bitflipper
The cop told me that thieves rarely pawn stuff themselves, usually hiring some homeless junkie to take the risk for a few bucks. 

Where can I apply for that job?

bitflipper
UPDATE: I've just spotted my stolen amplifiers at the Lynnwood Guitar Center. They were tagged as used and being offered at an extraordinarily low price. GC has been notified, said they'd pull them from the floor. Waiting on a callback from the local PD.
 
Question: I just bought two new ones this week. If I recover the stolen ones, what can I do? I don't need four of them. Hopefully, the retailer will take them back.

WOW that's great new's .
Most Music stores and places I buy new gear from IN PERSON offer a 30 day grace period for returns and a full refund . Used gear may be a 7 day store policy depending on the shop ..
I know of a few local pawn shops that will only do a 7 day return policy for a store credit only ...
Online w shipping , I'm sorry to say that I have no Idea whatsoever what some online stores have for a return policy ..
 
all the best,
 
Kenny
 
 

bitflipper
The cop told me that thieves rarely pawn stuff themselves, usually hiring some homeless junkie to take the risk for a few bucks. 

Yep not only that , the thievery methods in some circles also pay a nice little wage to some of those homeless junkies to rifle through apartment complex dumpsters and private homeowners trash to find private documents and anything that will lead to identity theft .
 
all the best ,
 
Kenny

Good start Dave!  Maybe there's video of the perps now.

I have traded/sold a lot of gear at GC.
They finger-print and require ID for all sales/trades (even if you've shopped there for 10+ years and they know you extremely well).
 
Not only will you get your gear back... but there's also a trail to the thieves.
Even if they had someone else do the transaction, the police (if they do their job) can get this resolved.
 
On a loosely related note:
Why is credit-card fraud is so rampant?
Because no one goes after the perpetrators!
The CC companies aren't out any money... so they don't care.
A charge-back is issued to the retailer... and they take the loss.
Police don't do anything as it isn't a life/death situation... so it's up to the retailer or victim to pursue it in court.
Most individuals don't have the money to retain a lawyer and go after the perpetrators.
It all gets brushed under the rug... and the cycle continues.
We got burned for a large purchase years ago... and it was a painful learning experience.
 
I hope you get your gear... and the justice you deserve.
 
 

That's GREAT news!
I hope it's the beginning of more good news!
 
I would imagine GC is none too happy that they had hot gear for sale and it would probably be in their best interest to follow up on this.
 
 
 

When taking in used gear, GC has to hold it for two weeks.
You can look at it... play it... covet it... but you can't take it home until that period is up.  
Lets hope the police do their part.

I went back to GC, ostensibly to verify the serial numbers, but my real purpose was to try and steal a glimpse of the computer screen. I was able to get a name - Michael Baretti - and a partial address. The address was not my neighbors', but I didn't expect it to be.
 
The store manager was very helpful, gave me his card and asked me to send him a list of the stolen items. He said the employee who took in the amps wasn't working today but he'd talk to him. Imagine that: a Guitar Center employee more sympathetic than the police. I guess none of these cops are musicians.
 
 

bitflipper
I guess none of these cops are musicians.

Lest we forget, no one her thought they were from day one.

Thanks great news Dave. I really hope they get busted and you get your drives back. I hate a thief.
 
J