Re: [Leica] WTB User M2

[Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>]

Jesus, I wish I'd started an INTERESTING thread instead of this 
BS.....I realize that your "questions" were in fact more flame bait, 
but here goes:
1: Leica Geeks vary...we all suffer from the malady at times...
   you know who/when you are being one.......
2: No, you DON't have to have a ser.# to report it stolen....and 
   you DON"T have to have a # to get it back....cops ask, and then 
   make you feel dumb for NOT having it, but I've had gear stolen and 
   found and reclaimed without numbers....damn lucky, and stupid, 
   but I'm both at times.  Now I have numbers on all Leica, but 
   not old Nikons -- again, stupid.  Bear in mind that I used to 
   USE cameras, (not a Geek)...now that I'm mostly sitting on my 
   ass not shooting, and not swapping as much gear, it's less of 
   a problem (I hope...)
3: If you have homeowner's insurance, and no receipts/numbers, 
   make sure an acquaintance (not family) has a mental inventory 
   of your stuff...that, plus a good agent, will usually suffice 
   for proof of ownership.....BTW, stable, employed homeowners get 
   BETTER consideration from said companies upon loss than transient/
   student/renter journalist types....EXPERIENCE speaks here...
4: Keep your numbers/receipts if you have them/video or stills 
   of your gear on the kitchen table, etc...to make your life 
   simpler in times of loss....BUT if you're lazy/irresponsible 
   as MOST of us are (probably less than 50% of Leica owners 
   have these things, and probably fewer than 20% of non-Leica 
   camera owners do) you STILL have a chance......regardless
   of what the lawyers/cops say, you CAN OWN GEAR without numbers
   and receipts --- but if you or you surroundings "look suspicious"
   expect some raised eyebrows and insulting questions....again, 
   Now that I'm gray/bald and 40, living in an ULTRA conservative 
   older neighborhood (I'm the youngest on the block) and driving 
   a pickup and an economy car, I'd expect/get FAR fewer hassles 
   than when I was a PJ-hellraiser in a sports car with a near-
   afro smelling like booze with an F-U attitude!  Try it if you 
   don't believe it......I'm still the same asshole, it's just the 
   "appearances" that matter.
5: I've had mostly bad experiences dealing with cops (as an owner, 
   I've never been a thief) and good experiences with insurance 
   companies....haven't had a camera theft in YEARS, but did 
   have a nice bicycle stolen from my garage (my fault, no lock, 
   door open).  Wasn't enough money to try insurance, but as usual,
   took two days to GET a cop on the non-emergency number -- then 
   was chastised a bit and nothing else came of it....oh well.

Happy New Year, try to be smarter than me,

Walt

On
Fri, 1
Jan 1999, sam alexander wrote:

> By the way, what exactly is a "Leica Geek?". Is that someone who
> can fit the most explatives into a post?
> Also, wouldn't the "thief" or "dealer" have to have proof that they in
> fact owned/purchased the equipment they are reporting stolen?
> While I personally don't see the need for anyone to ever post a complete
> serial number. . .I'm equally not sure I can see what harm it could do.
> 
> 
>