A Telephone Snatching and A Souless Corporation

prophecyofdoom · 06-11-2007, 02:26 PM

Some thieving asshole motherfucking human garbage snatched my phone out of the cellphone pocket on the outside of my bag. I feel like a moron for letting this happen, I normally keep track of my things better. I was getting off the train, carrying a sleeping two-year old in one hand and pushing a stroller containing my 6 month-old with the other hand, and my bag was over my shoulder. I knew it should be in front of me instead of behind me, but there was a bunch of rowdy people on the train and I had my hands full so I just exited as quickly as possible and didn't readjust myself. Damn my babies' father for bullying me into coming to his house in the first place. I feel like a blithering brainless dumbshit for allowing myself to be bullied and then robbed.
To make matters worse, I tried for over three hours to cancel the phone, with no success. The Cingular/AT&T automated systems transfered my call again and again, finally transferring me to a to a toll number, where a recorded voice informed me that due to the high volume of calls (at midnight?) I would be placed on hold indefintely. I tried to take care of it online- they gave me the phone number I had already called, along with a friendly warning that until you manage to report the phone stolen, you are responsible for all charges incurred. I gave up and went to bed. Eight o'clock this morning I finally succeed in reaching a customer service rep. She told me that all she could do was place the automatic payments "on hold", that since the phone was prepaid there was no way to cancel service on the number. Basically, until my money runs out, that Spanish prick is the proud new owner of a cell phone. I sent him multiple text messages, in English and in Spanish, telling him that there is a special place in hell reserved for people who steal from single mothers.

Extraordinary · 06-11-2007, 02:49 PM

Did he say anything back?

prophecyofdoom · 06-11-2007, 05:27 PM

Na, I texted through the Internet, there was no way for him to reply. He kept picking up the phone, saying "Hello?", then hanging up, so I guess he didn't care. That's about what I expected from someone who'd pickpocket from a lady carrying a baby. Just now I tried to call and the number was out of service, so I guess he finally went through all my money. It just really boggled my mind that Cingular/AT&T woulldn't shut off service to the phone and transfer my remaining balance to a new account. I kind of wasn't thrilled with Cingular to begin with, because when I had a service contract mysterious charges kept appearing on my bill, so I switched to a pay as you go plan, and money kept mysteriously disappearing from the account. I kept it partly out of laziness, and partly because I was happy I had reception absolutely everywhere.

Lapin · 06-11-2007, 05:45 PM

Ouch, I'm so sorry.

My iPod got stolen this month. (I don't even want you all to start about corporations taking over.) People are low little fucks.

Extraordinary · 06-11-2007, 07:46 PM

What in the hell is actually the point of stealing a cellphone? You can call people for a limited time but it's inevitably going to be disconnected. That doesn't even make sense...did he think he was going to be able to sell it or something?

And lol, my brother's friends steal so many iPods they could start a business.

deafasadoornail · 06-11-2007, 08:13 PM

Man, that SUCKS. I'm currently on my 4th or 5th cellphone because the service providers would never tell me if they had reception in my area (usually no). I need a textphone to receive emails, so I ended up paying about $800 down the drain for phones that couldn't be used.

I currently have Verizon and they're actually treating me pretty well. I bought insurance this time, lost the phone at Disneyland, and got a new one for $50, no extra charges and no problem.

People who steal from anybody are the scum of the earth, period. My kids have had two Razor scooters stolen from our front yard during broad daylight -- I guess it was an object lesson in don't trust anyone, but I wanted to kill the fuckers who walked off with them.

james"bloody tears" · 06-11-2007, 09:38 PM

mankind is the scum of the earth and we always will be because we think we are supporior to the rest of the animal kingdom. ok im done.

prophecyofdoom · 06-11-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james"bloody tears"

mankind is the scum of the earth and we always will be because we think we are supporior to the rest of the animal kingdom.

Thank goodness for those rare, shining individuals who respect all lifeforms, and also other people's property.

Thank you everyone, I feel better just commiserating.

My sister also had her ipod stolen- Extraordinary, your brother's friends are assholes! I have no problem if someone steals necessities from a store if they are poor......but stealing directly from another person is just terrible......the hurt and anger they feel, all the trouble it causes them.....Perhaps then they go and take it out on someone else, like "Pay It Forward" in reverse..... Adding to the collective misery of the world is a horrible thing to do......

Perhaps the person who stole from me was in such bad circumstances that he really needed a phone for 24 hours, and perhaps he was just a nasty person and the meanness of it amused him. Maybe he was just a stupid teenager showing off for his friends, and he'll grow out of it. Oh well. I kind of wanted a new phone anyway, I just hate that I have this unexpected expense. I thought about putting it off for a couple of months, going phoneless, but I feel naked without it. I am so much away from the house, I'd never be able to talk to anyone. Plus, having it in your pocket is such a comfort, in case of emergency situations.

Aaroneet · 06-12-2007, 10:20 AM

My cousin once had her cell phone stolen from a former "friend" who had a personal vendetta against her. Then again, my cousin was silly enough to leave her bag open, and lay it down outside, in the open, on a deserted seat. She was at a BBQ during the time of the theft.

And as for iPods, my Video has broken so many times that I would be relieved if somebody stole it.

Extraordinary · 06-12-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prophecyofdoom

My sister also had her ipod stolen- Extraordinary, your brother's friends are assholes! I have no problem if someone steals necessities from a store if they are poor......but stealing directly from another person is just terrible......the hurt and anger they feel, all the trouble it causes them.....Perhaps then they go and take it out on someone else, like "Pay It Forward" in reverse..... Adding to the collective misery of the world is a horrible thing to do......

It's an interesting thought...honestly I can't quite decide how I feel about it. Obviously I hate to be ripped off and it makes me damn everybody who's ever stolen anything, but buying a stolen iPod (or stealing something yourself with no effort) is also a great feeling. It'd be pretty shallow to just say I like it when I win and hate it when I lose. There was a time when I stole things just because they were of value and I could acquire them for free, even if it was something I didn't want or already had, which is a strange motivation -- like an extreme impact of materialism. Maybe the guy stole the phone for that same reason.

Anyway, I still say Cingular is the real villain. But imagine if the guy felt so guilty reading all your text messages about stealing from single mothers that he killed himself, lol.

Senor_Sadomachism · 06-12-2007, 12:00 PM

Same here... I let my friend borrow my $480 Ipod and on the third day she said someone stole it, stupid me let her borrow $20 to help her buy gifts for her friends on Christmas, she never got me anuthing and lied that she did but her sister cut it up *corset* Then I have a friend who came over and stole $120 from my brother. Well I have nothing to say except I'm a person of faith and that in the end God will judge those, not you nor me. But revenge is sweet, it's human nature so I ask... does your cellie have like that chip where it makes it possible to locate it? I forgot what it's called but you could try that, catch his arse and sue him... sounds stupid I know I'm not thinking straight at the moment Meh...

prophecyofdoom · 06-12-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extraordinary

But imagine if the guy felt so guilty reading all your text messages about stealing from single mothers that he killed himself, lol.

If only he had that much of a conscience, though making restitution would be more appreciated. Clearly he just dosen't give a shit. What really sticks in my craw is that since I'm on that train line all the damn time, this person is probably going to pass by me again and again, and feel pleased with himself that he got away with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extraordinary

buying a stolen iPod (or stealing something yourself with no effort) is also a great feeling

When I was in my early teens, my group of friends regularly got things for a "five finger discount". Asking to be driven to Caldor's for the purpose of shoplifting condoms was something deeply amusing. I recall riding along as several of us stole a parking meter right out of the ground, and brought it to someone's basement to pry open. It was all a big joke- some of these people had plenty of money, too. So pleased with ourselves we were. I also recall deciding that a certian guy was "so cool" as he vandalized a park bench. I feel very differently now. As admirable as a person's amazing pickpocketing talent may be, I would admire someone much more if they chose not to steal when they had an easy oppertunity.

Lapin · 06-12-2007, 05:17 PM

I've stolen food because I was hungry......does that count?

Dancing_in_rain · 06-12-2007, 06:33 PM

*hangs head in shame*
I stole a gel pen from someone's house once. It was silver and shiny and oh-so-pretty...
*rummages in her closet*
Oh! Looky here! I still have it
*scribbles frantically*
Ooooo! It still works!
*dances around and draws all over her biology notes*
Woohooo...I think that Advil I took for my headache is acting a little funny. Maybe it's that caffeine they put in it to numb some of your nerves? I dunno. Don't care much at the moment. Biology has fried my brain.
*puts herself to bed*

james"bloody tears" · 06-12-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prophecyofdoom

Thank goodness for those rare, shining individuals who respect all lifeforms, and also other people's property.

I most defenitly agree

prophecyofdoom · 06-12-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senor_Sadomachism

does your cellie have like that chip where it makes it possible to locate it? I forgot what it's called but you could try that, catch his arse and sue him... sounds stupid I know I'm not thinking straight at the moment Meh...

It's not stupid, I'll bet it's perfectly possible, just not worth the company's time for someone as lowly and insignificant as myself. It's certianly possible for them to look over the unauthorized calls made, and give this information to the police, so they can investigate it, but that isn't going to happen. The company just dosen't give a fuck. I really never expected to see the phone again as soon as I realized it was gone, but this person might be less likely to try shit like that in the future if his friends all got phone calls from the police.

I'm very sorry about what you lost to that "friend" who was using you.

prophecyofdoom · 06-12-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapin

I've stolen food because I was hungry......does that count?

It does if food was easily obtainable by other means.....I think. I'm not trying to be anyone's judge or anything. God knows I'm not perfect myself. I used to eat my roomate's food all the time, even though she repeated asked me not to (Every time I restrained myself, the item in question just ended up rotting away in the refrigerator. She would say it was HERS to let rot if she wanted to, but I felt free to help myself to anything that sat there for very long. I hate wasting food.)

DIR, your post made me smile.

Valerius · 06-13-2007, 08:14 AM

I lost like 3 phones to thieves, two of which were stolen by people who I thought were my friends in highschool. I commiserate with you prophy, because I know how bad it can feel knowing someone actually took advantage of you like that most especially in a moment where you were helpless to do much.

prophecyofdoom · 06-13-2007, 11:51 PM

Thank you Valerius, I feel much less alone in my troubles......actually I felt like thanking the person who stole my phone earlier today when I got a great deal from Tmobile, which saved me money whereas I thought I'd be spending extra money for a new phone & plan. I was overjoyed, until I made my first phone call and discovered that the reception is *much* less clear than on my old phone. Oh well, I have two weeks to decide if I want to put up with it.

Valerius · 06-14-2007, 06:07 AM

You're welcome! And I guess it's a blessing in disguise then that your phone was stolen.

Senor_Sadomachism · 06-18-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prophecyofdoom

It's not stupid, I'll bet it's perfectly possible, just not worth the company's time for someone as lowly and insignificant as myself. It's certianly possible for them to look over the unauthorized calls made, and give this information to the police, so they can investigate it, but that isn't going to happen. The company just dosen't give a fuck. I really never expected to see the phone again as soon as I realized it was gone, but this person might be less likely to try shit like that in the future if his friends all got phone calls from the police.

I'm very sorry about what you lost to that "friend" who was using you.

Oh hun don't say that! The only low insignificant piece of shiznuts is the guy who stole your cell phone. Here's a tip, if someone asks you to let them borrow money, you say I only let my friends borrow money, and they say "I thought I was your friend!" you say, a true friend wouldn't be asking for money or stuff in the first place

Don't worry, hopefully the guy accidentally got hit by the train for being too busy on the cell phone and not paying attention.