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Stolen Brubaker

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#41
When you look at these situations, the money isn't the main thing; it's that you look at people with a different point of view. Whether it's $800 or $4000, you see people do these types of things and it's just a huge disappointment. What ever happened to character, trust, & integrity? It's so sad..
It makes me feel...so....old.

Slug
 
#42
slugworth said:
When you look at these situations, the money isn't the main thing; it's that you look at people with a different point of view. Whether it's $800 or $4000, you see people do these types of things and it's just a huge disappointment. What ever happened to character, trust, & integrity? It's so sad..
It makes me feel...so....old.

Slug
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. I know it may sound flip but if I never got the bass back it wouldn't have killed me... it's the principle. The fact that I did this guy a favor and he decided to take that as an opportunity to steal my property... that's what really bothered me. I was a Brubaker customer at the time... maybe he thought he was just screwing another manufacturer? I made it clear it was one of my personal instruments.

Integrity? Character? I've learned a valuable lesson over the last year and it hinges on those principles. I can't assume people have either and now have to treat them as if they don't until I know otherwise. It is disappointing not to be able to trust others but that's how things are nowadays.
 
#43
This whole thing is such a shame. I'm glad you got it back. I did find a clip of him playing your bass in some music store. Killer sounding bass. Don't ever let it out of arm's reach again.
 
#46
And you can caption it above this photo:

Invalid Link Removed

Brad, be sure the police get this photo. And when you called for the report, did they tell you that the whole incident was a "civil" (meaning contractual) matter? The fact that he was trying to profit from the bass is extremely important in this case, more so than how he came to possessing it. PM me and I can give you the run down on it. I'd like to see this idiot prosecuted....
 
#47
Brad Johnson said:
Maurice traded my bass to another bassist (forgot to mention that he didn't actually own it). That bassist consigned it at LDS. I contacted LDS, they contacted the bassist who consigned it at their store. That bassist immediately called Maurice (who answers his phone calls) and Maurice proceeded to try and feed him some crap about he thought his lawyer had paid me for it. Then tells him to have LDS send my bass back to me... and he'll pay the other bass that he traded mine for.

Even when he was caught dead to rights he's still lying his ass off. LDS will be shipping my bass back to me at the beginning of the week. I'm picking up the shipping cost, there's no reason this should cost them anything. I've already talked to the police and I'll figure out exactly what action I want to take against Maurice, he's a liar and I doubt anyone would debate the fact that he's a thief... he pretty much sealed that one when he traded an instrument he didn't own and knew he was supposed to return to me.

I'd truly like to see him in jail and that'll be my next project. In the meantime I'm sure I'm not the only one he's screwed and I have no doubt that this stuff will catch up with him, sooner or later.

Glad this part is over.
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That's crazy. I wonder if he actually planned to pay for the other bass he traded for, or just avoid him.
 
#51
Good for you. Considering the bass in good shape, you might find yourself not quite as zealous to see justice done. At any rate, if you don't, it's pretty likely there will be someone else in your previous situation before long. Oh yeah, I forgot, there already is...

Either way, there's a huge audience of forewarned bass players because of your thread. You're bound to have saved someone the headache you've already been through.
 
#53
I'll be doing whatever I legally can to make him pay for what he did. I'm checking out my options thouroughly before proceding.

Thanks for everyone's support. I hope no one else has to deal with his nonsense but I'm sure other people will trust him... if they're lucky they won't get burned any more than I did.
 
#54
elwood said:
Good for you. Considering the bass in good shape, you might find yourself not quite as zealous to see justice done. At any rate, if you don't, it's pretty likely there will be someone else in your previous situation before long. Oh yeah, I forgot, there already is...

Either way, there's a huge audience of forewarned bass players because of your thread. You're bound to have saved someone the headache you've already been through.
Click to expand...


Trust me, I've lost no zeal.
 
#55
Brad Johnson said:
I'll be doing whatever I legally can to make him pay for what he did. I'm checking out my options thouroughly before proceding.

Thanks for everyone's support. I hope no one else has to deal with his nonsense but I'm sure other people will trust him... if they're lucky they won't get burned any more than I did.
Click to expand...

If nobody will prosecute and you've got the instrument back, I'm not sure what your remedies are. In WV I guess you could sue for conversion/loss of use, but how could you quantify your damages from loss of use? Maybe if he damaged the bass at all, you've got a few hundred $$$ worth of claim.

With all due respect, and with much sympathy re: this experience, I'd be happy to have the instrument back. However, if you want to pay a MD lawyer $150.00+ an hour to indefinitely pursue some sort of claim...you're the kind that keeps us JDs in business.
 
#56
Wilbyman said:
If nobody will prosecute and you've got the instrument back, I'm not sure what your remedies are. In WV I guess you could sue for conversion/loss of use, but how could you quantify your damages from loss of use? Maybe if he damaged the bass at all, you've got a few hundred $$$ worth of claim.

With all due respect, and with much sympathy re: this experience, I'd be happy to have the instrument back. However, if you want to pay a MD lawyer $150.00+ an hour to indefinitely pursue some sort of claim...you're the kind that keeps us JDs in business.
Click to expand...

Understood and greatly appreciated. My understanding at this point is that a theft might not be as hard to prove now, he used my bass as payment for another item. I understand that legally this might be an uphill battle... and no, I have no intention of financing a lawyer;)

Letting everyone know how big a thief and a liar he is is a good start. Not sure yet, still looking at my options.
 
#59
It sounds like you already made up your mind, but do NOT let this guy go whatsoever! You could take him to court for pain and suffering, any bass you bought since he stole it you had to buy to "replace" the one he stole, therefore he must reimburse you. You will not send him to jail, but you could get his money, which since he went through such lengths to steal this bass, money is obviously very important to him.
I want 60s or 70s jazz bass so much, but cannot afford it, and doubt I ever will. But at a blues club I was at the bassist had a beautiful one! and as the drummer was loading up the truck he left it in the parking lot!!!!!
I took it home and went back every night to the same club, two weeks later I returned it to it's rightful owner. Thats what should always be done. (I won't lie.. I played that thing like crazy while I had it!) lol, but still, some people need to get a reality check, and this guy will only get that through his wallet!
 
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