Topic: I Remember when There Was A Time It Either Sold Or It Didn't, Then Now Days.....

[grcamna2]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

Stev-o,
That reminds me of that Beach Boy's song lyric: "She's my little Deuce Coupe..,You don't know what I got" 

                 .......One of my favorite songs from back in the day.

oh Good,Bill You noticed my post  Thanks.That song is an old classic and one of my favorites
I appreciate you as a forum member who is interactive and answers posts,you're a friendly dude.

[bill440cars]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

Stev-o,
That reminds me of that Beach Boy's song lyric: "She's my little Deuce Coupe..,You don't know what I got" 

                 .......One of my favorite songs from back in the day.

oh Good,Bill You noticed my post  Thanks.That song is an old classic and one of my favorites
I appreciate you as a forum member who is interactive and answers posts,you're a friendly dude.

  Thank you, back in the day, I was all into that music and still am. I appreciate the compliment too, I always try to keep up with comments on my posts and this threads that I make comments on as well. Have a good one.

[faux fiddy]

Whenever dealing in large sums, I bring a crocodile dundee approved knife, leave the money in a hidden spot in my truck.  If possible, a friend for backup and loading help.

We went to do a deal and when we discussed the safe harbor transaction location 30 miles away at the ok county jail it was kind of a rhetorical joke.

There have even been cl deals go bad there!

The guy was selling a 350 twin motor, I think it was in most of the frame, cut with a torch or wheel. Never understood wasting the frame but back when it went into storage that was prolly a space available factor. The guy was legit. He said he figured we were packing because of the tape measure bulge in my pocket.

When my partner offered him $20 for the complete motor, with extra boxes of parts, side covers, etc he said is $25 not a fair price?

You always gotta dicker a bit you know...

[rickmoore24]

Hahahha I love the dickering part...you gotta try right? 

[martin99]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

           I actually have  had some buyers come to my house, some time back. But then, I wised up. Thank God, I never had an incident. The last time, I was so nervous that I started meeting them at a parking lot, with a lot of people around. But even at that, I Went to Bentonville, Arkansas once, to meet a guy coming from Kansas, to sell him a set of Holley carbs and Aluminum Edelbrock "6Pack" Intake and the deal went off as planned, but I was glad to get back in my car and get back on the hyway and head home.   

Lots of interesting comments on this thread, seems a lot of people would not want a buyer turning up at their home for fear of robbery, or because said buyer might have the idea of coming back later to empty the garage. Too many of you saying this for it to be mass hysteria, so I imagine it is a very real problem over there for you fellas.

Over here in the UK, things are not quite the same, sure, we have scammers and our fair share of undesirables, but mostly you don't hear about many ebay deals going horribly wrong. If I sell a bulky item, I encourage the buyer to collect from my house as it's a lot less hassle than posting it. Usual sensible security procedures apply - buyers in these situations do not have access or eyeball to my garage and the item is usually ready for them to load straight up.

If you buy or sell a vehicle - car or bike - privately over here, it is normal practice to expect to collect it from the seller's home, it's another way of satisfying yourself that the seller is genuine, the details on the paperwork match to the address you are collecting it from, so less likely to be buying something that's been stolen.

Not deliberately trying to be contentious or wishing to spark another popcorn debate, but I think the fact that you fellas are able to carry guns around with you has got to be a major factor in why our attitudes are so far apart on this one, and why we are that more relaxed about it over here.

[faux fiddy]

Hahahha I love the dickering part...you gotta try right? 

Funny story , there used to be a car dealership that had a commercial that effectively the dealer said " Come in with your Wife, bring in your old used car and we'll dicker."

This play on words works on multiple levels. Dicker implies "trade" wives,  while the homonym for  'dicker'  is "dick -  her." Yeah, I can see a car salesman do that... just the type.

[grcamna2]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

           I actually have  had some buyers come to my house, some time back. But then, I wised up. Thank God, I never had an incident. The last time, I was so nervous that I started meeting them at a parking lot, with a lot of people around. But even at that, I Went to Bentonville, Arkansas once, to meet a guy coming from Kansas, to sell him a set of Holley carbs and Aluminum Edelbrock "6Pack" Intake and the deal went off as planned, but I was glad to get back in my car and get back on the hyway and head home.   

Lots of interesting comments on this thread, seems a lot of people would not want a buyer turning up at their home for fear of robbery, or because said buyer might have the idea of coming back later to empty the garage. Too many of you saying this for it to be mass hysteria, so I imagine it is a very real problem over there for you fellas.

Over here in the UK, things are not quite the same, sure, we have scammers and our fair share of undesirables, but mostly you don't hear about many ebay deals going horribly wrong. If I sell a bulky item, I encourage the buyer to collect from my house as it's a lot less hassle than posting it. Usual sensible security procedures apply - buyers in these situations do not have access or eyeball to my garage and the item is usually ready for them to load straight up.

If you buy or sell a vehicle - car or bike - privately over here, it is normal practice to expect to collect it from the seller's home, it's another way of satisfying yourself that the seller is genuine, the details on the paperwork match to the address you are collecting it from, so less likely to be buying something that's been stolen.

Not deliberately trying to be contentious or wishing to spark another popcorn debate, but I think the fact that you fellas are able to carry guns around with you has got to be a major factor in why our attitudes are so far apart on this one, and why we are that more relaxed about it over here.

Thank you for your post Martin,it helped remind me not to grow cynical and could possibly help to alleviate others worrying to the point of blatant mistrust of anyone 'different' coming to their home areas.I'm not sure if you have these but over here in 'the States' we have lot's of 'Garage sales' or Yard sales' and home owners literally invite anyone who wants to come and purchase right onto their property to view anything either 'in the garage' or 'in the yard'. I once ask a seller jokingly "so,how much for the garage?"  lol and his look certainly changed until I told him i was joking  lol
I love these Garage sales and Yard sales as you can walk right on to their property after parking in front of their home on the street and they welcome you to do so just to sell their unwanted items before they have to give them away to the thrift store;I think it's just a tiny bit of 'community spirit' that's still left in America like we used to have long ago before so much worry came along.

[DH]

It's getting to the point where you have to take precautions as to who you trust.
As the cities and metro areas expand, so does the crime rate unfortuneately,
(around here anyway). Unsavory activity opens every local newscast. I've been
friendly in every deal I've made, but the way society is today, people have earn my trust. Not to be a jerk, just protecting myself as well as property. Meeting folks
in mutually agreed upon, high visibility areas makes the issue of trust, in that sense, a lot easier imo. It shows both parties are being up front. Having an honest, frankly civil, to the point advertisement of what you're selling attracts
sincere buyers. my .02 similar to others

[bill440cars]

Whenever dealing in large sums, I bring a crocodile dundee approved knife, leave the money in a hidden spot in my truck.  If possible, a friend for backup and loading help.

We went to do a deal and when we discussed the safe harbor transaction location 30 miles away at the ok county jail it was kind of a rhetorical joke.

There have even been cl deals go bad there!

The guy was selling a 350 twin motor, I think it was in most of the frame, cut with a torch or wheel. Never understood wasting the frame but back when it went into storage that was prolly a space available factor. The guy was legit. He said he figured we were packing because of the tape measure bulge in my pocket.

When my partner offered him $20 for the complete motor, with extra boxes of parts, side covers, etc he said is $25 not a fair price?

You always gotta dicker a bit you know...

           Pretty cool story there. Thanks for throwing that one in here. Pretty bad, if a deal goes bad there, who woulda thought?

[bill440cars]

Hahahha I love the dickering part...you gotta try right? 

           Yeah, I enjoyed the "Bickering Part myself" 

[bill440cars]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

           I actually have  had some buyers come to my house, some time back. But then, I wised up. Thank God, I never had an incident. The last time, I was so nervous that I started meeting them at a parking lot, with a lot of people around. But even at that, I Went to Bentonville, Arkansas once, to meet a guy coming from Kansas, to sell him a set of Holley carbs and Aluminum Edelbrock "6Pack" Intake and the deal went off as planned, but I was glad to get back in my car and get back on the hyway and head home.   

Lots of interesting comments on this thread, seems a lot of people would not want a buyer turning up at their home for fear of robbery, or because said buyer might have the idea of coming back later to empty the garage. Too many of you saying this for it to be mass hysteria, so I imagine it is a very real problem over there for you fellas.

Over here in the UK, things are not quite the same, sure, we have scammers and our fair share of undesirables, but mostly you don't hear about many ebay deals going horribly wrong. If I sell a bulky item, I encourage the buyer to collect from my house as it's a lot less hassle than posting it. Usual sensible security procedures apply - buyers in these situations do not have access or eyeball to my garage and the item is usually ready for them to load straight up.

If you buy or sell a vehicle - car or bike - privately over here, it is normal practice to expect to collect it from the seller's home, it's another way of satisfying yourself that the seller is genuine, the details on the paperwork match to the address you are collecting it from, so less likely to be buying something that's been stolen.

Not deliberately trying to be contentious or wishing to spark another popcorn debate, but I think the fact that you fellas are able to carry guns around with you has got to be a major factor in why our attitudes are so far apart on this one, and why we are that more relaxed about it over here.

 

           I myself, certainly appreciate your post here and gives us all a chance to maybe better explain how things are here, better too. There has been quite a lot of issues here, in the states, even before the "Carrying of weapons" kicked up here. There was a time, when we were able to relax more, not be so security conscious and not have to be so uptight, about Our security or the security of our things. As time goes on, it just seems to get worse. I am sure there are others who could word this better than I can. But, I am thinking that with a larger mix of different sorts of folks here, may be part of the issue and there is a lot of crime that happens in the U.S., that doesn't involve guns. A good part, is just plain physical violence from people who, for whatever reason, are completely out of control. People, long ago, would go out of their way, to help their neighbor or just someone in need. Now, there are a number of folks who will go out of their way, to Beat, Violate, Kill or Take things from others. At any rate, there is just no way to tell what a person has in mind, who contacts you, about buying something.

       Now, on the other side of the issue, I had some carpentry tools that I was selling and had them listed on a local FaceBook Yard Sale Page & a fella wanted to buy several things, but had no way to come and get them. I really felt like the guy was sincere and after chatting back and forth with him, I decided to take the things to him. Yeah, I was taking a real chance, but I just felt that this guy was on the level. So, I went and it was in the evening, when I got there (about 40miles away) and come to find out, the guy was handicapped and could manage to work with wood and build things to sell and earn money to support his family. I unloaded the goods, we chatted for a bit, he paid me and I left. We kept in touch and he said, if I came up with more, let him know, cause it might be something he would want or need. Even though I felt that trip was ok to do, I have to say I was nervous at first, but all that went away, when I got there. And, btw, the guy was a Veteran at that. So, I was certainly proud I took a chance and went with my feelings.

       And, Thank You for posting your thoughts, because the more we learn about each other, the more we understand each other.       

[bill440cars]

Thank you for your post Martin,it helped remind me not to grow cynical and could possibly help to alleviate others worrying to the point of blatant mistrust of anyone 'different' coming to their home areas.I'm not sure if you have these but over here in 'the States' we have lot's of 'Garage sales' or Yard sales' and home owners literally invite anyone who wants to come and purchase right onto their property to view anything either 'in the garage' or 'in the yard'. I once ask a seller jokingly "so,how much for the garage?"  lol and his look certainly changed until I told him i was joking  lol
I love these Garage sales and Yard sales as you can walk right on to their property after parking in front of their home on the street and they welcome you to do so just to sell their unwanted items before they have to give them away to the thrift store;I think it's just a tiny bit of 'community spirit' that's still left in America like we used to have long ago before so much worry came along.

           Yeah, Garage Sales can be pretty interesting, to go to. As you can never tell what you might find and be able to pick up on. There are occasions in Central Arkansas, where they have a hywy, like I think Arkansas Highway 65, they have a few days of a Large Yard Sale and numerous folks along Hwy65, have yard sales, during that period. I have never been to one, but have heard about them, from others.   

[bill440cars]

It's getting to the point where you have to take precautions as to who you trust.
As the cities and metro areas expand, so does the crime rate unfortuneately,
(around here anyway). Unsavory activity opens every local newscast. I've been
friendly in every deal I've made, but the way society is today, people have earn my trust. Not to be a jerk, just protecting myself as well as property. Meeting folks
in mutually agreed upon, high visibility areas makes the issue of trust, in that sense, a lot easier imo. It shows both parties are being up front. Having an honest, frankly civil, to the point advertisement of what you're selling attracts
sincere buyers. my .02 similar to others

         

           You are absolutely right, things are changing and a person has to take precautions or could end up being a Victim of foul play.  You can't afford not to take precautions, not knowing what a "Prospective Buyer" might have in mind. Can't always take a person, at their word now days. Sad, but true. We have come a very long way, from when "A Man Was Good As His Word" & Deals sealed with a "Handshake".   

[grcamna2]

Thank you for those last 2 phrases Bill.
We NEED more folks "who are as good as their word"(it's so much better all the way around when folks tell the truth and try to do that Golden Rule,it'll come back good to them one way or another  ) and i hope many folks who see this on the internet understand the value of that statement. 

I could tell your Dad was one of these good people when i met him.

[bill440cars]

Thank you for those last 2 phrases Bill.
We NEED more folks "who are as good as their word"(it's so much better all the way around when folks tell the truth and try to do that Golden Rule,it'll come back good to them one way or another  ) and i hope many folks who see this on the internet understand the value of that statement. 

I could tell your Dad was one of these good people when i met him.

           Thank you, for the compliment, on the post and about my Dad. My Dad pretty much followed in his Dad's steps, as far as "Doing the right thing goes" and my Mom & Dad tried to pas onto my brother and me, the same values, sadly, it just didn't seem to sink in, with my brother. But, that's another story. SMH    But, Moving right along. 

[BobbyR]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

           I actually have  had some buyers come to my house, some time back. But then, I wised up. Thank God, I never had an incident. The last time, I was so nervous that I started meeting them at a parking lot, with a lot of people around. But even at that, I Went to Bentonville, Arkansas once, to meet a guy coming from Kansas, to sell him a set of Holley carbs and Aluminum Edelbrock "6Pack" Intake and the deal went off as planned, but I was glad to get back in my car and get back on the hyway and head home.   

Lots of interesting comments on this thread, seems a lot of people would not want a buyer turning up at their home for fear of robbery, or because said buyer might have the idea of coming back later to empty the garage. Too many of you saying this for it to be mass hysteria, so I imagine it is a very real problem over there for you fellas.

Over here in the UK, things are not quite the same, sure, we have scammers and our fair share of undesirables, but mostly you don't hear about many ebay deals going horribly wrong. If I sell a bulky item, I encourage the buyer to collect from my house as it's a lot less hassle than posting it. Usual sensible security procedures apply - buyers in these situations do not have access or eyeball to my garage and the item is usually ready for them to load straight up.

If you buy or sell a vehicle - car or bike - privately over here, it is normal practice to expect to collect it from the seller's home, it's another way of satisfying yourself that the seller is genuine, the details on the paperwork match to the address you are collecting it from, so less likely to be buying something that's been stolen.

Not deliberately trying to be contentious or wishing to spark another popcorn debate, but I think the fact that you fellas are able to carry guns around with you has got to be a major factor in why our attitudes are so far apart on this one, and why we are that more relaxed about it over here.

 

           I myself, certainly appreciate your post here and gives us all a chance to maybe better explain how things are here, better too. There has been quite a lot of issues here, in the states, even before the "Carrying of weapons" kicked up here. There was a time, when we were able to relax more, not be so security conscious and not have to be so uptight, about Our security or the security of our things. As time goes on, it just seems to get worse. I am sure there are others who could word this better than I can. But, I am thinking that with a larger mix of different sorts of folks here, may be part of the issue and there is a lot of crime that happens in the U.S., that doesn't involve guns. A good part, is just plain physical violence from people who, for whatever reason, are completely out of control. People, long ago, would go out of their way, to help their neighbor or just someone in need. Now, there are a number of folks who will go out of their way, to Beat, Violate, Kill or Take things from others. At any rate, there is just no way to tell what a person has in mind, who contacts you, about buying something.

       Now, on the other side of the issue, I had some carpentry tools that I was selling and had them listed on a local FaceBook Yard Sale Page & a fella wanted to buy several things, but had no way to come and get them. I really felt like the guy was sincere and after chatting back and forth with him, I decided to take the things to him. Yeah, I was taking a real chance, but I just felt that this guy was on the level. So, I went and it was in the evening, when I got there (about 40miles away) and come to find out, the guy was handicapped and could manage to work with wood and build things to sell and earn money to support his family. I unloaded the goods, we chatted for a bit, he paid me and I left. We kept in touch and he said, if I came up with more, let him know, cause it might be something he would want or need. Even though I felt that trip was ok to do, I have to say I was nervous at first, but all that went away, when I got there. And, btw, the guy was a Veteran at that. So, I was certainly proud I took a chance and went with my feelings.

       And, Thank You for posting your thoughts, because the more we learn about each other, the more we understand each other.     

One of the problems we are having here in the US is the rise in drug abuse. This problem is growing faster in rural areas than the inner cities.  With drug abuse crime will automatically go up.  As our rural areas find job opportunities dry up, people tend to get high.

The US does not have the rational drug programs you have in the UK.  Here we toss people in jail which is not much more than a School of Crime.  When I travel into the rural part of NY I am packing heat. It has been years since I did that.

[bill440cars]

One of the problems we are having here in the US is the rise in drug abuse. This problem is growing faster in rural areas than the inner cities.  With drug abuse crime will automatically go up.  As our rural areas find job opportunities dry up, people tend to get high.

The US does not have the rational drug programs you have in the UK.  Here we toss people in jail which is not much more than a School of Crime.  When I travel into the rural part of NY I am packing heat. It has been years since I did that.

                So right, Bobby, About the drug abuse. I know there is a lot of effort, trying to battle drug abuse in Arkansas and Oklahoma and I am sure that these 2 states are just a small part of the overall picture. And the users have to be able to get their drugs from those who are providing it. And, it is too bad that it has to come to the point that a person has to "Carry", to feel at least somewhat safe, here in our country. But, with the violence from some and the pending threat fro other, you have to do what you can, to feel at least somewhat safe.

[Stev-o]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

Stev-O, got anything you'd like to sell? I'll be in the neighborhood and would love to stop by... 

I've got an Infinity G35 that I would like to sell! 
Want to meet at the local BBQ joint, I owe ya...

[bill440cars]

I never let a potential buyer come to my house. Maybe a little paranoid, but I'd rather not let anyone know what bikes I have in my garage.

Stev-O, got anything you'd like to sell? I'll be in the neighborhood and would love to stop by... 

I've got an Infinity G35 that I would like to sell! 
Want to meet at the local BBQ joint, I owe ya...

    So Cal, you in the market for an Infinity G35?    Inquiring minds want to know.   

[MoMo]

I must be very naive or lucky(whatever happened to him?) as I have done many CL deals both at my house and at the sellers'.  Never a problem.  However, I do not do any deal if I have a bad vibe over the phone....Larry

[martin99]

One of the problems we are having here in the US is the rise in drug abuse. This problem is growing faster in rural areas than the inner cities.  With drug abuse crime will automatically go up.  As our rural areas find job opportunities dry up, people tend to get high.

The US does not have the rational drug programs you have in the UK.  Here we toss people in jail which is not much more than a School of Crime.  When I travel into the rural part of NY I am packing heat. It has been years since I did that.

Oh, we toss people in jail here too Bobby and you're absolutely right, when they come out a lot of them are more educated and emboldened having found new ways to fund their habits. I'm considering a return to drug and alcohol work after a break of around seven years, so I have been checking out current practices. On the jail thing, it used to be that a heroin addict would undergo a fast (two-week) methadone detox if they were jailed, now many are 'maintained' throughout their sentences. Also, previously I was able to apply for funds for six months of residential rehabilitation for people under my care and who were motivated to change - the limit now is six weeks, which quite frankly doesn't give them a dog's chance.

Even how things were in my day, successes were rare but we had a few. I was waiting in line to pay for some stuff in a local shop the other week. In front of me was an attractive young woman paying for her stuff while also trying to keep an eye on a rather exuberant little girl, probably about three years old and running around causing havoc. The young mum looked kind of familiar to me but she paid and I thought no more of it. Anyway, I got outside of the shop and she was waiting outside for me. She had recognised me as one of the people who had 'rescued' her from her drug addiction and self-destructive lifestyle when she was only sixteen years of age. I couldn't place her at first, but the longer we talked I began to recall things about her. I had met her sixteen years previously in my role of drug worker, she used to come and see me and offer to sell me bottles of perfume she had just stolen from the store. She would often be bruised, cut and beaten and was involved with a notorious drug user who used to knock her senseless and hire her out to his mates on a regular basis. I remembered one time when she came in she had a tyre mark the whole length of her leg where he had drove a motorbike into her. I reminded her about that, and she showed me she now has a tattoo covering the scars. So she had seen me waiting in line, and couldn't let the opportunity pass to say thankyou to me for what I had done for her. I was only one of several key players in her recovery, but I had been the first, and she had never forgotten it. She was 32 now, drug-free, in a solid relationship, and with a beautiful, if a bit mischievous, daughter. At the end we were both in tears. I can't imagine what passers-by must have thought, this young lovely looking woman embracing this old bloke, both of us sobbing away.

That was a slight digression I'll admit, but writing it out has convinced me that that's where I need to be career-wise. Point is, drug use does not always equate to serious crime and violence. Most drug-related violence in the UK occurs between dealers, and I don't think there are many, including myself, who care if the dealers want to shoot and stab each other. It's their victims that deserve the help.

[grcamna2]

Thank you for your above post Martin,I have 7) younger brothers and sisters who have depended on different drugs 'to feel better'.. and have been since they were young.. I hope they come to the end of their addiction someday so they can Grow to be what you just described that smart young woman to be.
We choose to 'feel good' when we think good.Thank you for your chosen vocation 

[martin99]

Thank you for your above post Martin,I have 7) younger brothers and sisters who have depended on different drugs 'to feel better'.. and have been since they were young.. I hope they come to the end of their addiction someday so they can Grow to be what you just described that smart young woman to be.
We choose to 'feel good' when we think good.Thank you for your chosen vocation 

Yes it was a special moment meeting her again and she has done brilliantly and made the best of all the support that was available to her. Many of her peers sadly did not have the same motivation, and it was almost a weekly occurrence that one of our clients, usually young people, would be found dead in some shop doorway or stairwell due to a bad batch or accidental overdose. It seems nowadays there are actually less resources and support for these kids than there was then ('austerity" I believe is the term our government use to make cuts which affect the most vulnerable).  My thoughts are with your siblings, all you can do is continue to encourage them to seek help, but you have my every sympathy as I know if you don't strike the balance right it is just as easy to distance them as it is to bring them back in line.

[grcamna2]

Thank you for your above post Martin,I have 7) younger brothers and sisters who have depended on different drugs 'to feel better'.. and have been since they were young.. I hope they come to the end of their addiction someday so they can Grow to be what you just described that smart young woman to be.
We choose to 'feel good' when we think good.Thank you for your chosen vocation 

Yes it was a special moment meeting her again and she has done brilliantly and made the best of all the support that was available to her. Many of her peers sadly did not have the same motivation, and it was almost a weekly occurrence that one of our clients, usually young people, would be found dead in some shop doorway or stairwell due to a bad batch or accidental overdose. It seems nowadays there are actually less resources and support for these kids than there was then ('austerity" I believe is the term our government use to make cuts which affect the most vulnerable).  My thoughts are with your siblings, all you can do is continue to encourage them to seek help, but you have my every sympathy as I know if you don't strike the balance right it is just as easy to distance them as it is to bring them back in line.

I won't 'thread-jack' this Bill,last post on this.
I never tried to tell any of them that they have a problem .They never have answered any of my phone messages when i call to say "Hello" in over 20yrs.    it's too weird man.They're my family and I love them.
My mother has a drinking problem and i call her regularly in the mornings and it's great between us;I want to bond really well w/ her(she's in her 80's)while she's still alive.I've come to the point to recognize that I can't have a relationship w/ my siblings.. the way things are.They're in God's hands. 

[BomberMann650]

Christ...this thread suddenly brought up a bunch of emotion.
Hats off to you Martin.

A couple of my mates have had big brothers get hooked on methamphetamine.  One has suffered more heart attacks than any person ever should, and ultimately had a leg amputated as that trash bin of a drug lifestyle led to some life threatening complications.  Not that keeping the body alive will ever help the brain.  The guy is just a fountain of non-sensical hateful speech at any given moment.  A real life of the party, the type you want to smash over the head with a beer bottle.  Lest he drive you to drink more.

But I felt real bad for a different pal and his family.  After his old man passed away, big brother went for the bottle...not even the nice stuff.  The recycling bin was full of cheap strong malts, and what didn't fit in the recycling bin got tossed into the woods.  After the first intervention, the cans no longer showed up in the recycling bin.  Just tossed em all  in the woods.  Then the prescription pills started disappearing from the house  Caused a real trouble for my mate, his doctor didn't believe that he wasn't abusing the pain meds and cut him off.  Meanwhile, we come to find out big brother was using the #$%*in things as currency.  If he wasn't using em to numb his own emotional pain.
But the descent into addict<liar<theif didn't end there.  After getting picked up for DUI (and promplty let go because the punk had no money for the state to extort) things started to go missing from the garage.  I'd be asked to help fix a bike or a car but #$%* if I didn't bring my own tools nothing would get done.  Almost any piece of pops workshop that held value ended up in hawk. 
Thats when the family cut ties.  Found out the brother had been staying with a man that would offer free rent and meth in exchange for a (not so adept) theif's services.  I got asked to deliver the brother a message and his backpack full of clothes. 
So I show up with my truck, and grab the lug wrench from under the seat.  Put on the leathers and gave this guy a scare for makin his momma cry the way he did.  Never did beat his sad sorry ass, when he saw me he said "kill me, I deserve it."
Its real #$%*in hard to punish someone who has nothing to lose.

Got back to my mates place a few days later.  We swore to beat each others ass if we ever got hooked on that sh!t.