Need your opinion

[slave-of-rock]

I was driving down a main road today with my friend, he noticed a TV box sitting on the side of the road. I pulled over and we checked it out. It ended up being a brand new, unopend, Philips 50" plasma screen TV. We loaded it into my car and brought it to my house. The box was unopened, un-damaged, and un-manned by any person. The only problem with the box was it was a little wet because of the snow melting. What does everyone think of this? We thought, hey a free tv, lets take it. Can I get some guidance on weather I should keep it or do something about it?
-Kyle

[Jerry W]

If the box has any sort of shipping label on it indicating a store destination, contact them. Otherwise I'd simply let the police know. Not sure what their procedure would be but they could give you some direction. The tv might even be stolen merchandise and was simply dumped where you found it. Either way, it belongs to someone so I wouldn't just keep it.

[slave-of-rock]

There was no shipping label. I was going to check the papers the next few days to see if there was any report on a stolen/ missing tv. If there is nothing in the paper tomarrow I will contact the police probably.

[Satori]

Some of the nicest things "fall off a truck".

[dc]

Originally posted by Satori
Some of the nicest things "fall off a truck".

Speaking from experience. I'd watch the papers, someone may have spent thier hard earned money on it, and it would be a great loss for them.

[BigSkyBart]

I was in des plains yesterday, it fell off of my truck

you can drop it off at nuway industries right there in des plains, tell tony it's for bart

[oz]

Where I live, if you find someone else's property and you report it to the Police Department. An officer will secure the property, try to identify the owner and return the property to them. In practice, they'll ask you to drop it off. the Police Department will make efforts to identify the legal owner of the property and contact them so they can pick it up.

If the owner can not be located, it will be turned over to the Division of Unclaimed Property of the state. Then all other unclaimed property is normally disposed of by public auction.

When I was 14, in California. I bought a 10 speed bike from some guy at the local park for $5. My aunt called the police saying it was probably stolen, police came to pick it up. After some time, I think it was 6 months, no one claimed it and I was able to get it back.

I'd say... "Finders, Keepers" as in international maritime law. Although I may put an ad in paper and craiglist in lost and found tring to locate ligit owner, if they can prove it somehow.

[dc]

I would never put an ad in the paper, you'll have 50 people trying to claim it. Just keep an eye out for someone looking for it.

[dkh0331]

Since there seems to be a quandary over the ownership of said TV - Bart, Carrie and Nina are all claiming it, you should send it to me to hold until the actual true owner can produce a receipt for it.

[Sloth]

Past experience tells me you should just keep it.

[dc]

"But officer, I found it on the side of the road"

I can hear it now...

[crp]

Originally posted by dkh0331
Since there seems to be a quandary over the ownership of said TV - Bart, Carrie and Nina are all claiming it, you should send it to me to hold until the actual true owner can produce a receipt for it.

HEY! I lost it first

[dkh0331]

Originally posted by crp
HEY! I lost it first

Don't worry Carrie, once he ships it to me - I can be bribed.

[slave-of-rock]

Originally posted by dc
"But officer, I found it on the side of the road"

I can hear it now...

Ha yea, I'm going to call my friend who happens to be a cop in the area and see what his opinion is, all you guys seem to say is let me hold on to it for a while ha.

[pnosko]

I think Nina, our resident acting lawyer (for when batguano isn't around) can tell you that there is a law that covers theft of lost property.

[dkh0331]

Originally posted by slave-of-rock
Ha yea, I'm going to call my friend who happens to be a cop in the area and see what his opinion is, all you guys seem to say is let me hold on to it for a while ha.

No Here is what I said

Originally posted by dkh0331
Since there seems to be a quandary over the ownership of said TV - Bart, Carrie and Nina are all claiming it, you should send it to me to hold until the actual true owner can produce a receipt for it.

[slave-of-rock]

Ohhh! Well then I'll ship it to you right away .

[dkh0331]

Originally posted by slave-of-rock
Ohhh! Well then I'll ship it to you right away .

Either Fedex next day or UPS next day - either one is fine with me.

[slave-of-rock]

Don't worry, I'll insure it and pay the extra amount to ship it directly to your door!

[dkh0331]

Originally posted by slave-of-rock
Don't worry, I'll insure it and pay the extra amount to ship it directly to your door!

There will be a little something extra in your stocking next christmas.

[slave-of-rock]

Creepy, you know where I live?!?

[BigSkyBart]

Originally posted by crp
HEY! I lost it first

hmmmmm, qouteable quote?

[slave-of-rock]

I have reported it to the police. They have asked me to keep it in my home until further notice. My friends dad said I will probably keep the TV, but to put it back in the box and tape it up for good measures. Thanks for the help everyone!
-Kyle

[Lotus99]

I'd say it was stolen in the first place. No one is going to buy a TV like that and not make sure it gets to their home safely.

It's not like you'd get home and say, "Hey honey, didn't we have a TV in the truck when we left the store?" And get a reply of "Oh, yeah, we did. Oh well, it must have fallen off on the way home. We'll go get another next time we're out."

[hubris007]

Keep it.