Is possession 9/10's of the law?

[uncle psychosis]

Personally I'd return it but I'd be pushing for some "compensation" in the form of a hefty discount off something else or whatever else you can wangle from them

[Paul S]

Turn it around. You lend a bass to X, he then sells it - without your permission - to a shop, who sell it to Y. If it were mine I'd expect it back with no quibbling.

[timmo]

Regardless of the law, if it was stolen, i would put myself in the owners shoes and wonder how i would feel if my bass was stolen . I would be wanting it back, so i would teturn it assuming it is stolen

[paul h]

Sounds like bad karma waiting to happen.

I would return it in the hope that it in some way helps to alleviate an obviously sh*tty family issue.

[ambient]

Why not just suggest that the son gives the money for said bass to his dad ?

[Norris]

It doesn't matter how nice the bass is, there is a "right" thing to be done...

[ironside1966]

I go by the old saying treat others as you would like them to treat you. If a family member sold one of your basses would you just let it go and put it down to experience or would you be very upset and want it back? Could you or would you report you own child to the police to get the bass back. I know I would be devastated so that why I would give the bass back but I would not want to be out of pocket has the buyer either. For me it’s not about getting away with it it’s about doing the right thing.

[No. 8 Wire]

[quote name='ironside1966' timestamp='1453391179' post='2959080']
I go by the old saying treat others as you would like them to treat you. If a family member sold one of your basses would you just let it go and put it down to experience or would you be very upset and want it back? Could you or would you report you own child to the police to get the bass back. I know I would be devastated so that why I would give the bass back but I would not want to be out of pocket has the buyer either. For me it’s not about getting away with it it’s about doing the right thing.
[/quote]

This seems a bit murky to me - is the dad just doing this to get back at his ex? Did he just change his mind about giving his son the bass when he found out his son sold it rather than take up playing like his old man? Is the shop being straight - the OP hasn't divulged the bass, did they just sell too cheap and want to go back on it?

The right thing is only right if everyone else is being straight up.

Personally I would send it back if suitably compensated as I just wouldn't want the aggravation.

[Marc S]

As others have said, take the refund. If the father wants his bass back, then so be it...
The seller / shop on ebay are also trying to do the right thing, and the decent thing for yourself - i.e. the innocent customer
But again, as others have said - let the Police know you are doing this
Send it registered / insured. Get your refund, and buy another bass

Out of interest, what bass is it? - Hope this is resolved, and hope you can get another bass that you're equally happy with

[TimR]

"There is a despute over the ownership of the bass."

Two choices.
1. Return the bass for a full refund.
2. Tell the shop you have the bass and will hold on to it until the 'despute' is resolved and the police are free to contact you.

If the police do contact you and collect the bass, don't expect a full refund without a lot of hassle.

Your call.

[No. 8 Wire]

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1453394329' post='2959123']
"There is a despute over the ownership of the bass."

Two choices.
1. Return the bass for a full refund.
2. Tell the shop you have the bass and will hold on to it until the 'despute' is resolved and the police are free to contact you.

If the police do contact you and collect the bass, don't expect a full refund without a lot of hassle.

Your call.
[/quote]

The police aren't going to come calling over this. You can't even get the police to investigate a straight forward theft round here, let alone referee a family argument about Indian giving.

Edited January 21, 2016 by No. 8 Wire

[geofio]

if you like it keep it, it is on them to prove it was stolen not you.

[Ashweb]

Wow, thanks for all the replies.

For all those that have asked, the bass is a Jackson C-20 and I paid £98 for it on ebay. A bit of a bargain I think.

I spoke to the shop today and the bass is definitely going back. The father saw the bass (and an effect pedal on a different auction) on the ended listings on eBay and stormed into the shop demanding it back. After being informed of it being dispatched he reported the matter to the Police who spent time with the shop owner and concluded that there was no criminal case to answer but as said above there would be a civil case between estranged father and son (13y/o I believe, same age as my son). I'd get absolutely no pleasure from playing this now, knowing that a 13y/o boy has been criminalised by his own father for making a simple mistake; the shop is paying for a courier to pick it up and giving me a full refund so they will be left out of pocket over all this. It's just one of those bad situations that will only get worse the longer it drags on and frankly some battles just aren't worth fighting.

Already looking into others to replace it... now that in itself is fun

[Billy Apple]

Yeah, let it go back and forget about it.

[JapanAxe]

The civil law principle is known as [i]nemo dat quod non habet[/i], meaning nobody can give what he does not have. In this case, if the boy or the shop did not have title to the instrument, then they can't pass that title to you, i.e. you never own the bass. Returning it for a full refund is the way to go.

[AndyTravis]

If it's any reassurance, all the c-20's I played were belting basses.

Find another 🤓

[Twincam]

Tell them you put new strings on it at least.... Expensive ones at that and you want compensation for that!.
Haha

[Norris]

Sensible decision

[TimR]

Quite possibly one of the strangest stories I've ever heard.

Definitely one for Jeremy Kyle.

[ahpook]

[quote name='Ashweb' timestamp='1453407469' post='2959321']
I'd get absolutely no pleasure from playing this now, knowing that a 13y/o boy has been criminalised by his own father for making a simple mistake; the shop is paying for a courier to pick it up and giving me a full refund so they will be left out of pocket over all this. It's just one of those bad situations that will only get worse the longer it drags on and frankly some battles just aren't worth fighting.

[/quote]

Good for you, well played that man.

/Stands, Applauds/

Edited January 21, 2016 by ahpook

[Twincam]

Did they provide proof of all this as I would of asked for some still. I suppose they wouldn't have lied for the price level of said bass though.
I still would of wanted a bit of compo for my wasted time and effort to re pack the bass etc.

[pete.young]

[quote name='Ashweb' timestamp='1453407469' post='2959321']

I'd get absolutely no pleasure from playing this now, knowing that a 13y/o boy has been criminalised by his own father for making a simple mistake

[/quote]

Sometimes you just have to wonder what kind of world we are living in, when fathers can do this to sons.

Kudos to the op for doing the right thing and good luck in your search.

[4stringslow]

[quote name='Ashweb' timestamp='1453407469' post='2959321']
After being informed of it being dispatched he reported the matter to the Police who spent time with the shop owner and concluded that there was no criminal case to answer but as said above there would be a civil case between estranged father and son
[/quote]

Bit surprised there is no criminal case to answer - surely there is fraud (by the boy) or criminal negligence (by the shop)?

Still, seems like the right outcome; bass back to dad and the purchase refunded. A sad story really.

[TimR]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1453421779' post='2959477']


Sometimes you just have to wonder what kind of world we are living in, when fathers can do this to sons.

Kudos to the op for doing the right thing and good luck in your search.
[/quote]

Yes it's a real weird one.

I assume as he's getting divorced it's more of a way at getting to the woman. Although both parents must be responsible financially for the child. Interesting court case. Isn't the dad effectively sueing himself?

[Machines]

This has to be a genuine story, the bass isn't valuable enough for the shop to pretend otherwise.