Saddest Day: Macbook Pro Stolen While in San Francisco
52 comments
It's actually good to hear that the saddest day of your life involves something gettings stolen. There will be much worse days. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's just stuff. It's sad, but don't let it get to you too much.
I guess. The stolen stuff are some of my essential daily tools. I need my laptop for everyday usage and my passport is important for me to get home during winter break, which is in 2 weeks.
As difficult as it may seem right now, property is replaceable. Even your passport will get replaced (with some trouble). The part you will likely most remember is the sense of violation from the theft.
At some point later in your life, someone you dearly love will die or be severely injured. Or you will witness something tragic. Then you might reconsider what is your saddest day.
At some point later in your life, someone you dearly love will die or be severely injured. Or you will witness something tragic. Then you might reconsider what is your saddest day.
Depending on your home country, you should be able to get a temporary passport issued by your embassy here, which would allow you to travel home.
And while you're roughing it with a temporary passport and a cheap windows laptop, count your blessings:
I'd bet >10% of the readers here have had any of the following: Cancer or similar shitty disease or disability in self or family, lost >50.000$ in natural disaster, accident or financial turmoil and/or are in a permanent state of stress due to job, relationships, legal battles or similar.
Perspective!
I'd bet >10% of the readers here have had any of the following: Cancer or similar shitty disease or disability in self or family, lost >50.000$ in natural disaster, accident or financial turmoil and/or are in a permanent state of stress due to job, relationships, legal battles or similar.
Perspective!
Add a divorce to that, and you get over %50 probably! Divorces are far more financially and emotionally ruinous than this.
Yep I can't agree more. These are just things that can be replaced. Losing something or someone you can never replace is truly sad.
Sorry to hear this but you need to do a few things immediately if you haven't already:
1) Report your passport stolen to your nearest embassy. This is critical. Make sure this is done first
2) Report the theft to the local police and describe everything in detail as much as you can. Do it soon so that it is fresh in your mind
3) Keep an eye on sites like craigslist for sale of macbooks in the area. Yes this is pretty much a long shot but you never know. There are plenty of stupid thieves in this world and the thief might try and sell it right away.
4) Did you have any kind of tracker app on your ipad etc ? I think Apple has something right ? If yes, try and use it to locate your belongings. UPDATE: as ericcholis mentioned, you should always have an account with https://www.icloud.com and use "Find My iPhone" to track your MacBook and iPad
And yes, for all of us, PLEASE never leave anything in your car that can be seen easily. Even if you think the area is safe or who will bother stealing a backpack, think again. I always make it a point to either put things in the trunk of the car or glovebox if you must leave it in your car.
1) Report your passport stolen to your nearest embassy. This is critical. Make sure this is done first
2) Report the theft to the local police and describe everything in detail as much as you can. Do it soon so that it is fresh in your mind
3) Keep an eye on sites like craigslist for sale of macbooks in the area. Yes this is pretty much a long shot but you never know. There are plenty of stupid thieves in this world and the thief might try and sell it right away.
4) Did you have any kind of tracker app on your ipad etc ? I think Apple has something right ? If yes, try and use it to locate your belongings. UPDATE: as ericcholis mentioned, you should always have an account with https://www.icloud.com and use "Find My iPhone" to track your MacBook and iPad
And yes, for all of us, PLEASE never leave anything in your car that can be seen easily. Even if you think the area is safe or who will bother stealing a backpack, think again. I always make it a point to either put things in the trunk of the car or glovebox if you must leave it in your car.
You should be able to log into iCloud.com and manage/find your devices there.
Being a dummy, I put off setting up iCloud because I was too busy with school work, thinking I would be able to set it up during break. Not anymore.
Jesus christ man, too busy to login to a fucking website and click a few buttons? We're talking like 5 minutes here. Could have saved you $3,000...
Downvoting because this comment, restating the obvious, adds nothing but kicking somebody when they're down.
No way, this is such a common sentiment among my friends and coworkers that it needed to be said. This guy was straight up lazy and he got caught with his pants down.
Words don't need to be said; words don't have needs. People sometimes could benefit from hearing words. But if you're going to be a jerk about it, then people generally aren't going to listen. Ergo, no benefit.
In this case, though, I don't think stating the obvious was anything that the original poster needed to hear. You were responding to something where he already said that he was "a dummy" and will do it differently next time.
And I think your accusation of laziness is... unevidenced. He's a college sophomore at a selective school, he's studying half-way around the world from home, he has a number of neat projects on his blog, and decided to make a cross-country trip over Thanksgiving break. And in a follow-up to a theft, he took the time to post something to help other US visitors avoid thefts in the future. That doesn't look lazy to me.
In this case, though, I don't think stating the obvious was anything that the original poster needed to hear. You were responding to something where he already said that he was "a dummy" and will do it differently next time.
And I think your accusation of laziness is... unevidenced. He's a college sophomore at a selective school, he's studying half-way around the world from home, he has a number of neat projects on his blog, and decided to make a cross-country trip over Thanksgiving break. And in a follow-up to a theft, he took the time to post something to help other US visitors avoid thefts in the future. That doesn't look lazy to me.
There are two kinds of feedback. The one that makes people stronger, and the one that makes people weaker.
I believe it's so much more worthwhile to be supportive. When you have any kind of an adventage over others such as when you know something better, have move experience, have more money etc., you have these two options: either use your adventages to help, or to bring down.
To ridicule is not the best method of educating others either. And a person who feels strong doesn't have to show any sign of superiority, because with true strength comes security.
I wish the author of the original question will not find it too difficult to get back on track after loosing the bag. Good luck to you.
I believe it's so much more worthwhile to be supportive. When you have any kind of an adventage over others such as when you know something better, have move experience, have more money etc., you have these two options: either use your adventages to help, or to bring down.
To ridicule is not the best method of educating others either. And a person who feels strong doesn't have to show any sign of superiority, because with true strength comes security.
I wish the author of the original question will not find it too difficult to get back on track after loosing the bag. Good luck to you.
To late now, But I have Cisco Meraki MDM setup on all of my devices. It is free, and While your average thief might know about turning off iCloud and the consumer grade find my pc apps, but might not know exactly what Meraki System Manager is . and at least on OSX and Windows once you install it, you really have to look for it.
Also, if you are seen putting valuables in it, the trunk is also fairly easy to break into.
Yeah, I have made that mistake in SF, although thankfully at a much smaller cost.
I had set the change from a parking garage on the passenger seat. At my next stop, Japantown, I parked at a meter and forgot about the few bucks sitting in plain view. I came back 20 minutes later to find the window smashed. Hundreds of dollars in repair costs and hours of my and other people's time. All for $2 or $3 in somebody's pocket. It gave me perspective on how desperate some people are.
Anyhow, I'm sorry that you experienced this in my city. The advice you give applies pretty much any where in the US (and in a number of other countries I've been in). If something is visible and looks valuable, 5 mm of glass is not much of a barrier.
Edited to add: Feel free to contact me (details in my profile) if you need a hand from a local with anything. E.g., I'm glad to go with you to file the police report.
I had set the change from a parking garage on the passenger seat. At my next stop, Japantown, I parked at a meter and forgot about the few bucks sitting in plain view. I came back 20 minutes later to find the window smashed. Hundreds of dollars in repair costs and hours of my and other people's time. All for $2 or $3 in somebody's pocket. It gave me perspective on how desperate some people are.
Anyhow, I'm sorry that you experienced this in my city. The advice you give applies pretty much any where in the US (and in a number of other countries I've been in). If something is visible and looks valuable, 5 mm of glass is not much of a barrier.
Edited to add: Feel free to contact me (details in my profile) if you need a hand from a local with anything. E.g., I'm glad to go with you to file the police report.
Thanks a lot for the offer! Really appreciate it. But, I've already filed a report and I just got back to Boston.
Sorry to hear about your loss! Hopefully you'll be a public service announcement for others about the dangers of leaving anything -- anything -- visible in a car in San Francisco. If there's even the slightest doubt that the item has value, your car window will be smashed and the items stolen.
If it makes you feel any better, you're in good company: nearly everyone I know has been the victim of smash-and-grabs. At my last company, two of our employees had their laptops stolen from a parked car. I've even had windows bashed because someone wanted to open the glove compartment to see if there was anything inside!
Most recently, we discovered some crackhead cutting through our front gate because he wanted access to some bikes that were visible. He would have had to cut through the gate, then another security door to get them, but that was no deterrent. It's one of the "charming" aspects of city life that makes you want to move to the suburbs.
As codegeek says, you should report your passport immediately. Your laptop has probably already been fenced for drug money, but you could try to find it on craigslist, or down at the various stolen-property yardsales at 6th/7th and Market. That's a long shot, though.
If it makes you feel any better, you're in good company: nearly everyone I know has been the victim of smash-and-grabs. At my last company, two of our employees had their laptops stolen from a parked car. I've even had windows bashed because someone wanted to open the glove compartment to see if there was anything inside!
Most recently, we discovered some crackhead cutting through our front gate because he wanted access to some bikes that were visible. He would have had to cut through the gate, then another security door to get them, but that was no deterrent. It's one of the "charming" aspects of city life that makes you want to move to the suburbs.
As codegeek says, you should report your passport immediately. Your laptop has probably already been fenced for drug money, but you could try to find it on craigslist, or down at the various stolen-property yardsales at 6th/7th and Market. That's a long shot, though.
Sorry to hear about your loss. Hope your data was backed up somewhere you can get it, and that you had Apple's Find My device, or whatever they call it, set up.
Same advice in a better form: Never leave anything that looks like it might contain valuables in a visible place in a car. Trunk is usually fine, since nobody can tell what's in there, and thieves usually won't break into random cars in the hope that there might be something valuable in the trunk. On the other hand, a bag with nothing valuable in it on the seats is not fine, since the car may get broken into anyways, on the assumption that there's something worth stealing in there.
I've lived in an urban area for a while, and have seen this happen in several different ways...
Same advice in a better form: Never leave anything that looks like it might contain valuables in a visible place in a car. Trunk is usually fine, since nobody can tell what's in there, and thieves usually won't break into random cars in the hope that there might be something valuable in the trunk. On the other hand, a bag with nothing valuable in it on the seats is not fine, since the car may get broken into anyways, on the assumption that there's something worth stealing in there.
I've lived in an urban area for a while, and have seen this happen in several different ways...
Living in Finland, I haven't always been thrilled about our extensive social welfare and the consequent high tax rates. This story reminds me that even though I don't benefit directly from social welfare, there are latent benefits on the societal level. Namely the ubiquitous sense of security, because the poor rarely have to resort to theft as the government gives them money to get by.
I don't really have to watch out for thieves. Of course they exist and you can never be too careful with these things. But occasionally having left valuables in view inside my car, or a bag at a cafe table while I visit the restroom, I've never had anything stolen. I'm not afraid to walk in the city at night.
A friend of mine was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in SF, which came to me as a big surprise. I couldn't imagine that could even happen. Obviously I need to travel more to broaden my worldview...
I don't really have to watch out for thieves. Of course they exist and you can never be too careful with these things. But occasionally having left valuables in view inside my car, or a bag at a cafe table while I visit the restroom, I've never had anything stolen. I'm not afraid to walk in the city at night.
A friend of mine was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in SF, which came to me as a big surprise. I couldn't imagine that could even happen. Obviously I need to travel more to broaden my worldview...
I think you may be looking at one factor too exclusively - You're also comparing a rather homognious culture with the mixing pot of America.
While there's downsides as seen here ( where personal property is not held sacrosanct by all cultures ) there are upsides as well that may outweigh the costs. For example: Americans get exposed to many unique cultures in the course of their daily lives. One could argue that this is beneficial.
While there's downsides as seen here ( where personal property is not held sacrosanct by all cultures ) there are upsides as well that may outweigh the costs. For example: Americans get exposed to many unique cultures in the course of their daily lives. One could argue that this is beneficial.
Which cultures don't respect personal property?
Speaking from personal experience - the white-trash/tweaker culture, and the intergenerational Section 8 culture.
I've been paranoid living in SF with a car the last year and sucks to hear this happened to you. Just some advice for the future and to others that park around SF: I didn't realize until recently that my car has a "valet" button and what it actually does. Basically, its a button in the glove compartment and when you turn it on, the trunk can't be opened. So what you do is turn it on, and then lock your glove compartment with your key. Also make sure if you have back seats that open that they are locked as well. This way even if someone breaks into your car, they won't be able to access your trunk.
What model of car do you have?
Having suffered this a year or so ago I can feel your pain.
Question:
Why doesn't Apple log stolen serial numbers so that the second they show up (connect to iCloud, brought in for repair, or whatever), alarms, dogs, sharks with lasers, you know, the usual.
I feel like computers shouldn't be any more thieve-able than cell phones.
Question:
Why doesn't Apple log stolen serial numbers so that the second they show up (connect to iCloud, brought in for repair, or whatever), alarms, dogs, sharks with lasers, you know, the usual.
I feel like computers shouldn't be any more thieve-able than cell phones.
> I feel like computers shouldn't be any more thieve-able than cell phones.
Wait, what?
What country do you live in where phones aren't worth stealing?
Wait, what?
What country do you live in where phones aren't worth stealing?
Entire story of what happened:
I paid $10 for a parking space somewhere near Union Square thinking my car would be safe from towing and what not. I left my backpack in the trunk because it was too heavy (big mistake). Went back 3 hours later and the rear window was smashed and they got to the trunk from the reclining passenger seat. Filed a police report and they told me chances of me getting my stuff back is slim. Went to Apple Store and tried to get a discount for the second purchase but they only offered me the usual student discount. Called my credit card company but apparently I don't have any coverage for my purchase.
I paid $10 for a parking space somewhere near Union Square thinking my car would be safe from towing and what not. I left my backpack in the trunk because it was too heavy (big mistake). Went back 3 hours later and the rear window was smashed and they got to the trunk from the reclining passenger seat. Filed a police report and they told me chances of me getting my stuff back is slim. Went to Apple Store and tried to get a discount for the second purchase but they only offered me the usual student discount. Called my credit card company but apparently I don't have any coverage for my purchase.
Sorry to hear this. I think it's very rare to have things stolen from the trunk, were you followed or watched when you first parked the car?
Most credit card companies have car rental insurance to cover the damage to the car.
Most credit card companies have car rental insurance to cover the damage to the car.
>My advice to future tourists: Never leave valuables in the car or trunk.
That's general advice for anyone who's ever been in a car.
Did you have travel insurance? I've never had to use it but this seems like something that would be covered.
That's general advice for anyone who's ever been in a car.
Did you have travel insurance? I've never had to use it but this seems like something that would be covered.
Unfortunately I only have health insurance but not travel. I could've asked for an extra insurance for my rental car but being a poor student, I wanted to save money.
If you bought the macbook on a credit card, that will occasionally include insurance for theft, loss or damage. I knocked my new iPad off my desk a week after buying it and visa paid for a replacement with very little hassle.
There's also a chance that the credit card you used to purchase the items had a purchase protection clause, though they're often time-limited and some don't cover theft from a car.
Renter's insurance can also cover lost items like that. Don't suppose you have that, do you?
I have had stuff stolen out of my trunk while parking for an Event and using a valet service,didn't notice the theft until days later.
Spot on. This is true everywhere, never leave valuables in a car. Even more so in big cities.
In my country (turkey) such thieves are quite common. In my whole life I 've had things stolen from my car for 3 times. The last one happened, even though there was nothing to steal from the car no backpack, anything. The thief stole the CD Deck! And yet another theft we had on our basement last year. The thief took my (about $60 worth) socket wrench set. I observe there's a certain pattern on thiefs actions and deeds: They seem to know if there's something worthy in any area and when they find one they steal without anyone seeing.
Login to https://www.icloud.com/ and use "Find My iPhone" to track your MacBook and iPad. If the thieves are stupid enough, they'll turn the devices on at some point, giving you a good idea of where they are.
Do this as soon as possible, and check back constantly. Good luck!
Do this as soon as possible, and check back constantly. Good luck!
20+ years ago I had a thief break into my car in front of my apartment. When I called to report it, I (jokingly) asked the lady taking down the details if there was a fine or anything for shooting thieves. She got all exited about that. Here in New Hampshire gun ownership is pretty common and crime (perhaps coincidently?) is fairly rare.
See Apple's Support Pages for Lost/Stolen devices:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT2526
Do you have renter's insurance in Boston? If so, check your policy, it may cover theft.
Do you have renter's insurance in Boston? If so, check your policy, it may cover theft.
You prob park on the street. Next time pay and park inside a garage and hide your stuff in different locations! Theives know there are people around so they will grab whatever they see first!
I dont have any spare laptops, but I could buy you a chromebook off CL or Amazon if that is helpful. I know its not much....
Thanks a lot but I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable accepting as expensive as a laptop from someone I don't know.
Travel insurance?
My advice to future tourists: Never leave valuables in the car or trunk.