CAS700850
Member
Okay, here's teh relatively short version of my sitaution yesterday. Our mini-van develops a problem with the ignition. Key won't turn in the lock. Call for a locksmith, make appointment, take wife to work and kids to pre-school. I'm a government employee, so I get the day off. Mad that I had to cancel a range trip, but such is life.
About half-hour after appt. time, locksmith calls. Says he's getting ready to finish up current job, will call and get directions shortly. He asks where the car is, and I tell him it's in my garage (attached garage). He asks if there's good light in the garage, so we can close the door. It was 12 degrees outside, so I say yes, thinking he wants out of the cold.
Half-hour later, he calls for directions. Give him directions. He asks how I'm paying. I say plastic. He suggests that I go get cash, as there's a cash discount. I wonder if he's going to skim some cash off the top, but not overly concerned.
Return with $250 in cash. He calls to verify a direction, as he made a wrong turn. get him straightened out. Asks if I got cash. I say yes. He asks how much. I say enough. I'm now a little concerned that he's going to charge me based upon what cash I have, and not what the job actually costs.
Calls back for further directions, and I straighten him out again. He then mentions that he's bringing a buddy along to help.
At this point, the siren goes off in my head as I add this up:
1. Wants the garage door closed (privacy)
2. Wants me to have a good supply of cash
3. Is bringing a second guy to help work on my car's ignition.
By the way, there has been an increase in home invasions in Central Ohio, just to add why the alarm is going off.
So, I go to the safe, get out the Glock 19 and the Beretta 92. Strap on the Glock in an IWB holster, covered in a sweatshirt. Put the Beretta in a convenient hiding place. Spare mags go with both. Pick up the personal cell phone, the work cell phone, and the cordless phone. Pull the van key off the keyring, and put the other keys in my pocket. Put $150 in one pocket, another $50 in another pocket.
The car finally pulls in the driveway, not marked in any way. Two guys in baggy jeans, sweatshirts, homemade tatoos, pierced faces, and gloves get out. I open the garage door, then pull the door shut to the house, locking up the house in the process.
Long story short, they fixed the van (broken tumbler in the lock), charged me $160, and left, only offering me a receipt on the way out of the garage. I even got out the space heater for them, and closed the garage door half-way, to cut down the wind.
My question is: am I paranoid, or just living in something other than condition white?
About half-hour after appt. time, locksmith calls. Says he's getting ready to finish up current job, will call and get directions shortly. He asks where the car is, and I tell him it's in my garage (attached garage). He asks if there's good light in the garage, so we can close the door. It was 12 degrees outside, so I say yes, thinking he wants out of the cold.
Half-hour later, he calls for directions. Give him directions. He asks how I'm paying. I say plastic. He suggests that I go get cash, as there's a cash discount. I wonder if he's going to skim some cash off the top, but not overly concerned.
Return with $250 in cash. He calls to verify a direction, as he made a wrong turn. get him straightened out. Asks if I got cash. I say yes. He asks how much. I say enough. I'm now a little concerned that he's going to charge me based upon what cash I have, and not what the job actually costs.
Calls back for further directions, and I straighten him out again. He then mentions that he's bringing a buddy along to help.
At this point, the siren goes off in my head as I add this up:
1. Wants the garage door closed (privacy)
2. Wants me to have a good supply of cash
3. Is bringing a second guy to help work on my car's ignition.
By the way, there has been an increase in home invasions in Central Ohio, just to add why the alarm is going off.
So, I go to the safe, get out the Glock 19 and the Beretta 92. Strap on the Glock in an IWB holster, covered in a sweatshirt. Put the Beretta in a convenient hiding place. Spare mags go with both. Pick up the personal cell phone, the work cell phone, and the cordless phone. Pull the van key off the keyring, and put the other keys in my pocket. Put $150 in one pocket, another $50 in another pocket.
The car finally pulls in the driveway, not marked in any way. Two guys in baggy jeans, sweatshirts, homemade tatoos, pierced faces, and gloves get out. I open the garage door, then pull the door shut to the house, locking up the house in the process.
Long story short, they fixed the van (broken tumbler in the lock), charged me $160, and left, only offering me a receipt on the way out of the garage. I even got out the space heater for them, and closed the garage door half-way, to cut down the wind.
My question is: am I paranoid, or just living in something other than condition white?
In todays society, I don't