How do you know if stuff is stolen?

[ukminch]

Looking at all the thefts recently got me thinking. How would you know if you brought stolen gear.

 

Yep there are obvious ones, 15k chipper for 2k £800 saw for £50 quid in a pub.

 

But what about buying a secondhand MS200T for instance for about £300 quid off ebay, that was complete with all serial numbers. Would you check the serial numbers with a stihl dealer. I wouldn't but it's probably how gear that was nicked a couple of years ago becomes seemingly legit.

 

Likewise I've got an old chipper that I brought for going rate off a reputable firm, with receipt etc, so I'm assuming that it's all above board. But how would I know that somewhere down the line it wasn't stolen?

 

Same with my first ride on mower I brought secondhand. Brought from a dealer but what about past history?

 

Is there a way that insurers or individuals could add stuf to a database that could easily be searched by anyone by serial number or reg etc. I'd happily do a 30 second check before buting something but with most stuff unfortuantely it does come down to get instinct when purchasing stuff.

 

Rob

[Tom D]

Unless it was stolen from a dealer there is not likely to be any documents with stolen kit. I would always ask for user manual, waranty card etc. I have these for all my kit and if I sell anything they are there for the new owner. Its a shame there is'nt a proper documentation system like the V5 for all plant like chipers excavators etc.

[Sciadopitys]

Unless it was stolen from a dealer there is not likely to be any documents with stolen kit. I would always ask for user manual, waranty card etc. I have these for all my kit and if I sell anything they are there for the new owner. Its a shame there is'nt a proper documentation system like the V5 for all plant like chipers excavators etc.

 

There would be no way in the world i would own a chipper without having a tracker on it - so if the light-fingered bas£$%rds tried it, the police would be straight on em! Not sure how much it costs, but it is worth it to catch the filthy thieves in my opinion!

 

Nothing would satisfy me more then to catch them in the act and introduce them to my 084 with the 42" bar on it. I guarantee they would not be coming back for seconds!!

Edited December 7, 2008 by Monkey-D

[treequip]

You can check out plant and equipment with TER http://www.ter-europe.org/

It’s not foolproof because it relies on manufacturers and owners registering with them and that can cost.

The V5 documentation thing is a while in coming but in some countries in greater Europe all trailers have their own registration documents and have to pass an MOT. It would make “disappearing” plant a lot more difficult and (IMO) would be a welcome introduction as far as chippers go.

Andy

[Dean Lofthouse]

I was told a tracker is only any good if the Local police have the time, manpower and tracker vehicle available.

 

Last time I rang them it took them 12 hours to respond,

[Mesterh]

You can get a tracker where you track it yourself either from a laptop, mobile phone or PDA.

[Mick Stockbridge]

You can get a tracker where you track it yourself either from a laptop, mobile phone or PDA.

 

Does it come with a shotgun in case you catch up with them?

[Dean Lofthouse]

Yeh I looked into them for the Mewp but I figured they would suffer vibration damage on the chipper.

 

They would tempt fate those though, you would have to be disciplined enough to track it them call the police to deal with it and not be tempted to deal with it yourself

[skyhuck]

 

They would tempt fate those though, you would have to be disciplined enough to track it them call the police to deal with it and not be tempted to deal with it yourself

 

Why ?

[Dean Lofthouse]

David, you know the law is not on your side !!!!