Being safe in rough neighborhoods

BG...I have the luxury of having a second phone. As my kids have grown and moved out, I kept 1 line just for CL, fleecebay, etc. The extra 9.99, to keep a basic phone and service, allows me to deal with humans via voice without giving out my personal number. I will not go meet anyone, ANYWHERE, unless I have made phone contact. I am getting to old, and know how to make good beans and cornbread, so I am not hungry enough to do it any other way.

On another note, and it was discussed sometime ago in another thread...follow your gut feeling! If it says NO...please don't go!!

Well mister Billy,

Brojer offered some good advice, go with your gut. I will add to it by saying..tell someone else where your going. Leave the address, time your going, the guy's contact number, with that person. If you have a cell, call them when you get there, or close an tell'm..if you don't call them back in 15 minutes or whatever you feel is a good amount of time, to call the police. Just remember to call them! Heh. Or even...call them right before you get there an ask them to call you back in 5 minutes, an have some kinda code set up. As in..if everything is ok, use something like.."Yes dear, I'll get it on my way home, shouldn't be long." Have one for if things aren't an you feel even more concerned. An then tell the guy you gotta go.

Granted my advice is probably overly cautious but you only got one life, I'd rather be super silly cautious then not an be screwed, ya know? I always have something on me to defend myself, whether a can of pepper spray, a big ass bat, tools of some kind, a pocket knife, etc. I don't bring the guns with me, or none of that. That's for the protection of my family, an home. If you got dogs..maybe bring one with you, or bring a buddy. Now granted my sand bar doesn't have many places like this, an I know most the folks I'm going to pick up from when I do such things, but the above is what I would do in the city or bigger areas where you have bad side's of town, etc.

I find just being aware is good defense. Don't stand close, don't be led off alone, stay in view of other houses/people if you can. Don't go in the house if your concerned at all. Have him bring the stuff out. Just make an excuse for why you can't come in, etc. Again better safe then sorry.

Likely nothing to worry over, but again..better safe then sorry.

Good luck an let us know how it turns out! Edit to add: I forgot you were hard of hearing till seeing your reply to Brojer..change call to text in my advice.

Sirscrapalot - The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense. - Jerry Smith or so QuotesDonkey says..haha!

Having a CC permit and a Glock 19 at the ready never hurts either.

Rent a marine lol. Out of all my army buddies I didn't go over seas. I highly recomend taking a friend with a huge combat beerd, fresh off the plane.

This guy is probably wondering the same thing about you! LOL

Don't mind at all...an your own quote is right on. Glad it all worked out for ya!

I'm now stealing your own quote for my bag of quotes(if ya don't mind) .

Sirscrapalot - Leaving a trail of quotes in his wake.

never meet anyone anywhere ... if i don't have an address i don't go simple as that ... not only go i google street the address but if it seems shady i always ride by first like 5 mins early just to check everything out ...

Originally Posted by billygoat

~ I could write a check for the difference or we can load up the truck and ride together to the nearest ATM. He accepted choice #2 with no reservations.

The first thing I thought of was getting robbed of the cash you bring to the deal.

Then I thought about saying "I will not bring Ca$h, but we will go to a nearby ca$hflow machine & get the ca$h"

Then I thought about that, maybe better not to mention "The closest cashflow machine" as that may give them the idea of having someone hide by the machine before you get there & you getting robbed of ALL the money in the cashflow account....

Mapping your way is a MUST! I live and do pick ups in some poorer sections of town. I do not pay for pick ups unless it is a HUGE amount of towers, so not having cash does not apply to me. However, a lot of folks want me to come into their home to retrieve said items. I refuse to enter anyone's home (unless it is an elderly couple) because I do not want to pay for any damages that I may have or may not have caused. In court it would be your word against theirs. I have a friend that is waiting on a court date right now, because of this very situation.

I refuse to carry a gun or large knife. However, my pocket knife stays with me as does a small aluminum bat, that saltwater fishermen use for knocking out their catch. I am aware that neither of my puny weapons would stand a chance against a gun. Although if someone tries to 'roll' me without a firearm, they are going to pay for it dearly...

Caution is a must when dealing with the public. There are a lot of nice people in the world. It is the desperate addicts out there that I worry about the most. It is rare for a hard working man to rob you because his car insurance is due ...

Be safe out there guys n gals.