5 ms·

> Cheap ski equipment, Rolex watches All Rolex watches have serial numbers and there's an official database of stolen and lost rolexes. A police report should

> Cheap ski equipment, Rolex watches All Rolex watches have serial numbers and there's an official database of stolen and lost rolexes. A police report should be filled and sent to an AD (authorized dealer). Knowing this allow righful owners to find their watches, selling found Rolex is... theft? FWIW when travelling the customs may ask you for the invoice of your fancy watch (I always have mine in my wallet).

Ekaros 3y ago
I wonder if we could start adding tracking chips to absolutely everything all the way to each sock of a pair. And then you could register them to some online database and if someone found your lost sock they could return it, just like more expensive items.
idiotsecant 3y ago
The idea that customs might ask to see the invoice on your very fancy special watch sounds like watch company marketing to me. I've never even heard of that happening.
- voiceblue 3y ago
  I can see it happening, similar things have happened to me with jewelry. Much more likely to happen if the place you are traveling from is known for selling that good, they want to confirm you don’t owe duty (usually you can get a receipt before you travel from customs that says you already had that item, if you don’t have the sales receipt). It only really matters for very expensive things, they don’t usually bother pursuing anything unless it’ll be a big payday.
globular-toast 3y ago
Although it would be nice, nobody is under any obligation to go out of their way to return your lost property.
- alexriddle 3y ago
  Appreciate the focus is on the US but for contrast in the UK, 'theft by finding' is a specific offence - whilst you can generally keep unclaimed lost property you should make some effort to find the owner before doing so. People have been prosecuted for keeping money they have found on the floor [1]. That said, these days the police don't have the resources to track lost property so it's unlikely most items would ever be reclaimed and after a certain period it does become yours. [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-39119990 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-39...
  - globular-toast 3y ago
    Tbh I wrote my above comment in a state of barely-awake and missed the important point: by selling the item they are making a claim of ownership. I was merely stating that nobody should be obliged to try to track down an owner of a lost item, but they equally shouldn't be claiming it as theirs either. You wouldn't just get on somebody's bicycle and ride off with it, so don't put on someone's watch and walk off with it either. What's interesting is that if you buy a stolen item, even if you don't know it was stolen, you still don't own said item. Happens with cars. Would be interesting if a person who bought a Rolex from a place like this took it to a watchmaker who took it upon themselves to confirm the rightful owner.
    - bookofjoe 3y ago
      >by selling the item they are making a claim of ownership. Yes! Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: >The test of whether or not you own something is if you can sell it. By this measure eBooks, shows, movies, games, apps, etc., even though you've purchased them, are NOT owned by you: you've rented them and your access may revoked without notice unilaterally at any time.
  - sheepscreek 3y ago
    Interesting. In this case however, it is up to the Airport authority to make every reasonable effort. Once they auction off the stuff, it is presumed the reasonable effort was unfruitful. I’d be surprised if UK Airports didn’t do something similar with unclaimed/lost baggage.

Ekaros 3y ago

I wonder if we could start adding tracking chips to absolutely everything all the way to each sock of a pair. And then you could register them to some online database and if someone found your lost sock they could return it, just like more expensive items.

idiotsecant 3y ago

The idea that customs might ask to see the invoice on your very fancy special watch sounds like watch company marketing to me. I've never even heard of that happening.

voiceblue 3y ago
I can see it happening, similar things have happened to me with jewelry. Much more likely to happen if the place you are traveling from is known for selling that good, they want to confirm you don’t owe duty (usually you can get a receipt before you travel from customs that says you already had that item, if you don’t have the sales receipt). It only really matters for very expensive things, they don’t usually bother pursuing anything unless it’ll be a big payday.

globular-toast 3y ago

Although it would be nice, nobody is under any obligation to go out of their way to return your lost property.

alexriddle 3y ago
Appreciate the focus is on the US but for contrast in the UK, 'theft by finding' is a specific offence - whilst you can generally keep unclaimed lost property you should make some effort to find the owner before doing so. People have been prosecuted for keeping money they have found on the floor [1]. That said, these days the police don't have the resources to track lost property so it's unlikely most items would ever be reclaimed and after a certain period it does become yours. [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-39119990 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-39...
- globular-toast 3y ago
  Tbh I wrote my above comment in a state of barely-awake and missed the important point: by selling the item they are making a claim of ownership. I was merely stating that nobody should be obliged to try to track down an owner of a lost item, but they equally shouldn't be claiming it as theirs either. You wouldn't just get on somebody's bicycle and ride off with it, so don't put on someone's watch and walk off with it either. What's interesting is that if you buy a stolen item, even if you don't know it was stolen, you still don't own said item. Happens with cars. Would be interesting if a person who bought a Rolex from a place like this took it to a watchmaker who took it upon themselves to confirm the rightful owner.
  - bookofjoe 3y ago
    >by selling the item they are making a claim of ownership. Yes! Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: >The test of whether or not you own something is if you can sell it. By this measure eBooks, shows, movies, games, apps, etc., even though you've purchased them, are NOT owned by you: you've rented them and your access may revoked without notice unilaterally at any time.
- sheepscreek 3y ago
  Interesting. In this case however, it is up to the Airport authority to make every reasonable effort. Once they auction off the stuff, it is presumed the reasonable effort was unfruitful. I’d be surprised if UK Airports didn’t do something similar with unclaimed/lost baggage.