Popped in to my local Cash Generator today for the first time in years and spotted....
ONE OF MY OWN GUITARS!!!
It took me a moment to take it all in then I started taking photos before speaking to the manager.
In a nutshell, I loaned a guitar last year to a guy I know who had moved back home as he had the chance at a band and didn't have any gear up here. He really liked it so when I decided to sell it a couple of months ago I gave him first refusal as he still had it on loan. He gave me half the money mid July and said he'd give me the rest the following week but didn't. He has since moved to Glasgow.
So when I first saw the Godin Exit-22 hanging on the shop wall I thought 'oh, that's a guitar like mine, you don't see many of those about', but then I noticed it also had been modified with a Seymour Duncan P-Rails with Triple-Shot mounting ring at the bridge and thought 'what are the chances?'. And then the penny dropped. It's a natural wood finish and has the same grain pattern and identical small knot above the bridge because IT'S MY BLOODY GUITAR.
Shop Assistant wasn't interested in what I had to say so got the manager out. I told him it was mine and could he remove it from sale but he said he could only take it down if the Police tell them it's stolen which means me going to the Police. I get his point as I could walk in and say that anything in the shop was mine however I was a bit pissed off that he didn't want any of my details or to discuss the 'friend' they got it from.
I've messaged my 'mate' to give him the chance to explain himself and to settle his debt but he's not replying. I only have contact with him via Facebook which is a pain. I'm giving him until the morning and then I guess I have no option but to go to the Police.
Feel a bit sick.
Have I done the right thing?
Comments
The shop are in a difficult position and were correct not to give you the sellers details without proof the guitar was yours. Also, they might have bought it from someone else, i.e. your "mate" sold it to someone who sold it to someone etc.
It's further complicated by the fact that he made a partial payment and might argue that's what he understood you had agreed as the full price. The police might take the line that you shouldn't have let him have the goods without full payment. Sounds like a bit of a mess. I feel your pain as your kindness has been rewarded by such rotten behaviour.
He's now moved away and is running a second profile on Facebook. I've just messaged him on that one too.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
If they sold it on, they're criminally liable for handling stolen goods now that they've been alerted.
You'd also be able to legally claim it back from an innocent third party who had bought it. Then they'd have to claim their money back from the shop.
Either way, the shop is stupid for not taking it down immediately because they can very easily find themselves in hot water legally.
Of course all this depends on whether you specifically agreed anything different with him.
IMO your best bet is to contact him and insist he pays you, otherwise you'll pursue him formally via small claims. May be enough to make him pay up.
I don't think the cops or shop will be interested.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
And there is a big difference between stealing something and failure to make a balance payment on something you have bought.
Then he can go after either the 'mate', the shop, or the third party it's been sold onto, depending on whom has it in their possession.
Not much else I can do.
Having had my car stolen earlier this summer made me realise how little the authorities care about the victims of theft.
I did my duty and reported the theft to the police and my insurance company ... then was besieged with demands for money. The local council found the car within 24 hours and removed it for parking violation. They didn't report the find to the police, despite the fact the car had very obviously stolen, with doors unlocked and clear signs of hot-wiring. They just held onto it for three weeks and billed me £2500 for storage! Oh, and gave me a parking ticket and a fine for going down a one way street ... even though photographic evidence was clearly timed 6 hours after I reported it stolen. It took three weeks of calls and arguments to get the fines and fees cancelled ... and no apology.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
Reminds of the joke though where a callgirl gets paid $100 for her services and afterwards goes to the hotel bar for a celebratory drink, when the barman looks at the $100 note, holds it up to the light and shakes his head.... 'Sorry love, its a fake' he says. In horror the callgirl says "Quick, call the police...I've been raped!"