[Roxy]

or scum bags is a preferable description of them.

I have been selling my free range eggs for £2 per dozen by the field gate for about three years.  The eggs are in a lidded container outside the gate. People help themselves and drop the money in the container.  I am usually back from work at lunchtime so check for money then, and again at teatime. Always bring the box in overnight, and take any money with me.

I have never had a problem, until a few weeks ago when a dozen and a half eggs disappeared.  Funny enough, the local druggie who lives down the track from me, had been walking past my field with his dog all of a sudden of an evening.  Obviously did not see him take the eggs, but he is a prime suspect.  Suspect cos he helped himself to our diesel on numerous occasions, but in court got away with it as we did not see him actually do it. ...But his two vehicles had diesel running down them the following morning, and he had diesel containers all over the garden, but never mind.

This morning, I have not been at work. Had hen rehomers arriving, so was around most of the morning.  Popped back down the track to the house for some lunch.  I had sold all the eggs but a dozen before I came down for lunch.  Got back after maybe half an hour, and the eggs had gone.  23p in the box.  23p??  I cannot make up my mind whether someone took the eggs, and left that amount of cash, or left the full amount and someone has just grabbed a handful of coins.

If someone is in dire need, I would gladly give them eggs for free, but I only sell these eggs to make enough to pay the feed bill for them.

I am really mad, that someone feels they can help themselves - no matter how much the eggs are worth it is still stealing.  The majority of the people are honest, there is no doubt, but there is always someone who isn't.

Gone are the days when saw veg and fruit being sold at farm gates, along with eggs.  No one would dream of helping themselves, but sadly today things have changed.

[carl]

refer to posts on foxes. two legged vermin are just as bad.

[northfifeduckling]

What a shame, there's always some who spoil it. You might have to put a sign up that they are now sold at the house at certain times of the day due to thieves. Or put a camera up if possible. Don't think the police will be interested in petty thieves...

[The Relic]

a sting operation i reckon is called for.

if you know who buys them off you tell them your going to leave a batch of rotten eggs out (try to keep an eye so no unsuspecting honest customers take them)

also make a money box that you cannot see into but you would have to put your hand in if you wanted to steal the money and stick a rat trap/nettles/brambles/glass/barbed wire ( rat trap might be hard as when customers put money in it might set it off). bye bye thieving digits

[Fluffywelshsheep]

um i think the above would be sue-able where they are in the wrong or not, as it is intended to harm.
Linz

[Rosemary]

Yeah, shame that the victims are always powerless but the perpetrators get away with it. Makes my blood boil.

[kaz]

Have the same problem at certain times with my egg customers. The majority them are really honest, if they haven't got the right change they will leave more and then deduct the overpayment next time, but my main bug bear is foreign currency that looks similar to ours.
They are getting the eggs cheaper than the supermarkets and are undoubtedly better as demand outstrips supply, so why do they have to rip you of as well.

[doganjo]

I can hardly believe it but I have just lost money too - £3.  I left 18 eggs out yesterday, never had any problems before, went out this morning and found one empty egg box, no money and a couple of piles of dog c%$p.  So I printed and laminated a notice to say if anyone wanted eggs to phone or text as I wasn't going to leave any more at the gate due to thieves and dog mess on my grass (technically it ain't my grass but I try to keep it mowed. - not going to do thatany more if they ignore the notice).

[Hilarysmum]

Its such a sad minority that ruin it for the majority.  Bit like school there was always one who had to ruin it for the rest.  Do these people ever grow up?

[Roxy]

I like the idea of setting a trap, but I would probably end up in jail - and the thief would be still free to carry on.   Sorry to hear its happening to other people too.  I feel sad that there are people out there spoiling it for the honest people.  A man called this morning to say when he collected his eggs last week he was 20p short, so he has added it on to this weeks money.  He said it worried him all week.  I  told him, his 20p was the least of my worries, but thanked him for his honesty!! 

I cannot ask people to come down to the house, as its down a track and over another track.....some of their posh cars would not make it.  I do have a very convincing looking camera, complete with flashing light, so will put that up, complete with a note on the gate saying I have their mug shot, and any further pinching, their face will be pasted in every shop for miles around.  Might be enough to make them think.

They have a cheek anyway, as the barn conversion across the lane has windows over looking my gate!!!

[Fluffywelshsheep]

You could set up a bell system ?

at the end of the 1st track where if they come down the track then ring the bell you could meet them between certain hours.

Been to a house like this before as they  had 'nasty dogs' that didn't like stangers or post man.

Linz

[sellickbhoy]

Oh, i'm going to have to do some googling here but I remember reading a study about "honesty boxes"

Apparently, if you put up a picture/sign that has a pair of eyes or a face on it looking over teh honesty box, people are less likely to steal from the honesty box (money or product) and that in most cases where the image is there, people leave MORE than is required

I think a very simply mounted fake camera on a fence post and a sign saying CCTV recording and you'll be back in business.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7041447.stm mentions the eyes near the bottom of the articcul

Maybe please should try the different picture to see what is best ?

I was thinking along the priciples of putting up a sign along the lines of what your money pays for and list all the things you need to buy for the chickens. I think you could also use an Uncle Sam picture too lol.



Uncle sam need you to pay for the eggs lol

[cmorrell]

For CCTV cameras, if you decide to go that route, make sure you have a very clear sign stating that CCTV recording is in progress and ensure that you do not capture public land/roads etc. in the image or you'll be in breach of the Data Protection Act.

Then consider that such a move may potentially alienate your honest customers because, well, people just really don't like being filmed when it's obvious! The final point would be to ask if you can place a camera securely without the chance that would be nicked along with the eggs?

[northfifeduckling]

The constant CCTV surveillance everywhere on public roads does not infringe on our Data Protection Rights?