Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to publicize this missing guitar?  Websites, social media, etc.?

Can AI or a created program assist with this? Not a computer person but can AI copy and watch for a photo if posted on FB marketplace or an online pawn shop?

I just asked the quesrion and got this response.

While there are AI tools and services that can monitor the web, there is no single "set it and forget it" AI that can autonomously browse every auction site, marketplace, and pawn shop in real-time and alert you the moment a specific item appears. Most AI assistants cannot "watch" the live web continuously in the background; they typically perform searches only when you ask them a question.

However, you can use a combination of specialized tools and manual strategies to achieve this:

**Automated Alert Services**
The most effective way to do this is by using "saved search" alerts on major platforms. Instead of an AI, these are database triggers:
* **eBay:** Search for the brand and model of the bass, then click "Save this search." eBay will email you as soon as a matching item is listed.
* **Reverb:** This is the primary marketplace for musical instruments. You can save searches for specific models and set up push notifications for new listings.
* **Google Alerts:** Create an alert for the specific brand, model, and any unique modifications the guitar has (e.g., "Fender Precision Bass custom gold knobs").

**Using the Serial Number**
The serial number is your most powerful piece of evidence, but it is rarely listed in the public description of an item. Most sellers omit it to prevent "serial number poaching" or simply because they don't think to include it. You cannot realistically automate a search for a serial number across the web because that data is often hidden or only available upon request.

**The Role of AI**
Where AI *can* help is with visual identification.
 If you find a listing that looks similar but you aren't sure, you can use **Google Lens** or a similar reverse-image search tool. 
By uploading the photo of your friend's guitar, the AI can scan the internet for visually similar instruments, which might help you find the bass on a site that doesn't support text alerts (like a local classifieds page).

**Recommended Next Steps**
* **Register the theft:** Report the serial number to the police and enter it into databases like the **Stolen Guitar Registry** or **GearBase**. 

Many reputable shops and buyers check these lists before purchasing.
* **Contact Local Shops:** Email local music stores and pawn shops with the photo and serial number. They are more likely to spot the instrument during a physical intake than an AI is to find it online.

* **Social Media:** Post the photo and serial number in local musician groups on Facebook or Reddit. The community is often more vigilant than automated tools.

One of the most valuable sites to have that guitar listed in now is the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database. That would immediately flag that guitar as stolen if it turned up. That unfortunately requires a police report. The local police have thus far been unwilling to investigate this as a theft. They seem to view Rob's guitar's disappearance as a UPS mistake and have left him at their mercy. I really can't understand this beyond laziness and apathy.

If this truly was a mistake it's the dumbest mistake I have ever seen or heard of. First, these UPS retail stores are a third party contractor. They were supposed to have packed RV's guitar and shipped it to Nova C. Nova Constellatio instead received a small U-line box with a couple shoes. So did someone expecting a pair of shoes get a guitar, or did somebody packing a guitar think; hmmm, wonder what I can get for this guitar? and swap the labels. That UPS store knows the answer to that question, and it needs to be investigated. If the local police won't, I would escalate it to State authorities.

The box Nova Constellatio received is evidence to be preserved. Whoever put the labels on that box needs to be interviewed, along with everyone else employed in that store. Camera footage needs to be reviewed. This isn't a petty thing. At the least it's a huge stupid costly mistake. It may be a larceny.

My anecdotal experience, for what little it's worth.  The FedEx store I go to is spacious; plenty of room for staff and customers.  The employees there always seem to know what they are doing.  The UPS store I go to is small and cramped for both staff and customers; and the employees there have not inspired confidence.

However, there are other considerations when choosing shipping; and if I recall correctly, insurance is one of them.

Anyway; I hope this gets resolved with a positive outcome as quickly as possible.

I've been trying to figure out what to do on my end in this situation - it's remarkably frustrating and complicated. The way that UPS/The UPS Store functions is opaque - the stores are privately owned franchises, so understanding exactly what went on here based upon the available information is a challenge.

When I got the package, I reached out to a friend who used to own two UPS stores. I showed him the box I received, and he immediately said that he suspected someone at the originating store. He reasoned that the ULINE tape box and the shoes were things that would probably be within arm's reach at the store, and neither would be inventoried or missed. That, of course, would mean it was intentional.

If instead, the situation were a mistake, an underweight box like it could pass through the system without being setting off any alarms. UPS has conveyor belts in sorting that track the weight of packages, but (apparently) things only get flagged if they change weight after being scanned in, or if they are overweight.

However, when a package is overweight, it gets flagged and the originating account is charged a penalty for under-reporting the weight. The package containing the guitar weighed 27 pounds when it was entered into the system - if it made it to a UPS sorting facility, the originating account would be notified that they'd underreported the weight and would be charged a penalty. If that's the case, presumably, the UPS Store that sent it would know what happened to the guitar. They claim that they don't have any idea where the package is; therefore, it stands to reason that the guitar never made it to the truck.

There are a few other anomalies, but you'd think that this alone would be enough to justify a police report. At the moment, I'm at a loss, and I worry whether the insurance will cover the loss without a police report.

I've been to the police department twice and ups store three times since I found out about this. I'm doing what I can. 

You've done everything humanly possible. I think finding the right course of action here isn't going to be easy, but I'm pretty sure we'll find a way.

Hang in there Rob, I just sent you another message from Col. Klink.    We'll find that thing if I hafta' hop a train to Boston.