jimmycrackcorn
Well-known member
This was spoken at work one time, and some of the guys said they wouldn't cause of karma, just wanted to see what you guys say about it.
Would you buy stolen tools?
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Itzkwik
Well-known member
Nope, not gonna happen.
Uncle Buck
Banned
I have never knowingly bought stolen tools. I would also not buy tools I suspected were stolen. Now with all that said I suspect I have unknowingly bought stolen tools from pawn shops through the years, I would have to be rather naive to think that every tool I ever bought from a pawnshop was not stolen. However as I said before I would not dream of buying something I thought was stolen.
Junkman
Well-known member
I once purchased some stolen tools with full knowledge that they were stolen. That is because they were stolen from me at my garage. You might say that it was more like paying a ransom for them then purchasing. It was one of those cases, where it was better to give up some cash and get the tools back with no questions asked, then it was to loose them permanently. There was an intermediary involved, and he also told the person that was ransoming them, that if it ever happened again, he would be eating with stumps at the ends of his arms, rather than with hands. After that day, I never had another problem.
I do wonder where some of the tools come from that I see at swap meets, but overall, I think that a lot of them are people just wanting to get out of debt by selling what they own at a loss. I purchased a Snap-On Freon Sniffer today at the swap meet for $15.00, and it is in very nice condition. It is also a older model, so I didn't think that it was stolen. The seller had some other Air Conditioning tools there, and he is also a regular at this location, so I have faith that it isn't stolen. Only mistake that I made was that I didn't purchase the gauge set that he had also with another Snap-On sniffer for $50.....
I do wonder where some of the tools come from that I see at swap meets, but overall, I think that a lot of them are people just wanting to get out of debt by selling what they own at a loss. I purchased a Snap-On Freon Sniffer today at the swap meet for $15.00, and it is in very nice condition. It is also a older model, so I didn't think that it was stolen. The seller had some other Air Conditioning tools there, and he is also a regular at this location, so I have faith that it isn't stolen. Only mistake that I made was that I didn't purchase the gauge set that he had also with another Snap-On sniffer for $50.....
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
I would buy them , and use my special techniques to get the money back , nobody would get over on me like that ,and , no matter how long it takes , I would find that *******
Spookrider
Well-known member
As I tell other Stu. at my Auto School I got to "You steal my tools, Kiss you degree good bye. I'll get you kick off the program and or worse" The teacher know that I say it and he agrees with my feelings.
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
I would never buy stolen tools if I knew they were stolen.
I had a crackhead helping me rennovate a VA repo home I bought to flip steal me blind of tools. In the end, I just deducted the cost of the tools from the cash I paid him. He never argued. Something about getting that FIX right away led him to do things that when he was "normal" he did regret.
The sad fact is that people who steal these things are not using the money to buy a loaf of bread and PB&J for their family. They are using them for drugs or alcohol. They know what High end tools are, and know what people will pay for them. This crackhead I had working for me would steal change from your easy chair if you went to the bathroom.
The crackhead once asked me if I wanted a 300 pc Craftsman tool set from Sears new for $75. He said He didn't have it, but he knew guys who "Could get things I wanted on special order". "No" I replied. Life is just too short for that $#it.
I even heard a story about a shop which had a shady guy come by trying to sell a Snap on Brick for $100.00, and that the techs chased him out of there.
The fact is that shady guy will sell it. And someone will buy it never knowing that it was stolen, either thru ebay, a third seller with markup or to someone who just doesn't care that it was stolen.
I think there is something about Karma. Never willingly will I ever buy anything stolen.
In the end, if you have purchased items from a flea market or pawn shop for a while you probably do have something that was pinched; but that does not make you complicit.
JMHO
P.S. Regarding the crackhead, I only hired him as a favor to his father who hoped the work might help him. After the job was done, we never spoke again and that has been 9 years.
-BWP
I had a crackhead helping me rennovate a VA repo home I bought to flip steal me blind of tools. In the end, I just deducted the cost of the tools from the cash I paid him. He never argued. Something about getting that FIX right away led him to do things that when he was "normal" he did regret.
The sad fact is that people who steal these things are not using the money to buy a loaf of bread and PB&J for their family. They are using them for drugs or alcohol. They know what High end tools are, and know what people will pay for them. This crackhead I had working for me would steal change from your easy chair if you went to the bathroom.
The crackhead once asked me if I wanted a 300 pc Craftsman tool set from Sears new for $75. He said He didn't have it, but he knew guys who "Could get things I wanted on special order". "No" I replied. Life is just too short for that $#it.
I even heard a story about a shop which had a shady guy come by trying to sell a Snap on Brick for $100.00, and that the techs chased him out of there.
The fact is that shady guy will sell it. And someone will buy it never knowing that it was stolen, either thru ebay, a third seller with markup or to someone who just doesn't care that it was stolen.
I think there is something about Karma. Never willingly will I ever buy anything stolen.
In the end, if you have purchased items from a flea market or pawn shop for a while you probably do have something that was pinched; but that does not make you complicit.
JMHO
P.S. Regarding the crackhead, I only hired him as a favor to his father who hoped the work might help him. After the job was done, we never spoke again and that has been 9 years.
-BWP
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Vincent Vega
Well-known member
Never. Being a recent theft victim I would have some choice words for the guy trying to sell them.
He!! No. There is a "Special" place in hell for tool thieves. I was in a pawn only once many years back working on an HVAC unit and saw a massive pile of tools shelved in the back of the place. This shop had so many they could not display them all. Most had to be stolen by my guess. While I was there a punk slime ball came in with an almost new Porter Cable hypoid saw. No box and he did not look like he even knew what it was. He rolled out with something like $30. I gots my pay for the work done and for some reason I was always busy and unable to take on any work when they called.
If you don't buy from Pawn shops they will have to stop taking in stolen stuff. Stolen is stolen. Bad Voodoo.
If you don't buy from Pawn shops they will have to stop taking in stolen stuff. Stolen is stolen. Bad Voodoo.
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Uncle Buck
Banned
Nice sentiment, but there have been hock shops around long before you and I, and there will be long after we are gone! Your not gonna put the hock shops out of business, although it would not disturb me if they did go away. Just unrealistic in my opinion.
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
Nice sentiment, but there have been hock shops around long before you and I, and there will be long after we are gone! Your not gonna put the hock shops out of business, although it would not disturb me if they did go away. Just unrealistic in my opinion.
The hock shops do provide a service.
If pawn shops were out of business, then druggies would resort to muggings, store robberies and ATM theft.
This is the second and third order effects of getting rid of pawn shops.
Think of pawnshops as a lubricant in the degenerate world.
I wish pawnshops would/could go away. But if theives did not have a market for their stolen goods taken while you were not looking or not at home then they will go after cash, maybe not from you, BUT YOUR LOVED ONES in a most unsavory way.
The dirtbags have been there since time began, and they will always be there. Unfortunate, but true.
P.S. And law enforcement knows all of this. Not to get off subject, but this is pretty much the same reason why anyone can get marijuana in any town in the US and the cops don't bust the dealers, The cops know who they are. Simply stated, as long as criminal behavior is reasonably controlled it is accepted. I am not passing judgement JMHO.
-BWP
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Coach James
Well-known member
I wouldn't buy stolen tools simply because it's wrong and because those tools may be how some guy buys food and clothes for his family. I hate thieves with a passion. I think I should be allowed to shoot someone if I catch them stealing my stuff.
Coach
Coach
TT66'
Active member
No to buying stolen tools. And no to buying the pirated software.
kartracer55
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I would not go out of my way to buy stolen tools, and I would really think twice if I knew they were stolen, and I never knowingly bought stolen tools, however in hindsight Im pretty sure I have UNKNOWINGLY bought stolen tools and I dont lose sleep over it. Seriously, lets be realistic. Somebody already stole these tools, and somebody WILL buy them, so If it turns out that tools I bought were stolen who cares. I didnt steal them, and I didnt ask for them to be stolen. If I didnt buy these tools then somebody else would have gotten the deal instead. Nothing we can do to change it, it is what it is.
Jim
EDIT: Think closely about what is being said here. Im not condoning stolen tools. Many Pawnshop/Ebay tools are stolen, and I realize that, but it doesnt stop me (Or many of you) from buying them anyway. I make LEGAL transactions on tools which MAY or MAY NOT be stolen.
Jim
EDIT: Think closely about what is being said here. Im not condoning stolen tools. Many Pawnshop/Ebay tools are stolen, and I realize that, but it doesnt stop me (Or many of you) from buying them anyway. I make LEGAL transactions on tools which MAY or MAY NOT be stolen.
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chad s
Well-known member
So whats your take on it? I hate to assume.....
chad s
Well-known member
I know someone will, but Im not going to be the guy who supports the thieve's behavior.
OP
jimmycrackcorn
Well-known member
I would not buy stolen tools, i think i matured as the years past. I defiantly would not want it to happen to me, i guess the karma of it. But i have, bought in the past.
There was this crackhead that came around and he had a $1600 digital camera even had the receipt for it, but i know the guy who bought it from him to turn the profit on ebay, he only paid $200 for it. He comes with various things like laptops and powertools.
There was this crackhead that came around and he had a $1600 digital camera even had the receipt for it, but i know the guy who bought it from him to turn the profit on ebay, he only paid $200 for it. He comes with various things like laptops and powertools.
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No never purchased anything, particularly tools, that look like they may have been stolen. Plus I would never step into a pawn shop for reasons stated above.
Except one time, many years ago..
Once I went around and purchased a whole bunch of toolmaker tools at a number of local tool shops, and only paid $.10 on the $1.00! However they were all mine with my name half hazardly removed. An apprentice where I worked broke into my tool boxes and swiped them. Needless to say he got arrested and fired. He went to court, and got off easy. A year later another shop called and asked about him. I guess that leopards don’t change their spots and he didn’t learn from his past.
Except one time, many years ago..
Once I went around and purchased a whole bunch of toolmaker tools at a number of local tool shops, and only paid $.10 on the $1.00! However they were all mine with my name half hazardly removed. An apprentice where I worked broke into my tool boxes and swiped them. Needless to say he got arrested and fired. He went to court, and got off easy. A year later another shop called and asked about him. I guess that leopards don’t change their spots and he didn’t learn from his past.
Wow.
I have gained a lot of respect for you Jim, based on your postings and general outlook in many areas.
I have often thought "Here is a young guy that has it right. He knows right from wrong, and has a good outlook for his future".
Based upon your above statement, I guess I was mistaken. Stolen is stolen, and wrong is wrong.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Me too!ZRX61
Well-known member
About 25 years ago when I lived in London I was walking home from the pub one night & spotted a couple of characters I knew wheeling a cart with at least 7 or 8 toolboxes on it.
I knew where they lived....
I also reconised the toolboxes & knew immediately who exactly owned them, so I dropped by & let em know.
20 minutes later the owners of the toolboxes showed up at the apartment where the thieves lived...
Baseball bats & steel bars were put to good use. Payback is a *****.
I knew where they lived....
I also reconised the toolboxes & knew immediately who exactly owned them, so I dropped by & let em know.
20 minutes later the owners of the toolboxes showed up at the apartment where the thieves lived...
Baseball bats & steel bars were put to good use. Payback is a *****.
ZRX61
Well-known member
You sir are a *****. The person who *cares* is the LAWFUL OWNER of the tools you ******* parasite.
kartracer55
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Guys. I didnt say I bought stolen tools intentionally, Im saying I bought used tools and I wouldnt be surprised IF they were stolen. ALOT of stuff at flea markets and pawn shops is stolen and resold, but am I not supposed to buy this stuff because it MIGHT be stolen?? Obviously buying stolen tools is not worth the risk of jail time, but there is no proof that ANY "used" tool you buy on ebay or otherwise is NOT stolen. Do you guys avoid pawn shops because things MIGHT (almost always ARE) be stolen? Doubt it.
In fact, I would be willing to bet that a good portion of Ebay tools are stolen as well. Like I said, If it turns out the tools I bought were (unknowingly) stolen, WHO CARES? What am I supposed to do, throw them away? I know that I paid for them with money earned the Hard and Honest way, and did not know that they were stolen when I bought them, I can only speculate otherwise. I look at is as this: When I see a used tool on ebay, I realize that there is a possibility that it is stolen, and there is no way for me to see it otherwise. I can either get a good deal on it, or pass it up, because If i dont bid somebody else will.
Dont jump down my throat because I have a realistic view on things. I see things like they are and I dont sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, I know my money is made the honest way and I dont knowingly buy stolen tools, so my conscience is clean.
In fact, I would be willing to bet that a good portion of Ebay tools are stolen as well. Like I said, If it turns out the tools I bought were (unknowingly) stolen, WHO CARES? What am I supposed to do, throw them away? I know that I paid for them with money earned the Hard and Honest way, and did not know that they were stolen when I bought them, I can only speculate otherwise. I look at is as this: When I see a used tool on ebay, I realize that there is a possibility that it is stolen, and there is no way for me to see it otherwise. I can either get a good deal on it, or pass it up, because If i dont bid somebody else will.
Dont jump down my throat because I have a realistic view on things. I see things like they are and I dont sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, I know my money is made the honest way and I dont knowingly buy stolen tools, so my conscience is clean.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Duly noted Jim, and I found some common ground in this post, I think what struck a troubling note for me was your first post almost rang with the sound of casual indifference, which obviously is not the do unto others attitude guys like us should have. After all, we all know how much this stuff costs! As I noted in my post, I prolly have some stolen tools bought in pawn shops too, but I have no way of knowing and bought in good faith so no harm, no foul! I am sure that was what you were trying to express but missed the mark a bit.
kartracer55
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YOU, my friend, are a complete idiot.
Dont kid yourself. Most of the tools at pawnshops are stolen. Does that stop you (or anybody else) from buying them? No. How about Ebay or Swap Meets? We like to think thats all on the up and up but Im a realist. I know a good bit of it is probably stolen, but its getting sold one way or another, and as long as I truly do not know that the tool is stolen, I dont have a problem with buying it because we can not be sure that it is or isnt stolen. As far as we know, its a used tool that somebody is selling.
Think about the circumstances before you rebutle and further reveal your ignorance and stupidity.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I really don't think it's fair to assume that goods from pawn shops are all stolen. In fact, around here, most pawn shops go to great lengths to make sure that they are not accepting stolen goods...
I mean, how can you even tell anymore? If someone steals some brand new Snap-On stuff and throws it on eBay, no one would ever know. They all get top dollar, whether they're legit or not.
It's a shame, but what are you gonna do really? Not buy any tools from anyone other than Sears, Snap-On, etc. directly?
I see where Jim is coming from.
It's a shame, but what are you gonna do really? Not buy any tools from anyone other than Sears, Snap-On, etc. directly?
I see where Jim is coming from.
kythri
Well-known member
Wow, reading comprehension is seriously lacking...
I saw kartracer's message before the edits, and I knew where he was going. People need to chill out - especially ZRX61. That was completely uncalled for. Stop being a douche.
I saw kartracer's message before the edits, and I knew where he was going. People need to chill out - especially ZRX61. That was completely uncalled for. Stop being a douche.
mikeyr
Well-known member
I am pretty sure I purchased some stolen tools once and the feelings of poo-poo that I had afterwards were not worth it, never again.
My sob story, many years ago I was working as a contractor and had some tools stolen, I needed these tools for my lively hood but these were not good times and I did not have the money to replace them. About a week later I am stopped at a stop light and a guy walks up and offers me a bunch of tools that I could really use for $20, my first answer was no but then he gave me his sob story and I told him I did not have the money. He asked if I had a gas credit card, I said yes and he said "you can have the tools for what it costs to fill up my truck", it cost $16 to fill up his 3/4ton truck that is how long ago this was (well over 20-25 years ago) I remember the cost because I did not even have the $4 to make it a even $20. He gave me $200 maybe $250 worth of tools. He did have a contractors logo on his truck and maybe they really were his tools and he was even more down on his luck than I was, but the feeling that they were stolen bugs me to this day when I use them.
Not worth it, never again.
My sob story, many years ago I was working as a contractor and had some tools stolen, I needed these tools for my lively hood but these were not good times and I did not have the money to replace them. About a week later I am stopped at a stop light and a guy walks up and offers me a bunch of tools that I could really use for $20, my first answer was no but then he gave me his sob story and I told him I did not have the money. He asked if I had a gas credit card, I said yes and he said "you can have the tools for what it costs to fill up my truck", it cost $16 to fill up his 3/4ton truck that is how long ago this was (well over 20-25 years ago) I remember the cost because I did not even have the $4 to make it a even $20. He gave me $200 maybe $250 worth of tools. He did have a contractors logo on his truck and maybe they really were his tools and he was even more down on his luck than I was, but the feeling that they were stolen bugs me to this day when I use them.
Not worth it, never again.
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I've gone a few times to the pawn shop looking for tools. First, they charge damn near close to retail and they are no longer willing to haggle on items. Second, I just feel gross walking into a pawn shop. I will admit to being a bit hypocritical, as I have no real issues buying stuff off of E-bay. As for Craigslist, well, you can usually tell what is stolen and what is not. Just look in the tool section, and look for all the people who sell tool belts that are full of tools. I would bet anyone money that they were taken off the back of someone's truck.
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
The only thing that Jim may be guilty of is posting with his feelings.
Many of us have bought things for a "deal" at a pawn shop or flea maket.
WILBILT, I sincerely doubt he should be the object of our ridicule.
Respectfully,
-BWP
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danski0224
Well-known member
Without a face to face transaction, it is pretty difficult to tell if something is stolen.
I recently bought a bunch of stuff from someone on Craigslist, and I doubt that person stole all of the items, but I suspect that at least some of the items were stolen at some time in the past. I wouldn't be surprised if that person "borrowed" some of the items from a previous employer.
I would not partake in a "fell off the truck" sale and knowingly buy stolen goods.
If I felt that a person was selling stolen property, I would walk away.
I wonder how many people here with issues about buying stolen property will not have issues "borrowing" tools from employers or materials from jobsites....
No ridicule intended. I am just very surprised at the "casual indifference" as someone else mentioned.
I work in a public school district and I see that attitude every day. So many kids have no respect for others' hard work, achievements, or property. Those that are respectful and honest seem to be the exception rather than the rule these days.
Maybe my interpretation of "who cares?" was mistaken. I sincerely hope it was.
I would never knowingly purchase stolen tools. I had many of mine stolen in the early nineties and know the sickening feeling all to well. I always look for them to this day when I go to flea markets.
I also would never buy any tools that have been engraved by the owner even if I know the person whose initials are on them, for fear someone would think I stole them. I may be wrong on this but many of the new Snap-on tools for sale on Ebay could possibly be dealers ridding themselves of overstock (maybe wishful thinking on my part).
I also would never buy any tools that have been engraved by the owner even if I know the person whose initials are on them, for fear someone would think I stole them. I may be wrong on this but many of the new Snap-on tools for sale on Ebay could possibly be dealers ridding themselves of overstock (maybe wishful thinking on my part).
kythri
Well-known member
If you buy anything at a pawn shop, where there's a chance the merchandise is stolen, and you don't take it home, consumed with guilt, then you've got the same "casual indifference" that kartracer55 has.
He wasn't referencing likely stolen tools, he was referencing pawn shop/eBay buys, and how he wasn't going to lose any sleep over the possibility that something he legitimately purchased might have originally been stolen.
Is anyone on this board any different?
Jesus, the **** is deep here.
Don't be so sure. I know that the pawn shop I frequent makes every reasonable, no, beyond reasonable effort to document every item they receive. They are required to by law. Minimum of two forms of ID, current utility bill or something with a valid address that matches the ID, and even a thumbprint.
All serial numbers are documented and provided to law enforcement on a regular basis. When I walk out of there with a tool and a receipt, I am not consumed by guilt, because I know there is very little chance the item was stolen. If I were to find out I had purchased a stolen item, I would return it to the owner myself.
Who cares? I do.
jhn9840
Well-known member
Years ago a couple of guys would roll up to the shop I worked in with a van load of tools on a fairly regular basis, they never made any attempt to cover up the fact that they were selling hot tools. Although I never bought anything from them most of the guys would.
They finally got caught breaking into a Ford dealership and went to prison. Every time they were at our place I had the feeling that they were eyeballing all of our stuff up too. Guess we just got lucky nothing happened.
jhn9840
John
They finally got caught breaking into a Ford dealership and went to prison. Every time they were at our place I had the feeling that they were eyeballing all of our stuff up too. Guess we just got lucky nothing happened.
jhn9840
John
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