Drunk driver smashed through my place - advice for starting all over again.

FairyHeaven on 22/08/2014 - 10:43

In june a drunk driver smashed through the kitchen of our open plan apartment and half of our assets were destroyed or damaged.

We didn't have contents insurance. Tac, victims of crime etc said there was nothing to claim through them (of course we will be signing up to insurance this time around)

We have just managed to secure a new rental three months later after bouncing from place to place with almost nothing left to our name ( I've had to spend most of our money on temp accommodation and rebuying everything my children needed) with a young child and a baby who has been seriously unwell its difficult to get together all the bits we need.

Any ideas besides gumtree (no luck there) and st vinnies for household items, supplies baby stuff, food etc…

Would appreciate any help

Home & Garden

Comments

  • savara on 22/08/2014 - 11:01

    you should be covered by CTP insurance of the vehicle.

    • ESEMCE on 22/08/2014 - 11:24
      +4

      CTP covers medical only.

      I'd be surprised if you can't claim against the driver though.. (although given it was stolen, I guess it's unlikely that the driver has any assets or income.)

      • Davo1111 on 22/08/2014 - 13:38

        Assuming that you they caught the driver, i'd definitely be taking the thief to court for damages.

        • tonyjzx on 29/08/2014 - 09:13

          if the car was stolen the thief is in jail

          good luck on the lawsuit

  • FairyHeaven on 22/08/2014 - 11:16

    The car was stolen :(

  • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2014 - 11:17
    +6

    Got a car? Start going to garage sales. Look them up on Gumtree and your local newspapers (if local newspapers aren't delivered to you, try local newsagents, local shopping malls, local real estate agencies since they tend to keep stacks of local newspapers there for you to pick up for free). Or google for details of your local newspaper (and get the newspaper directly from them - which is what I do).

    Garage sales listings are plentiful and a gold mine for the stuff you're after. Home appliances, furniture, childrens toys and other baby items, clothes, electricals etc. The more effort you put into going to all of them, the better you'll be rewarded with crazy bargains or freebies. Tip: aim to show up as early as possible, like when they open. Dealers stalk garage sales and swoop in very early for the best stuff.

    St Vinnies etc are so overpriced these days, it's not even worth looking there.

    Good luck.

  • andyholloway on 22/08/2014 - 11:23
    +7

    Try Freecycle?

  • outlander on 22/08/2014 - 11:35
    +10

    Take the driver to court and have the judge sentence him to be your butler.

  • blazeninja on 22/08/2014 - 11:59
    +1

    Talk to a solicitor.

  • StewBalls on 22/08/2014 - 12:15
    +2

    Whilst I wholeheartedly agree with WT about the 'charity' store prices these days, it's noteworthy that if you approach the various charities & explain your situation, they will most certainly help you out as much as they can, gratis!

    Our Social Workers frequently refer people on to multiple charities for help in (somewhat) similar circumstances…perhaps you should speak to a SW for a heads up on this.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2014 - 15:49
      +1

      Good to know they're open to assisting people in difficult circumstances like that. I always had a gut feeling that the relatively unreasonable prices on their items was to deter people from buying furniture and the likes at dirt cheap prices (like they used to be at op shops) with the sole intention of reselling for some profit. Kinda like antiques dealers that scour garage sales.

      • StewBalls on 22/08/2014 - 15:56

        I think that's precisely why they've jacked up the retail prices; well, that & taking advantage of the recent generation of middle class op-shoppers, who more prize the appeal of shabby chic over actual economic rationalisations…brings in more money for the organisation.

        The charities get considerable funding from the government to administer certain types of assistance, so it doesn't hurt them to actually help out those in genuine need from time to time! ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 23:13
          +1

          I only know about Vinnies, having worked for them. Charities get finding from govt to administer certain programs, yes. It's not considerable though. They do help out the needy, not just from time to time. I think you're probably right about the prices-jacking; it's not a bad idea I guess. A person on the brink of homelessness that presents to a store will definitely get help in the form of furniture if they needed it.

  • Davo1111 on 22/08/2014 - 13:41
    +1

    What kind of things are you missing?

    I'd be inclined to go to kmart and get the basics. Yeah it will be cheap and nasty, but a $7 toaster toasts bread. Keep an eye out for church sales etc.

    Gumtree can be hit and miss. Might be worth posting up a "wanted" thing. Also worth scouring the neighbourhood on council cleanup days.

    Also check out the many "tightass" threads here.

  • battler on 22/08/2014 - 14:57

    definitely look at freecycle and ziilch

  • YTW on 22/08/2014 - 19:31
    +3

    Look on Facebook for a local buy/sell/swap page. Usually you just type in your area and 'buy' and if there's one it will come up. Sometimes there are multiple ones specialising in different things, such as kids/babies ones, school uniform ones etc.

    I've found they are pretty good for stuff and seem to be taking over on Gumtree for good finds. They are also good for posting WTB ads and explaining your situation and budget and seeing what people have that would suit.

    I'd also put the word out to family and friends that you are in need of stuff - if one of my friends asked, I would have a whole heap of things I could help them out with, and very happily so.

    • maximum on 23/08/2014 - 00:35
      +1

      Our local Facebook buy sell baby's children page often has posts from people in similar situations (eg house burnt down etc) and people are usually pretty generous giving away goods that they would normally sell for free. I know I'd rather know someone was using my things than them sitting in an op shop because prices were too high.
      Even if you're not on centrelink benefits they are a good place to start for local charities and support information.

  • na8an on 22/08/2014 - 23:07
    +1

    If u can let me know what things you are looking for, I may find it for you near my place..

  • suntap on 23/08/2014 - 09:07
    +1

    What city do you live in? I might have some goods I can help you with, and others on here may also. Let us know where you are and what you need. Best of luck.

    • FairyHeaven on 26/08/2014 - 11:35

      Thanks we stay in melbourne.

  • Shadow54 on 23/08/2014 - 11:37

    Try to find an Op Shop run by volunteers only (often the Op Shop "chains" are overpriced these days)and explain your circumstance to the person in charge. More often than not they will help you out. If you live in the western suburbs of Melbourne, I can recommend a couple of really good Op Shops - places that still care about people rather than trying to run a "business".
    Good luck!

  • Cazzle on 24/08/2014 - 00:41

    Your local Freecycle page - you can post a wanted post and list the things that you need. Also try Pay it Forward on facebook - most areas have them. You will be amazed at what people will offer you. They will often give you advice on other good places too.

    Local swapmeets have much cheaper stuff than op shops these days. You could also try the local church "op shop", they are usually cheaper than the regular ones.

    I would also try another call to victims of crime, I know of another person in somewhat similar circumstances who was able to make a claim (this was in WA though)

  • FairyHeaven on 26/08/2014 - 11:36

    Thanks for all the responses am trying all those avenues no luck yet but we will get there.

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