Fell of the back of a truck...

ciudadmarron · #1 11-21-2009, 10:58 PM

A Fender Victor Bailey V in fantastic condition.

http://www.fender.com.au/electricbas...r_bailey_v.php

Literally, I kid you not.

About 2 or 3 metres in front of me on the road as I was walking home from work. The hardcase busted open, the truck kept on speeding down the street and there it was face up in the case and still intact... one of the control knobs had come off but that was it and apparently that happens on this bass fairly frequently anyway (easily fixed!).

The only other things inside the case apart from the usual tools of the trade were some deodorant (almost empty) and a little hotel card with a room number and date on it.

So i called up the hotel and gave them the details and mine. They called me back, said they'd got in contact with the owner and he would get in touch with me to pick it up.

He didn't.

I rang the hotel again and provided my details again saying this time that i wouldn't hold on to it forever.... still no word.

It's been 2 weeks.

What next? When does it become mine? It's a very nice bass obviously but not my dream instrument and I want to upgrade my amp and buy some bits and pieces.... how long do I have to hold on to this thing before it's morally okay to sell it? Should I do more to find this guy?

And erm... does anyone want to buy a bass? Fell off the back a truck, I swear....

bassmodder · #2 11-21-2009, 11:01 PM

Morally- I would turn it into the police.

Or hold onto it and use it as yours. I would feel guilt about that one though!

Rumblefisher · #3 11-21-2009, 11:02 PM

Try calling Fender...give them the serial number, perhaps it's registered to the owner?

rdwoody1 · #4 11-21-2009, 11:02 PM

If there is any way you can get the guy's information and talk to him yourself, I would do that. If the hotel is unwilling to give you that, and you don't hear from him for another week or so, I say do with it as you please. It would be nice for you to work as hard as possible to contact him personally, but if the hotel is the only info you have, you really can't do much.

Mr_Sore_Fingerz · #5 11-21-2009, 11:04 PM

No pics, no bass

Haha, well if nobody claims something for about 2 weeks I think it becomes yours legally, but there is some technicality in this situation.

If it was my victor bailey bass, I'd be burning your phone up trying to get it back...but if he doesn't want it, I'd keep it. selling it, however, might cause some legal issues for you. You can always use the bass and submit it to him later if he asks and tries to take legal action. Any "damage" can be blamed on the fall from the truck

ProfGumby · #6 11-21-2009, 11:07 PM

I'd contact the police, describe what you have done so far, including the hotel contact info. And see what they suggest. I believe there is a waiting period for such things. After the wait time expires it becomes yours.

It also occurs to me that maybe that bass was stolen and the guy the hotel got hold of wont be claiming it....

You could also call your lawyer, or a lawyer. Most have a free initial consultation, and se what they suggest.

Make every effort you can, within reason. If it is not claimed by the rightful owner (I don't know how you would prove that either) it should be yours.

Then keep it or sell it, that would be up to you.

ciudadmarron · #7 11-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Yeah the hotel wouldn't give out the info.

Thanks clef, I hadn't thought of that (maybe something to do with never having bought a new instrument myself!)

I'm actually thinking that it must be an insurance write-off, that the guy has put in a claim and if it gets returned he won't get to buy a new one or something.

jpfbass · #8 11-21-2009, 11:10 PM

If that guy doesn't call you back within in the next 3 or 4 weeks, I'd say it's ok to sell it. But I'd try as hard a possible to find the guy by tracking the serial #, calling the hotel back a few times, etc. If he still doesn't respond, I'd say your probably the luckiest man in the world. Seriously, that's insane that that happened. A 2500 dollar bass that just randomly dropped right in front of you? IMO, that is probably the luckiest thing that could possible happen (unless it was ritter...) to someone.

ciudadmarron · #9 11-21-2009, 11:12 PM

I think I'm going to have to go to the police to find out the legal stuff re: selling it/when it would become legally mine.

The hotel did say that the guy was a muso who had played in the hotel on that date, so I doubt it is stolen...

I just can't work out why he's not interested in getting it back!

ByF · #10 11-21-2009, 11:15 PM

Well, the only reasons I can think of that the owner hasn't contacted you are:

1) The hotel didn't really contact the owner, or they contacted the wrong person.
2) The bass is stolen, and the thief is afraid to claim it.
3) It belonged to somebody so wealthy that they don't care about an expensive bass.
4) The person who lost it is not able to contact you--in jail, or dead.

Without knowing where you are, nobody can say when it becomes "legally" yours. If it was stolen, and you tried to sell it, you could find yourself in trouble for possession of stolen property. If I was a cop, I'd be pretty suspicious of the "fell off a truck" story.

I think I would make an anonymous call to the police department (from a pay phone), and ask them "hypothetically" what happens to "found" property. There is probably a legal process for you to claim it if no one else does.

Ed

ciudadmarron · #11 11-21-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpfbass

If that guy doesn't call you back within in the next 3 or 4 weeks, I'd say it's ok to sell it. But I'd try as hard a possible to find the guy by tracking the serial #, calling the hotel back a few times, etc. If he still doesn't respond, I'd say your probably the luckiest man in the world. Seriously, that's insane that that happened. A 2500 dollar bass that just randomly dropped right in front of you? IMO, that is probably the luckiest thing that could possible happen (unless it was ritter...) to someone.

I know.... i couldn't believe it.

You have daydreams about this sort of thing happening... but i don't want to believe i'll get to keep it just yet, i know the minute i do is the minute i get the phonecall.

roschmbo · #12 11-21-2009, 11:17 PM

Perhaps you run a DNA test on the deodorant....

Or just play it for a while and try contacting the police.

Really, any moral question can only be answered by you. Will you be able to sleep at night? How hard are you willing to try to find this guy? Have you really done everything you can?

ciudadmarron · #13 11-21-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

Well, the only reasons I can think of that the owner hasn't contacted you are:

1) The hotel didn't really contact the owner, or they contacted the wrong person.
2) The bass is stolen, and the thief is afraid to claim it.
3) It belonged to somebody so wealthy that they don't care about an expensive bass.
4) The person who lost it is not able to contact you--in jail, or dead.

Without knowing where you are, nobody can say when it becomes "legally" yours. If it was stolen, and you tried to sell it, you could find yourself in trouble for possession of stolen property. If I was a cop, I'd be pretty suspicious of the "fell off a truck" story.

I think I would make an anonymous call to the police department (from a pay phone), and ask them "hypothetically" what happens to "found" property. There is probably a legal process for you to claim it if no one else does.

Ed

I'm in Australia, there's definately a waiting period for found property, just don't know how long it is.

It's a ridiculous story isn't it - i wouldn't believe it if I was a cop.

But the hotel definately have my details correct - they rang me back and confirmed them again the second time. And they told me he'd played in the hotel on the date it said on the card so they had all his contact details correct as well - they actually said they'd spoken to the guy's agent.

ByF · #14 11-21-2009, 11:20 PM

I once saw a box of money fall out the door of an armored car. The side door just swung open, and a box of coins fell out--coins bouncing all over the street. The armored car stopped immediately and two guys started scooping up coins and putting them back in the box. I was about 100 feet behind them in a car, so I stopped--I was afraid if I got too close they would start shooting!

Ed

ByF · #15 11-21-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciudadmarron

- they actually said they'd spoken to the guy's agent.

Well, maybe the guy is on tour and he will contact you when he gets back. I sure wouldn't sell it if he knows where you are!

Ed

ciudadmarron · #16 11-21-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roschmbo

Perhaps you run a DNA test on the deodorant....

Or just play it for a while and try contacting the police.

Really, any moral question can only be answered by you. Will you be able to sleep at night? How hard are you willing to try to find this guy? Have you really done everything you can?

Well short of going to the police I think i have... the fender registration is a good thought though.

And i guess that must be the next step really - i can't see myself keeping it long-term and I don't have a lot of cash to splash around so i wouldn't want to land in trouble by selling it before I was legally entitled to.

Probably wouldn't have much luck anyway selling it for it's true value with my story and lack of papers.

INTP · #17 11-22-2009, 10:08 AM

I wonder if you could find an ad for the gig at the hotel from a few weeks ago to get the name of the band. Or perhaps call the hotel and say, "I heard this great band there a couple weeks ago, and want to book them for a party, but don't remember their name. Can you tell me who it was that played on XXXX date?"

I certainly wouldn't sell it.

Munjibunga · #18 11-22-2009, 10:37 AM

Morally it will never "become yours." It belongs to someone else. That 1965 P-bass that someone stole from me in 1980 is still mine.

shadowtippy · #19 11-22-2009, 10:37 AM

I'm glad you found my bass...No it is not mine. You are too honest sounding for me to take that kind of a shot. I wish everyone was as upstanding as you. The world would be a much better place. With all the effort you have put into trying to find the rightful owner you deserve a reward. If it is returned, he should give you something. If you are unable to find the owner, at least you tried. Enjoy the bass.

nsmar4211 · #20 11-22-2009, 11:05 AM

I know at my work if we find something that customer left, company policy is that after 90 days it's ours.

I'm not sure how it works in australia though.

However, calling the police and asking is a good idea-ask what the rule is on found property.

If you've asked the hotel, get the mgrs name and write it down. Stick a free "found" ad somewhere (no details, just say, bass fell off a truck, email to identifiy) and keep a copy. Get ahold of fender and keep a copy of that. This shows good faith that you tried to locate the owner. Heck, for all i know the police may tell you to bring it down and if it's not claimed in 90 days it's yours

. Take pictures and get a reciept though.......