wilfredo Posted January 2, 2010 Share #1 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I understand some of the rationale behind making an expensive camera look crappy but things like hiding the Leica Logo or the "M9" I suspect would make no difference to a thief, and I also suspect that there would be no real market for a hot M9. Most people buying from an addict who may have stolen it would probably think it too difficult to use, or consider it a dated camera. Serious photographers would proabaly figure out quickly that it was stolen if offered for $20.00 bucks. In my case I would buy it and either turn it over to the local police department or post the serial number here in an attempt to find the owner. Â What would you do if offered an M9 or even M8 for $20.00 complete with a really nice 50mm Summilux? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 2, 2010 Posted January 2, 2010 Hi wilfredo, Take a look here Stolen M9, What Would You Do?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted January 2, 2010 Share #2 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Are drugs that cheap? I've never tried them myself but........... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertoDeRoma Posted January 2, 2010 Share #3  Posted January 2, 2010 I understand some of the rationale behind making an expensive camera look crappy but things like hiding the Leica Logo or the "M9" I suspect would make no difference to a thief, and I also suspect that there would be no real market for a hot M9. Most people buying from an addict who may have stolen it would probably think it too difficult to use, or consider it a dated camera. Serious photographers would proabaly figure out quickly that it was stolen if offered for $20.00 bucks. In my case I would buy it and either turn it over to the local police department or post the serial number here in an attempt to find the owner. What would you do if offered an M9 or even M8 for $20.00 complete with a really nice 50mm Summilux?  Simple. For $20, I'd buy it and let Leica know the serial # so they could return it to the rightful owner.  Alberto Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted January 2, 2010 Share #4  Posted January 2, 2010 I understand some of the rationale behind making an expensive camera look crappy but things like hiding the Leica Logo or the "M9" I suspect would make no difference to a thief, and I also suspect that there would be no real market for a hot M9. Most people buying from an addict who may have stolen it would probably think it too difficult to use, or consider it a dated camera. Serious photographers would proabaly figure out quickly that it was stolen if offered for $20.00 bucks. In my case I would buy it and either turn it over to the local police department or post the serial number here in an attempt to find the owner. What would you do if offered an M9 or even M8 for $20.00 complete with a really nice 50mm Summilux? Hey man, you shittin' me? From what I read(!) these old-skule cameras ain't worth a damn friggin shite. Here, in the UK no street robber worth his salt would even think of hitting on a poor old snapper with an M8/9/S2/X1, what with all their back-focus, IR, repair non-availability issues, no way man, give us Canon, give us Nikon, give us some damn thing we can sell for drug-money, which works straight out of the box. Erm, like a Kodak Instamatic. Sorry. :( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklotz Posted January 2, 2010 Share #5 Â Posted January 2, 2010 I'm with Alberto. Somebody bought it with passion and love. I'd do what I could to get it returned. ( I might ask for my $20 back though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted January 2, 2010 Share #6  Posted January 2, 2010 I would buy it and turn it over to the local police department  Maybe they'd say it was yours if not claimed in a week's time:D:D:D. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 2, 2010 Share #7 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Given your profession, Wilfredo, and your network ummm "upstairs" , do you really expect honest answers?:p Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share #8 Â Posted January 2, 2010 I like the idea of letting Leica know about the serial number. I would try all suggestions thus far. Here in the U.S. my understanding is that if no one claims a stolen item from the police, they will let you collect the item after a certain period of time. Â I'm from the Bronx, best protection is to use street smarts. Don't draw attention, and don't be flashing an expensive camera as if you were in the company of the rich and well to do. A lesson from martial arts training, be aware of your surroundings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theendlesshouse Posted January 2, 2010 Share #9 Â Posted January 2, 2010 I'll give you $25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted January 2, 2010 Share #10 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Depends how much he asks for it, and if he knows his stuff he could easily make me pay 2000$ for it on the spot, which I would obviously consider paying without beating an eyebrow. Â The camera is stolen, and I am not a policeman. I either take it or I watch him leave. And I would like to own a M9 + summilux for 2000$. Who wouldn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 2, 2010 Share #11 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Problem is, and I do not konw if that is the same in the USA, if you could know the camera was stolen, for instance by the price or other circumstances, the original owner can claim it of you without you being reimbursed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 2, 2010 Share #12 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Well, in the UK it is a criminal offence to handle stolen goods so your kind act of buying it to try to trace the original owner could land you in trouble!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted January 2, 2010 Share #13 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Not to be an idiot, but.... where is the freakin' serial number located!? I spent years with my bifocals finding the very faint Nikon serial numbers done with laser engraving, but I have yet to find the serial number on my M9. And I just had my prescription for my glasses renewed! Â Any help would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted January 2, 2010 Share #14 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Problem is, and I do not konw if that is the same in the USA, if you could know the camera was stolen, for instance by the price or other circumstances, the original owner can claim it of you without you being reimbursed. Â I'm playing the devil's advocate. And why would the guy tell me it's stolen? They usually never say it's stolen. So what am I supposed to do? Beat the seller to death based on some assumption? Â Suuuure! I'd buy it for 20$ (who wouldn't!), but what if the Bum asks for 2000$? Would you let him go with 10,000$ worth of gear simply because he didn't want to sell it to you for 20$? Anyone who answers yes to this is a liar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scc Posted January 2, 2010 Share #15  Posted January 2, 2010 Not to be an idiot, but.... where is the freakin' serial number located!? I spent years with my bifocals finding the very faint Nikon serial numbers done with laser engraving, but I have yet to find the serial number on my M9. And I just had my prescription for my glasses renewed! Any help would be appreciated.  Its on the flash hot shoe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted January 2, 2010 Share #16 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Its on the flash hot shoe. Â Just found it before I logged on. Just looking in all the wrong places.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamriman Posted January 2, 2010 Share #17 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Buy it and let Leica know. If they can prove who it belongs to, return it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Valdemar Posted January 2, 2010 Share #18 Â Posted January 2, 2010 There are numerous flea markets in New York City where the original scenario is not hypothetical. These type of deals happen every day, and I have seen them occur many, many times. (not with Leica M9's, but with comparable items) Â But you're underestimating the thieves. Â Even the stupidest now knows how to Google something or look it up on eBay, and a large number of professional thieves, even drug addicts, know the value of certain brand names, such as Leica. Â If an M9 and a good lens appeared, for a quick sale, $20 is ridiculous, silly fantasy. A thief looking for quick cash would probably want $1000 to $2000. Â I can see the price going as high as $4000, which is about the limit for swag, but that would be tougher, but perfectly possible. Â But there would be plenty of knowledgeable buyers at the $1000 to $2000 level, the thief would have an almost instant sale at those prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted January 2, 2010 Share #19 Â Posted January 2, 2010 Lock 'n load ... Â With respect to thieves knowing the value, I think that rather depends on the thief. The most common house thefts occur to support drug usage and these are by people who'll grab pretty much anything and sell it at any price. To them, it doesn't matter whether it's a Leica or a Casio and if they want a fix right now they'll take $20 from a 'fence'. Now the person buying the item and reselling it - well that's a whole different category of individual who almost certainly will know the true value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Valdemar Posted January 2, 2010 Share #20  Posted January 2, 2010 PS: If you buy it to "turn over to the police" or "post the serial number", that still makes you guilty of a felony.  No matter what your intentions, once you buy it you are a receiver of stolen goods. Do-goodism and vigilantism are stupid concepts in this situation. You are not in the business of retrieving stolen goods for victims.   I understand some of the rationale behind making an expensive camera look crappy but things like hiding the Leica Logo or the "M9" I suspect would make no difference to a thief, and I also suspect that there would be no real market for a hot M9. Most people buying from an addict who may have stolen it would probably think it too difficult to use, or consider it a dated camera. Serious photographers would proabaly figure out quickly that it was stolen if offered for $20.00 bucks. In my case I would buy it and either turn it over to the local police department or post the serial number here in an attempt to find the owner. What would you do if offered an M9 or even M8 for $20.00 complete with a really nice 50mm Summilux? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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