# My neighbor is... stealing my electricity. In a really dumb way. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 7, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690 "2012-08-07T03:05:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/341 "2012-08-11T19:40:15Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Oh man, I am starting to really feel sorry for the thief whose expensive stuff maybe got ruined because he was stealing someone’s electricity in an extraordinarily moronic way! > > ☹ Poor stupid thief. I don’t give a shit about the thief. I give a shit about Senor. All the cops did was go about it in a way that did nothing but likey increase the risk to him and his property more than was necessary. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/342 "2012-08-11T21:40:50Z")
This is getting good now. **SenorBeef** , don’t bullshit your neighbor. When he confronts you, tell him you called the landlord, the power company, and the police. Tell him your electricity bill was an extra $35 because of the power he stole from you. Also tell him the police officer pulled the extension cord. Don’t hide from this thief. He is in the wrong, not you. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/343 "2012-08-11T22:07:13Z")
> [@toofs](#): > > **SenorBeef** , don’t bullshit your neighbor. Yepper. The folks advocating creative story-telling might be better off devising 1980s sitcom story lines. _When Sarah sees George kissing Mary he tells Sarah that they’re rehearsing for a play and she shouldn’t tell Erin because George wants her to be surprised that he landed the lead role._ ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/344 "2012-08-11T22:58:23Z")
Why are you so afraid of this guy, SenorBeef? Are you worried he’ll spoil Game of Thrones for you? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/345 "2012-08-11T23:12:05Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Why are you so afraid of this guy, SenorBeef? Are you worried he’ll spoil Game of Thrones for you? Stupid plus dishonest often equals violent. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/346 "2012-08-11T23:29:09Z")
Are the police going to do anything else? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/347 "2012-08-12T00:19:49Z")
Senor Beef, even if the dumb ass thief doesn’t go all **Honey Badger** on your ass just knowing he \*could \* puts a damper on your trip. so by all means contact him before you leave and throw the cop, your landlord or anyone on this forum under the bus if you have to. any damage to his stuff certainly isn’t _your_ fault. if it turns out to be some Vision of Feminine Loveliness upstairs instead, you’re still better off making contact. this thread is weirdly addicting! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/348 "2012-08-12T00:35:19Z")
I can’t imagine what 220W device the guy felt he couldn’t run on his own circuits for forty two cents a day. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/349 "2012-08-12T01:33:52Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I can’t imagine what 220W device the guy felt he couldn’t run on his own circuits for forty two cents a day. Hard to power stuff from your own outlets when the power company has disconnected you. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/350 "2012-08-12T01:45:51Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Hard to power stuff from your own outlets when the power company has disconnected you. Sure, but that amounts to two large light blubs, not a refrigerator and air conditioner. Perhaps a small light bulb and a TV and cable box. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/351 "2012-08-12T01:48:52Z")
> [@](#): > > …by all means contact him before you leave and throw the cop, your landlord or anyone on this forum under the bus if you have to. any damage to his stuff certainly isn’t _your_ fault. Agree! In fact, you can bond with him over what a dick that cop was and ‘dontcha just hate how The Man always hassles ya’. > [@](#): > > this thread is weirdly addicting! Agree! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/352 "2012-08-12T01:49:58Z")
It’s possible whatever was on it went into standby mode when I unplugged it and it was never turned back on. It was only a 21 hour window. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/353 "2012-08-12T02:00:00Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Stupid plus dishonest often equals violent. Stupid + dishonest \*\*sometimes \*\*= violent. You know that there is every possibility he will apologise for being cheeky and never do it again ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/354 "2012-08-12T02:02:07Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Sure, but that amounts to two large light blubs, not a refrigerator and air conditioner. Perhaps a small light bulb and a TV and cable box. 220w average, not peak. Could easily be computer and tv for a several hours each, a couple cfl lamps almost nonstop, and a few minutes of microwave. Agreed it’s not fridge and a/c. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/355 "2012-08-12T02:27:46Z")
My upstairs neighbor was running an extension cord from my patio to power up his 1920s style Transmogrifier, so I checked, and it was drawing 209-231w _**(exactly a 220w average)!**_ ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/356 "2012-08-12T02:33:39Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Release the Honey Badger! LSU already did. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/357 "2012-08-12T11:23:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Sure, but that amounts to two large light blubs, not a refrigerator and air conditioner. Perhaps a small light bulb and a TV and cable box. 220W could be a refrigerator, they run about 450W when the compressor is engaged, but that cycles on and off, so on average 220W is within reason. I doubt the cop knocked over a refrigerator, but could have knocked something over in pulling the cord, not the end device itself. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/358 "2012-08-12T11:26:46Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Stupid + dishonest \*\*sometimes \*\*= violent. The only violence here so far has come from the cop, though that does make the statement true. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/359 "2012-08-12T12:34:50Z")
(I haven’t read every word of this thread, so forgive me if I’m repeating someone else’s advice!) If it was me here’s what I would do; Wait until you know he’s home, maybe has his balcony door or window open. Unplug the cord and yank on it really, really hard, yelling, “Oh my God! Oh my God!”. Lie down on your patio and spread a little ketchup on your mouth and chin. When he arrives on the scene loudly announce, you tripped over that bloody cord and broke your freakin’ tooth. Then storm into your apartment and slam the door very loudly. Sounds much more fun then getting thick into landlords, condo boards, and suing someone for a months hydro for a lamp, to me. A little expression of your dramatic flair, instead, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/360 "2012-08-12T16:56:05Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Sounds much more fun then getting thick into landlords, condo boards, and suing someone for a months hydro for a lamp, to me. A little expression of your dramatic flair, instead, that’s all. Too late! **SenorBeef** , your faithful subscribers are itching for an update. Come on, man, we’re in this together! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690.md?page=19)