Andy
Honorary Member
Great news in one respect, but I completely understand how having to buy your own drums back twists your gut - it certainly would with me.Thanks for all the replies, I have been reading and acting on many of your suggestions, so thanks for the support!
UPDATE
My drums turned up a couple weeks ago, the local drum shop owner was contacted by someone looking to trade "a tom and snare, cc, with bags". Unfortunately, the owner didn't see the email for a week or two, then the seller wouldn't respond to his inquiry. So the trail went cold.
Yesterday, though, a vigilant friend/bandmate found what appeared to be one of my drums on ebay! I looked and yeah, definitely mine. Same case, same head, my drum. I contacted the seller, which is a local pawn shop, and they removed the ebay listing, which was nice. The detective assigned to my case contacted them, though, and unfortunately they will not just give them up, nor do they have to. Player Dates do not get serial numbers, and there is nothing else to prove that they are unique. I talked to the manager there, and he is willing to sell the drums back for what they paid out ($400) but it is up to the police to find the thief and get that money back for me.
I don't know that there is much hope for getting my money back, but as much as it kills me I think my best option is to go buy back my own drums.
If the police can prove they're stolen, doesn't the shop have to give them up then? I understand that's difficult without numbers or otherwise unique distinguishing features. I assume the pawn shop is duty bound to keep correct records of the seller, & to seek proof of identity before purchasing items?
The original thieving little scumbag needs a damn good thrashing - daily!