Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House

Fendi84NJ · Mar 9th, 2008, 07:52 PM

Okay, so here is my issue...

This summer I am renting a house near the beach with a group of people.

It's not that I don't trust the people who are living with me, but rather guests that may come over who I have never met.

I am afraid that when I go to the beach, if I just want to put a wallet or wristlet in my beach bag, that I will have no place to safely leave my purse. I am afraid a stranger would possibly try to steal the bag not for what's inside, but rather for the purse itself if it is obviously designer.

My one friend told me just not to bring any nice bags, but here are my issues...

A) ALL my bags are designer

and B) I WANT to have a nice bag when we go to parties, popular bars and out to eat. What's the point of having a nice outfit, if you have to have a Walmart purse with it? I care more about bags than clothes anyway and sometimes my purse completes the look.

Maybe I am just being silly with all this, but ya can't trust everyone. I work hard for my over priced bags and I grow attached and if one got stolen I would be upset.

So what do you think? How can I protect my bags from theft?

Thanks!

tonij2000 · Mar 9th, 2008, 07:56 PM

The car trunk sounds perfect!

HauteMama · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:04 PM

I wouldn't want to have my bags in the heat of a car trunk for any length of time. Can you simply lock your room? That would probably be the easiest. Otherwise, yes, I would have a locked cabinet of some sort that would be difficult to carry away. A locked footlocker, for example, might not provide much protection if people know there are valuables in it and it is small enough that someone could tuck it under an arm and walk out with it!

sweetneet · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HauteMama

I wouldn't want to have my bags in the heat of a car trunk for any length of time. Can you simply lock your room? That would probably be the easiest. Otherwise, yes, I would have a locked cabinet of some sort that would be difficult to carry away. A locked footlocker, for example, might not provide much protection if people know there are valuables in it and it is small enough that someone could tuck it under an arm and walk out with it!

i agree with HauteMama. i wouldn't do the car thing...the heat could def. mess it up. i'd try locking your bedroom door. if that is not an option, i'd get a lock for the suitcase.

savvy23 · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:19 PM

air-conditioned storage unit off site....Trunk can damage and suitcases can travel!

tie-a-ribbon · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:20 PM

lock them in a suitcase. i wouldn't do the car thing, it's sod's law that your car will get stolen!

when i'm on holiday, we all lock our valuables into a suitcase (passports, money etc) and i always throw my louis and jimmy choos in there too and they've been fine. someone stealing a suitcase would be kinda noticeable!

Fendi84NJ · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:26 PM

The problem with the door locking thing, is that the way this house is designed, it has GIANT rooms...the woman who built it purposely made it almost dorm style so she could rent it.

We're all 22 to 26 and not married...so there are 7 of us living there to afford it.

So I will be sharing the room with probably at least 2 other people. So even if I put a lock, I can't stop them from forgetting to lock it and then having people wander on in.

I work during the week, so I will only be there friday night-sunday and vacation days. But it's for a full 3 months.

ami kio · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tie-a-ribbon

when i'm on holiday, we all lock our valuables into a suitcase (passports, money etc) and i always throw my louis and jimmy choos in there too and they've been fine.

i do the same thing when i'm traveling and staying in hotels, and i've never had a problem with anything going missing from the suitcase.

Fendi84NJ · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvy23

air-conditioned storage unit off site....Trunk can damage and suitcases can travel!

I would LOVE if something like that existed, but at the Jersey shore it's hightly doubtful lol.

couturequeen · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ami kio

i do the same thing when i'm traveling and staying in hotels, and i've never had a problem with anything going missing from the suitcase.

This is great advice.

daphodill84 · Mar 9th, 2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fendi84NJ

Okay, so here is my issue...

This summer I am renting a house near the beach with a group of people.

It's not that I don't trust the people who are living with me, but rather guests that may come over who I have never met.

I am afraid that when I go to the beach, if I just want to put a wallet or wristlet in my beach bag, that I will have no place to safely leave my purse. I am afraid a stranger would possibly try to steal the bag not for what's inside, but rather for the purse itself if it is obviously designer.

My one friend told me just not to bring any nice bags, but here are my issues...

A) ALL my bags are designer

and B) I WANT to have a nice bag when we go to parties, popular bars and out to eat. What's the point of having a nice outfit, if you have to have a Walmart purse with it? I care more about bags than clothes anyway and sometimes my purse completes the look.

Maybe I am just being silly with all this, but ya can't trust everyone. I work hard for my over priced bags and I grow attached and if one got stolen I would be upset.

So what do you think? How can I protect my bags from theft?

Thanks!

How far do you live from where you're renting? Is it possible to go back there and get your bags as you need them?

Also, you said you'll be at work a lot... do you work somewhere that you can leave a couple of your bags locked up and safe?

notblushing · Mar 9th, 2008, 09:53 PM

If my "friend" told me not to bring any nice bags, I'd tell my friend not to bring any lousy people.
The implication that it would be YOUR fault if someone they had over stole your belongings would make me very angry. They shouldn't invite thieves into your home.

BookerMoose · Mar 9th, 2008, 09:54 PM

If people are coming and going from the house all the time, I would worry about it not looking at all suspicious if someone just took your suitcase and left with it... How would anyone know it didn't belong to the person who had it with them?

My suggestion is therefore a bedside locking storage device. Could you not get a small safe like they have in hotels for the closet, or a bedside table with a locking drawer or the like? I don't know exactly what is available, but I would think someone leaving the house with something like that would draw a bit more attention than someone leaving with a suitcase!

Laurie8504 · Mar 10th, 2008, 01:31 AM

I would take a cheapo bag for daily use, then stick a small nice bag deep in your luggage (wrap it in a t-shirt...plastic bag...zip it in a cheap purse, etc). If you're not advertising it and flashing it around, these guests aren't even going to know it's there. All the same, I wouldn't take a nice bag if it's going to ruin your vacation because you'll be worried about it the whole time.

rachieface · Mar 10th, 2008, 01:44 AM

Eek this is so hard.

I probably would keep the bags in my trunk and just take them out whenever you are in the house. I don't know how much damage it would incur but it sounds like the best bet to me at least.

View Poll Results: How can I protect my bags from being stolen?
Lock it in the trunk of my car	2	7.69%
Buy locks for my suitcase and keep them in there	7	26.92%
Buy a bedside storage device that locks	13	50.00%
You're silly, no one will steal your purse	3	11.54%
Other (share your suggestions)	1	3.85%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

Mar 9th, 2008, 07:52 PM	#1
Fendi84NJ Tano & RM Addict Location: NEW JERSEY	Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House Okay, so here is my issue... This summer I am renting a house near the beach with a group of people. It's not that I don't trust the people who are living with me, but rather guests that may come over who I have never met. I am afraid that when I go to the beach, if I just want to put a wallet or wristlet in my beach bag, that I will have no place to safely leave my purse. I am afraid a stranger would possibly try to steal the bag not for what's inside, but rather for the purse itself if it is obviously designer. My one friend told me just not to bring any nice bags, but here are my issues... A) ALL my bags are designer and B) I WANT to have a nice bag when we go to parties, popular bars and out to eat. What's the point of having a nice outfit, if you have to have a Walmart purse with it? I care more about bags than clothes anyway and sometimes my purse completes the look. Maybe I am just being silly with all this, but ya can't trust everyone. I work hard for my over priced bags and I grow attached and if one got stolen I would be upset. So what do you think? How can I protect my bags from theft? Thanks! __________________ Currently in total love and lust with my LRC in Ruby Dreaming of: The perfect grey bag at an awesome price

Mar 9th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#2
tonij2000 Hi You Durin, Hmph! Location: ShowMeState	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House The car trunk sounds perfect!

Mar 9th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#3
HauteMama Member	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House I wouldn't want to have my bags in the heat of a car trunk for any length of time. Can you simply lock your room? That would probably be the easiest. Otherwise, yes, I would have a locked cabinet of some sort that would be difficult to carry away. A locked footlocker, for example, might not provide much protection if people know there are valuables in it and it is small enough that someone could tuck it under an arm and walk out with it!

Mar 9th, 2008, 08:19 PM	#5
savvy23 A Mom not like me!	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House air-conditioned storage unit off site....Trunk can damage and suitcases can travel! __________________

Mar 9th, 2008, 08:20 PM	#6
tie-a-ribbon Member	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House lock them in a suitcase. i wouldn't do the car thing, it's sod's law that your car will get stolen! when i'm on holiday, we all lock our valuables into a suitcase (passports, money etc) and i always throw my louis and jimmy choos in there too and they've been fine. someone stealing a suitcase would be kinda noticeable!

Mar 9th, 2008, 08:26 PM	#7
Fendi84NJ Tano & RM Addict Location: NEW JERSEY	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House The problem with the door locking thing, is that the way this house is designed, it has GIANT rooms...the woman who built it purposely made it almost dorm style so she could rent it. We're all 22 to 26 and not married...so there are 7 of us living there to afford it. So I will be sharing the room with probably at least 2 other people. So even if I put a lock, I can't stop them from forgetting to lock it and then having people wander on in. I work during the week, so I will only be there friday night-sunday and vacation days. But it's for a full 3 months. __________________ Currently in total love and lust with my LRC in Ruby Dreaming of: The perfect grey bag at an awesome price

Mar 9th, 2008, 09:53 PM	#12
notblushing Member	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House If my "friend" told me not to bring any nice bags, I'd tell my friend not to bring any lousy people. The implication that it would be YOUR fault if someone they had over stole your belongings would make me very angry. They shouldn't invite thieves into your home. __________________ A bag always fits. Last edited by notblushing; Mar 9th, 2008 at 09:55 PM. Reason: spelling

Mar 9th, 2008, 09:54 PM	#13
BookerMoose Arrrooooo! Location: Vancouver, BC	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House If people are coming and going from the house all the time, I would worry about it not looking at all suspicious if someone just took your suitcase and left with it... How would anyone know it didn't belong to the person who had it with them? My suggestion is therefore a bedside locking storage device. Could you not get a small safe like they have in hotels for the closet, or a bedside table with a locking drawer or the like? I don't know exactly what is available, but I would think someone leaving the house with something like that would draw a bit more attention than someone leaving with a suitcase!

Mar 10th, 2008, 01:31 AM	#14
Laurie8504 chocolate...where? Location: Italy	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House I would take a cheapo bag for daily use, then stick a small nice bag deep in your luggage (wrap it in a t-shirt...plastic bag...zip it in a cheap purse, etc). If you're not advertising it and flashing it around, these guests aren't even going to know it's there. All the same, I wouldn't take a nice bag if it's going to ruin your vacation because you'll be worried about it the whole time.

Mar 10th, 2008, 01:44 AM	#15
rachieface MJ enlightened <3	Re: Help! How to Keep My Purses Safe in a Shared House Eek this is so hard. I probably would keep the bags in my trunk and just take them out whenever you are in the house. I don't know how much damage it would incur but it sounds like the best bet to me at least. __________________ "I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet!"--Carrie Bradshaw Currently lusting: Marc Jacobs Topaz Quilted Elise Marc Jacobs Spring Street in Purple - got her! "In order to be irreplaceable - one must always be different!" - - Coco Chanel