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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
 Posted - 04/16/2009 : 05:19:15
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Not everyone will necessarily have the option to relocate if or when TSHTF, so proverbially "hiding in the open" would be a good skill to have--but not all of us are skilled in the art of subtlety. Any materials or resources any of you could recommend on how to blend in right in the middle of your environment? I'm thinking in terms of urban survival, but other situations would probably apply as well.
Personally, I dress very casually (usually an untucked T-shirt and jeans) so it wouldn't be obvious to most people that I might have anything valuable--you couldn't tell from what I'm wearing or my junked-out car. But an appearance of asceticism isn't the same as developing a poker face in the midst of upheaval, or even acting as if you're down and out even if you have resources to fall back on and not appearing obvious. So I'll throw this out for discussion: How can a person who is prepared for various SHTF situations not appear obvious if and when TSHTF?
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Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
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n/a
deleted
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 16:24:18
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I stay in a "suburb", but close to a very metro area. Dress down and spend most of our money on our kids. We live in a very old neighborhood and nothing on the outside seems flashy. We do get a ton of UPS deliveries - so that is probably a bad thing.
when shtf we would probably stay unless things got very violent. |
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kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 19:17:30
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quote:
Originally posted by prepgirl
I stay in a "suburb", but close to a very metro area. Dress down and spend most of our money on our kids. We live in a very old neighborhood and nothing on the outside seems flashy. We do get a ton of UPS deliveries - so that is probably a bad thing.
when shtf we would probably stay unless things got very violent.
Which city are you a suburb of, prepgirl? |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
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keys
Penny Collector Member
383 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 20:34:37
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To avoid the wrath of those who didn't prepare-dress like the downtrodden.
Don't shave for a few days, make yourself look scruffy.
Blend in with others around you.
While clothes are still readily available from thrift shops, buy clothes one or two sizes larger and wear them to make it appear you have lost weight due to not having enough to buy food.
Be like a chameleon, blend in with your environment. |
I change with the times-
but like silver coins found in your change
I stay the same.
*****************
The United States of America started out as the new Republic of Rome.
Will The United States of America end up as the New Imperial Rome? |
Edited by - keys on 04/17/2009 20:39:38 |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 20:47:47
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quote:
Originally posted by prepgirl
I stay in a "suburb", but close to a very metro area. Dress down and spend most of our money on our kids. We live in a very old neighborhood and nothing on the outside seems flashy. We do get a ton of UPS deliveries - so that is probably a bad thing.
when shtf we would probably stay unless things got very violent.
I get a lot of USPS deliveries myself from my eBay purchases but since my neighbors don't see packages on my doorstep and since the mailman comes six days a week, it just looks like he's doing his job. I've wondered though if anyone at the post office is wondering why I get so many insured packages. Any thoughts on this? |
Visit my new preparedness site: Preparedness.cc/SurvivalPrep.net
--Latest article: Stocking up on spices to keep food preps lively
---------------
Be prepared...and prepared to help: http://www.survivalblog.com/charity.html
Are you ready spiritually for hard times? http://www.jesusfreak.com/rapture.asp |
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natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 21:13:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Nickelless
[quote]Originally posted by prepgirl
I've wondered though if anyone at the post office is wondering why I get so many insured packages. Any thoughts on this?
There are only three window workers at my post office. All nice ladies that have gotten used to me shipping and receiving (since I was about 12  ). I don't have any worries there. I used to do a lot of shipping and receiving from the house as well (prior to my involvement with metals) and knew my carrier pretty well too. Again, no worries there.
I live a few miles outside of a borough of less than 3000 people, and I still think it's too built-up in this area. There's no way I would want to live in/near a city |
Nate
The Copper Cave
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
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natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2009 : 21:39:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Nickelless
But do you think anyone at the post office would think it's unusual for a particular person to get a lot of insured packages, or would it not be an issue since most of the mailing labels have the eBay logo on them?
Actually most of my packages are not insured except those from APMEX or BullionDirect. Regular insurance doesn't cover bullion, and I'm a small fish, so the values are not high enough to justify registered mail.
My PO box is also registered to a business. Lots of businesses use PO boxes and get many more packages than I do. I also ship more packages than I receive. They hand me 60-pound flat rate boxes and I hand them a few 10-pounders in return.
As an individual it might be different though. Receiving lots of insured packages probably makes the tellers curious, and eventually they might Google the return address (BDirect or APMEX would be easy). |
Nate
The Copper Cave
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keys
Penny Collector Member
383 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2009 : 00:09:28
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Considering the Post Office is facing a financial shortfall, the USPS is glad any packages are being shipped.
With more people paying bills online, with more people choosing to file their tax returns digitally, and with advertisement mail on the decline the Post Office is feeling the pinch.
Worried that the local USPS workers are getting nosy?
Just say you buy and sell ceramic figurines, baseball collectables, whatever.
A little diversion never hurt anyone, and as long as you are not recieving anything dangerous or illegal drugs, the USPS does not care, theiy are just glad to have your business. |
I change with the times-
but like silver coins found in your change
I stay the same.
*****************
The United States of America started out as the new Republic of Rome.
Will The United States of America end up as the New Imperial Rome? |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2009 : 00:36:38
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quote:
Originally posted by natsb88
quote:
Originally posted by Nickelless
But do you think anyone at the post office would think it's unusual for a particular person to get a lot of insured packages, or would it not be an issue since most of the mailing labels have the eBay logo on them?
Actually most of my packages are not insured except those from APMEX or BullionDirect. Regular insurance doesn't cover bullion, and I'm a small fish, so the values are not high enough to justify registered mail.
My PO box is also registered to a business. Lots of businesses use PO boxes and get many more packages than I do. I also ship more packages than I receive. They hand me 60-pound flat rate boxes and I hand them a few 10-pounders in return.
As an individual it might be different though. Receiving lots of insured packages probably makes the tellers curious, and eventually they might Google the return address (BDirect or APMEX would be easy).
I've only placed one order with APMEX and think for the time being that I'll stick with eBay and my local coin dealer just to not raise eyebrows or create a paper trail. Do you think anyone important cares what PMs people are buying on eBay? I've wondered if anyone is keeping an eye on who's buying what. |
Visit my new preparedness site: Preparedness.cc/SurvivalPrep.net
--Latest article: Stocking up on spices to keep food preps lively
---------------
Be prepared...and prepared to help: http://www.survivalblog.com/charity.html
Are you ready spiritually for hard times? http://www.jesusfreak.com/rapture.asp |
Edited by - Nickelless on 04/18/2009 00:37:35 |
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theo
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2009 : 15:55:19
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As far as the USPS is concerned, I filed a claim on an insured package about a month ago(I regretted this later). I had to disclose the contents on the form (silver dimes). The people who work there pretty much know what I'm getting. When questioned about them (I think they were just curious) I explained that I like to collect old coins. If certain people (government or otherwise) really wanted to know what I was up to, they could probably figure it out. I try not to worry about it.
As far as Ebay is concerned, the only people who have access to our personal info is Ebay and the people we buy from. If the government wanted to monitor who was buying PMs and how much they would if have get the cooperation of Ebay. This could be done, but the government would have to show cause and it would raise serious privacy concerns. To answer your question they may be tracking large purchases (more than $1000) perhaps to establish capital gains tax liability. However, tracking every $30 purchase of a handful of Washington silver quarters is probably not worth the time, trouble or effort for them.
P.S. Nicklless, are you the jerk who keeps outbidding me at the last second for the 90% silver coins? :) |
Edited by - theo on 04/19/2009 16:00:15 |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
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Flbandit
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
851 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2009 : 15:35:52
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quote:
Originally posted by keys
To avoid the wrath of those who didn't prepare-dress like the downtrodden.
Don't shave for a few days, make yourself look scruffy.
Blend in with others around you.
While clothes are still readily available from thrift shops, buy clothes one or two sizes larger and wear them to make it appear you have lost weight due to not having enough to buy food.
Be like a chameleon, blend in with your environment.
Hmm, I usually look like that anyway! |
Are you throwing that out? |
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buyingsilvers
Penny Collector Member
441 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 21:16:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Nickelless
quote:
Originally posted by prepgirl
I stay in a "suburb", but close to a very metro area. Dress down and spend most of our money on our kids. We live in a very old neighborhood and nothing on the outside seems flashy. We do get a ton of UPS deliveries - so that is probably a bad thing.
when shtf we would probably stay unless things got very violent.
I get a lot of USPS deliveries myself from my eBay purchases but since my neighbors don't see packages on my doorstep and since the mailman comes six days a week, it just looks like he's doing his job. I've wondered though if anyone at the post office is wondering why I get so many insured packages. Any thoughts on this?
have them delivered to your workplace instead. |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 21:24:02
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quote:
Originally posted by buyingsilvers
quote:
Originally posted by Nickelless
quote:
Originally posted by prepgirl
I stay in a "suburb", but close to a very metro area. Dress down and spend most of our money on our kids. We live in a very old neighborhood and nothing on the outside seems flashy. We do get a ton of UPS deliveries - so that is probably a bad thing.
when shtf we would probably stay unless things got very violent.
I get a lot of USPS deliveries myself from my eBay purchases but since my neighbors don't see packages on my doorstep and since the mailman comes six days a week, it just looks like he's doing his job. I've wondered though if anyone at the post office is wondering why I get so many insured packages. Any thoughts on this?
have them delivered to your workplace instead.
Not a chance. The last thing I need is for my co-workers to wonder why I'm getting so many packages and have someone jack me in the parking lot when I get off after dark. At least at home my packages are secured in a parcel box. |
Visit my new preparedness site: Preparedness.cc/SurvivalPrep.net
--Latest article: Stocking up on spices to keep food preps lively
---------------
Be prepared...and prepared to help: http://www.survivalblog.com/charity.html
Are you ready spiritually for hard times? http://www.jesusfreak.com/rapture.asp |
Edited by - Nickelless on 04/21/2009 21:24:53 |
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buyingsilvers
Penny Collector Member
441 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 21:59:25
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| If this is a big concern to you, and I know it is for some people, then your only option is "cash and carry". Local dealers, cash only transactions. Higher cost, but no paper trails. |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 22:16:13
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quote:
Originally posted by buyingsilvers
If this is a big concern to you, and I know it is for some people, then your only option is "cash and carry". Local dealers, cash only transactions. Higher cost, but no paper trails.
I'm adjusting my buying strategy on eBay to mostly silver rounds or bars in padded envelopes instead of scrap pieces that would come in boxes. These should be a bit more nondescript if neighbors are spying on me. But yeah, local cash-and-carry is best. |
Visit my new preparedness site: Preparedness.cc/SurvivalPrep.net
--Latest article: Stocking up on spices to keep food preps lively
---------------
Be prepared...and prepared to help: http://www.survivalblog.com/charity.html
Are you ready spiritually for hard times? http://www.jesusfreak.com/rapture.asp |
Edited by - Nickelless on 04/21/2009 22:20:34 |
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Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
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buyingsilvers
Penny Collector Member
441 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 22:38:15
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| Off the top of my head, I know some businesses or postal carriers dont like to ship to PO boxes |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
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Kurr
1000+ Penny Miser Member
2906 Posts |
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Nickelless
Administrator
USA
5580 Posts |
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caridad
Penny Pincher Member
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 17:18:50
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| dressing down is right. i for one would put in my survival bag old worn out clothes to change in to. that way i look just as downtrodden as the next person. |
ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU SELF SUFFICIENT? ARE YOU GREEN???? |
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"Hiding in the open"
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