren't only stealing the trust of the person they ripped off, they are stealing a little of the ability to trust others from everyone who hears the story.

The direct result of which is that those who deserve to be trusted, and those who may find themselves relying on the kindness of neighbors during difficult times, find hearts may have grown a little harder.

or even say somthing like hey you didn't happen to see anyone out by my money box , i went to check i and it seemed 5 bucks light for that pumpkin

see you just opened up the perfect oportunity to defend the neighbor hood and come clean at the same time

she can say oh im soo sorry i only had a ten and i ment to have one of the kids run another 5 over but i forgot here is the other five


by the way they make a little plumbing tool it is a short snake with 3 fingers when you push the button on the other end the wire fingers come out and then when you release the spring pulls them back in the best thing i ever found for fishing paper money out of a jug no i wasn't stealing

I don't agree with that. A lot of thieves are cowards who are hoping you don't know who it is because the more gullible you are, the more they can take. Do they feel clever about doing that? Sometimes. Maybe feel even guilty. But they will still steal from you because they want something and they feel entitled to it.

You know what I think is funny, is when you know someone who is a thief (or destroys others' property, etc) and then screams about the taxes they have to pay on everything. They forget that is it because of THEM that everything costs more. But thieves don't think much beyond their own selfish whims and "needs". They don't know what "consequences" are.

Yes! She wasn't planning on getting busted. She thought no one was looking and you would never know for sure who it was. Who would think that when you put money in a box, that yours is the only money......most people would assume there is already money in the box.

__________________
"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap."

My questions are this:

Was the amount in two 5's? Are you sure she put the money in the box or did she have the person that helped load the pumpkin do it and they scammed an extra 5?

I'd say let it lay and next time it's "Show me the money, put it in my hand, take your goods and be gone. Money talks, BS walks."

Hey.

Send her a bill for $5.

RF

__________________
It's not good enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required. - Winston Churchill

Hmmm, that's a good point! Maybe it was one of her dishonest relatives? I suppose the OP would have mentioned that though, if someone else actually put the money in.
LOL

__________________
"The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap."

Considering the guiding precept of Wicca is "Harm none!" and she has a rep for dubious honisty its doubtful she is a Wiccan, but then, how many Christians remember to "Turn the other cheek"?

Sorry, nothing to do with the OP and being an utter coward I would probably not mention it to her if it was me but by dang sure she wouldnt get any more freebies or reductions

Yep, fool me once.............................

I think you handled it well, Zuk.

You made it clear that you know what she did, you told her to enjoy the pumpkin and have a nice day.

Classy.

BTW, I recognize Claire's quote in your sig. Have you read "Things to do Until the Revolution"?

__________________
Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

Personally, I wouldn't have an honesty box out at all..you cut the price for her to begin with..and she still came up short..NOw..if she was short on funds,,she should have asked you to "put it back and save" as she would get the money together and then buy it..you could have said...I'll hold if for (said number of days) etc..then put it back out to sell...there is no excuse for stealing,,coming up short or whatever...I am all for helping people out..but when they take advantage..thats another story..
I have cut prices at farmers mkt. for some who look..(have not asked for cut rate),,like they could use a break, or if I have an abundance of produce, then I cut prices or give it away..just depends on what moves that day and what don't.makes me feel like I've helped someone when they don't ask..they are the most appreciative ones..
JMHO on this story..

Zuk,
I really enjoyed reading on how you handled the situation. I admire your way with words.
My dad is a good "wordsmith". I'm not. By the time I get the nerve up to say anything, I have to get myself mad, and than I look like the fool. So, I generally don't bother.
I also believe that there are mostly honest people out there, but the dishonest ones are noticed so much more.
If you have a big white carpet with a small black stain on it, you don't see all the beautiful white, your eyes focus on that stain.

MorrisonCorners must know my neighbor-LOL. She did the worse that could be done to me--then called the neighbors and blamed me. Ones that knew me didnt believe her-ones that didnt want to believe the worse in everyone. Kinda mind over matter?
I think you handeled the situation with the pumpkin perfect,ZUK

__________________
In Life, We Weep at the thought of Death'
Who Knows, Perhaps in Death,
We Weep at the though of Life.

Thanks all. I sure do appreciate the kinds words, this has to be the best board in the world for good folks, even if we don't all agree all the time.

Now to answer a couple quick questions I saw. My wife and I have a pet grooming shop in the back of our home. The lady that took the pumpkin came in and asked my DW about the pumpkin got all the particulars. My wife asked her to put the money in the Honesty box as to keep business and farm money apart. DW did not recognise the lady and actually watched HER put the money in the box.
The slot in the top of the box is just wide enough to slip about 5 bills folded up, you can not get the little claw thing through I actually tried.
I have tried to think of any way the money could have gotten away, it just can not happen. So either she miscounted or she stole. I with all my heart am 100% on the side of theft.
She has not come around, and I drove past her home on the tractor today, the pumpkin was gone from the front drive.

__________________
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards"

Pony,

You are the only one to ever notice where it came from. "Things to do Until the Revolution" is on my short list to read. Have a good one.

__________________
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards"