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Country Max's wooden pallets keep disappearing

By Billie Owens

Wooden cargo pallets were stolen Tuesday from the rear of Country Max garden and pet supply store on Main Street in Batavia.

And it's not the first time, either. But this time the folks at Country Max say they caught the pilferers on film.

“We think we know who it is,” said the store worker. “Now we're waiting to catch them if they try it again.”

The pallets pile up as retail shipments are off loaded. They come free with the merchandise, but they're still the retailer's property and not up for grabs.

Unlike previous stockpiles, the one stolen this week was to be sold. In this economy, every little bit of legal tender helps.

Gabor Deutsch

Like i said months ago they are cutting all "programs" and throwing people out on the street so if you have anything worth something then u better lock it up. Crime will be on the rise because certain programs for people who need it will be cut. Also, it does cost more to put and keep people in jails so we need to re think how drastic we cut programs. Luckily i dont have kids or really 0wn anything so i guess i am a target but watch how quick good people go bad. Survival of the fitest is now in progress.

Mar 25, 2009, 7:23pm Permalink
John Roach

Gabor,
This could just be a case of dishonest people just stealing. Not every crime we hear about will be the result of the economy, just as they have not been in the past. But your point is good.

Mar 26, 2009, 5:20am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Crime does go up during recessions, and when I see 30 and 40 year old guys getting busted for shop lifting -- like the 40something who tried to _run_ out of Tops with two steaks a couple of weeks ago -- I tend to think an act of desperation.

CBS News had a piece on last night about the increase of car fires ... fires clearly set by amateurs ... desperation when they can no longer afford the payment.

That said, not sure stealing pallets falls in that category.

Mar 26, 2009, 6:31am Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

Its a heat source if you have a wood stove. They are easy to dismantle and made of decent wood. If you drive by Dura Shed in the summer, you will see people gathering scrap wood from the bins to heat their houses. Free wood beats the $75 minimum it costs per face cord. I for one vote for the cord wood for my house but desperate times call for desperate measures. We haven't even gotten to the worst of this financial mess yet. I think you are going to see alot of out buildings dismantled soon too. Its a shame that the senior citizens are going to be the worst hit by this. First their medication, then food now heat. Ouch.

I have blogged it before and I will say it again. If you have a garden and there is extra offer it to the seniors in your area. They need good nutrition. They won't ask for the help but they will appreciate it. If you don't grow a garden but can help to can or freeze foodthat would be a great help too.

Mar 26, 2009, 10:07am Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Luckily spring is almost here so heat wont be too much of a concern. I know that some of the wood Dura shed gives for free is particle or pressed wood and does use chemicals as a bonding agent. I lived next door to them years ago and still have some pressed wood board i made into shelves. Dura shed is not as good quality as you can get from the "shedguy" and remember he is local !

Mar 26, 2009, 11:47am Permalink
Peter O'Brien

A couple days ago on craigslist there was an ad at a Harbor Freight (I think) to come take their pallets for free.

Mar 26, 2009, 4:47pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Nice post. I kinda agree wit dat. I lived in a place as a teenager where we had to burn furniture in the furnace for heat coz company was coming over and our kerosene heater wasnt enuff. Normally we just went into the woods and grabbed some large branches off someones land near us. I guess that was desperation but we sure werent senior citizens.

Mar 26, 2009, 5:08pm Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

Mr Deutsch, I hope I did not insult anyone when I stated that the senior citizens were getting the wood. It was just an observation that as I drove by that the people grabbing the 2x4 chunks were normally older people. Most of the scrap particle wood is normally still there at the end of the day. You clearly however do understand that desperation makes you do lots of things to stay warm and safe.

I agree through observation that the Shedguy is of very high quality. Lets keep our money local.

Mar 26, 2009, 7:02pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Oh no Lori Ann Santini i was just feeding on ur response. I myself have been digging in their free bin but i just caution on wats safe to burn. I believe its Duro-Shed, But I am sworn to promote the "shedguy" coz he is a friend. We cool.....
P.S. I have been called everything but "mister" (teehee).
Remember if u ever need a shed call the "shed guy" !

Mar 26, 2009, 7:53pm Permalink
Russ Stresing

I took both Lori's comments and Gabor's response to reflect the thrifty nature of people who grew up with a sense of "USE IT UP, WEAR IT OUT, MAKE IT DO, OR DO WITHOUT".

Mar 26, 2009, 8:18pm Permalink

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