Dilemna.. Great local deal, but suspect guitars maybe stolen

  • Thread starter Thread starter scottosan
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scottosan

scottosan

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So, a local ad pops up for a Jem and a Suhr Modern Pro, $1500 obo each or $2500 obo for the pair because the seller needs a car. I contact him for more pics because they were not real clear.

So, I ask him about what bridge is on the Suhr, and it's evident that the guy is clueless(red flag 1).

He says his uncle gave them to him and he never learned to play (red flag 2). Who the F*&k has cool uncles that give expensive guitars to beginners

I ask about the cases or bag. He says the cases were stolen when he left his garage door open over night.

I did alot of searching for reported stolen gear but didn't find anything on these. My gut is telling me that it's this time of year people are away and might not realize they are stolen. While I want to get a great deal, you know the saying... On the same note is there anything I can do to protect myself?
 
Be straightforward with the seller. Tell him you need the serial numbers to verify you are not buying stolen gear. No other way, man. You don't want to get involved with that whole barrel of shit. Imagine you have the stolen gear you got for a song, and now you have to explain it to the police once your caught with it. And you can't insure stolen gear.
 
If you purchase a stolen guitar and the cops come and get it, you don't get your money back, correct?
 
billsbigego":vv2ht2nr said:
If you purchase a stolen guitar and the cops come and get it, you don't get your money back, correct?
Click to expand...
correct.


Here is what I sent to the seller:


Here is where I am at on the guitar. As with alot of the Craigslist deals, they are for the most part anonymous. People meet pay cash and go about their business. Most of the time, deals go just fine without issue. That being said, on the rare occasion something goes wrong. That is why people choose to protect themselves by meeting in a public place. That being said, if purchasing stolen gear, a buyer could be held liable and have to return the guitars an be out the money. For all I know you could be a great guy, but it's all about protection, both safety and financially. My concern is that 1) These are high end guitars typically owned by either working musicians or well off hobbyists, thus you just don't see them come up for sale at such great deals you have listed. Secondly, it is very common for stolen high end guitars to be without cases.

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, as I would expect you to have a certain level of safety concerns with any potential buyers when dealing with expensive transactions. As I said, you could very likely be a straight up honest guy, I just don't know you. I am interested in the guitars, but my gut is not cooperating. Is there anything that you can provide to show proof of ownership, emails, old pictures, etc.. I am prepared to buy, but would like a little peace of mind before making the purchase.

Thanks,
Scott​
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Have him meet you at the local police station to make the exchange. Maybe get his name and address and see if he's got a police record?
 
Hard to tell from the blurry pic but the bridge on that ibanez doesn't look right. Those may be chinese copys.
 
Way too wordy. Just ask for serial numbers and better photos. Have a cop friend come with you to make the deal. GC will keep an eye out for stolen gear if you alert them and give them serial numbers. I saw two thieves get cuffed and stuffed for exactly this when they tried to hawk stolen guitars that had been reported to GC, just as I was parking my bike next to the cop cars. Very satisfying to see that and then hear the story from the store mgr.

scottosan":3venpsfu said:
Here is what I sent to the seller:


Here is where I am at on the guitar. As with alot of the Craigslist deals, they are for the most part anonymous. People meet pay cash and go about their business. Most of the time, deals go just fine without issue. That being said, on the rare occasion something goes wrong. That is why people choose to protect themselves by meeting in a public place. That being said, if purchasing stolen gear, a buyer could be held liable and have to return the guitars an be out the money. For all I know you could be a great guy, but it's all about protection, both safety and financially. My concern is that 1) These are high end guitars typically owned by either working musicians or well off hobbyists, thus you just don't see them come up for sale at such great deals you have listed. Secondly, it is very common for stolen high end guitars to be without cases.

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, as I would expect you to have a certain level of safety concerns with any potential buyers when dealing with expensive transactions. As I said, you could very likely be a straight up honest guy, I just don't know you. I am interested in the guitars, but my gut is not cooperating. Is there anything that you can provide to show proof of ownership, emails, old pictures, etc.. I am prepared to buy, but would like a little peace of mind before making the purchase.

Thanks,
Scott​
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
That definitely looks fishy. Hopefully it's all good and you can get a great deal. But, his uncle should have thrown in a camera with the two high end guitars....
 
Interesting.

I for one assume they are stolen. More than likely. A Suhr and a Jem without a case and the old oh I don;t know much about them I don't play guitar anymore is a load of shit.
 
I'd assume they are stolen. I bet he doesn't reply at all to your request for more proof of ownership.
 
I saw the same ad last night, and thought they were probably stolen too.
 
That would be easy, assume they are stolen or cheap Chinese knock-offs and walk away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
 
A Jem AND a Suhr without cases? Both of those guitars that are owned by legit people wouldn't get rid of the cases. A. They are on CL. B. IF they exist they are stolen. C. If they don't exist, it's some assfag looking to jack someone. Don't even consider it.
 
Offer him $1500 for BOTH. If he says yes, then there is your answer, stolen for sure.
 
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