/ Register

I might, but shouldn't be the only one...

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Big Hoss, Dec 11, 2014.

  1. Dec 11, 2014 #1
    Big Hoss

    Big Hoss Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...

    Sep 5, 2014
    In body. Texas. In spirit on the road.
    None
    So last night I was going through, cleaning up and photographing gear and cases, in this case my old mic bag, Nady SP-5s, cables etc... when my wife wandered in and asked what I was doing.. I explained and she said okay, got a drink and wandered off to leave me to my work...

    My reasoning for doing this is simple. It's not like the bag was going anywhere, yet... But...

    I keep a running inventory, with MFG, Model name or number, serial #s, quantities, cost, when and where purchased, with a photograph in a spreadsheet stored in the cloud.

    Why you might ask, and that is a perfectly reasonable explanation...

    Insurance.

    I live in a hurricane prone area, as well as tornadoes, thieves, fire, flood, whatnot, about the only thing I don't have threatening my home and its contents is mud slides or stampedes by herds of wild Buffalo...

    If you have ever had to make a homeowners claim or tried to get stolen items back from say a Pawn Shop, you are going to have a heck of a time getting your life, and your stuff back in order without some proof of ownership.

    I know it takes time, but it is well worth it. And honestly, if you have infrequently used gear, the inventory is a good time to perform maintenance (like my dusting off the mic bag with a damp sponge to clean the dust off) and make sure it is all in proper working order and ready to go when you are!

    Hopefully I am not the only one here that does this.

    Do you handle your home inventory a different way? Do you have any ideas on how to make it easier / faster to do? Let us know!
     
    47th Street and hdracer like this.
  2. Dec 11, 2014 #2
    MrLenny1

    MrLenny1

    Jan 17, 2009
    New England
    Good idea.
    I document with PIX and keep receipts, manuals.
    Even my garden shed with equipment is documented.
     
  3. Dec 11, 2014 #3
    Big Hoss

    Big Hoss Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...

    Sep 5, 2014
    In body. Texas. In spirit on the road.
    None
    That's actually how I got started in this project...

    FWIW, a LOT of receipt inks / papers fade VERY quickly. Fire / flood can destroy that kind of quick...

    I keep .pdf copies of manuals, and photos of what receipts I do have since I started this...
     
  4. Dec 11, 2014 #4
    cronker

    cronker

    Feb 13, 2007
    Australia
    This ^
    The best advice I have seen on TalkBass for a long time.
    Always, always, keep receipts, photos and write down the serial number of your equipment.
    It doesn't matter if it's a $90 basher, or a $$$$ Fodera.
    If your gear is stolen, it will likely turn up somewhere on the second hand/pawn shop market.
     
  5. Dec 11, 2014 #5
    ggunn

    ggunn

    Aug 30, 2006
    Austin, TX
    I bought my Strat and Les Paul back in the 70's and I have no idea where the receipts ended up. I do, however, periodically walk around with a video camera and shoot everything and store the disks somewhere else. I put a Post-It note with the serial number on every item for the video. I have my driver's license etched on stuff I never plan to sell and don't care about devaluing. I do some other stuff that I am too paranoid to talk about on a public forum.
     
  6. Dec 11, 2014 #6
    Richland123

    Richland123

    Apr 17, 2009
    Being an insurance agency owner, I agree that this is a great idea. We even have home inventory brochures and booklets to categorize belongings. Having a photo archive is a terrific addition.
     
    hdracer likes this.
  7. Dec 11, 2014 #7
    Big Hoss

    Big Hoss Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...

    Sep 5, 2014
    In body. Texas. In spirit on the road.
    None
    The idea came from my former agent (retired last year, the new Agent has gone to bat for me for a vandalism claim, so I am happy...).

    If you total up your lines, you'd be shocked at how much $$ you have wrapped up in the small things... Figure each cable runs $15.00 or more, and you have how many? What about mics, pedals, tuners etc... Not just the big stuff.

    I just about dumped a brick when I saw the numbers adding up. And I don't own a high end bass, but rather a couple of low / mid range instruments...