Really BAD news

[Colin Southern]

I have always been told that the "squeaky wheel will get the grease ever time. Keep at them and let them know you called last week and got the same response. That will then put them on the spot, hopefully.

I think it would force the issue, but not so sure it wouldn't back-fire.

Supervisor: "Hey Jonno - how's that job coming along for Bob R?"

Over-worked Employee: "Slowly - got it on the table but haven't had much of a chance to look at it yet - why?"

Supervisor: "He's on the phone again - says we told him the same thing last week"

Over-worked Employee: "Bugger. I'll take a quick look at it now"

2 minutes later ...

Over-worked Employee: "Looks OK to me - what say we just send it out as is, and if it comes back we'll take a closer look at it - at least it'll get him off our backs for now"

[davefrost]

Sorry to hear also Bob - makes my blood boil.

Wouldn't it be great if it were impossible to remove serial numbers from EXIF data, and every website checked a database of stolen gear -- so the first time an image from the stolen gear is posted online it throws up an alert.

How many $$$ do you think you'll be out of pocket?

Car alarm wired to the boot might be a thought for future (that's what I've done). I had my Rolex stolen last year - have to say that the insurance company couldn't have been better, and had the new-model replacement on my wrist within 60 hours.

Bob,
Sorry for your loss and sincerely hope that the scum that did this get their just desserts one way or the other. Hope that the insurance is hassle free and it gets sorted swiftly and with as little hassle for you as possible.
Many people who buy used DSLRs are not up to speed on exif data so it may be worth checking on http://www.stolencamerafinder.com/ in a couple of weeks to see if any new pics have been posted online with your gear.

All the best
Dave

[FrankMi]

Well, I called Canon today to find out what's up, didn't find out much. They did say it is on the table now being looked at, what they didn't know is I called last week and they said the same thing

Thanks for the update, Bob. I had been wondering how you were making out with this issue. When it is behind you, perhaps you could finish the thread with a summary and your recommendations on how to deal with the various issues you encountered.

[Colin Southern]

Thanks for the update, Bob. I had been wondering how you were making out with this issue. When it is behind you, perhaps you could finish the thread with a summary and your recommendations on how to deal with the various issues you encountered.

Good idea Frank.

Perhaps we need a bumper sticker that says "all valuables are fitted with hidden GPS tracking devices -- help yourself "

Actually, that reminds me of a true sign I saw year ago: "Warning - house protected by guard dog. Go on - break in - MAKE HIS DAY"!

[Carl in Louisiana]

I think it would force the issue, but not so sure it wouldn't back-fire.

Supervisor: "Hey Jonno - how's that job coming along for Bob R?"

Over-worked Employee: "Slowly - got it on the table but haven't had much of a chance to look at it yet - why?"

Supervisor: "He's on the phone again - says we told him the same thing last week"

Over-worked Employee: "Bugger. I'll take a quick look at it now"

2 minutes later ...

Over-worked Employee: "Looks OK to me - what say we just send it out as is, and if it comes back we'll take a closer look at it - at least it'll get him off our backs for now"

Probably true in these times. I keep forgetting they fire four people and then require the fifth one to continue to do the work of five. Which many companies have gone to doing with the exception of some.

[SpiderBob]

As it is, I'm just going to sit and wait, anxiously waiting that is. I probably did the wrong thing today, I called again, (before I read any of this) but.....I did say to keep them as long as necessary to do a first rate job that only I would expect from Canon. I really laid it on, was real nice to them. He told me thank you very much and he would relay the message. Off the phone it probably thought what a clown, but that's OK, I feel better.

[Colin Southern]

Probably true in these times. I keep forgetting they fire four people and then require the fifth one to continue to do the work of five. Which many companies have gone to doing with the exception of some.

We the unwilling
Lead by the unknowing
Doing the impossible
For the ungrateful
For so long
With so little
We can now do anything ...
... With nothing!

[SpiderBob]

I now have everything back. Arrived Friday just in time to shoot some pictures of the moon for a test go. Everything seems good. Am very busy as we are in the process of signing loan docs and moving so plan on getting caught up in the next couple of weeks. I'm a happy person now.

[tbob]

Good news. A bad patch but hopefully soon to be overwhelmed and buried by good memories with the new gear

[Donald]

I'm a happy person now.

Delighted to read that, Bob. Hope the house move goes okay as well.

Given what you've just been through with the gear, be interesting to hear your take on the theory that moving house is one of the most stressful events in life! Probably feel like a breeze after everything else.

Just enjoy it all.

[stardelta]

I now have everything back. Arrived Friday just in time to shoot some pictures of the moon for a test go. Everything seems good. Am very busy as we are in the process of signing loan docs and moving so plan on getting caught up in the next couple of weeks. I'm a happy person now.

Bob that is fantastic news, I am so pleased for you, I have followed your ordeal, and thread from the very beginning.
I really hope you can put this awful experience behind you,learn from it and move on.
happy snapping my friend

[lightdrunk]

Sorry to hear this. This kind of crime will get worse now that more people are desperate. I had some lenses and other stuff stolen once and the insurance company had a replacement service and they replaced everything pretty quickly. I actually made out better than before. By the way, my theft was in Fontana, which is a real **** hole.

[Donald]

This thread has literally made me go through all of my gear and write down every last serial number.

I've just done the same (No, I don't know either why I've been so stupid and never done it before).

So, out of Bob's awful experience has come at least some good in the shape of two us learning from it and doing something about it.

[keith201]

Yes, Insurance is expensive - until you need it!

About 4 or 5 years ago I had my Minolta 600si stolen. Insurance replaced it with a Sony A350 twin lens kit after a bit of an argument, they wanted to supply me with a Canon 1000D. I turned that down as I still had some Minolta gear, lenses, remote cords etc which are compatible with Sony but not Canon. One good thing that came out of it was that it was a 'painless' transition to digital. I had been unable to do much photography with the cost of film and processing on a limited income and with the digital camera, I don't have to worry about that! The hardest part for me is the transition to computers and post processing. I used to shoot Fuji Velvia - transparencies - you had to get it right in the camera as there is only 1/2 stop to play with. I still have that mindset and disagree with the amount of 'photoshopping' some people do. If you don't want it in the image, leave it out of the composition, don't clone it out later. If you don't like the sky, tough! That's what you/ve got and swapping an overcast sky for a blue sky with fluffy clouds would hae given you a different lighting setup altogether, the original lighting would have been much more diffuse and changing the sky would give you a different sort of light overall hd it been there in the first place.

[SpiderBob]

Delighted to read that, Bob. Hope the house move goes okay as well.

Given what you've just been through with the gear, be interesting to hear your take on the theory that moving house is one of the most stressful events in life! Probably feel like a breeze after everything else.

Just enjoy it all.

When I get time I tell all, this last month has literally been the most stressful of my life. First the camera, then I got T-boned in the intersection from a cager (car) running a red light going 45 mph, I ride a motorcycle (still at my age), it was totaled, then the moving which is taking place next week but we are still packing, trying to get packed, but.....life is good.

[Colin Southern]

I got T-boned in the intersection from a cager (car) running a red light going 45 mph, I ride a motorcycle (still at my age), it was totaled

Holy heck! I wouldn't like to try that in a car with all of the latest safety features, let alone a bike. Were you injured at all?

[SpiderBob]

Colin,
Nothing broke, sore oh yes, ended up on the windshield and rolled off a smooth hood with no hood ornaments, than goodness.

[Colin Southern]

Colin,
Nothing broke, sore oh yes, ended up on the windshield and rolled off a smooth hood with no hood ornaments, than goodness.

The perils of motorcycle riding (coming from someone who would love to ride a motorbike).