Monday, October 18, 2010

Tragedy strikes: the Soul Reapers have been stolen!


I spent this weekend over at my buddies house building transports and finishing up the rebasing efforts on the Soul Reapers. I built and painted 55 bases and remounted all my painted models; the army was looking schweet. I was feeling very satisfied and was looking forward to a fun photo shoot to show the Soul Reapers in all the ruined temple based glory.

I had to work the graveyard shift last night, so I packed up the Reapers and headed to work. I parked as usual in the security patrolled, gated parking lot, right next to the office door and went in for my shift. We had two operators out last night so I spent the night moving pallets instead of in the office as usual.

The crew and I headed out for breakfast/lunch at the Denny's down the road round 4AM. My van and models were intact at the time, I know this cause I shuttled 6 of us.

We ate and headed back to work around 5AM. A few of us went outside for a smoke break around 8AM only to find 6 smashed windows, including the rear window of my van. My heart sunk as I stood there in the rain dreading the inevitable result.

I lost 3 just built unpainted Rhinos, 2 converted Chaos Drop Pods, 35 Basic CSM, 10 Terminators, 6 bikes, two converted Oblits and two Dreads including my FW one. The one model lost that really kills me is the finalized conversion of Warlord Krüg from the FW lord Zufor mini. Dear lord that was a lot of hours lost for a mini I will never get to paint.

I am just at a total loss, I feel sick to my stomach. I certainly did not want to start the Soul Reapers from the ground floor again. I will rebuild it, it just won't have the same feel to the army. I already have about half of the models to replace what was lost, but it will take me a while to repurchase the rest, I just don't have the disposable income I used too.

I may take a few days off from the internet, so if you don't here from me after today for a bit don't worry I will be back.

Thanks for your time,
Jim

51 comments:

  1. I really feel for you Jim. Sure you don't want to start something else instead?

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  2. Man, I hate people. There are some really crappy people in this world. But don't let it get you down, take the time you need. We will be here when your are ready to return.

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  3. Good lord. S0 sorry to hear about that!

    From what I've heard about such things, it's doubtful the thief would care about them once he discovered what they were inside the bags. If you can try to scour ditches and dumpsters in the immediate area ASAP; you may get lucky.

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  4. SO SORRY for u mate, I dunno about looking in bins but I don't see y som1 wuld be happy to have stolen some models...

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  5. man that sucks...
    I don't know what to say except that try to don't get too sad about it and start something else if you want to
    :S

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  6. I'd take it as a compliment, man, that they just took the Reapers and not your womenfolk!
    Got a paypal link anywhere on the site?

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  7. Sorry for you loss man...
    As you know exactly what it all is, give all the local hobby stores a heads up on what to look out for... Also keep an eye on eBay in case the scum that stole them tries to post 'em up on there.
    Was that the only thing stolen? Or was it just collateral damage?
    Regardless, I wish you all the best...

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  8. That is the lowest of the low. I kind of know how you feel. One time someone broke into my house and all the stole was my huge record collection. I was devastated. I went to all the local record shops at the time and let everyone know what had happened. Luckily the scumbag tried to sell them to a shop where the owner was a close fried of mine. He made the dude crawl out of the store on his hands and knees. So I got my shit back. It is probably a long shot, but let all the game stores, pawn shops, etc know. Check ebay,craigslist, etc. It the thief's have any inkling on what this stuff is worth, they will try to turn it around for a buck.

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  9. man, that stinks! Is there any chance an insurance claim will help replace the lost figs?

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  10. Thanks for all the support, I do appreciate it.

    I am not sure if the insurance will cover the loss, but I am looking into it. I have notified the local shops, they will be on the lookout.

    Adam, I still have my Wolves the army is almost ready for painting. I am all ramped up to get cracking on them. Which is why I was looking forward to putting the final touches on Reapers and their codex.

    Thanks again,
    Jim

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  11. Yep - best advice is to put the word out to the local shops and events. Additionally, I'd watch eBay, as they might eventually end up in the hands of someone who doesn't know what they are/where they came from.

    A local in Chicago had 2 armies stolen in a similar manner a few years ago and at AdeptiCon he was wandering the Bitz Trading area on Friday night and saw his army for sale! Turned out this kid had purchased them off someone, who bought them off someone and all that. Army recovered!

    As someone who has had a few bikes stolen over the years...I empathize. Best of luck.

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  12. I am truly sorry for the loss of your Soul Reapers Jim! My heart sank when I saw the title of this post, and I'm sure the loss will be keenly felt. :(

    Fingers crossed somehow they will make their way back to you, but in the meantime we 're all feeling your pain brother!

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  13. I don't know about insurance in CA, but IIRC most auto policies don't cover items stolen from a vehicle, but household policies might.

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  14. Jim,
    I am truly sorry to hear this. You put a whole lot of time and effort into that army.
    No one can ever replace the time and effort you put into your models.

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  15. I'm sorry to hear, I really am. Thieves suck! Insurance should cover the monetary loss so long as you have the proper coverage.

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  16. Jim - That sucks dude. Sorry to hear that some git would sink that low. =/

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  17. Oh, man. I am so sorry. I know how much you put into that army. I just don't think there are words that can be typed to express how rotten I feel for you.

    Let me know if there is anything I can do to help bro.

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  18. I am really sorry to hear that this has happened!
    I am sure that you will bounce back with some more exceptional models, and I really hope you find out who did it and get payback.

    I cant believe how low some people are, seriously they need some hurt putting on them!

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  19. that make me sick to my stomach as I have sent you parts to make your guys and not wanting anything in return.

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  20. Thanks again for all the gracious support. I am proud to be part of such a great blogging community.

    Dee, not to worry the Chosen that I used the parts for weren't finished, so I still have them, they are right here on my desk.

    I am sure I will bounce back with a vengeance making even kooler models for the army than the first time around.

    Thanks again,
    Jim

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  21. Awful terrible news! If you do get your insurance to cover it, don't forget about the two Reaver Titans you had in the van. Just kidding, I don't endorse insurance fraud.

    I know I have a few marine things I could part with, and others might too. I'd be happy to donate a few pieces if it would help get the new Soul Reaper (or whatever project you like) started.

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  22. Unreal.

    I'm so sorry to hear about this.

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  23. Can I send you some models? Some bits? Anything? Just email me.

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  24. Damn sorry to hear about that!

    Did they take anything else or do you think they knew what was in there?

    I'm glad you've notified the local stores. Hopeful you'll catch the bastards!

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  25. As someone who lost about 35k points of eldar to unfortunate circumstances I can say it is truely heart breaking to lose an army. My condolences on your loss Jim.

    Scott
    BH senior editor

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  26. That's terrible news, I'm really sorry to hear about your misfortune. Not just for the models but for all the time you invested as well. I'd be happy to contribute some unassembled Chaos stuff to help bring the Soul Reapers back to full strength.

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  27. Unbelievable. I'm so sorry for the loss. It bad enough when someTHING gets stolen but it's another when it's something that you poured your heart and soul into. Again I'm oo sorry to hear this.

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  28. Jim,

    Take a look at The Independent Characters forums. We have several people chipping in to assist with replacing your stuff. It wont be the same - but at least you can take everything you learned with them the first time and make it even better.

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  29. Sorry for the loss ;.; I always hate it when something gets stolen that the thief probably wouldn't have stolen had they known what was in the bag they were taking.

    I agree with some of the other poster's suggestions about checking out ditches and dumpsters around where they were stolen, as well as watching ebay and craigslist.

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  30. I hate a thief about as much as anything. Sorry to hear about this. Makes me mad just thinking about it.

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  31. I feel you man, some junkie stole my SM army and my IG motor pool. Something like 4000 pts. It just makes you sad inside.

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  32. It would almost be worth having the stuff stolen, if you could catch the guy who did it. While you are holding a chainsword.

    Sorry to hear it. Best of luck!

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  33. That's just so very wrong and sad. There's a lot of guys feeling for you and I hope things will look up. Hang in there.

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  34. I'm sorry that happened to you. I know it sucks. I got ripped off a few years ago, they got 3800pts of SWs, 1500pts of Orks, 1500pts of SMs and about 6000pts of IG. I didn't play for years, moving to Austin prompted me to start painting the Praetorians thatI had in storage. Good luck on recovery.

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  35. Man, that sucks!

    I had a similar situation happen to me in the parking lot of my FLGS. 2 Sabol bags of WGB Dwarfs I just got back from a painting commission and all my paints, tools, etc.

    I found one of the cases in the dumpster around the corner. Probably some kids who didn't know what it was.

    As I live in Northern CA...I called my insurance. Normal car insurance (even full coverage) will not pay for it. The things they will pay for is very limited. But homeowners insurance will pay for it as long as a police report is filed.

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  36. Where in CA are you located Big Jim? I live in Sunnyvale so I can look around at our FLGS in case someone tries to pawn them off.

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  37. Sooo sorry to hear about this Jim... the seriousness of what has happened forces me to call you by name this time... hope the pain subsides sooner than later.

    -She Swizzy

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  38. Thanks again, I feel really blessed.

    Herold of Nurgle, I don't currently have an active paypal account. If you'd like to purchase something and send it my way just email me through my profile.

    Gyro, thanks for the offer, I'll look into what I may need and fire you off an email.

    Hastur, I am up by Concord.

    -Jim

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  39. 'They're thieves! They're filthy little thieves!'

    Soz to hear your woes Big Jim but heartend to see so many good people rallying round in bad times.

    In some ways I hope the scrote does know their worth, then they should show up somewhere rather than end up ditched in a skip (the horror).

    Will keep a look out this side of the Pond as you never know in these days of global markets.

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  40. So sorry to hear the bad news and I hope they turn up somewhere!

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  41. Heyo Big Jim,
    First off this really sucks. I had the same sort of thing happen to a mate down the gold coast one weekend. Luckily his stuff was known and when they turned up at a tournament about a month later he got his stuff back.
    As for insurance, yeah the guys that I am with here in Oz allow me to list my minis under "Collectable Items" in the Home and Contents Policy, additionally they have a clause in there that says if they are stolen from a locked car while being transported for display/auction/demonstration purposes they are also covered. Hope this helps.
    Also if you need any bits, find my email on my website as I have a whole lot of bits and a spare unassembled Lord Zufor that I may be willing to part with cheap as I have to get rid of some stuff before I move from Oz to overseas in a months time.

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  42. That sucks hugely, if there's anything that I can help out with bits wise let me know, I'd hate to lose any of my models so whatever can be done to help you get back on your feet will be a pleasure.

    Good luck with getting it all sorted out.

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  43. This is bullshit! I hope this never happens to me cause I park my car at the train station regularly. If there is anything you need let me know.

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  44. So, so sorry to hear about this. I really hope you manage to get your army back.

    I'll definitely keep an eye out on eBay.

    Do you have any photos of the army posted? I imagine if the tossers who stole it put it on eBay, they wouldn't know what to list it as - so there'd be no point in looking for 'Soul Reapers army' on there.

    If you've got a general description or full list of the minis missing, as I said, I'll definitely keep my eyes open for them.

    So sorry again, you must be gutted.

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  45. So sorry for your loss. Its just wrong.

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  46. Hell, man. That's awful. I remember from a Don Featherstone book a similar tale of a guy losing his 95th Rifles to some scuzzy thief. I hope you get your lads back like he did.

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  47. Ugh. Years back, my elderly neiboure saw a little teenage bastard walk past my house, look at my 2-day old mountain bike with attached baby-kart, then leap on it and ride it away with baby kart and all. The fact that I lost a new bike did not torqe me off as much as the fun my 4 year old daughter would not have as I could not afford a new one. I wanted to throttle that little bastard...theft is a slap in the face like no other, a very personal crime.

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  48. Am so very sorry to hear about this. I hope they catch the criminals responsible quickly.

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  49. Dude, I am so sorry. Hope they are returned.

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  50. Wow. I can't really add much here belatedly aother than to say I'm very sorry (and disappointed in people) to hear this. Hopefully you get them back somehow, soonish.

    Drop me an email or PM, you know where I am... I'd like to maybe send some stuff if I can swing it.

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