Monumental work cockups
Discussion
316Mining said:
Back in 2000, working for a company that put ticketing and info solutions into cinemas.
A delivery of 12 50" plasma screens (very expensive and rare in 2000) were being delivered by our company to a cinema in the east end of London..... to be used as info screens....
Only two guys in the truck, and these things were heavy.....
Parked the truck up a the goods in area, then had to hand carry the screens to the cinema itself. Delivered one screen to the correct floor in the complex, the two guys went back to pick up another.... it took no more than 10 minutes, but the van was now empty....
All 11 gone.
All future deliveries were made by three guys, one to stay with the van.
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.A delivery of 12 50" plasma screens (very expensive and rare in 2000) were being delivered by our company to a cinema in the east end of London..... to be used as info screens....
Only two guys in the truck, and these things were heavy.....
Parked the truck up a the goods in area, then had to hand carry the screens to the cinema itself. Delivered one screen to the correct floor in the complex, the two guys went back to pick up another.... it took no more than 10 minutes, but the van was now empty....
All 11 gone.
All future deliveries were made by three guys, one to stay with the van.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
Reminds me of Phoenix Nights when their telly was stolen.Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
Shakermaker said:
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
Shakermaker said:
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
If you wear a delivery uniform and carry a large box with two hands, people will let you into all sorts of buildings or restricted areas that they shouldn't.
Similarly, wearing a high vis (with a fake badge) and carrying a measuring tool/clipboard.
It's a basic security penetration test and you would be surprised how many companies fail it.
Vaud said:
Shakermaker said:
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
If you wear a delivery uniform and carry a large box with two hands, people will let you into all sorts of buildings or restricted areas that they shouldn't.
Similarly, wearing a high vis (with a fake badge) and carrying a measuring tool/clipboard.
It's a basic security penetration test and you would be surprised how many companies fail it.
It happened here and because we had one way security (tag to get in, push button to get out) they got away with about 10 brand new laptops in boxes (suspect Delivery driver tipped someone off as they had only arrived a day or 2 previously)
We now have to use our tags in the way in and out
.Vaud said:
Similarly, wearing a high vis (with a fake badge) and carrying a measuring tool/clipboard.
It's a basic security penetration test and you would be surprised how many companies fail it.
very true, my dad years ago (before i was born) got a job with the atomic energy authority.It's a basic security penetration test and you would be surprised how many companies fail it.
on his first day his line manager showed him that with a clipboard and a tool bag they could get anywhere, they reached the control bridge of the reactor before anyone asked them what they were doing, some security people had opened doors for them.
luckily it was seen as a criticism of the security and staff rather than being a risky stunt and my dad was never spoken to about it.
Shakermaker said:
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
But a more recent first hand variation was the MD of a Garden Centre who, arriving mid morning for a staff meeting, starts with an announcement along the lines of "when serving a customer who purchases something large - like the Honda lawnmowers - they ask if help is required to load it into the car, like that chap I assisted just five minutes ago..." followed by an embarrassed silence as everybody twigs what's just happened.
The Don of Croy said:
Sounds like a variation on the story of two blokes turning up at a West End hotel in warehouse coats and asking for access to the ballroom to clean the carpet. They remove said rug (usually a nice Persian example) and load it into the waiting van...and disappear.
But a more recent first hand variation was the MD of a Garden Centre who, arriving mid morning for a staff meeting, starts with an announcement along the lines of "when serving a customer who purchases something large - like the Honda lawnmowers - they ask if help is required to load it into the car, like that chap I assisted just five minutes ago..." followed by an embarrassed silence as everybody twigs what's just happened.
A few years ago two men in SAAB overalls turned up on the SAAB stand at the London Motor Show and took out the drivers seat on one of the cars no one said a word.But a more recent first hand variation was the MD of a Garden Centre who, arriving mid morning for a staff meeting, starts with an announcement along the lines of "when serving a customer who purchases something large - like the Honda lawnmowers - they ask if help is required to load it into the car, like that chap I assisted just five minutes ago..." followed by an embarrassed silence as everybody twigs what's just happened.
A friend of mine asked a furniture restorer to improve her 18th century table, he said he would organise it. Two weeks later, a man knocked on the door wearing a brown warehousemans coat, she said are you here for the table, he took it away. A week later she phoned the restorer to see what was happening, he said he would send a man round on friday.
She never saw the table again and the insurers didnt pay up either.
I visited a care home for work, they were considering an extension so wanted to discuss the escape planning,
as I turned up the care workers took me into a side room where an elderly lady was sitting, they assumed I was from social services.
I visit schools on a regular basis, and am rarely asked for ID.
as I turned up the care workers took me into a side room where an elderly lady was sitting, they assumed I was from social services.
I visit schools on a regular basis, and am rarely asked for ID.
Robbo 27 said:
A friend of mine asked a furniture restorer to improve her 18th century table, he said he would organise it. Two weeks later, a man knocked on the door wearing a brown warehousemans coat, she said are you here for the table, he took it away. A week later she phoned the restorer to see what was happening, he said he would send a man round on friday.
She never saw the table again and the insurers didnt pay up either.
That sounds a little too co-incidental.She never saw the table again and the insurers didnt pay up either.
A BT id card used to get me access to all sorts of places ( it is mine legitimately) years back i followed a bank manager through the double security doors making note of the access code , i then let myself in and out at will ! He spotted me and collared me about how i knew the code , nothing more was said when i told him . We used the 'BT MATE ' and flash of the card to get into all sorts of security areas ( millbrook being one) lotus carlton was still being developed as was the elan .
Many years ago I used to work at Fortnum and Mason's
It was this time of year and were were selling hampers by the dozen to business'.
One day a chap came in asking for hampers. I was serving him and told him that we had run out. He was a little panicked but I saw an opportunity to get a large tip.
So, I disappeared off and came bak with a lovely Red Fortnum and Mason's box. I happily informed him that we could select some items and they could be nicely packed into the red boxes, would look fantastic etc.
He was delighted and accepted my offer. We toured the shop picking items suitable for the box and chatted. Keen on a bigger tip I told him that I would have to work late after my shelf making these hampers etc.
So the items were decided and payment was made.
I said I would have them ready for the morning and we agreed that his driver would be around at 10.00 to collect them.
So by 10.00 the next morning there was a pile of 20 lovely red boxes all carefully and expertly packed waiting on the shop floor.
The driver arrived and asked for me. I strolled over and showed him the boxes. I picked one up and carried it out. It was clear that I was going to need help as the car was some distance away so told the driver to wait with the car and I would return with assistance.
So I got a couple of colleagues to help with the task. Eventually I was told that the task was complete. To be honest I was not paying much attention to the actual packing as I was talking to the driver, panicking somewhat about my tip.
So eventually I said my fair wells and started to turn. The driver stopped me and handed me an envelope. This is from the boss..
Oh the joys.
When I got back into the store I went back to the job I was doing only to turn cold. Where were the 20 or so vases I was putting out, valued at hundreds of pounds each they had gone.
I soon realised that my colleagues had not been told which boxes to take to the car, so took all of them in the vicinity. So the customer that Christmas has 20 hampers at £250.00 each and 20 or so free vases at £350.00 each.
I decided the best course of action was to say nothing and pretend nothing had happened.
All was quiet for a few days and they I was summoned to the Managing Directors office. crap I have been found out and am going to be fired.
I went upstairs and waited, was called in and given a white envelope thanked the MD and turned to leave. I was then asked if I was going to open it. Great I have to read my dismissal letter in from of him.
Anyway I opened it it was not a dismissal letter but a letter of thanks for from the customer for my enormous help.
The MD thanked me personally and told me that there would be a bonus in my next pay packet, and I was a credit to Fortnum and Mason's.
I got away with losing the vases.
I the white envelope was £1000.00 cash and a thank you note.
And in my next pay pack was a bonus of £500.00!!
It was this time of year and were were selling hampers by the dozen to business'.
One day a chap came in asking for hampers. I was serving him and told him that we had run out. He was a little panicked but I saw an opportunity to get a large tip.
So, I disappeared off and came bak with a lovely Red Fortnum and Mason's box. I happily informed him that we could select some items and they could be nicely packed into the red boxes, would look fantastic etc.
He was delighted and accepted my offer. We toured the shop picking items suitable for the box and chatted. Keen on a bigger tip I told him that I would have to work late after my shelf making these hampers etc.
So the items were decided and payment was made.
I said I would have them ready for the morning and we agreed that his driver would be around at 10.00 to collect them.
So by 10.00 the next morning there was a pile of 20 lovely red boxes all carefully and expertly packed waiting on the shop floor.
The driver arrived and asked for me. I strolled over and showed him the boxes. I picked one up and carried it out. It was clear that I was going to need help as the car was some distance away so told the driver to wait with the car and I would return with assistance.
So I got a couple of colleagues to help with the task. Eventually I was told that the task was complete. To be honest I was not paying much attention to the actual packing as I was talking to the driver, panicking somewhat about my tip.
So eventually I said my fair wells and started to turn. The driver stopped me and handed me an envelope. This is from the boss..
Oh the joys.
When I got back into the store I went back to the job I was doing only to turn cold. Where were the 20 or so vases I was putting out, valued at hundreds of pounds each they had gone.
I soon realised that my colleagues had not been told which boxes to take to the car, so took all of them in the vicinity. So the customer that Christmas has 20 hampers at £250.00 each and 20 or so free vases at £350.00 each.
I decided the best course of action was to say nothing and pretend nothing had happened.
All was quiet for a few days and they I was summoned to the Managing Directors office. crap I have been found out and am going to be fired.
I went upstairs and waited, was called in and given a white envelope thanked the MD and turned to leave. I was then asked if I was going to open it. Great I have to read my dismissal letter in from of him.
Anyway I opened it it was not a dismissal letter but a letter of thanks for from the customer for my enormous help.
The MD thanked me personally and told me that there would be a bonus in my next pay packet, and I was a credit to Fortnum and Mason's.
I got away with losing the vases.
I the white envelope was £1000.00 cash and a thank you note.
And in my next pay pack was a bonus of £500.00!!
Vaud said:
Shakermaker said:
Ganglandboss said:
I worked at a university around the same time, and some of the departments started putting plasma screens in the foyers of buildings, displaying times and room numbers for lectures and seminars etc, along with general information.
Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
When I was at uni, that kind of thing was often reported as well. At Reading, the story went that someone walked into the library with a hi vis on, unscrewed one from the wall and took it with him. Most deliveries came via goods receiving in central stores, which was open onto a public thoroughfare that ran across the campus. A bloke walked in one day with a hand cart and said, "I believe you have a plasma screen for Chem Eng.". The storeman got him to sign for it, helped him load it onto the cart and watched him walk off. Nobody ever found out who he was, or where the telly went.
But I don't know how true that is now.
If you wear a delivery uniform and carry a large box with two hands, people will let you into all sorts of buildings or restricted areas that they shouldn't.
Similarly, wearing a high vis (with a fake badge) and carrying a measuring tool/clipboard.
It's a basic security penetration test and you would be surprised how many companies fail it.
One incident involved a warehouse, which was made up of a number of adjoining light-industrial units that had been knocked through. The building would have contained rows of machines, connected to the power supply by overhead bus-bar trunking. The site was served by two 11kV/400v step-down transformers, one in the near corner, and one at the far end. They had stripped all the copper from the LV switchboards and overhead trunking, ripped out all the copper pipe from the toilets and offices, and took both transformers.
On our first visit, we spoke to some of the staff in the units opposite. They told us they were there for almost a week. They arrived in vans, all wearing hi-vis jackets. When they arrived, they went over to their unit asking questions, such as asking if they had seen the keyholder turn up, where the best butty van is, etc. All of this added to the illusion that they were contractors. One day, they even let the 3.142 door-opening devices run an extension lead from their unit as 'the spark's knocked the power off', which later turned out to have meant 'we have ripped out the transformer, chained it to the tow-bar of a transit pick-up, and dragged it the full length of the unit, leaving enormous gouges in the concrete.'.
Whilst I was at work fitting a screen for a contractor inside the Know How site at Newark a few years ago there was a massive f
k about getting signed in. Eventually I kicked off. "listen I haven't got time for this, either let me in or get the van outside the gate so I can work. I haven't got all day to wait for you etc."
Turned out that the week before someone had tuned up in a lorry, loaded a pallet full of laptops onto it and buggered off. I thought it was very funny. Security didn't.
k about getting signed in. Eventually I kicked off. "listen I haven't got time for this, either let me in or get the van outside the gate so I can work. I haven't got all day to wait for you etc."Turned out that the week before someone had tuned up in a lorry, loaded a pallet full of laptops onto it and buggered off. I thought it was very funny. Security didn't.
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