Stolen Stolen- Selmer Mark VI tenor, Serial 64608 $500 reward

[Marks]

Hello everyone,
$500 cash reward, no questions asked, for assistance which leads to the return of my Selmer Mark VI tenor. Serial number M64608. The crook/ neck has matching serial number. The saxophone was stolen directly from a Fedex Ground truck in Aurora, Colorado at that Fedex station, but may very well end up on an international auction site. It was in a black SKB case on its way to my tech for a full setup. Thank you

 

[Marks]

 

[wakyct]

Good luck Marks, I browse the Seattle area CL for saxophones probably daily (not GAS I swear 😉 ) and I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Marks]

Much appreciated, thank you!

 

[MarkSax]

Legal action against FedEx? Was it insured?
I’m surprised no one from FedEx has got in touch and/or is following this.
Do you think the local PDs are going to be much help?
Keep publicising this and call FedEx HO. You can’t let this go without a fight. It’s your property.

 

[Marks]

Legal action against FedEx? Was it insured?
I’m surprised no one from FedEx has got in touch and/or is following this.
Do you think the local PDs are going to be much help?

I hear you. FedEx Ground is truly a dumpster fire lately. The police report is important to have because it makes repossession of your stolen item much easier in the States.

 

[IllinoisJ]

How do the thiefs know which parcels to steal? Is the value of the item written on the FedEx label?

 

[Marks]

How do the thiefs know which parcels to steal? Is the value of the item written on the FedEx label?

A great question. I don't know if FedEx Ground employees have a way to see declared value. One of the claims agents mentioned that electronics are most often the target.

 

[MarkSax]

My guess is that all parcels are x-rayed/scanned for illegal or dangerous goods and that’s how they know what’s inside.

 

[DavidUK]

I hear you. FedEx Ground is truly a dumpster fire lately. The police report is important to have because it makes repossession of your stolen item much easier in the States.

...was it insured?

 

[Marks]

...was it insured?

Yes, but I really would simply like my saxophone back, or to be delivered. The reason I was sending it for a complete setup with Aaron Barnard was because of how beautifully rich and complex it played for me (despite a few leaks I felt). I'm not yet willing to give FedEx Ground a free pass, and to look for a comparable tenor. I think it's reasonable to expect them to sort out and resolve.

 

[IllinoisJ]

My guess is that all parcels are x-rayed/scanned for illegal or dangerous goods and that’s how they know what’s inside.

Even then, how could they know it was a valuable instrument? There's probably 10 times more low quality Chinese instruments shipping. They can't steal all the saxophones / cheap guitars / violins they see. Plus, it would immediately identify where the thiefs are in the chain. It's more likely they have access to declared value, as Marks said.

Depending on how FedEx decides to solve it or compensate, it will be interesting to see if it's really worth declaring the actual value, therefore giving a clue to thiefs and raising flags for them to act, or is it better to pretend it's a low value item.

 

[Targa]

Most things I post in old cardboard boxes I enclose in a plastic bag mainly so the address and return labels are obvious but it would conceal the contents correct or not.

 

[Pete Thomas]

My best guess is that they had no idea they were not getting the electronic drums on the box (see attached video at 1:52). The agents state that internal thefts are often electronics.

Very good point. Unless Fedex put the value on the label which is unlikely unless it's an export customs form, any opportunistic thief would not bother with a saxophone shaped object (sorry, but that is what a beautiful MKVI would look like on a scanner!).

Anyway fingers crossed you get a good loss adjuster who will honour the value. You should be fine as you have your own photos, can get proof from the recipient who has a professional reputation and will vouch for the replacement value - but ideally let's all hope you get that lovely horn back.

If the thieves are local opportunistic amateurs it'll go to a pawn shop and with any luck they will realise and flag it.

 

[wakyct]

Is there a musical instrument registry, for owners to list their instruments? Like the one for bikes for example.

 

[PigSquealer]

@Marks good idea posting here too !

Marks also has a SOTW thread going answering many of the questions above.

https://www.saxontheweb.net/threads/fedex-ground-has-lost-or-stolen-my-tenor-sax-shipment.403411/

 

[saxyjt]

FedEx are completely and totally at fault here. Instead of providing a service, they allow employees to 'delete' labels! That should immediately raise a RED FLAG.

You're not dealing with a Noname cheapo transporter here. They should have fool proof (crooks proof) tracking systems.

I'm so sorry for you. I'm just an amateur and none of my instruments are that special and valuable, but I can imagine. A friend of mine who was a violinist had his rare instrument stolen from his house. An instrument he paid a fortune and spent many years paying for... He was devastated.

Let's hope they find it and the culprits are found and punished. But FedEx MUST take responsibility for such negligence in their way to process parcels. It is their business and their duty to keep those items safe!

 

[Marks]

I received this email late last night. I'm guessing it's automated garbage Fedex Ground uses. And of course, from an ummonitored mailbox.

 

[Marks]

I just received a great phone call from a Fedex Ground warehouse manager out of the Aurora, CO hub, Matt, and he was great. They think they've pinpointed the exact location in California and are trying to reobtain the sax. I'll update as soon as I have something.

 

[Pete Thomas]

They think they've pinpointed the exact location in California and are trying to reobtain the sax.

Great news.

One thing we can all learn (isn't hindsight great?) is that in addition to insurance we can use technology, e.g. AirTags hidden in the item could be useful when such large values are at stake.

Thanks to you @Marks I will consider this for the future.