What is it about Op shops?
What is it about Op shops that makes people so bold?
I love browsing in Op shops and if I'm in a new place and find an Op shop, you can guarantee I'm going to have a look. I've even been known to plan my holidays around visits to Op shops further down the country. There's something special about the feel when you find something to buy- could be about embracing recycling, being eco-friendly, finding something to match an already owned set or a walk in the past.
Whatever it is, I see something I love/need/want and if the price is right, I'm happy to support that organisation and make a purchase.
The thing I don't like much is the growing boldness of a few other customers.
Recently, I found a pretty plate in a local charity shop. As I continued to wander around, a complete stranger (another cstomer) confronted me.
She: What have you found? Let me have a look.
Me: It's just a pretty plate I like.
She: It might be valuable- let me look at the mark on the back of it.
At this stage, I turned and walked away. It wasn't anything valuable, just a pretty plate made by an English manufacturer...but what business was it of hers? If it had been a Ming dynasty charger (I'm sure that I would not recognise one if I fell over it, but it sounds flash) would she have wrestled it off me and claimed it as her own purchase/ rushed to the counter and told them to call a museum/ or loudly demand that they put the price up???!!!
Just last week I wandered into an Op shop in Thames. I found a carving I really liked, slightly damaged according to the sticker on it and at a price I was happy with, given the minor imperfections. I didn't really take a lot of notice of the older woman who entered the shop a few minutes after me.
After I had wandered all around the shop and finally to the counter to pay, I found myself standing directly behind the said woman as she was being served. I heard her say out loud "Now, where is she?" She scanned around the shop before finally turning away from the counter and realising there was someone behind her. " Oh, there you are" she said. ( I then realised she must have been stalking me all around the shop and had somehow 'lost' me).
" What have you got there? Let me see" she demanded. I told her it was just a carving that I liked and was going to purchase, without letting her examine it. I then paid for it and left the shop.
What is it about Op shops that lets people think it's ok to accost others and demand to see what they have chosen? Would they do this is in a gift shop/ Harvey Norman's/ any other shop? It's bad manners in my mind and if they get a terse reply (or no reply) to their demand to see what I have found, maybe they should learn from it.
Have others experienced this and how do you respond to being accosted?
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Online Shopping warning
As we come up to the festive season, a lot of us want to shop online and look for good bargains 🛍️🛒
Here’s a few tips to help you stay safe, avoid buying stolen property, and not get taken advantage of:
💸If it is too good to be true, it probably is, or it could be stolen property.
💸If it’s being sold as new, ask for the receipt for the warranty. If they can’t provide it, that’s a red flag.
💸Check the seller’s profile, is it new or relatively blank?
💸If you make a purchase and need to meet somebody to get it, choose somewhere well-lit and well populated in public, near CCTV. If it has to be somebody’s home, take someone with you and let someone else know where you’re going and when.
💸Be especially cautious when buying power tools or high-end toy brick building block sets.
Sadly, if you unknowingly buy stolen property, you’re aiding criminals and inadvertently supporting them to steal more.
If you find a suspect listing or social media scam, call 105, or report it with us online at 105.police.govt.nz
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
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