Thieves at WDW

[wenrob]

I go with the who cares what she spent on the stroller. Would I, maybe not, but I don't have room to talk as I sit here with my iphone, my iwatch, looking at my ipad, which I sometimes carry in my $200 plus bag, wearing $100+ sneakers, planning a Christmas WDW trip at a $350+ dollar a night resort. HAHAHAHA. You spend your money where it matters to you and I won't throw a rock out of my glass house.

HOWEVER, she needs to own her part of the ruined vacation because:

1. She took the high priced item that she cared about to a public place and left it unattended
2. She left her car keys and valuables in the high priced item she left in a public place unattended
3. She somehow convinced the parent of a child who requires an EPI PEN to leave the meds in the high priced item she left in a public place unattended.

She did not deserve to be robbed, but she's the victim of her own lack of common sense as much as she is a victim of a scumbag mom who stole her stroller.

The biggest difference between those things and an $1,800 stroller in WDW is that presumably you would always have them on you and while there's still a chance someone could lift them from you it's much more secure than something left unattended that can simply be rolled away, kwim? Would I pay that much for a stroller? Heck no, but if I happened to own one I'm buying a cheapy to use in the parks.

Disney pushes the idea that it's a magical place where all your dreams come true, and I suppose more than a few people are "suckers" for believing it's a utopia where nothing bad could ever happen.

Plus it's costly to get in, so the reasoning may be that only "good people" can afford to attend.

It's super easy to get lulled into that mindset too. My DH who could not believe I would hand over my modest camera to a perfect stranger (this was before photo pass) on our first trip to Disneyland years later left my camera bag on the stroller with enough gear in it to pay for that trip twice. That said, the only incidents I've ever experienced were a CM moving the stroller way beyond where you would think they'd put it and a mentally disabled boy pilfering a water from the basket. (his mom was mortified, I gave it to him with a smile) I've left full backpacks on a bench (Daisy was out!) only to realize it 20mins later and they were just as I left them. Doesn't mean I'd do it on purpose though, no need to tempt fate.

 

[bcla]

Disney pushes the idea that it's a magical place where all your dreams come true, and I suppose more than a few people are "suckers" for believing it's a utopia where nothing bad could ever happen.

Plus it's costly to get in, so the reasoning may be that only "good people" can afford to attend.

The perp who did this particular act apparently had an annual pass. I guess it makes more sense to amortize the cost of "doing business" over an entire year.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The perp who did this particular act apparently had an annual pass. I guess it makes more sense to amortize the cost of "doing business" over an entire year.

I wonder how much she truly makes. The article said it was an $1800 stroller. But I haven't read one where it said how much she actually sold it for or whether WDW is her only stroller hunting grounds. Well now she's going to make a dollar a day working in the jail house.

 

[bcla]

I wonder how much she truly makes. The article said it was an $1800 stroller. But I haven't read one where it said how much she actually sold it for.

I heard $500. And it was never sent.

http://nbc4i.com/2017/04/22/florida...media-to-find-stroller-stolen-at-disneyworld/

It turns out the thief was trying to sell the stroller to a woman named Thalia Rogers in Texas. When Rogers found out the stroller was stolen, the deal fell apart, but Rogers is now out $500.

“[The thief] somehow, I guess, found the post that Lauren had posted, and I don’t know if she freaked out or what happened, and she called us and said send it back to her. So, I didn’t even get the stroller,” Rogers explained.​

I don't know if it was already mentioned, but the perp had also listed several strollers, handbags, and even diaper bags for sale. So it certainly sounds like this wasn't a one-time thing.

http://www.10news.com/news/ocso-her...ury-stroller-leaves-family-stranded-at-disney

WFTS tried asking Craig about the numerous other high-end strollers we found for sale on her Facebook page in the past, along with the designer purses and diaper bags.​

 

[mummabear]

I think the snobbery (including myself) comes from those who buy the stroller as a "look at me" status symbol, rather than for the upgraded capabilities like you use it for (off roads). Many of us don't like the attitude that sometimes comes with the owner of the luxury item.

Yeah I used to think a similar way when we had our first, we bought a cheaper front back rather than the expensive baby bjorn one because there didn't seem to be a point, we bought a $200 stroller to begin with and the first baby capsule we used didn't have a car locking system -we did it manually with a seatbelt.
By the time #2 came along the seatbelt in the new car didn't fit around the seat so we had to get a new one with the locking system and man that made life so much easier I wish we had spent that money right away.
A friend lent us her baby bjorn and I found it was so much more comfortable for both of us we actually used it (rather than the half dozen times we used the cheap one)
The cheap stroller broke down and we were able to get a refund, and upgraded to something more suitable.

I will note here that the amount I am talking about is in NZD and also that there is a base rate for the stroller, then you pay for additions like the second seat, covers etc

I think though the "attitude" from the "luxury" item owners is perceived.
While some people may care about what image they are projecting to others (not my reasoning behind any of my purchases personally) no one is actually walking around thinking "oh my god you bought the graco, you must be poor or have no style" people honestly just don't care.

Do you think there is the same attitude coming from the Disers who stay at Deluxe resorts? Seems some posters who are saying I can't believe people are spending $1800 on a stroller are the same people spending how much a night at the Poly?

Just for kicks I looked on line at some of those expensive strollers. I found a $1700 Bergdorf Goodman that was actually inferior to my $300 set up. No clips for the universal baby seat. No nothing. Just a stroller with a cover. I found some others that you got more for your $1500. But They had the same caster wheels my $300 had. The same clips for the baby seat. The same type of cover for the stroller. They had plastic parts where mine had em. They had metal parts where mine had em. There weren't truly any better than the one I had. Now if someone wants to spend $1800 on a stroller, they can go to it. And if someone wants to spend $70 or more for a $15 polo shirt because it has Ralph Lauren's name on it well go for it. But it isn't a difference in quality. It's a difference in perceived prestige.

Like anything there are "luxury" items, cheap items and middle ground.
I bet that polo shirt you could also find some places for just a couple of dollars-is it still the same quality as your $15 one?
Take luggage as another poster was pointing out, you can buy a Walmart $40 bag, a samsonite for $200 or a Louis Vuitton for over $1000.
Now the fact of the matter is that while on paper the Walmart and samsonite bags are similar but there is a quality difference between the two, it is up to buyers to decide whether that difference is of value to them at the extra price, and buying that samsonite bag doesn't make people a sucker, it doesn't make them a snob, it isn't about perceived prestige, it's about perceived value-from either side, you may feel that there is more value in the $40 Walmart bag and I may feel there is more value in the samsonite bag-it is lighter and therefore uses less of my weight allowance, it is of higher quality so I will be able to use it more without replacing it. And if someone feels that value for the LV that is their choice and their money-I really don't think they are judging tou fo your Walmart bag so why do you care so much about theirs?

I can tell you from my personal experience that we found significant difference in the quality and practicality between the cheap $200 stroller-a steel craft enigma and our phil and teds, that on paper were very similar-in fact on paper the steel craft came with the covers that were additional with the phil and teds and seemed better value.

 

[EveDallas]

Yeah I used to think a similar way when we had our first, we bought a cheaper front back rather than the expensive baby bjorn one because there didn't seem to be a point, we bought a $200 stroller to begin with and the first baby capsule we used didn't have a car locking system -we did it manually with a seatbelt.
By the time #2 came along the seatbelt in the new car didn't fit around the seat so we had to get a new one with the locking system and man that made life so much easier I wish we had spent that money right away.
A friend lent us her baby bjorn and I found it was so much more comfortable for both of us we actually used it (rather than the half dozen times we used the cheap one)
The cheap stroller broke down and we were able to get a refund, and upgraded to something more suitable.

I will note here that the amount I am talking about is in NZD and also that there is a base rate for the stroller, then you pay for additions like the second seat, covers etc

I think though the "attitude" from the "luxury" item owners is perceived.
While some people may care about what image they are projecting to others (not my reasoning behind any of my purchases personally) no one is actually walking around thinking "oh my god you bought the graco, you must be poor or have no style" people honestly just don't care.

Do you think there is the same attitude coming from the Disers who stay at Deluxe resorts? Seems some posters who are saying I can't believe people are spending $1800 on a stroller are the same people spending how much a night at the Poly?



Like anything there are "luxury" items, cheap items and middle ground.
I bet that polo shirt you could also find some places for just a couple of dollars-is it still the same quality as your $15 one?
Take luggage as another poster was pointing out, you can buy a Walmart $40 bag, a samsonite for $200 or a Louis Vuitton for over $1000.
Now the fact of the matter is that while on paper the Walmart and samsonite bags are similar but there is a quality difference between the two, it is up to buyers to decide whether that difference is of value to them at the extra price, and buying that samsonite bag doesn't make people a sucker, it doesn't make them a snob, it isn't about perceived prestige, it's about perceived value-from either side, you may feel that there is more value in the $40 Walmart bag and I may feel there is more value in the samsonite bag-it is lighter and therefore uses less of my weight allowance, it is of higher quality so I will be able to use it more without replacing it. And if someone feels that value for the LV that is their choice and their money-I really don't think they are judging tou fo your Walmart bag so why do you care so much about theirs?

I can tell you from my personal experience that we found significant difference in the quality and practicality between the cheap $200 stroller-a steel craft enigma and our phil and teds, that on paper were very similar-in fact on paper the steel craft came with the covers that were additional with the phil and teds and seemed better value.

My son's stroller days are long in the past so I don't have a dog in this fight, so to speak. But $1500 in NZD is still over $1000 in the US. That's not really a huge difference.

 

[fly girl]

I think though the "attitude" from the "luxury" item owners is perceived.
While some people may care about what image they are projecting to others (not my reasoning behind any of my purchases personally) no one is actually walking around thinking "oh my god you bought the graco, you must be poor or have no style" people honestly just don't care.

Do you think there is the same attitude coming from the Disers who stay at Deluxe resorts? Seems some posters who are saying I can't believe people are spending $1800 on a stroller are the same people spending how much a night at the Poly?

I can tell you are really happy with the stroller you purchased. It was absolutely not for show. To me, that's obvious.

However, I know there are people out there who are buying it purely for status. I'm betting we have all interacted with these "one uppers" who always have to flaunt the latest and greatest they just bought. And yes, some do look down on the Graco users. Judgement goes both ways.

As I said before, it's not right to lump everyone into any category, but it is what we all do unknowingly at times. It's a part of our nature. Just the way our mind works.

And yes, I do believe the same attitude come from Deluxe resort Disers. Just like you love your stroller, they love their Deluxe. But it all boils down to this, it's your money no one can tell you how to spend it.

 

[mummabear]

My son's stroller days are long in the past so I don't have a dog in this fight, so to speak. But $1500 in NZD is still over $1000 in the US. That's not really a huge difference.

Unfortunately the price of items doesn't just go with the dollar though-for example a city mini at Walmart is $260USD, here is is $550NZD not $376NZD

 

[MillauFr]

a mentally disabled boy pilfering a water from the basket. (his mom was mortified, I gave it to him with a smile)

Thanks for being kind. It might have been my son. He has downs syndrome and has done something similar when we aren't watching him close.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

LOL. My "kids" are 31 and 33. An expensive stroller when they were young was around $200 at most. It is a status thing for a lot of people. There are strollers that have most of the bells and whistles for far less than $1800. I honestly don't care what you spend on your stroller or car, but you obviously need to let us know.

And, we all work hard for what we have. I really don't think you want to get into where we are financially because I think you'd probably be surprised. My point wasn't about that, but it obviously triggered something in you.

For some people an $1800 stroller would not be a status symbol, it would just be what they spend on a stroller.

Depending on where you live and shop strollers like that are not uncommon.

When my kids were babies (my oldest is 37) the first stroller I bought was this metal monstrosity that was so heavy it killed my back every time I had to put it in the trunk of my car. Then I bought 2 others that were a little lighter but I hated. Then a brand came out called Aprica. It was the first light weight stroller I found and I was in heaven.

My one niece has an Uppababy and her sister has a Bugaboo. I never realized how pricey they were until I looked on their websites and I have to admit that the Bugaboo's accessories are really cool. I would have loved the sun canopy and footwarmer on a stroller when my kids were young because I walked with my girlfriends every morning.

 

[bdcp]

For some people an $1800 stroller would not be a status symbol, it would just be what they spend on a stroller.

Depending on where you live and shop strollers like that are not uncommon.

When my kids were babies (my oldest is 37) the first stroller I bought was this metal monstrosity that was so heavy it killed my back every time I had to put it in the trunk of my car. Then I bought 2 others that were a little lighter but I hated. Then a brand came out called Aprica. It was the first light weight stroller I found and I was in heaven.

My one niece has an Uppababy and her sister has a Bugaboo. I never realized how pricey they were until I looked on their websites and I have to admit that the Bugaboo's accessories are really cool. I would have loved the sun canopy and footwarmer on a stroller when my kids were young because I walked with my girlfriends every morning.

I happen to live in what is repeatedly named the wealthiest county in the US, so yes I've seen who and why people buy what they do and for a lot it is about status. There is a lot of competition and making sure you have what your friends and neighbors have. A lot of people buy these $1800 strollers because their friends do. I also see a lot of those that want to appear like they have what others do. The number of knock off Louis Vuitton bags I've seen is funny. The main point of this thread is that the woman who had her stuff stolen took an $1800 stroller to an amusement park, left it parked unattended and with her wallet and keys on it. Some people just aren't very bright. Why would anyone think it was a good idea to leave valuables sitting alone anywhere? No one has a right to steal, but you can make yourself a target for those who do by what you have or wear.

 

[LilyWDW]

1) Leaving a $1800 stroller (or anything really) unattended is not a bright move.
2) Leaving your purse and keys unattended is not a bright move.
3) Leaving an EpiPen anywhere besides with the person who may need it is not a bright move.

This woman made some really bad decisions just like when a friend of mine left a laptop, purse, and tablet in their unlocked car over night in a not so great part of town. Needless to say, it was stolen. Now, the thief is the one at fault for sure... but people need to also take responsibility for their decisions and what said decisions could lead to.

 

[mom2rtk]

You guys really expected her to carry all that stuff with her?

I admit I left a few things unattended in a stroller at Disney through they years. But it was always a calculated decision and I knowingly accepted the risk that it might not be there when I came back out. Keys, ID, cash? Always on my person.

 

[dish rag]

The lady made a poor decision that I'm sure she regrets in leaving the items in the stroller. It's too bad that there are thieves in the world. People do extra stupid things at WDW daily. You might be surprised at the amount of cars left locked and running each day in the parking lot, and that infants are forgotten in the busses.

It is funny to read on this and the other thread about what was spent on the stroller. Who cares what others spend with their own money. For many people $1800 is nothing. Maybe they skimp in other areas, maybe not. Some are shocked at pocket books costing $600 to $900. That's nothing really in high end bags. I know women that would never buy a bag that cheap. My mother would never spend that and could. My wife spend at least $300 a month with Victoria Secret on underwear. I think it makes no sense but it's her money. She can do what she wants. On the other hand she drives a Hyundai, she could get any car she wants but views cars as a foolish waste of money. But she spends a fortune on her horse that too me is a very foolish waste of money. People can do what they want with their own money. Who cares.

 

[MillauFr]

For some people an $1800 stroller would not be a status symbol, it would just be what they spend on a stroller.

Depending on where you live and shop strollers like that are not uncommon.

Yes it depends on where you live. Where I live such displays of wealth are highly discouraged. Casual clothing is the rule even in high end restaurants. You can barely tell the difference between some of homeless from others that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. You also rarely see fancy cars. Drive down a street with million dollar homes in Seattle and the most common cars you see are Subarus and Toyotas. Unlike Southern California where you Mercedes and BWMs in middle class neighborhoods.

 

[eastendlights]

It is funny to read on this and the other thread about what was spent on the stroller. Who cares what others spend with their own money. For many people $1800 is nothing. Maybe they skimp in other areas, maybe not. Some are shocked at pocket books costing $600 to $900. That's nothing really in high end bags. I know women that would never buy a bag that cheap.

Seriously. A friend of mine has bags-more than two or three-that cost more than $30,000 a piece. A $600 bag is something she would give to her preteen daughter as one of many Christmas presents. The judgement is ridiculous. Why does anyone care what someone else spends their money on? I live in a very wealthy area too, and no one is buying nice cars to show up anyone else, we buy them because we like them. No one cares what anyone else has and if you are truly wealthy you have no need to show anyone up. Nor do most people I know, wealthy or not, buy things to prove anything to anyone.

ETA Everything is relative. There are many people who would think spending thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation as a waste of money. They are not right to judge those that do, just like it is not right to judge what someone spends on a stroller.

 

[Sweetpancake]

Who would buy an $1800 stroller? For $1800 a stroller better feed a baby, change his diaper, and put him to sleep! (Not really)

ahaha, I was just about to say the same thing! $1800.00 for a stroller?? Are people crazy?

 

[Allison]

ahaha, I was just about to say the same thing! $1800.00 for a stroller?? Are people crazy?

Not crazy. They have chosen to spend their money in a way that you would not.

 

[maxiesmom]

ahaha, I was just about to say the same thing! $1800.00 for a stroller?? Are people crazy?

What difference does it make how much it costs? Do you drive a junker car, or do you have a nice one? Do you live in a house that is small or have one that has a bit of room to spread out? Do you shop only at garage sales or Walmart or do you have some nice clothes? Do you only stay at value resorts because all rooms are just for sleeping in anyway?

I guess I shouldn't be, but I am surprised at how judgy some posters are. If I made more money I'd buy nicer things.

 

[Westcoastwild]

It's too easy to buy a cheapo stroller for vacations and save the expensive "look what I have" one at home. For some people it's as much a status symbol as their car and house. Our first trip our boys were 3.5 and 5.5 and we didn't take a stroller because 1, they could walk and 2, I didn't want the hassle. Everyone had their own fanny pack. The other issue is why anyone thinks they can leave anything of value anywhere unattended? I see women all the time in the grocery store with their purses sitting in the cart while they wander 5 - 10 feet away. It would be way to easy totake their purse, so why anyone thinks you can leave your valuables completely alone for even 5 minutes is beyond me. I'm 57 and I remember my mom leaving her purse in the cart, in a small town in TX where she knew almost everyone, but once we moved to the DC metro area when I was in elementary school, she never did that again.

The illusion that people have about Disney has always fascinated me. It's a microcosm of every community and don't ever think otherwise.

I don't know. I mean I'm not in the market for an 1800 stroller but I would not be inclined to put it under status symbol. Sometimes brand and expense does make a difference. I like bikes. Someone will invariably ask why I would spend $1800 on a bike (or more) when I could just buy one for under 500. True, both are serviceable bikes. But the expensive one rides differently, has a few differences that make my life much easier. I'm not saying that some people don't buy those same bikes as status symbols but I did not. Maybe the lady comparison shopped a lot and 1800 dollar one had a few slight differences that made it worth the money.

Doesn't explain why she'd leave it unsecured at Disney and why she'd leave her epi pen and wallet on it. That I really don't get.