My friend had two unique trumpets stolen during a burglary of his house.

[no_hypocrisy]

I'm looking in pawn shops.

My question: Do you think pawn shops outside the locality (say, 10-15 miles) would be used by the person who took the trumpets?

I've already looked on Craig's List and E-bay.

Thanks!

[Lochloosa]

1. Take flyers with you and don't forget the music stores.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Would it be obvious to the burglar they were unique?

Or would he assume they were just a couple horns that would blend into anyone's inventory?

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Unless you were a trumpeter, you wouldn't know they were unique.

[HopeHoops]

4. Does your friend have the serial numbers? I'm hoping they were insured. I've got instrument rider.

I've also got a computer rider. They're worth it.

Still, if you report them as stolen and have serial numbers, reputable pawn shops (at least) will check the database. Dealing with stolen merchandise can put them out of business and they all know it. My guess would be that they took them further than 15 miles to pawn them, so going through the authorities is the best bet for recovery. Then again, somebody really stupid might list them on Craig's List or eBay. Weirder things have happened.

[hedgehog]

5. Check the scrap metal dealers!

[AnneD]

12. An honest scrap dealer...

Would know it was hotter than a Saturday night special.

[grasswire]

6. are these trumpets something a jazz musician would want?

If so, I have a suggestion.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. No they were classical.

[grasswire]

9. okay....

because I'm on a listserv for jazz musicians and could submit an item like this. Perhaps there is something similar for classical horn players?

[no_hypocrisy]

10. Interesting idea.

[rimsim]

8. pawn shops.

pawn shops dont hate on it because when it comes down to it where do you think they got some of the stuff from?

[AnneD]

11. Alert all the pawn shops....

My daughter's Italian oboe was stolen. It didn't take them long to figure it wasn't so easy to pawn as we had the word out in no time. My daughter got it back. We let it be known that we would take it back, no questions ask. We figured it was the school bus driver, but we did not prosecute. They ended up looking bad enough as it was. Thank goodness it was as unique as it was.