What do you charge for a returned ring?

[landman]

The cost of supporting this hobby sometimes comes in unexpected ways. Some of you have returned class rings for free, some have charged and others have just sold them for scrap. If you have charged to return a wedding or class ring, how much have you charged? What is their response after contacting them and announcing a fee?

 

[JohnA]

all men's wedding bands. One I found on the dry sand within 45" of being lost. Didn't ask for any money, but the husband and wife insisted- 20.00. A heavy white gold band. The next I found within 5" of being lost in the water- a handshake and a grateful thank you. The last one I found was in the wet/dry sand interface and had been lost for a week. The guy had bought a detector locally and failed to find it. The beach concierge showed me the general area and I found it. He had the guy's number and told him I wanted a finder's fee- 50.00. I got a check almost immediately and a nice thank you note. I don't think of this as a business, however I am approached frequently about lost items. I never state a fee and if I find it I let the owner do what he/she thinks is right. I am thinking 50.00 an hour minimum and possibly more if the item is particularly valuable, assuming a charge is negotiated.

 

[Ron Lord]

I charge what ever it is worth to them ,If it's not worth anything I keep it! If they want to pay I charge $50.00 per hour. In the Water it's $50 before I start.
If they are willing to pay the $50 you know they are not pulling your chain . Most of the time ,if it doesn't take long it;s FREE , tips pay for GAS

 

[cubfan64]

Most people have insisted I take something in return, but I've never asked for anything. This is my hobby and if it gives me an opportunity to help someone out now and then, I'm happy to do it.

Alot of people would consider it stupid and naive - I just enjoy the feeling I get knowing I've helped someone out. Do unto others..... you know?

Do what you're comfortable with.

 

[scubadetector]

I have returned 12 rings and I don't charge a cent. If I get offered I don't turn it down either. I still have 19 class rings in my possession that I am looking for owners for. I also have two in my posession that I need to return.

If I go and hunt just for a ring, I ask for gas and the air for my tank. So far I have done that sucessfully for 3 rings and unsucessfully for 2.

 

[Cupajo]

Hi Gang,

Over the years (25) I've returned 28 gold rings to the owners. In some cases I was asked to look for them and in others the people asked me if I might have found them and I have never charged for finding the rings or returning rings I may have in my posession!!! That doesn't mean I haven't been paid. If you've read my posts you know that I have been paid on occasion. Once I nearly got into an argument with a guy that was insisting he write me a check!!!

Also I recently found two aluminum? toe rings for these three sweet lil' girls 10years or so old that were almost in tears with gratitude. What am I going to say---,"OK kids that's be five bucks!!!"???

What goes around---------------------------,

Cupajo

 

[nugget]

I charge 10% of retail of the item when found. I have 100% strike rate on all call outs to date. Although when detecting one day a bloke asked me to find his car keys. I was swinging a grid search when he came over and said he'd found them by eye. I did'nt charge anything, as it was'nt a call out, but had $5 thrust into my hand anyway. HH regards Nugget.

 

[Daniel A.]

I just do it as a service to the hobby gives me something to shot for as well. The last guy in November spent a day looking himself with a rental machine then got hold of me I found the wedding ring in 10 minutes he insisted I take his 100.00 which I donated to a forum. Dan

 

[Maui Mike]

Money is a bonus for doing what we love anyway.. that said.. if you need to make a special trip " gas, air, supplies, your time" then charging is not unreasonable. seems each case is unique.
and as others have said, you just got to do what you feel is right, just my 2 cents worth,.. shaka Mikey

 

[grumpyolman]

I'd like to return rings. or anything else I am asked to look for, without charging a thing. However, with the nasty gas prices and all I am thinking it really shouldn't cost me anything to offer the service out of my pocket. My time to help someone is cheap! Had a neighbor who asked me to help him find a gold stick pin for his tie. He saw it fall into the grass and knew right where it should be. Spent two hours searching and marking spots. Couldn't find it. A few days later he came and showed it to me and said he found it on the floor boards of his car. Go figure huh? Perhaps a small fee for showing up to help might make some of those who ask for help to be more accurate about where they lost thier valuable. Regards...Jim.