Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jdogric12aolcom wrote:Wow. I just checked my county's fee - for a $160 claim, it would be $80. I had no idea it would be that much.


From the Hillsborough County website:
Claims less than $100.00 $55.00
Claims of $100.00 to $500.00 $80.00
Claims of $500.01 to $2,500.00 $175.00
Claims of $2,500.01 to $15,000 $300.00

You would get that fee on top of what he owes you, correct. Then if not there would be people stealing $55 worth of stuff all the time

That makes sense. I am grateful that I didn't know that! (By which I mean, I've never had to make such a claim.)

I'm unclear on this - was the pawn shop the eBay seller, or did the pawn shop buy it from the eBay seller after he/she ended the auction? Did the police ever identify the eBay seller (might take a subpoena). I'd think they'd be interested in not merely recovering the bass (I know, that's what's really important, especially to you), but also in prosecuting a thief.

I am totally lost here....

#1 - The Ebay seller did something illegal no? He posted stolen goods for sale. The fact that he stopped the auction, and resold it makes it worse.

#2 - You showed the pawn shop guy the police report and he still wants money? I would think he either turns the bass back to you, or he loses his pawn license. Definitely worth more than $160. What's he going to do? Be another person KNOWINGLY selling stolen goods?


I understand the police have more important things to do, but this is still illegal activity that was report. My thinking is the Ebay issue, since he was offering it nationally might even be FBI.

oh, and the pawn shop has to make copies of the photo ID and check he issued. He probably loses his license just for that. Please...he didn't think that bass was stolen? He knew it.

I think Jake is probably a little busy trying to get his baby back. From what I can tell, the stolen bass was pawned for $160 to the pawn shop who put it up on the bay. As far as I can tell from all the discussion, the pawn shop now knows it was hot, took it down from ebay, still has the bass and would like to stay out of trouble (they have/had a pretty good ebay rating) but would also like to get their $160 back. If the police talk with them and get the thief, then the thief should give $160 to the pawn shop, the pawn shop should give the bass to Jake, and the police SHOULD TAKE THE THIEF TO JAIL! I think that's where it stands, right?

Aren't pawn shops in the USA obliged to hold on to goods for 90 days (less in some jurisdictions probably) before they legally "own" them? So since the pawn shop owner did not wait for that time to expire that tells me that he had a feeling the bass was "hot" and tried to sell it anyway.

In Canada and in BC in particular the police seize goods that have been reported stolen and return them to their owner at some point after their investigation is complete. The pawn shop takes the monetary hit if that happens here. Pawn shop owners here have to report all new pawns along with the ID (supported by a current drivers licence number or social insurance number) and current address of the person making the pawn on a daily basis also.

I'm pretty sure that whatever laws apply to pawn shops, they are set by the particular state in which the pawn shop operates. So, whether or not they would have to hold something for some time would depend on state and local laws. The same applies to things like "receiving stolen property", etc. Most states have laws regarding such, etc. but these may vary quite a bit state to state. The same goes for whether the pawn shop has to take a loss, though you'd think that they would have insurance to cover such unfortunate happenings. I have no idea what the laws are in Washington.

I'm sure we'll get a full report once everything is done. Unfortunately, even when you've got all the info you need, it takes time to process through the system (police procedures, possible court involvement - they may need to hold the bass for evidence - let's hope not). It would be nice if things just happened quickly, but there are just a lot of 'i's to dot and 't's to cross...

bassduke49 wrote:I think Jake is probably a little busy trying to get his baby back. From what I can tell, the stolen bass was pawned for $160 to the pawn shop who put it up on the bay. As far as I can tell from all the discussion, the pawn shop now knows it was hot, took it down from ebay, still has the bass and would like to stay out of trouble (they have/had a pretty good ebay rating) but would also like to get their $160 back. If the police talk with them and get the thief, then the thief should give $160 to the pawn shop, the pawn shop should give the bass to Jake, and the police SHOULD TAKE THE THIEF TO JAIL! I think that's where it stands, right?

This is my understanding of the situation, too. In addition, I don't think the pawn shop would have listed the bass on eBay for everyone to see, including the serial number, if they thought it was stolen.

I don't necessarily blame them for wanting the paperwork before giving back the bass, as long as they're holding it (not selling it) in the meantime. They may as well do things the right way with all the paperwork, especially if they're going to give up the info of the person they bought it from.

To get the Rick back, pay the pawn shop for the bass. Then sue for the money paid plus court costs (and attorney fees, if necessary. The pawn shop also has legal recourse to recover the money paid to the thief, should they choose to do so.

Civil matters and criminal matters are two entirely different things.

bassduke49 wrote:From what I can tell, the stolen bass was pawned for $160 to the pawn shop who put it up on the bay. As far as I can tell from all the discussion, the pawn shop now knows it was hot, took it down from ebay, still has the bass and would like to stay out of trouble (they have/had a pretty good ebay rating) but would also like to get their $160 back.

Now that the pawn shop knows it was stolen, they should know they have no chance getting the $160 back unless it's from the thief. Asking the legal owner for the $160 is unethical if not more, since the police can provide a report of the theft.

Here in Virginia, the last time (only time, actually) I pawned something, I had to provide ID to the pawn shop. And that was about 20 years ago.

Whatever paperwork hoops have to be jumped, I hope they are done soon so he can have his bass back in hands.

bassduke49 wrote:I think Jake is probably a little busy trying to get his baby back. From what I can tell, the stolen bass was pawned for $160 to the pawn shop who put it up on the bay. As far as I can tell from all the discussion, the pawn shop now knows it was hot, took it down from ebay, still has the bass and would like to stay out of trouble (they have/had a pretty good ebay rating) but would also like to get their $160 back. If the police talk with them and get the thief, then the thief should give $160 to the pawn shop, the pawn shop should give the bass to Jake, and the police SHOULD TAKE THE THIEF TO JAIL! I think that's where it stands, right?

This is Correct! Sorry guys, I've been busy trying to get more updates on it before I post but I haven't heard too much lately. Right now they are trying to get a Search Warrant so they can go in there and take the bass and have the Pawn Shop bite the $160. They said they could possibly get it today but if not today early next week (Today is their Friday and monday is Labor day so Tuesday forsure.) They have the Pawn Shop under investigation right now and they got the theifs ID and are "investigating" so we will probably get the bass next tuesday (Which sucks because I have a gig in 2 hours and one tomorrow night and wanted to play the ric! haha.) SO! Long story short, we are waiting for the court to get them the Search Warrant so they can give me back my baby!

winston wrote:Aren't pawn shops in the USA obliged to hold on to goods for 90 days (less in some jurisdictions probably) before they legally "own" them?

As far as I know, yes. Even the music stores go by that when they acquire used instruments.

At least things are moving in the right direction. Amazing it was found on eBay. This forum is great.

One thing is for sure, when the bass gets back into Jake's hands, he'll probably glue it in there, to make sure it doesn't leave his side again

Looks like a happy reunion is going to be coming.