Buying an item that was stolen from me?

TeamMCS

Hey all,

Earlier this year an item was stolen from me, ever since I've been passively monitoring various online sites like ebay/gumtree etc to see if it ever popped up (Ever hopeful I am).

Yesterday I was shocked to see it did! The item itself has a number of distinctive marks of which carry a recorded history.

The police are tied up with other issues so this is very low on their priority, so I am intending to sort the issue out myself.

The seller does appear to be engaging me in conversation, clearly unbeknown to him he's talking to the very person he stole it from. My intention is to get more details, and ideally an address.

Following a few conversations with friends, I'm debating whether to actually buy the item via Paypal to get it back in my possession.

The item itself is very expensive (x,xxx) so this could be a painful loss if I cannot recover the money - or worse, have that money stolen and receive no item!

Given the time bound nature of eBay, I'm don't have long to make a call before I lose it entirely.

Does anyone have any advice?

(apologies for the vague nature of the post, for hopefully obvious reasons I don't want to tip this person off)

Ms_Chocaholic

What is more important to you, having the item back in your possession (possibly for sentimental reasons) or ensuring the seller (or thief if they are not the same person) is prosecuted.

If the former, then I'd buy it straight away but you are going to have to arrange to have it shipped elsewhere. Only then can you focus on ensuring the person is prosecuted.

TeamMCS

The item itself isn't of particular value to me (outside of material cost), I have since replaced it and I somewhat wrote it off as a sunk cost.

The reason I want to purchase it back is out of principle, I want to identify the person so they cannot do this again - or are at least named and shamed. Naturally I would like the item back to be "made whole" as it were.

It's actually an auction so I have time to deliberate on the above.

coffeehound

Using websites and paypal will identify you to the scrote which could have repercussions either now or in the future. At least with pp you might get your item and your money back which would be nice.

Mojisola

TeamMCS wrote: »

The item itself isn't of particular value to me (outside of material cost), I have since replaced it and I somewhat wrote it off as a sunk cost.

The reason I want to purchase it back is out of principle, I want to identify the person so they cannot do this again - or are at least named and shamed. Naturally I would like the item back to be "made whole" as it were.

How certain are you that the seller is the thief?

It's been a while since it was stolen and the thief may have sold it to the person now selling it.

TeamMCS

I naturally cannot be 100% certain, in some alternative reality someone may have caused the same damage as me - though it's exceptionally unlikely.

The item has very unique damage, the damage has a very detailed history as it had to be repaired. It's so specific the the manufacturer has also confirmed they will corroborate/confirm my story.

There's also mention of a several new "parts" that are supplied with the listing - those parts were missing because I still had them in my possession. I still have those parts to this day.

In addition the item had several unique aftermarket additions which are clearly visible in the listing - interestingly I bought those parts when I purchased the item earlier this year.

Suffice to say, it'll be astonishing if it isn't mine! That said, I consider myself open minded so nothing is impossible

TeamMCS

Yes, this is worrying me and was pointed out via PM by a member of the community. I do actually have a second ebay account that is quite old and likely has some old address that couldn't be used to trace me (unless you were the police etc).

PP on the other hand, I'm not sure what details they send to the seller. I may ask a friend if I can "buy" something from him and test it out. My PP has some old irrelevant addresses so that could be helpful

Mojisola

TeamMCS wrote: »

I naturally cannot be 100% certain, in some alternative reality someone may have caused the same damage as me - though it's exceptionally unlikely.

The item has very unique damage, the damage has a very detailed history as it had to be repaired. It's so specific the the manufacturer has also confirmed they will corroborate/confirm my story.

You may be certain that the item is yours - before you start 'naming and shaming' someone as the thief who stole it, be certain that the seller is the thief and not someone who bought your item from the thief.

TeamMCS

Couldn't agree more, that is why I need to recover the item first. Once I've verified it is mine, then further action can be taken - starting with the police.

Ineedaservant

When it was stolen did you claim on insurance? If you did then the Insurance company may well want to investigate and catch the thief, so informing them may help to resolve this issue.

lindens

Tricky one as the seller could be completely innocent having bought it at a car boot sale in the summer, for example