This is the true saga of the recent theft and recovery
of one of my basses. This bass
is very expensive and a very
special instrument. The crazy
thing is, the thief was a repair
guy who just took off with the
bass and would not return it.
Maybe it’s the business
owner in me. Maybe it’s the
engineer in me. Or maybe it’s
just the insurance professional
in me. But this combination
allowed me to recover my bass.
My claims adjuster told me
that, without perfect paperwork, I might not have ever
seen the bass again. She asked
me to share this information
with PG readers so that, if
something similar should ever
happen to you, you will have a
leg to stand on.
First, some background:
Although I perform my own
repairs, sometimes I need outside expertise. The major repair
that was needed this time was
outside of my comfort zone,
so I enlisted the assistance of
a luthier I trusted and had
worked with many times prior
without a hitch. This luthier
had done tons of work for
many of my associates, too.
Back in late 2009, I contacted
this luthier, discussed the
repair, and sent the bass with
a deposit check so the work
could be performed. I was
promised a 30-day turnaround.
Thirty days later, I called
and was told not to worry—
within the next 10 days I’d
have the bass back. Ten days
went by, no bass. I called and
emailed many times, with no
reply. Over the next month, I
made at least 20 calls and sent
follow-up emails, but again
there was no reply. Then I
found out the business was no
longer at the street address,
though the phone and email
were still working. I received
confirmation the emails I sent
were being opened. Sixty days
past initial delivery, I sent an
email stating I’d report the
bass stolen. I finally got a reply
that I’d have the bass back in a
week. Long story short: I didn’t
get the bass. I emailed and said
that if the bass wasn’t returned
in five business days, I’d report
it stolen and press charges. No
bass, no response.
shipping addresses, all costs
involved, and a tentative completion date. I mailed this to
the luthier, and he signed and
returned it before I shipped
the bass.
Payment. I paid via check,
which had a brief description of the bass and its serial
number on the memo line.
This proved very important. I
Through the efforts of my
local PD and my insurance
company, my bass was recovered
and returned to me nearly a
year after its intended due date.
Not all thefts end in disaster!
But for a good outcome, you
have to be prepared.
I saw my buddy Brian in
the NYPD, and he explained
what paperwork I’d need
and told me to visit my local
police station. I also learned
my local PD might refer me
to the department in the town
where the bass was delivered.
I then realized the magnitude
of the situation: Grand theft,
theft by deception, theft of
services—and this was all
across state lines!
Through the efforts of
my local PD and my insurance company, my bass was
recovered and returned to me
nearly a year after its intended
due date. Not all thefts end in
disaster! But for a good outcome, you have to be prepared.
Below are all the things I needed to recover my bass.
The work order. I drew up
a formal invoice on plain white
paper that stated who I am,
who was receiving the bass, the
details and serial number, the
received an e-copy of the check
directly from the bank. This
showed that the memo was
written prior to the check being
cashed, so no one could say it
was added afterward. The check
deposit records showed the
luthier received payment for
the work—this was key for the
“theft of services” portion.
KEVIN BORDEN has
been playing bass since
1975. He is the principal and
co-owner, with “Dr.” Ben
Sopranzetti, of Kebo’s Bass
Works (visit them online at
kebosbassworks.com). You
can reach Kevin at kebobass@yahoo.com.
Feel free to call him KeBo.
