Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

A local news station recently ran a story about how Ebay and Craigslist and some other internet based outlets have become vritual pawn shops for stolen merchendise, including automobiles.

What an unfortunate situation, I hope it all works out for everyone....I know it has been said over and over, but what a class thing to do by posting the situation. Each and every individual I have come into contact with on this forum has proven to be nothing less than a totally classy individual.

John, if you remember, I promised to take the bass off your hands in case you didn't like it. Would you release me from that promise?

In this state (MI)if the original owner wants his stolen item back he would have to compensate the unsuspecting buyer back for the potential loss. He would then have to go after the seller of the stolen merchandise for his loss. Surely not a win win for everyone involved. I would check your local laws and follow them.

musicfan37 wrote:I just want to say I admire you for coming forward with this situation. I wish you the best in the outcome.

I agree. John, you're a good man!! I hope it all turns out well.

I also think Richard's post is VG.

Much progress this morning, I have found the owner and we have talked....he is very happy that it has surfaced. We're working on coordinating everything with the law, and from this point looks like in a short time we'll have some consolation in the matter. (I hope!)

leftybass wrote:Much progress this morning, I have found the owner and we have talked....

That's great news.

High five, John. You've done a good thing. You'll get lots of good karma for this one!



The owner of a stolen Rick re-united with his baby...What a cool and rare thing!

You should be commended John. Your a very good man.

One extremely happy past and hopefully reunited Rick owner here: Yes, I have been off the boards for a while but John and I spoke on the phone today. I do have all my documentation including the police report. I also believe John is protected under the PayPal agreement as I can, of course prove the bass is mine, and was stolen. Yes, we need more people like John (IMHO everyone should be like him). By the way, I bought the Rick new-was pretty much my first bass, in great condition and still is per John. I've hardly played in the last year( missed her so much) and plan on getting re-acquainted. Here is an e-mail I sent John earlier today that explains more:

Thanks again John> > Yes, I have the original case. This is the same pawn> shop that told the detective early this year that he> no longer had it, sold it for cash to someone> unknown, showed the detective a (obviously phoney> cash receipt, and told the detective that he didn't> record the serial # when he got it because he> couldn't find it. As I see it he is guilty of> trafficking stolen goods across state lines.> Obstruction of justice, making false statements,> conspiracy to traffic stolen goods etc.... Yes, I> will leave the charges up to the police and will> contact the detective today. I will be going through> the large pile of documentation I have today. I will> fight my hardest for justice for all parties> concerned-jail for Bob and Just compensation for you> and me. I suggest we do not contact Bob's pawn at> this point-let the legal sysytem do their job. Oh,> and, of course, keep the box and labeling for> possible evidence. Thanks again soo much for your> honesty-you've made my holiday!--Abbott Steiner

Wow!

Congrats to Abbott.
Hooray for John.
Last but not least, thanks to Peter.

I made sure to put my guitars in the registry this morning.

Nothing to add here but my echoing some of the earlier sentiments---you both are a couple of really stand-up guys.

Hope it works out well for both of you....

Bill

Glad to see Abbott has posted here, and all of this should be taken care of in due course.

I'd like to take a moment to thank my pal Darren Trott, for if he hadn't run down the steps to get me I wouldn't have bought it....I figured it all happened for a reason, so it's all good. Abbott will get his bass back and (hopefully) I'll get my $$$$ as well.

This is great! One more great reason for the Registry. John, you are a shining example of humanity. Abbott, congrats. Here's hoping the pawn guy hangs. The price probably reflects how hot the bass became for him to hold. Gil, Peter, and the others who worked to get the Registry back up and viable deserve a huge "Atta boys"!

Where's my box of kleenex....

Its a great story.

But I want to know more about the guitar!

What year? Any pix?!

John Leftybass must have been real quick with that mousefinger--E-bay listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0181221629

I changed the original white pickguard and trussrod cover many years ago when you could just order one from Rickenbacker. As you will see in more pics I have the original guard, case, P.U cover, tag and more. 1980 4001 mapleglow L/H with skunkstripe thankfully still in excellent condition as John will testify. I know there are old threads here when I originally reported it stolen where I think I mentioned more detail including the thin blue strips of cut up credit card I used for shims between the strings and the non-original bone nut. I know that's a poor way to rig it but John mentioned them-a detail that identifies the bass as mine without a doubt along with, or course, the serial # recorded on this site a while back- I think before it was stolen. I bet my pics are good enough to identify by the woodgrain pattern as no two woodgrains are alike-you may not see this much detail here but my pics show it. More pics to follow

Some old pics:-more to follow