Card Thefts

[scotgreb]

I would recommend something like the Google Nest Cam:

https://nest.com/camera/meet-nest-cam/

There are a lot of devices like it, so you have choices. This one in particular can do things like automatically store video and audio based off motion and/or sound and only alert you if you are not home (your choice...you can link it to your phone for location services).

The nice thing about this one is that it stores directly to the cloud, so if someone breaks into your home, they can't remove the memory stick to take the evidence like they could with some devices.

A subscription for cloud storage is $100/year...perhaps worth the cost if you think it might help in theft recovery, but that's up to the individual to decide.

You can buy a three-pack of cameras of you want to focus on various locations.

It's easy setup...less than 10 minutes.

Cheers,
Steve

What Steve said . . .

The technology has gotten pretty good and the setup and ongoing costs are very reasonable. They can be used indoors and outdoors. You could even point one directly at your mailbox. It provides particular peace of mind when I'm away. Not only do they record all motion but individual cameras can be coded to send an email immediately upon detecting (recording) motion -- and you can play it back immediately from your phone. I use Foscam and the monthly cost is less than $10.

Scott

[buymycards]

Put a camera and point it toward your mailbox. Leave a package in your mailbox and see if it tempts anyone. You will have it on tape and maybe it will be the same people who took your other package.

4 years ago, just before Xmas, the UPS guy told me that there had been a series of thefts from a local 100 unit trailer park. I was the Postmaster in that city at that time, and I started receiving customer complaints about USPS parcels being stolen. Someone would watch USPS or UPS deliver a package, and they would follow them and steal the package. It was probably a resident of the trailer park who knew who was home and who was at work. We stopped package delivery to that location and so did UPS.

Rick

[midmo]

I've had a UPS Store mailbox (previously Mailboxes Etc) for over 20 years. They're much better than a po box because they can receive mail/packages from anyone (UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc) and they will sign for them. It doesn't hurt that one is just a couple blocks from my house. I live in a fairly nice neighborhood, but still can't imagine sending/receiving valuable packages using my home mailbox.

[Head928]

Originally Posted by midmo

I've had a UPS Store mailbox (previously Mailboxes Etc) for over 20 years. They're much better than a po box because they can receive mail/packages from anyone (UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc) and they will sign for them. It doesn't hurt that one is just a couple blocks from my house. I live in a fairly nice neighborhood, but still can't imagine sending/receiving valuable packages using my home mailbox.

I have not had any issues with the US Post office accepting packages from the other carriers and delivered to my PO box. You just have to use the physical post office address not just your box number alone. The numbers after the dash on the zip code is your box number as well.

[midmo]

Originally Posted by Head928

I have not had any issues with the US Post office accepting packages from the other carriers and delivered to my PO box. You just have to use the physical post office address not just your box number alone. The numbers after the dash on the zip code is your box number as well.

Cool, if it works for you that's great. Just curious, will they sign for packages that require a signature? My local post office doesn't work for me because they close too early and their lines are usually ridiculous...

[pokerplyr80]

To answer the OP's question I think you'll be better off letting it go. Trying to track down the thief doesn't seem very likely. Unless you notice someone lurking in the neighborhood and set up some kind sting operation.

I know how you feel. I had a break in a few years back and had a lot stolen, including a couple of grand worth of cards after I had gotten back into the hobby. I was pretty paranoid for a while after it happened. The street was a dead end after my house so it was unusual to find any parked cars or people driving other than the neighbors. But when I saw anyone else I kept an eye on them. I even followed a couple of vehicles that were probably just lost and turning around. I did not catch the thief and doubt the cops put much effort into doing so either.

I did install a home security system a couple of days after the robbery, and now keep any cards worth more than a grand or so at the bank.

[Head928]

Originally Posted by midmo

Cool, if it works for you that's great. Just curious, will they sign for packages that require a signature? My local post office doesn't work for me because they close too early and their lines are usually ridiculous...

I have had a couple of times where UPS showed up for delivery after the post office was closed but they have always showed up the next day to deliver it during business hours. And USPS has always signed for it as well.

But I totally agree with you that not all US post offices are the same. We have some USPS branches out here that it seems they go out of their way to be totally unreasonable. I think it is a matter of what fits best for the situation.

[mrmopar]

I seem to remember actual mailboxes back when I was a kid! Joking a little bit, as I know they exist, but I have not had one since I last lived with my parents in the 80s. Unless you have an older house and/or some property these days, it seems all the housing developments have those locked mail bin stations throughout neighborhoods.

I don't think I could stand the stress of having anything delivered to that type of unsecured mailbox these days, nor would I want to leave anything valuable in the outgoing. I receive ALL of my card shipments at my office and I take anything I mail to the PO.

Porch package robbers have become so commonplace now and a mailbox is even less risky for those D-Bags to steal from.

[K-Nole]

#1 ) I take EVERY card I sell or trade, directly to the post office and mail the package from there.

#2) I have not told, shown, or anything else, our collection to anybody in my town, or even part of the state, that is not 100% trustworthy. So basically, Zack's cousins and our direct family are the only people that know what we have.

Main thing, just dont show or brag about your stuff. Then nobody knows you have it.

[autograf]

I don't leave anything in my outgoing box. If it's not scanned at the point of drop off, you have no proof that the USPS ever had it, only that you printed a label. No recourse whatsoever. At least with that counter scan with an agent, you have proof you tendered it to the post office. For the same reason, I have a UPS store mailbox for all deliveries as well. They're there from 8-8 and sign for packages from anyone and it's a real address so all carriers deliver there. Costs me about $12/mo but it's a great cost of doing business. Sorry that happened to you though. Have heard of kids doing that in my neighborhood years ago, so that's why I'm a bit paranoid now.....