How do you handle found belongings?
 

A family member found a verrrryyyy expensive digital camera in a rental car, under the seat. It had lots of the vacation pictures on the chips, including really cute ones of little kids with grandparents and them sleeping all squished up like little kids do. Though we'd really like to get this camera back to the owners I'm sure these people must be so sad about their lost pictures. The rental car company has been absolutely nooooo help.

We all say there should be a web site called lostpictures.com where found photos could be posted for retrieval by the true owners.

Any ideas?

I would call the main headquarters for the rental car company and ask for their help. Maybe something along the lines of "gee, wouldn't it be bad publicity if people found out you didn't help the Griswolds get the family photos back?"

Secondly, call the manufacterer of the camera. It may have a serial number or something that has been registered which would lead you right to the owners.

Thirdly, where did you find it? Florida? Alaska? Hawaii?

We have done both those things. We had hoped that the owners had registered the camera but they hadn't. The rental car company - not interested. Found in Northern California.

that's awful about the rental car company. we once discovered a wallet in a car we rented and handed it over to the agency, makes me wonder now.

maybe posting about it on craigslist.com would be a good logical next step.

A couple of suggestions: check the rental car comany's home website and find the corporate officers. They are usually listed in a place called about us, corporate or contact info. Get the name of the President/CEO and call his office. Chances are you will talk to his executive secretary who can help. OR call the public relations director.

Check the online classifieds for the city you visited and look in their lost and found ads.

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/
or newspapers.com.

If all else fails contact one of the local tv stations consumer reporters. They may be able to help.

Good luck!

When I've found things ( a bracelet in a hotel lobby, a ring under my car at work, etc) I leave a note with the people at that location, or put a found ad in the paper (many cities this is free), saying something like "found. Ring at Hilton. Call & describe"

I don't turn the item over, as most likely it won't be claimed an an employee will get to keep it, not you.

My girlfriend works at a hotel and gets tons of good stuff as the emp who finds it gets it if unclaimed in 60 days.

In your case, since the car co doesn't want to help, I guess you win a new camera! Good idea about the website...

I think it's great that you are trying to return their camera. You know they must be sick about losing it.

I wonder if you call the manager of the rental company & tell him/her that you have talked with headquarters & they suggested you ask the manager to contact the previous renter of the car. You know they have the info. If they are reluctant then you could mention that your other options are to contact the local news media (and how do they spell their name??)or the police.

Calling the local police might work. I bet they could "encourage" the rental people to check their records for the previous renter of the car.

I hope I have someone like you around if I ever lose something. You are a rare breed nowadays.The lesson that you are teaching your kids (if you have any) is invaluable.

Suzie,

Are you sure you don't want to name the company so we can all despise and avoid them? We could even forward this thread to their PR dept . . .

I have a story from the perspective of a "loser." Once while visiting another city I lost (OK, left) my wedding ring in a public washroom. The friend I was visiting offered to check the paper for a "found" ad. Cynical me, I thought it was nice of her to offer but ultimately a waste of time.

Much to my delight, a little five year old girl found it, showed it to her parents and said "I think it's real," and they actually did place an ad. My friend saw the ad, and everyone lived happily ever after!

One more thing, though you have probably thought of this...
Is there an identifiable hotel in the photos? If so, call the front desk and ask if a guest has reported a lost camera.
It's a shot...

Definitely try craigslist.org. It is very active in Northern California and if the previous renters possibly live in Northern California, that will probably be your best bet. They have a section just for lost and found.

It is really sweet that you are taking the time to do this and show such concern!!! Even if you never find the owners, it is nice to know that you cared.

Excellent suggestion TxTravel!

We left a camera in a car rented in Orange County and returned to SFO. It was in one of those DEEP pocket storage areas above the rear view mirror and we did not miss it until we were back home a few hours later.

I immediately phoned the Avis office at the SF airport and reported it. They checked, said it was not found and the car was out again for one week. But they noted the info, told me what time it was due back in and then referred me to Lost and Found for a full report. I called back just as the car was due back in, they checked again and it was still in the same spot. Avis immediately sent it to me and all was well. So kudos to Avis.

I would just call the car rental company, ask for Lost and Found and they should be able to access the info and who rented before you. You could ask if they would be so kind as to phone the previous renters to see if their camera was lost. It's just good PR.

Glad there are still honest people around!

Thanks for all your suggestions. I viewed all of their pictures looking for something we could use. Some pictures are of a young woman trying on wedding gowns. Ugh, the whole thing makes me crazy. There are christmas photos in there too. The thing is who knows how long the camara was in the car before it was found. Obviously the staff who "clean" the car didn't notice it. Guess I'll resume my bagering of the rental car company. Thing is the cars move around alot so the owners could have dropped it off in Oregon or CA. lostandfound.com was an interesting spot too. Lots of lost cameras.

In Miami, I once overlooked my husband's very expensive 35mm Canon under my seat in an Alamo rental I had turned in. When I discovered the loss the next morning I retraced my previous day's steps to no avail. Finally it occurred to me that I might have left it in the rental car. Called Alamo and they were holding it for me. I was never so relieved in my life! I couldn't imagine having to tell my hubby I lost his camera. God bless you for going to all this trouble. What goes around comes around. Hope someday someone does the same for you.

My fear Maggi is that the owners don't really know when or where they lost it so maybe they'd never report it to the rental car company.

Suzie- let us know how this all turns out.

I lost a $500 Kodak digital camera a couple of years ago. I think you should give me the camera in lieu of my loss.

I'm just amazed that people are still putting expensive things like cameras under their seats in rental cars. Don't they realize that's the first place thieves look when they break into cars? And obviously people forget they're there, as well.

Heres how it happened for me. I found a ladies Gucci watch at O'Hare. Knowing it was sure to be missed I had every intention of returning it. Then when I asked airport personnel if I could keep it if it went unclaimed for say 30 days she said, hesitatingly, "maybe." The indifference in her tone spoke volumes so I figured it was best to keep it as the rightful owner would never get it if I turned it in. Sei la vie.

I go out of my way to return, I figure I have the Karma factor working. I always have my stuff returned to me. In the past year I lost my wallet, another occasion my passport, glasses. Everything made its way back to me.