GOLD RING UPDATE!

[RAYDUNNING]

A couple of weeks ago I found this nice 14K men's HS Ring in about 3-4 inches of ground on a soccer field. It had the man's name in it, and so began the search. Since it was on an Army Post, and I am Army, I have access to the Army Email System. So I did a name search for what appeared inside the band to be "Santiago Carrera". Well, I was satisfied that there was no one in the Army by that name...so I went to get the value of the ring. About $170.00 raw gold. Anyway, I happened to look at it again, and I realized that the spelling of the last name was maybe slightly different...I need to actually USE my reading glasses. Sure enough, the last name looked like CORREA. So I tried that and BINGO! So I called the number and emailed him. He is a Sergeant in the US Army. I sent him a picture and asked him if he recognized what was in the picture. He sure did! Apparently, he was stationed at Fort Leavenworth in 2000-2002. Since he graduated from HS in 1999, he only had the ring for a year. He said he didn't even know where he lost it, but he was sure happy to get it back. "I never thought I would see that again!" Anyway, glad to get it back to a soldier too. Well, that's my story. I am heading to Maine in a week for some visiting and MD around some real old haunts, then on to Germany for 3 years. I will be hitting a beach in Poland too. Wish me luck or advice. Both my GTI 1500 and my Fischer CZ are ready to go!
Ray

 

[awhitster]

That is the right thing to do. You should be proud of yourself. Now go find one that is unmarked so you can keep it.

 

[liltracs]

Great story, Glad to see some people think about somebody besides thierselves all the time.

 

[cwilk]

Very kind of you. You read a lot of good stories and a few horror stories about returning rings and jewelry. I'm glad your's turned out so positive.

Chris

 

[Uncle Willy]

That's the best part about finding those kinds of rings - is returning them to the owners. It can be a real kick. Good luck on the other side of the pond.

Bill

 

[awhitster]

Very kind of you. You read a lot of good stories and a few horror stories about returning rings and jewelry. I'm glad your's turned out so positive.

Chris

How could it be a horror story?

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah I've got two or three I kept as I couldn't locate the owners. I got a surprise today as I was checking some of my rings. I had one in the bag that had a whole bunch of stones in the top of it and two were missing. Since it was silver ( or I thought so ) I just tossed it in the bag. When I checked it today lo and behold 18 KT is stamped inside the band. They don't put junk stones in 18 KT. white gold mountings. So that made my day.

Bill

 

[Da Yooper]

Wow, that was very nice of you. Good luck md'ing

 

[cwilk]

There are a number of stories on this forum about detectors who find rings and cellphones and wallets and then have all sorts of trouble with the owners once they contact them. I recall one about a gal who was mad at the finder for wanting her to travel to pick up her ring at her expense. Others where they finder actually lost money on the deal when they were not reimbursed for shipping and insurance back to the owner. I'm sure a heartfelt thank you would have been payment enough in many cases but sometimes even that was lacking. I am, of course, talking about a minority but one bad ring return has led to more than one "now I just keep what I find and don't even bother looking for the owner" posts. I tried to find a few of these posts using search but couldn't manage it.

I do not bend over backwards to locate the owners of the jewelry I have found. I have returned one ring to it's owner. I showed the ring I found at our local beach to some kids and they said that belongs to................., I gave them my number and when the gal called and IDed it to my satisfaction I returned it. There was a word on the inside band that probably only the owner would have known. She was about 13. I got a nice thank you and get a friendly wave when I see her now.

Chris

 

[cwilk]

Long thread. See how doing something good turned ugly?

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?26,568828,568828#msg-568828

FWIW.

Chris

 

[awhitster]

I recall one about a gal who was mad at the finder for wanting her to travel to pick up her ring at her expense. Chris

If I found something the owner would have to pick it up. Period. If they want it bad enough, come and get it. Also, I have a neutral place where I meet people, not at my home. It is a very busy, gas station with a fast food place. Where is my physical address. They don't need to know. Any crap from them and I can hang up as fast as I dialed. I figure I am doing the right thing. Be nice and happy or see you.

Others where they finder actually lost money on the deal when they were not reimbursed for shipping and insurance back to the owner.

Once again, I am doing them a favor. If I have a ring that only the owner knows what is written inside and I know it, the owner must figure it is for real. Pre-pay or forget it. Once again, I have a PO box. I won't give my physical address to strangers for security reasons.

I'm sure a heartfelt thank you would have been payment enough in many cases but sometimes even that was lacking.

Some people weren't raised right and think everyone owes them something.

I do not bend over backwards to locate the owners of the jewelry I have found.

And we don't need to. Most of us are in it for the fun....and the money from coin and jewelry is just icing on the cake.

I have returned one ring to it's owner. I showed the ring I found at our local beach to some kids and they said that belongs to................., I gave them my number and when the gal called and IDed it to my satisfaction I returned it. There was a word on the inside band that probably only the owner would have known. She was about 13. I got a nice thank you and get a friendly wave when I see her now.
Chris

And that made it all worthwhile.

In closing, thanks for the reply cwilk. Hopefully this will give some people some in-site as to how to handle returning items. Also, I would make any calls on a cell phone. That way they can't track you back to your house.