Video Exposes Indian Family Who Stole Items from a Bali Hotel

HighAndDry on 30/07/2019 - 18:43

https://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/asia/video-expos…

OzBargaining taken to…. extremes?

In the tourists bags were found:

  • a hair dryer,
  • soap dispenser,
  • mirror,
  • jars,
  • towels,
  • toiletries*,
  • coat hangers.

I'll 'fess up, I'll take toiletries if I like the ones in a particular hotel. But uh… not so much the other stuff.

I've heard (but never personally tested) that some hotels don't mind and actually (secretly) like you taking their towels as they're branded and it's a form of marketing (Hilton from memory was one).

Is it okay to take some stuff? Where's the line? And what do people here usually/sometimes take from hotel rooms?

Travel

Comments

  • Godric on 30/07/2019 - 18:55
    +40

    The line I had thought was at appliances/linen & towels.

    Items like pens, toiletries etc i thought were fair game

    • cynicalmike on 30/07/2019 - 19:37
      +13

      i think pens and toiletries are fair game because you can say 'sorry accident' and many hotels might want you to take them as you will remember the name etc.

      some hotels refill the little bottles or have to replace them anyway if you only used a little bit.

      i would just take the bottle to refill and reuse (the economical thing to do!)

      towels and appliances are a big no-no. but eddie murphy in beverly hills cop sure got some good bathrobes! (he has three in his bag).

      • Scrooge McDuck on 31/07/2019 - 15:43
        +118

        I usually gut the place but draw the line at intruding on other rooms, everything in between is fair game as far as I'm concerned. I mean, you've paid good money for a night in the room, you should be able to take everything you can carry. They factor it into the cost anyway, so to leave anything behind would be a waste. They practically want you to take it, and everyone else does it too!

        Toiletries, towels, bedding, curtains, utensils and bathroom fittings can usually be stuffed into suitcases. Lamps, light fittings, artwork, chairs, tables, TVs and small appliances will need carrying down in the lift. Bulkier items like doors, white goods, beds, sofas and carpets (if you want to get them in one piece) will need to be taken down in the service elevator. A high-vis vest is handy for avoiding interruptions from nosy hotel staff. It's best to remove the tiles during the day so the construction noise doesn't disturb other guests — love thy neighbour. If the hotel has wall studs, only a hand saw is needed to remove the walls, ceilings, skirting boards, filigree and door frames; otherwise a powered saw is needed. I fly with a diamond bladed two-stroke concrete saw. It makes short work of concrete, rebar, I-beams and even structural columns. Now one thing that most travellers overlook is the wiring, but copper is quite valuable so don't forget your rubber gloves and bolt cutters.

        Fixed mirrors and windows can be tricky to remove without breaking them, so I usually leave them behind. That makes it quicker for the hotel staff to get the room ready for the next guest and is my good karma for the year.

        • Kangal on 31/07/2019 - 17:23
          +10

          Yeah, this one time I took the front-door of the Apartment Room.
          Quite nice, heavy, and matches my home decor. The tricky part was slipping it past the staff.

        • mafmouf on 31/07/2019 - 17:46
          +2

          Oh, Scrooge… You quacker. I'm just waiting for someone to comment saying how immoral it is…

        • johno3456 on 01/08/2019 - 00:00

          You must have cleared one of the NY hotels I stayed in once. It had sensors on most stuff so they could more easily restock (meaning charge you for it) when you leave. The mini bar had warnings to the effect that if you removed something for more than 30 sec then it triggered a charge to your account even if you replaced it. No replacing the stuff with products bought at the local 7/11.

          • cwongtech on 01/08/2019 - 09:47
            +3

            @johno3456:

            It had sensors on most stuff so they could more easily restock (meaning charge you for it) when you leave.

            What if you removed the sensors? :)

        • Blitzfx on 01/08/2019 - 00:05
          +4

          Thanks. I needed a laugh today.

        • cashless on 02/08/2019 - 00:50
          +1

          Hey Scrooge. I was gonna have you round to my place for dinner, but I’ve just remembered I’m busy that night

        • LXE3 on 02/08/2019 - 14:33

          All that before you make meals for the next three weeks for you and your extended family from the buffet breakfast…

        • Cave Fire on 02/08/2019 - 23:28
          +1

          This is a Mr Bean episode… ;)

      • spaceflight on 01/08/2019 - 17:55
        +1

        some hotels refill the little bottles or have to replace them anyway if you only used a little bit.

        No hotel does that.

        Apart from being difficult, time consuming and unhygienic the little bottles have tamper seals on them

        • cynicalmike on 01/08/2019 - 18:01

          not in all countries! they refill water bottles sometimes too (have seen it myself, seal clearly broken)

          it typically happens more in the poorer countries (no offense) as they are naturally tight (would make good ozbargainers)

          • spaceflight on 01/08/2019 - 18:04

            @cynicalmike: You are assuming that the hotel is refilling it.

            What is much more likey is that a guest opened, used or refilled the bottle and the staff did not notice that the seal was broken.

            • cynicalmike on 01/08/2019 - 18:10

              @spaceflight: why would a guest refill a bottle of complimentary water?

              i've also seen the locals pour water from a garden hose with a strainer into a bottle thinking that it's now 'filtered water'.

              • spaceflight on 01/08/2019 - 19:06

                @cynicalmike:

                why would a guest refill a bottle of complimentary water?

                So you don't waste another bottle?

                • cynicalmike on 01/08/2019 - 19:09

                  @spaceflight: in a country where it's not safe to drink the tap water?

                  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 03/08/2019 - 15:15

                    @cynicalmike: Buy a big thing of clean water and then pour it into portable drink bottles from the hotel?

                    SomeGuyOnOzB on 03/08/2019 - 15:15 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
                    • cynicalmike on 03/08/2019 - 15:35

                      @SomeGuyOnOzB: for the next guest? good samaritan?

                      • SomeGuyOnOzB on 03/08/2019 - 15:40

                        @cynicalmike: I'll get a big thing of water and pour it into the hotel's (previously sealed) bottles, for myself to carry around or use during the day.
                        Though I throw the bottles in the bin when I leave.

                        I forgot what you wrote.

                        Oh, okay, yep, I've also heard the warnings to make sure you drink from sealed bottles only.

                        Please disregard my response.

    • Some Guy on 31/07/2019 - 08:14
      +3

      They are fair game, along with all the other disposable items. But a mirror??

      • ihbh on 31/07/2019 - 09:47
        +1

        But a mirror??

        The question should have been how the hell did they fit a mirror (e.g. from the bathroom) in their luggage?

        • Some Guy on 31/07/2019 - 15:03
          +1

          I was thinking it was one of those little 2-sided shaving mirrors. Still, sheesh…

    • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:08
      +6

      OH! I just remembered - I also take the slippers if they're the thin/sealed/disposable ones. Good for use around the house and for guests. I think that might be on if not just over the line now that I think about it…

      • snackerjoe on 31/07/2019 - 17:35
        +5

        I still use the ones I got from a Macau hotel 4 years ago.

      • Ace Ventura on 01/08/2019 - 10:29
        +7

        Can't speak for all hotels, but for the ones I have managed, those are 100% consumable, take them with you. They are not cleaned and reused.

      • singlemalt72 on 02/08/2019 - 09:29

        I have never found a hotel where these things actually fit me - good for the family though.

    • Starlight8 on 31/07/2019 - 13:07

      totally agree with you here!

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2019 - 00:10

      The Phantom does not engage in larceny, but instead leaves gifts for the next custodian of the room.

      These have included Chamomile Tea, Essential Oils, Body Butters and Brazilian Cupuaçu Scrub-in-Oil. Just because i don't know what some of that stuff is, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

  • salmon123 on 30/07/2019 - 19:06
    +35

    I've heard (but never personally tested) that some hotels don't mind and actually (secretly) like you taking their towels as they're branded and it's a form of marketing (Hilton from memory was one).

    Lol

    And what do people here usually/sometimes take from hotel rooms?

    Remote control batteries, just to annoy the next guest, as well as setting the alarm clocks to go off at 4am.

    • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2019 - 19:11
      +24

      Remote control batteries, just to annoy the next guest, as well as setting the alarm clocks to go off at 4am.

      Lol

    • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:11
      +15

      Remote control batteries, just to annoy the next guest, as well as setting the alarm clocks to go off at 4am.

      I think we've moved from "what things do we take because we're cheap" to "how to be evil" lol.

      • salmon123 on 31/07/2019 - 10:12
        +8

        Did i tell you, I work for google?

        • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:13
          +6

          Ah, so you changed their motto…

        • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2019 - 13:13
          +5

          Yes, We all know Mr 'do not evil' and reports to American government.

    • dogboy on 31/07/2019 - 15:01
      +1

      You are a monster!

      • mafmouf on 31/07/2019 - 17:48

        Because taking the remote itself is practically a service to the next guest and staff.

    • chriise on 01/08/2019 - 09:08
      +4

      I once stayed in a room where a previous guest had set the TV to turn on, at FULL volume, at 3:30am. And they hid the remote. That person got me real good…

      • salmon123 on 01/08/2019 - 09:26

        Was it the presidential suite at the Bangkok Hilton, circa dec 1999? Might've been me.

      • Of Aquitaine on 01/08/2019 - 22:49
        +2

        Similar story. In a Canberra hotel, the digital clock alarm went off full blast at midnight. I couldn’t find it in the dark because I wasn’t familiar with the room. Ended up finding the cord and ripping it out of the wall. Bastards!

  • hogwarts on 30/07/2019 - 19:11
    +4

    I take those little bottles of shampoos and ect

    • ItsMeAgro on 31/07/2019 - 22:10
      +7

      That's what every normal person does, because taking complimentary disposable items is not theft.

      I swear, some ozbargainers seem to think the cleaners are wrapping up the remains of their 4c worn-down mini soap bar they used for the next guest…

      • Ace Ventura on 01/08/2019 - 10:32
        +1

        some ozbargainers seem to think the cleaners are wrapping up the remains of their 4c worn-down mini soap bar they used…

        Well we do, well not exactly, but sort of, we support this https://soapaid.org/

      • morgs640 on 01/08/2019 - 12:51
        +1

        Accidentally negged instead of positive and cant change it now. Sorry I agree with you.

        • ItsMeAgro on 01/08/2019 - 21:45

          Fun fact, you can actually revoke a negative vote: click on "votes" underneath the comment, and you can revoke your own.

    • Nebargains on 01/08/2019 - 08:46
      +2

      Can't say I've been to a hotel where the shampoo or soap was worth keeping, especially the soap. For some reason hotels always have soap that makes my hands dry?

  • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2019 - 19:16
    +9

    Well I've never taken anything. Though I've never stayed in a hotel, only Airbnb.

    I think the only things that are ok to take are things that would be "discarded" before the next guest arrives, things such as a bar of soap, toothbrush, mini shampoo etc.

    • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 12:03

      Though I've never stayed in a hotel, only Airbnb.

      Hahahaha I can only imagine what'd happen if you left with random things from their house. Bonus points if it's an AirBnB place that the owners also live at/near.

      • Wystri Warrick on 31/07/2019 - 16:23
        +1

        Hahaha.
        The Airbnb I stayed at was a unit, had the whole place to myself.
        It was newly built and there was some stuff from the building/decorating and some other valuable stuff in one wardrobe, I only discovered it while unpacking.
        I only used the supplied soap, the toothbrush and shampoos I didn't use as I had a toothbrush and enough shampoo to last me the trip.
        And in case anyone is wondering I didn't take anything from the wardrobe or anything for that matter :).

        IMO taking some small stuff from a hotel or Airbnb is stealing, it's small and probably quite worthless but the moral principle is the same as someone shoplifting or white collar crime stealing $$$, granted the damage is far less but the moral principle is still the same.

        • johnno07 on 31/07/2019 - 17:13

          taking some small stuff from a hotel or Airbnb is stealing

          Taking the tiny shampoo bottles from a hotel is not stealing. My guess is they end up in landfill if you don't.

    • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 12:01
      +8

      Lol. I guess the community has spoken: We draw the line definitely before cups and saucers…

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 31/07/2019 - 13:35
        -2

        LOL exactly - that is the OzB line in the sand between acceptable and not ;)

  • cynicalmike on 30/07/2019 - 19:34
    +7

    it's amazing how when i catch the maids on video rummaging through my belongings looking for money they suddenly fall silent and the manager is never 'available'

    • Tee Rex Arms on 30/07/2019 - 19:49
      -7

      You set a video up in your hotel room? Doesn’t sound creepy at all…

      • cynicalmike on 30/07/2019 - 19:53
        +43

        well i've caught three maids on three seperate occasions going through my belongings looking for money and in one case, she stole a LOT of money.

        the video is only setup when i have a bad feeling about the hotel and the maids behaviour and most of the time i am right. there's always something strange going on and it's usually going through your stuff, sometimes innocently and out of curiosity of the 'rich foreigner'.

        that said, on one occasion i didn't even hide it and the gopro had the light flashing and was in plain view. they just didn't know what it was because they were after MONEY MONEY MONEY.

        why do you think it's creepy? do you think the maids are going to strip down naked and have a pillow fight while they're making my bed?

        if you get caught stealing from a department store via a hidden camera is your defense going to be "your honour: i plead not guilty because it's creepy that they setup that camera without my knowledge, therefore my crimes didn't happen"

        • Icecold5000 on 30/07/2019 - 20:00
          +15

          Depends if you’re staying in Pattaya or not

          • cynicalmike on 30/07/2019 - 20:24
            +21

            @Tee Rex Arms: actually it is. when you 'rent' a hotel room and you leave the room with the knowledge that people are going to enter that room and potentially steal from you then you have a right to monitor those movements for your own security reasons and that of your belongings.

            if i travel with thousands of dollars worth of goods and i have potentially zero recourse if something does get stolen i'd want to protect myself. eg. if you think that some cleaning staff don't have the master key to your safe think again.

            i uncovered an obvious collusion between several maids at that hotel and possibly even front desk staff (as they would not give me the details of the manager) and were smirking at me on both checkin and checkout. i also observed one of them 'keeping watch' while another was going through the rooms next to mine (hence prompting me to setup the video).

            unfortunately you will always get people that disagree with you in this world and think their opinion is 'right' - like you have with a few half assed sentences and downvotes.

            you're welcome to keep on believing the world is perfect and no-one could possibly steal from you when you're away from your room. i just put my opinion out there that even though this indian couple are thieves, many cleaning staff or otherwise can be just as bad.

            and for the record, i accidentally video'd myself getting naked and picking my nose. want to see?

              • Icecold5000 on 31/07/2019 - 15:48

                @Icecold5000: Did I upset a lot of people who thought they could their ‘activity’ in a hotel room?

            • Scrooge McDuck on 31/07/2019 - 15:55

              @cynicalmike:

              i uncovered an obvious collusion between several maids at that hotel and possibly even front desk staff…

              Name and shame please!

              • cynicalmike on 31/07/2019 - 17:20
                -1

                @Scrooge McDuck: happened 5 or so years ago so the staff might not be working there anymore, but a tripadvisor review from someone else below shows similar. i was going to do the same and post video to youtube but i never got around to it. after a few days the rage settles and i figured it's a waste of my time knowing it will just fall on deaf ears.

                another one the management stepped in and did something (fired the maids on the spot), the other i told the maid off personally (because she didn't steal money - just my damn clif bars!) and she of course had no remorse (even following me to checkout to make sure i wouldn't dob her in - it was in a country that is otherwise very good to tourists and she might have lost more than her job. and because she didn't even take the tip (but took my damn clif bars) x4 for her children probably i let it slide (even though the value of the clif bars was near $10 and her tip was like $1.50)

                https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g1507054-d305…

                thailand is particularly bad for thieving from tourists regardless of whether it is perceived as legitimate or not.

            • Of Aquitaine on 01/08/2019 - 22:52
              +1

              @cynicalmike: Don’t these hotels you stay in have digital safes?

              • singlemalt72 on 02/08/2019 - 09:32

                @Of Aquitaine: That's what I was thinking - though, many of the digital safes in rooms are quite easy to get into - lots of vids on youtube.

              • cynicalmike on 02/08/2019 - 10:37

                @Of Aquitaine: yes and i keep the most stuff in there, but in this case she was trying to open the safe (thinking i forgot to lock it). you're right in that they can be opened and if the cleaning staff is corrupt they can open them with a master key. that's very rare but i've heard of it happening.

                it is safer than taking a lot of cash out and about with you though as you're far more likely to get robbed on the street.

                keep in mind that the safe is small and can rarely even fit a laptop. she was going through the pockets of my clothes looking for money! am i supposed to put my clothes in the safe too?

        • sagrules on 01/08/2019 - 11:02

          Interesting - can you mention which location, doesnt have to be hotel name…
          Its making me a bit more cautious of leaving my stuff around when I travel..

          • cynicalmike on 01/08/2019 - 11:15
            -1

            @sagrules: click on the trip advisor link, that's the hotel/resort.

            it can happen anywhere though. i generally don't leave stuff around that i can't afford to lose. many would argue that by leaving the odd coin around i'm "baiting" them but i really can't be stuffed keeping my belongings 100% in order and packed away when i travel. i really shouldn't have to.

            i did have one maid meticulously sort out my stuff and lay it out nice and neat on the table (and no tip was left so she wasn't doing it for the money) which brings me to my point about many maids being nosey and curious about belongings of the 'rich' foreigner.

            should leave a trail of eneloops and see what happens…

            • sagrules on 01/08/2019 - 11:18

              @cynicalmike: Thanks, I did take a look and read the review on Tripadvisor. You seem to have had multiple experiences so thought it was location specific.

              • Cave Fire on 02/08/2019 - 17:23

                @sagrules: good warning for others, some youtubers put a similar vid up after this happened to them.

      • mightyfes on 30/07/2019 - 20:23
        +4

        Not quite creepy, unless watching people vacuum and change linens are your thing. Going through someone's belongings though; quite creepy!

    • Ryanek on 31/07/2019 - 11:01
      +3

      You should lock all your belongings in either the room safe or in your luggage even when you leave your room.

      Stealing is unethical of course but I think leaving out money to tempt maids into stealing is unnecessary. I don't know their circumstances… they are very likley hard working people living on minimum wage.

      I can see how tempting it would be to take some loose change if you're living a hard life.

      • Kangal on 31/07/2019 - 17:33

        I don't recommend the room safe.
        In some resorts, they have a Key that can unlock the safe (in case the guest forgets the passcode) which changes hands between the front-desk and maids. And if you read the ToS, items stored in the safe are not protected by the hotel and in most cases its impossible to prove they were stolen by the hotel.

        Some people take only a small amount of the money/jewellery to not be as suspicious. Others take the whole loot. So even putting a locked box into the room safe may not be the best idea. Although, I should mention it is a rare occurrence for room safe access/theft.

        And while regular luggage can be cut, the more solid ones cannot and require a physical break to access. Having those ones with proper locks, photo/documentation, and travel insurance may be the better solution. Or you know, travel without bringing or buying much valuables, and more so for the relaxation or the adventure.

        • Peanut money on 31/07/2019 - 20:46
          +3

          That’s why we put do not disturb and have the tv on loud while we are out
          Plus don’t want anyone messing with my toothbrush

  • Wallyt99 on 30/07/2019 - 19:55

    A friend of mine always took ALL the complimentary tea and coffee back home when on business trips. Smart.

    • salmon123 on 30/07/2019 - 20:19
      +10

      Does this include raiding the housekeeping cart on every floor?

      • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:05
        +4

        ALL the complimentary tea and coffee

        Did the man stutter?

        I can imagine him just walking out of the hotel storeroom with cartons of the stuff…

  • kahn on 30/07/2019 - 20:13
    +7

    With all the things going on in the world, are we supposed to believe that petty theft is considered newsworthy?

    • cynicalmike on 30/07/2019 - 21:16
      +8

      yes because everyone loves to be outraged by stories like this and are probably hypocrites so they need commendation for getting away with similar on their last holiday.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 31/07/2019 - 16:01
        +15

        Plus it satisfies people's latent racism and need to point their fingers at the others.

        • SpotTheOzzie on 31/07/2019 - 16:57
          -5

          Serious question Scrooge.

          If aconsistent behaviour stems from culture..how can they be held accountable if you can't call it out.

          My GF stopped a chinese kid from pissing on a temple in Japan after the Dad pointed where to go and she intruded by saying 'You can't do that here…'

          Is it racist?

          My GF is Chinese but not the point

          • Kangal on 31/07/2019 - 17:39
            +1

            @SpotTheOzzie: The human brain is extremely good at identifying patterns, and extremely susceptible to copying behaviours. So the simple reality is; racism exists for legitimate reasons.

            Not that I condone it, but people should be more careful around others depending on the environment, and should try to see the positive in others regardless of their hardships or excuses. Moral behaviour should be acknowledged and rewarded, and like a meme, it should be spread further and faster than genetics.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 31/07/2019 - 22:00
            -1

            @SpotTheOzzie: I'm not aware of a tendency for Indian families to engage in theft. I don't keep track of such things. Is there a trend?

            And so long as they're justified by facts, I'm not against culturism or racism either.

    • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2019 - 22:54
      +3

      Couldn't agree more Kahn.

    • Some Guy on 31/07/2019 - 08:08
      +4

      You're right. Quick, I'm off to (insert real news website here) to get up to speed on Iran's nuclear enrichment program and those two fugitives in Canada. I'll report back here with an update.

      • kahn on 31/07/2019 - 08:23
        +4

        Don't forget to start a forum thread about it.

        • Some Guy on 31/07/2019 - 15:09
          +1

          No thanks, I'll just comment here, off-topic and out of context.

          I see that Kashmir is still in dispute.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 31/07/2019 - 16:02
        +4

        and those two fugitives in Canada.

        Meanwhile, how many people were killed in the middle east?

        • Some Guy on 03/08/2019 - 01:51

          I don't think they killed anyone in the Middle East, did they? Maybe ask @Kahn?

    • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:13
      +4

      Don't know about newsworthy, but it's entertaining. Honestly where I am in life right now, that's more important.

    • Repi on 31/07/2019 - 20:53

      They did go a little bit further than most other guests

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2019 - 20:48
    +2

    I don't take anything from the hotel. Can't be sure someone hasn't tempered with them. Some kid could have peed in the shampoo bottle.

    • salmon123 on 30/07/2019 - 21:18
      +4

      Ah - that reminds me, I also like to refill the minibar bottles with tea/water.

      • HighAndDry on 31/07/2019 - 10:06

        How are you so evil. I'm genuinely amazed - even if you're joking, I couldn't even think of half of these evil ideas.

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