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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think the most likely explanation is that it's been stolen?

103 replies

Wberryg · 05/01/2019 22:49

For Christmas I got a small electrical item from my DC, something I'd specifically requested. Cost about £20.

Most of our presents were on an armchair in the living room...I normally put them away between Christmas and New Year but I didn't this year as I was working/ busy. Was planning to do it this weekend.

Today I realised the above item wasn't there. I checked the kitchen, not there either- I've looked in all the cupboards. Behind the armchair. There's nowhere else in the house it could be.

I am 99% sure I've not moved it. DP hasn't moved it and says that he remembers seeing it on Tuesday still on the armchair. DC1 hasn't moved it. DC2 is away tonight but I'm pretty certain hasn't moved it either - if they had they would only have moved it to kitcheb to use it but it's definitely not there.

The only other people who have been in our home since Christmas are tradesmen working on an existing building project. 2-3 were here yesterday. They have a key and let themselves in. The only conclusion I can come to is that one of them has taken it.

It's not about the value. It was a present and I feel bad for my DC. I also feel really fucking annoyed someone has come into my house and helped themselves. It leaves a really nasty taste.

OP posts:

MargotLovedTom1 · 06/01/2019 09:57

Er, have you extensively studied the morals of every person employed in the UK building trade then?

MargotLovedTom1 · 06/01/2019 09:58

That was to Yabbers.

WhereIsMyMug · 06/01/2019 10:10

I would guess that one of the tradespeople took them to give as gifts to someone. Are you going to bring it up with them, you could just say that you've mislaid a couple of Christmas presents that were left in the chair and wondered if they've seen them? Or go hunting for them in front of the builders- let them know you know the items are missing. It won't get the stolen items back but may deter them from stealing more.

adviceonthepox · 06/01/2019 10:18

I had things stolen when having goods delivered. I ordered a washing machine from a well known retailer it was delivered and installed. I had been washing up when they arrived so my watch and rings were on the window sill, while they were putting it in I had another delivery went to answer the door and got the parcel, walked back to the kitchen and they were gone. I confronted the people in the kitchen who denied all knowledge. I rang the police and they scarpered. I rang the company and informed them. I found my watch and rings around the corner from my house on the pavement. Right where the lorry was parked. I was glad I got my stuff back but was so annoyed that someone would steal from me. The retailer refunded me the delivery and installation costs and told me they would be taking action against the team that had visited. It was an eye opener for me. As I had the goods back the police weren't interested

Foxyscarf · 06/01/2019 10:24

Yabbers you're so defensive when it is entirely plausible that a tradesperson could have stolen the items. It's not beyond the realms of possibility is it? Anyone can be a thief, it's got fuck all to do with their occupation. Could've been an opportunity thing.

ButteryParsnips · 06/01/2019 10:52

You said your DP has been away since Tuesday. Are you sure he didn't move the items?
I have myself found stuff before that I was certain hadn't been moved or misplaced, but obviously had without me knowing or remembering.

Original poster

Wberryg · 06/01/2019 11:25

I spoke to DP last night and he last saw then on the chair. He didn't move them.

I can't see how you could.break a toothbrush. And even if you could you're saying they broke both and put thrn in the bin. It's possible but unlikely that they wouls break both items. We only have a very small kitchen bin; both boxes would not have fitted. I usually put the rubbish in the outside bin and haven't seen them in there either.

DPs comment about them being more likely to steal small items just echoes what a couple of posters have said upthread. Yes we have other stuff that is higher value in the living room (games console; tv; tablet) but none are new and boxes. I got the toothbrush in a good deal it should have been £70. So I can see why that could have been nicked to sell on easily. The popcorn maker less so but maybe the thief thought it would make a nice present for someone (obviously it had, for me!).

It's also frustrating because I had been fairly pleased with a couple of the tradesmen (one of whom was here Friday) and planned to ask them to do some extra paid work for me but I can't now.

I won't contact the police because it's a waste of time. 10 years ago I was burgled (broke in through a back door) and all my jewellery- about £5k worth- was taken. Police never even came out. I did speak to a friend about it who was an officer in another force- I couldn't work out why they had ignored various other items and only taken jewellery, but she said that's because it fits in a pocket so easily concealed and carried (they had to either climb a fence or a locked gate to enter/ exit my garden). I don't have any real jewellery now.

OP posts:

thenorthernluce · 06/01/2019 12:36

Shameless piggybacking here: we’re two weeks away from a large building project on our house. We’re moving out for six weeks for this. Any hints and tips about keeping our valuables safe? We’re moving into a serviced apartment, so I’m starting to think we should check their insurance provisions as well as notify our insurers. Is a key safe a good idea?

Thanks!!

StoorieHoose · 06/01/2019 12:51

Put everything of value into storage thenorthernluce. Don’t leave anything of value in the house. Pain in the arse but will be worth it

Santaclarita · 06/01/2019 12:57

Wait so tradesmen simply by being tradesmen aren't capable of stealing? Wow guess none of those people who think that have ever heard of the scams some tradesmen run.

I would double check the house again though to be certain. Probably nothing you can do now, other than make a passing comment to the tradesmen about having to contact the police as stuff has gone missing and you think you were broken into. Not blaming them obviously, but if they took it, whoever did might panic and leave it behind.

PattiStanger · 06/01/2019 13:01

If I was moving out for 6 weeks I'd take everything of any value, photograph everything else in case of damage or loss and make it clear to the contractors what I'd done.

For the OP I'd ask all the trades if they'd moved anything, be specific and maybe the things will suddenly turn up.

waterplease · 06/01/2019 13:20

It sounds like a vibrator- low value electrical item £20 & in a box the size of a shoe box?

Though I'm not sure why your kids brought it for you?

Scabetty · 06/01/2019 13:42

You need to check with dc2 first.

Original poster

Wberryg · 06/01/2019 13:47

I said upthread the missing item was a popcorn maker.

I have also said that I checked with DC2 this morning. Not only did he not move it, a present of his (electric toothbrush) which was in the same place has also gone missing.

OP posts:

OutPinked · 06/01/2019 13:52

I have accidentally put a full box into the recycling before now and only realised when DP asked where the item was. It’s very easily done tbf. Either someone presumed you’d already taken the toothbrush out and put the box into the recycling or it fell on the floor and accidentally ended up there along with other rubbish? It’s not an absurd suggestion.

I doubt a tradesman would risk his job over a £20 toothbrush, they earn a fair amount...

OutPinked · 06/01/2019 13:54

And I don’t think anyone would steal a popcorn maker .

Scabetty · 06/01/2019 14:03

DH has his own building firm and is often offered bargains on jobs: many are fakes but some drop off lorries. He doesn’t touch the stuff and I wouldn’t have it in the house if he did

SplendidCurmudgeon · 06/01/2019 15:33

@Mummylife2018 We reported it to the police, would couldn't find evidence to charge anyone, and the contractor who said he had concerns about this particular man before and wouldn't be using him again. Never got our goods back and insurers wouldn't pay out as the front door was slightly dodgy. We were out thousands! However, my DP was a tradesman for years before I meet him and he's the most honest person in the world.

themoomoo · 06/01/2019 15:47

I also intend to have a word with the main contractor once the project is finished, calmly telling him he has a bad apple in his group of men
why wait till the end of the work?

Onescaredmuma · 06/01/2019 15:50

We had workmen in DH had a psp left on the arm of the chair I popped out to corner shop when I came in saw a pair of legs going up stairs thought must be someone using the loo. Went into the kitchen all the workmen were in the kitchen thought I must be seeing things. Had a chat with the workmen and came back out DHs psp was gone had definitely been there earlier. It never turned up Someone had obviously seen me go out and not lock the door then been surprised by the workmen.
Long story but there are always other explanations if I hadn't seen the legs on the stairs I wouldn't have known what to think as DH was really good friends with them so I'd like to think I wouldn't have thought it was them but I would probably have been suspicious.

HeyArthur · 06/01/2019 16:55

Do you know why they don't take high value items?
It's because a high value item will be claimed on the insurance and the insurance company would require the police to become involved and the police would quickly come to the conclusion that it was an untrustworthy tradesperson seeing as they had free run of the house & keys whilst you were out.
Pinching low value items means the owner would probably think they had just misplaced it as has been proved by this thread.

BlackPrism · 06/01/2019 18:28

Sounds like you've got dodgy builders then tbh. And half of my family are builders...

freshfoodpeople · 07/01/2019 02:31

I think items like a popcorn maker and an electric toothbrush would be perfect for stealing in these sorts of circumstances. Assuming they're still in the boxes, they'd be easy enough to return for cash, pass on as gifts or sell for a quick buck at less than retail price.

This is one reason I will never, ever, allow tradespeople, real estate agents, basically any strangers, into my home without a trusted friend or family member being there if DH, DC or I can't be.

Luglio · 07/01/2019 02:45

Like a pp, my OH is a tradesman. If any unknown tradespeople come into our property for any reason, he goes to considerable lengths to guard against theft and other abuses, because he knows just how dodgy so many of his colleagues are.

The builders nicked your stuff OP, sorry. Posters claiming such a thing is impossible are incredibly naive.

AGHHHH · 07/01/2019 05:16

You seem quite unpleasant.

Realistic or logical is the word I'd use.

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