Really BAD news

[sachinpt]

Bob, I am really so sorry to hear that.

[ktuli]

I too must voice my disgust at this news. Hope the insurance works out well and quickly.

I can't find it now, but I thought there was something that will search for your camera's serial number in the EXIF info of an image posted on the web. Though it is a long shot, it might help the authorities to bring down some justice on those responsible.

Either way - here's hoping tomorrow's a better day than today.

- Bill

[gaelicsea]

Oh that is terrible!! I'm so sorry to hear this. I know the sinking feeling when you see the door open when it shouldn't be! Such a violation. I hope it all works out with the insurance for you.

[Sahil]

Oh crap!
Sorry for your loss... Hope things work out in your favour. & if the thief doesn't intend to use the camera themselves, they would just sell it cheap without telling the buyer that its stolen. I am not sure if the serial no. lookup is effective. But you can surely give it a try.
Good luck...

[jereve]

Sorry to hear this, I know the anger and frustration you must feel.
My gear was "lifted" 12 months ago from a friends house (with his TV, Computer etc). Good luck with the insurance.

John

[arith]

I know exactly what it feels like to be burgled. But a long time ago I was looking for a camera and saw one on Ebay for £700. The thing was that it came complete with filters, bag, two L type lenses, 580 speedlight and 5D camera and obviously was iffy.

I was surprised at how long it took for somebody to buy it; so it might be worthwhile to check Ebay and other auction sites, and phone dealers in the area. You never know; most people appear to be like me and never touch anything that is too good to be true.

Hopefully the insurance will cover it; maybe home contents or even motor insurance.

[JohnnyG]

Lo Jack your gear...initially expensive, but in the long run a thief goes to jail and you get your stuff back. Be clever and sew the chip into your camera straps and lens cases...most thieves are particularly stupid.

[FrankMi]

Thank you, Bob, for waking me up to the risk involved. I hope you can recover most, if not all of your loss.

Based on your experience I checked with my insurance to see what the impact would have been if this had happened to me. My homeowner's (not automobile) insurance would have covered it, minus a $1,000 deductable.

For a little over $50/year I can get a 'scheduled' policy rider that will replace anything that is stolen, damaged or lost with no deductable. As I still have the reciepts and serial numbers for my kit, I have sent the list of equipment, purchase dates, prices, vendors, and descriptions to my insurance company for coverage. Hopefully, I will never need to call in a claim.

[MajaMolly]

I'm sorry, Bob. I carry a rider on my insurance policy for my camera and lenses. It is a nominal fee and covers them completely if stolen, dropped, if I leave them somewhere etc. Good wishes on your outcome.

[TobyMac]

I can only imagine what you must be going through right now and I'm so sorry

[rpcrowe]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have a good idea how you were feel. My apartment was buglarized many years ago in New York City and among other things, I lost a Rolleiflex camera. However several months later, I received a call from the local police that my camera had been located in a pawn shop and I got it back...

You would think that at 8:00 AM your gear would be reasonably safe locked in your car trunk! At least, I would feel relatively safe. However, I have a feeling that you had been spotted earlier with your camera gear. I would not expect that thieves randomly broke into car trunks in mid-morning....

A conduit for stolen items in California has been Craigslist. I would kep a watch for those items adertised but, would not confront the sellers. That's what the police are for.

[Hansm]

Just see your post Bob.
this is really frustrating and I can imagine how you feel.

[Daisy Mae]

How utterly dreadful.

Nothing I can say but have a hug.

[SpiderBob]

Well, been watching Criegslist, nothing yet and ebay, talked to the insurance company, I have to supply receipts for everything that was in the police report (makes sense), sad but no receipt for my big lens . If I have to buy everything again, I will buy new with receipts in hand. So......still waiting to hear from either the police or the insurance company for some answers, before I can do anything.

[Colin Southern]

Well, been watching Criegslist, nothing yet and ebay, talked to the insurance company, I have to supply receipts for everything that was in the police report (makes sense), sad but no receipt for my big lens . If I have to buy everything again, I will buy new with receipts in hand. So......still waiting to hear from either the police or the insurance company for some answers, before I can do anything.

Hi Bob,

I'm assuming that all they want to ascertain is if you really owned it, to rule out you "trying it on" -- if so, can you not get a receipt for the big lens, or prove purchase by some other means?

[SpiderBob]

Hi Bob,

I'm assuming that all they want to ascertain is if you really owned it, to rule out you "trying it on" -- if so, can you not get a receipt for the big lens, or prove purchase by some other means?

that is exactly what they need them for. My 100-400, I sent it to Canon this last summer to have the lenses calibrated, cost almost 400.00, I bet I can use that receipt to prove ownership. Thanks for giving my brain a jog.

[Colin Southern]

that is exactly what they need them for. My 100-400, I sent it to Canon this last summer to have the lenses calibrated, cost almost 400.00, I bet I can use that receipt to prove ownership. Thanks for giving my brain a jog.

No worries Bob - also, can you get a sworn statement from the person you bought it off? Of show a hole in your bank account? Or exif data that shows the lens (and serial number) being used? Does the policy REQUIRE a receipt, or just proof of purchase?

[rosenberg]

http://www.stolencamerafinder.com/

Might be something..

and like me u can contribute to the site by installing there chrome plugin, and it sits in the background and checks the exif of photos and sends the serial to there database!..

[SpiderBob]

No worries Bob - also, can you get a sworn statement from the person you bought it off? Of show a hole in your bank account? Or exif data that shows the lens (and serial number) being used? Does the policy REQUIRE a receipt, or just proof of purchase?

Colin - I can do the exif data of course, and he said proof of purchase, I added receipt, didn't know there was a difference really, thank you, that gives me some more options. The person I bought it from is on this forum, I am still hoping he will offer the written receipt.

Rosenberg - my computer didn't like the chrome plugin the last time I tried. But I won't leave that out as an option either.

Thank you,
Bob

[JPS]

Bob,
the people who had done this are just scum, in my opinion. I cannot imagine how you must have felt. I hope whoever did this gets caught and punished. Finger crossed the insurance company sort things out quickly and you can try and put this behind you.