[Roxy]

I cannot understand how my egg sales has gone so smoothly for two years, and now, suddenly, someone feels its ok to help themselves to the egg money, or the eggs.  No real pattern to it, two or three weeks go by and then we have another theft.

I was at work yesterday morning, and came back to fond a pile of empty egg boxes by the side of my egg container, and one and a half dozen eggs gone, but no money......I think it is the money, not the eggs being taken, as there was another one and a half dozen eggs still there.

I am now going to have to fit a box on the wall which is lockable, and hope whoever it is does not break in the box.  There is not much I can to stop them stealing the eggs. 

There is always one person, isn't there, ready to spoil it for the other 99 decent, honest people.

[Tullywood Farm]

Would a sign saying "Smile - your'e on Camera" work?

Julie

[Roxy]

Yes, I did think of that ....I do actually have a dummy camera, which is quite realistic.  Put that up when someone kept helping themselves to the diesel out of our old Bedford horse wagon.

Maybe I am too trusting.....I like to think people are all like me, and sadly they are not.  OK, its not a lot of money that is going, but I only charge £2 per dozen for the eggs, and am not making a profit, just enough to feed and care for all the ex battery hens.  At the end of the day, its someone taking money that is not theirs, and its theft. 

[doganjo]

I thought it was, and must admit blamed, kids for smashing my eggs - but it's just happened again, and I think it's them bliddy magpies again!  Sorry, kids.  Not sure what I can do about them except a notice saying come to the house for eggs.

[Roxy]

Magpies take a few of my eggs out of the coops - blooming pests aren't they?

How are they getting the eggs you are selling?  I leave mine in boxes, put in one of the large plastic containers with a lid, and so far, the magpies have not worked out how to lift the lid (if only the thief had the same problem with the lid, eh?!!!)

[doganjo]

They were just in a clear egg box at the fence.  Last time it was two green egg boxes - they seem to know even if they can't actually see them.  I'll try the box idea though.

[Tullywood Farm]

I totally agree that it is a shame that you can't operate an Honesty box just because of a few A**e Holes that spoil it for every one.
But I do believe once they have got away with it they will keep coming back.
The only thing to do is sell direct and then the money will be given direct to you.
Sorry that you have had this experience But that is the World we are living in.  
But like you say its only a few out their who spoil it.
All the best and I hope this never happens again
Joe 

[CarraghsBorderCollies]

put a doorbell beside the sign for eggs saying "free range eggs for sale, ring bell for assistance" if you think its magpies put the eggs in a wire cage like those you get to keep dogs from chewing your mail and the money in a tin moneybox

[jameslindsay]

If all else fails you could always ask CarrahsBorderCollies to help out! The silencer would be good to avoid detection. I am only kidding ofcourse
but it would be a deterrant - final may it be!



I have only shot stationary items so far,         Time to try LIVE targets!
the reuger is a good sniper and i want to try rabbits next!
i dont mind lieing in wait for them and a silencer reduces the risk of them bolting,
when ive learnt a bit more and got my gun + licence we will all have to go hunting!
 
 

Sorry for stealing your respones to a thread CarraghsBorderCollies.

[lara]

Hi Roxy, sorry to hear about the thefts.  maybe the best idea is the ring for assistance bell. though this isnt always convenient if you need to go out as you can lose customers if you're not in.. maybe you could just state trading hours (eg open 5pm till 7pm daily) making it times when you know you will always be in, then regulars will stick to these times and collect from your house ..... just a suggestion.

[lovespigs]

I think shooting the thieving bas***ds is the best idea hee hee hee

[Roxy]

Ringing a bell is out, as the field is about 5 minutes from the house......cannot sell them from the house as its off the beaten track, and down a bumpy track, and across another track.  No one will make that journey - and would probably end up breaking the eggs as they drove away.

The field the hens are in is ideal for selling eggs as its right by a country lane.  They are cheeky anyway, as there is a barn conversion across the lane, and her bedroom window overlooks our gate. You would think that would put thieves off......even if the barn owner saw anyone, they would have their back to her window, and she would assume they were putting money in the box, not taking it out!!!

[carl]

deep money box with a funnel shape in to trap any hands sneaking in, chained to the gate post, string to large dog sleeping behind wall.
paper target above eggs, with bullet holes through, notice apologising for hair trigger on hunting rifle.
hideous scarecrow with placard round neck" welcome to the real royston vasey"


I've had a bad week myself and am in need of inspiration on how to get someone to admit they blew up my car`when they recovered it after someone had slashed all four tyres in a case of mistaken identity. subsequently leaving me without my beloved discovery in a week when we are laying my mother to rest.
the events escalated from a neighbour owing money to the former owner of their house and then being unable to pay. him sending numpties round to apply pressure and targeting the wrong driveway. my insurance company sent there recovery firm in and he drove my car on four flats up the road on to a flat bed, angled at @ 50 degrees, scraping the road with my rims and tow bar. the car did not like it and smoke was pouring out of the bonnet. i wqas not contacted by the firm for two days , so i rang them and they have ben trying to pass the buck for a week now. instead of how dreadfuly sorry they are and what can we posibley do to make it right i have had jobsworths trying to convince me to accept it was not their fault. next time i see a bulldog saying oh yes I shall nock it's ruddy block off.
mr ree, i wish you lived nearby.

[xillent]

leave envelopes instead of a moneybox with instructions to put the money in an envelope and post it through your letterbox "due to thieves"

[shetlandpaul]

carl i think your sales skills may need a touch of work.