Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

  1. #1
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,387

    Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    Since many new LF users end up here for advice, news and research we could have a dedicated thread for LF thefts and serial #'s. A kind of clearing house?

    This is NOT that thread. The suggested thread needs vetting by Mods and others for title, tone, style.

    Discussion?
    Tin Can

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    6,246

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    Excellent idea.

    We must also remember there is, unfortunately, a thing called "postal loss" which would also add to reports.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    West Linn, south of Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    320

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    +1 for the idea. And easier to maintain than a list of "good" serial numbers.

  4. #4
    Vaughn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    9,211

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    I had gear stolen in 1995. If I posted the serial number of that sweet sharp Computar 210/6.3 and someone here eventually ended up with it, what would/should/could happen? It was covered by insurance, and I certainly would not expect it back. The Rolleiflex would be nice to get back, but the Rajah with the Deardorff 5x7 back had no numbers, but the Pentax Digital Spot did.

    At this point, I would just be amused to hear where any of it might have turned up, but I think that technically, the insurance company owns all that stuff now. I imagine things could get sticky here with some people. Might make some ebay auctions interesting...
    "Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    North Dakota
    Posts
    1,327

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    You end up with stolen merchandise, you lose it. A thief is always a converter and title to stolen goods does not pass when they are sold.

  6. #6
    Old School Wayne
    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Posts
    1,255

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    I looked into this when I found my kayak online that had been stolen 13 years earlier. In fact the ad is still online even several years after this occurred. My insurance company said I still owned the kayak, but since they had compensated me for it I might have to pay something if I recovered it, but they wouldn't say how much unless I actually got it back. Anyway I never tested it because being more than 7 years the cops wouldn't do anything about it, and the seller had recently sold it to someone else so I couldn't go over there and grab it myself. Which I would have done.

    So technically I believe your stuff is still yours.

    I wonder if the current unsuspecting owner's insurance would cover it, if they wanted to give it back to you and there was no evidence of wrongdoing on their part. Probably not.


    Quote Originally Posted by Vaughn View Post
    I had gear stolen in 1995. If I posted the serial number of that sweet sharp Computar 210/6.3 and someone here eventually ended up with it, what would/should/could happen? It was covered by insurance, and I certainly would not expect it back. The Rolleiflex would be nice to get back, but the Rajah with the Deardorff 5x7 back had no numbers, but the Pentax Digital Spot did.

    At this point, I would just be amused to hear where any of it might have turned up, but I think that technically, the insurance company owns all that stuff now. I imagine things could get sticky here with some people. Might make some ebay auctions interesting...

  7. #7
    Ginette's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Montréal suburb, Québec, Canada
    Posts
    463

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    This is a good idea.
    If it didn't stop the first thief, maybe the resellers who bought stolen stock at low cost to resell with high profit will think 2 times before buying large format stolen stock.
    My Lumen project http://ginetteclement.com

  8. #8
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    8,640

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    Thanks to all for your thoughts; additional comments are welcome.

    To properly weigh this idea we would also appreciate any thoughts about potential drawbacks of doing this, and any ways to avoid or minimize such drawbacks.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    8,470

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    Interesting idea. I wonder how many potential buyers of LF gear visit this forum and would benefit from such a list and how many don't and wouldn't. Based on selling experience here and on eBay I suspect -- can't prove -- that very few people would benefit from it.

  10. #10
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,387

    Re: Why not thread for LF thefts with serial numbers?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Interesting idea. I wonder how many potential buyers of LF gear visit this forum and would benefit from such a list and how many don't and wouldn't. Based on selling experience here and on eBay I suspect -- can't prove -- that very few people would benefit from it.
    Thieves will not benefit...

    I would surely check a list of hot gear before buying. That would help me, selfish man that I am.
    Tin Can

Similar Threads

  1. Pinkham Smith Serial numbers and model numbers
    By Amedeus in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-Jan-2023, 05:02
  2. Dallmeyer serial numbers
    By glyphoscope in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 31-May-2018, 02:12
  3. Toyo Serial Numbers
    By tgtaylor in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 26-Mar-2015, 10:40
  4. Jobo Serial Numbers
    By laroygreen in forum Darkroom: Equipment
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 25-Apr-2011, 11:06
  5. Deardorff serial numbers
    By Matthias Schneege in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 19-May-1999, 08:32

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •