Stolen Lenses

MV

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share my story, hope here is right place to do so.
Starting that my house was robed just before the Christmas, and 3 lenses and one film camera were stolen along with some other staff.
But not so long time ago I was passing by charity shops on Capel Street, and my attention was brought by one old camera, than I checked what else do they have there.. and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw two my lenses standing there!
I use Sigma SD-14, which is quite rare camera for Ireland and lenses for Sigma are not that easy to find in the shops, so I was 100% sure those lenses were mine.
Of course I went inside, asked to have a look at them and told the owner my story. He didn't believe me and although I asked him to take lenses away from the view until I bring documents to proof that lenses are mine, he refused to do so. The owner, by the way, said that lenses were brought with men's clothes.
Luckily there are serial numbers on the lenses and I had guarantee documents for my stuff. My partner came with Gardai officers who were on the day we were robbed and we got our lenses back!

Interestingly, I spent few hours near the shop waiting for my partner and watching that nobody buys my lenses, and saw how much interest they get from people passing by. Every second person who looked at lenses didn't look like photographer at all. More than that, looked like someone who is interested in stuff that they can steal to sell.

I'm very glad I got at least 2 of my lenses back. But would recommend to check such charity shops if your staff was stolen. You may be as lucky as me.
The address of that shop is 142 Capel street, it's The Goodwill Thrift Shop. One of my friends said she knows that shop as one selling lenses and cameras.

EyeBlinks

MV wrote: »

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share my story, hope here is right place to do so.
.......................... Every second person who looked at lenses didn't look like photographer at all. More than that, looked like someone who is interested in stuff that they can steal to sell.

WOW !

Whilst I sympathize with anyone having their gear stolen and it should not happen full stop, that's a bit of a naff statement.

So, what exactly does a photographer look like? What does a person look like who wants to buy second hand gear looking for "stuff that they can steal to sell" look like? Have you photos of these "types" of people?

Naming an outlet that had your stolen gear, most probably in good faith, is also totally wrong.

Sure, you're probably totally miffed and rightly so, but that type of post is really out of order.

Zillah

EyeBlinks wrote: »

Naming an outlet that had your stolen gear, most probably in good faith, is also totally wrong.

If it was in good faith then surely they'd have taken them down from sale for a few hours until the guards could confirm if they were stolen or not? Insisting on trying to sell something when you've been told that it is stolen property is very poor behaviour, and certainly doesn't enamour them to me.

Simplicius

The place is question is not a charity shop or associated with one, it is just branded as such in part by it's name and proximity to other charity shops. It is more akin to cash convertors.

challengemaster

EyeBlinks wrote: »

Sure, you're probably totally miffed and rightly so, but that type of post is really out of order.

PC police alert.:pac:

emrys

Zillah wrote: »

If it was in good faith then surely they'd have taken them down from sale for a few hours until the guards could confirm if they were stolen or not? Insisting on trying to sell something when you've been told that it is stolen property is very poor behaviour, and certainly doesn't enamour them to me.

I agree with the OP - despicable behaviour by the shop - they deserve to be named and shamed.

MV

EyeBlinks wrote: »

So, what exactly does a photographer look like? What does a person look like who wants to buy second hand gear looking for "stuff that they can steal to sell" look like? Have you photos of these "types" of people?

I believe not like junkie whom you see sitting on O'Connell or Ha'penny bridge!

MV

EyeBlinks wrote: »

Naming an outlet that had your stolen gear, most probably in good faith, is also totally wrong.

Sure, you're probably totally miffed and rightly so, but that type of post is really out of order.

From one side it's not right, I agree, cause I don't have a proof that the shop sells stolen stuff. But from the other side, if someone will still continue bring stolen equipment and give away (sell?) as their own, than this information might help.
I'm not claiming that the owner knows that he sells stolen things, but I heard with my own ears that it is not the first time someone finds their stuff in his shop.

Gregor Samsa

Simplicius wrote: »

The place is question is not a charity shop or associated with one, it is just branded as such in part by it's name and proximity to other charity shops. It is more akin to cash convertors.

This makes more sense. Most charity shops don't pay people that give them stuff, so they wouldn't be particularly good places for thieves to fence their stolen goods (Robin Hood aside).

OP, glad you got some of your stuff back. I had a load of stuff stolen from me in Berlin a couple of years ago (laptop, camera, lenses, iPods, GPS). Luckily my house insurance covered it as we were staying in a rented apartment, and could prove that the locked door was forced open. Even when everything gets replaced, it's still not a nice experience to go though.

pixbyjohn

MV wrote: »

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share my story, hope here is right place to do so.
Starting that my house was robed just before the Christmas, and 3 lenses and one film camera were stolen along with some other staff.
I'm very glad I got at least 2 of my lenses back. But would recommend to check such charity shops if your staff was stolen. You may be as lucky as me.
The address of that shop is 142 Capel street, it's The Goodwill Thrift Shop. One of my friends said she knows that shop as one selling lenses and cameras.

Thank you for sharing.

Amalgam

Don't be too quick to jump on the OP, without being too specific, 'one of the shops' on Capel Street is very tolerant with who they deal with and what they take it.

Nothing quite like standing beside someone, visibly 'unwell', emptying a backpack of phones and other tat, with a large steak knife wedged down the back of their trousers.

hbr

EyeBlinks wrote: »

Naming an outlet that had your stolen gear, most probably in good faith, is also totally wrong.

I disagree. If the OPs account is accurate, they should be named, shamed
and prosecuted for knowingly handling stolen goods.

NonSickle

I too have had trouble with this shop, i bought items which were faulty and the guy running the place refused to give me a refund after i tried a replacement and all the items are faulty and it was impossible for the item to be repaired.. He point blank refused and has a sign up saying NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.. Just for everyone's information, according to the National Consumer Agency and the Irish Charity Association consumers are entitled to the same rights whether in a charity shop or any other shop if the item is faulty and does not do as described..

Apparently this shop is not a charity as it is not registered as i spoke to the Irish Charity Shop Association but this shop tried to tell me that charity shops do not need to apply to these rules. I informed him i had still entered into a contract..

This shop needs some regulation and some clarity on its charity status needs to be cleared as if this shop is making money from unsuspecting public giving donations its definitely not Good Will!!

NonSickle

NonSickle wrote: »

I too have had trouble with this shop, i bought items which were faulty and the guy running the place refused to give me a refund after i tried a replacement and all the items are faulty and it was impossible for the item to be repaired.. He point blank refused and has a sign up saying NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.. Just for everyone's information, according to the National Consumer Agency and the Irish Charity Association consumers are entitled to the same rights whether in a charity shop or any other shop if the item is faulty and does not do as described..

Apparently this shop is not a charity as it is not registered as i spoke to the Irish Charity Shop Association but this shop tried to tell me that charity shops do not need to apply to these rules. I informed him i had still entered into a contract..

This shop needs some regulation and some clarity on its charity status needs to be cleared as if this shop is making money from unsuspecting public giving donations its definitely not Good Will!!

UPDATE: My complaint was upheld and he had to give me a refund, he was so annoyed, he slammed the money in 50 cents on the counter, but he still has his signs up..

PCPhoto

Well done, always good to hear success stories.

marknine

Name and shame 100%

Gregor Samsa

NonSickle wrote: »

UPDATE: My complaint was upheld and he had to give me a refund, he was so annoyed, he slammed the money in 50 cents on the counter, but he still has his signs up..

What was the amount? Just so you know in future, you don't legally have to accept more than 50 coins of any euro or cent denomination for a single transaction. So you don't legally have to accept anything over €25 euro in 50 cent coins.

Economic and Monetary Union Act, 1998

10.—(1) No person, other than the Central Bank of Ireland and such persons as may be designated by the Minister by order, shall be obliged to accept more than 50 coins denominated in euro or in cent in any single transaction.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/act/pub/0038/sec0010.html#sec10

lisatiffany

Congrats on getting your gear back but if it happens to anyone again have a look at *** on liffey street, a lot of the lens's and flash guns in their displays look very dodgy and I'd not be surprised if they were stolen. They have some camera bodies too and a few other little bits and pieces, any time I look in there is always someone shady trying to move phones and laptops.

A friends studio was broken into just after Christmas, she recovered some of it from a store like ***. She had the serial numbers saved and the original documentation that came with the camera, they handed it over after she said the police were aware of the robbery. Of all the places though I'd never figure a charity shop as a place that camera gear would end up in, I suppose you just never can tell.

We are not open to speculation on if something is stolen, thats a matter for the Gardai.

lisatiffany

@Borderfox - ah okay sorry about that, anywho I dropped into the shop first mentioned in the post (by the original poster) about an hour ago and had a look around. I didn't see anything camera related just lots of phone chargers and other bits and pieces. Not mentioning any names but if anyone does acquire any cheap Nikon gear over the next while it might be a good idea to check the serial numbers listed here.

NonSickle

phutyle wrote: »

What was the amount? Just so you know in future, you don't legally have to accept more than 50 coins of any euro or cent denomination for a single transaction. So you don't legally have to accept anything over €25 euro in 50 cent coins.



http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/act/pub/0038/sec0010.html#sec10

Cheers it wasnt a large amount of money but cheeky of him alright to slap the refunded money out in 50 cent coins.. It was pure principal that i fought it, the owner is so rude, he said i wouldnt get it back and i said i would take him to the small claims court as i thought it was only €5 or so but this was years ago it is now around €25 but the National Consumer Agency were very helpful couldnt recommend them enough..

He was told to take down the signs but they are still up when i went it so not sure if he has doen it yet im sure he wont bother..