Stolen Persuader!!!! [89P5660] [recovered]

[sonofa_lembic]

Two weeks ago I purchased this 1980's Persuader from a lady in Austin Texas.  She shipped it via the Post Office on Dec. 31.  Tracking shows it never made it to Los Angeles from Dallas.  It was in a Gibson box, so likely some USPS guy stole it thinking it was a Gibson.  Anyway, I have paid for the bass, and would like to get it, so if anyone sees it up for sale, please alert me and the police.
I will list the serial number when I have it.
Thanks,  
Trevor Lindsey  oib805@gmail.com

[edwardofhuncote]

Man, that makes me MAD!
 
Trevor, maybe post this in News & Announcements section too. Will definitely keep an eye out for it.

[keith_h]

I assume you also filed a criminal complaint with the Post Office? They usually take postal theft and fraud seriously and might have better luck than you local police department.  
 
And send the serial info to Mica or one of the moderators so it can be added to the Stolen Alembics thread.
 
Keith

[wookie]

Good luck, man. I've had a similar situation and if that's any forecast of how you're going to do. You're screwed. In my case I knew it was the delivery driver. I tracked the bass, except I never got it. So I called and after 2 calls they decided to investigate and for those who don't know, they ask the delivery driver. And his reply was I delivered it. And since delivery drivers never lie. I'm screwed. So good luck to you, sir! It does look beautiful!

[earsplit]

I will keep an eye out on CL and in shops down here. This is my worst fear. Make sure to call all the pawn shops in the area

[David Houck]

Sorry to hear this Trevor.

[sonofa_lembic]

Thanks for your condolences.  I feel bad for the lady who sold it to me.  It belonged to her late husband who considered it his prized possession.  She reluctantly decided to sell it, and had hoped it would go to a good home.  That was the plan until it left Dallas, and never was scanned again.  I have started all the wheels in motion with the post office investigation, but I have very little faith in their ability to do anything right.  I have also told the shipper to contact the police as well as make a claim with the post office.  It was insured for $2500.00, and I hope she will not have too hard of a time recovering the insurance.  It is a fairly distinctive bass, so please be on the lookout everyone.

[edited for picture alignment]
 
(Message edited by adriaan on January 15, 2015)

[pauldo]

That is really sad to hear.
Will put forth positive recovery vibes for you and the woman and her deceased husband.  A bass that was treasured does NOT belong in the hands of a thief.
 
Ironic that the potential thief is a US government employee. . . .

[keith_h]

Most mail is not transferred by Postal Service employees. Line haul companies, UPS and FedEx are contracted by the post office to handle long distance transport. Likewise anything going by air is turned over to their employees. So the pool of potential perpetrators can be fairy large.  
 
Whoever it is I hope they find them and throw the book at them (I wanted to use some different terms but this is a family site).
 
Keith

[pasewark]

How do you know the lady was legit? Can you be sure the bass actually shipped?

[sonofa_lembic]

I have been in contact continually with the seller, and I have the tracking info.  No matter what, something was shipped?maybe not my bass, but I would not know that until the box arrived.  I think she is trustworthy.  I paid with Paypal, so I should be covered on my end for a refund.

[dead_head]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation, Trevor. I hope everything gets resolved quickly, with positive results for you and the lady.

[hammer]

When I purchased my first Alembic using paypal, the funds were distributed to the sellers paypal account but he couldn't access them until I provided a note indicating that I had received the bass. Has this changed or are people not using the purchase part of paypal because of the 3% Fee and utilizing the free money exchange instead.

[mica]

Does she have the serial number? I would like to update the stolen instrument list.  
 
Also, I know lots of people use USPS for shipping basses and guitars, but I think it's crazy. The only problem I've had with VERY late or absolutely lost instruments is through the postal service.

[sonofa_lembic]

The serial number of this missing bass is  89P5660.