Featured My consigned items were stolen in consignment store

I consigned many items in a consignment store. However, when I enter the store today to put some more items in the case. I found one glass door was broken. I told the owner of the store the door of my case was broken and I found at least two valuable coins were lost(one weighs over 1 kg , worth almost $5000, and another worth 500). The owner told me that he didn't realize that door was broken until I told him. (It probably had been broken for several weeks.) I asked him who will be responsible for that. He said I have to be responsible for that because I will have to buy the insurance for my property. I think it is ridiculous, becuase it was stolen in his store not my home. Furthermore, I asked whether they can provide the security video records which could be possible find the thief. But he told me that they don't have security carama.

The contract didn't mention who will be responsible for the stolen items. He said he will call the police tomorrow to fild a claim.
Is there anyone who can tell me what to do next and who will be responsible for this loss? It is not a small loss, the loss at least worth $5500, or probably more(I will go there to estimate how many items were stolen.)

 

At the antique malls we participate in, each dealer is responsible for insuring their own items. But any contract should have specified who is responsible for insurance. It may be an expensive lesson learned.

 

The store is not an antique mall, it is an upscale antique store and I worked with them for almost 1 year. My items were scured in a glassed case which is always locked. However, the door hinges were removed by screw driver. And I was shocked that the owner and workers in the store didn't realize that. How could that be possible. If all store policy says that consignors should be responsible for their own items. What if the works or owners of the store stold these items and let the consignors be responsible their own loss? That is unfair.

 

What a horrible thing, Asian Fever. So sorry.

Make sure the owner contacts the police to report it.

If the store winds up not being responsible, if you have homeowners insurance, the theft may be covered.

Absolute worst case, if nothing else works, you may be able to write a loss off on income taxes.

So sorry to hear that this happened.

 

The store owner said that he pays 20k for insurance every month when I signed the contract with them. However, the contract didn't show who will be responsible for the stolen. And I took the picture which shows it is an absolte stolen. It is wierd that 20k insurance don't cover the loss of stolen in his store or he is lying to me when he was signing the contract with me.

 

Argggh! I'd definitely call the police ASAP with an inventory of what was stolen.

 

Almost sounds like a "rotten fish" somewhere!! They "never saw the door was broken"???? C'mon!!! And in NO rush to call the police???? Double c'mon!!

 

You would think that the shop owner would want to take every precaution, and make sure such losses are covered - or they won't have any more consignors.

 

If it gets out that they don't secure their consignors' merchandise, they'll soon have no consignors. And they'd darned well better know that. They just don't want to file a claim.

 

I’m Sorry this Happened Asian Fever.
My only suggestion is (and anyone can correct me, if I’m wrong)
Make sure the Police Report shows your Name as the owner of Stolen property, not the store owner.

 

Unfortunately, it is a bitter loss for you.
The store owner's policy probably doesn't cover theft.

It's like renter's insurance. You rent an apartment, if it goes up in flames your personal items are not covered by the apartment owner. That is why a tenant needs to purchase renter's insurance.

Same would apply to a rented consignment area.
Call the police yourself. They should have been called immediately upon finding the loss of goods. I would call first thing in the morning and have them meet you at the store. Be sure to take pictures of the damage to the cabinet.

Make sure you get a copy of the police report. As suggested your homeowner's may cover it, but I doubt it.
You will be able to write it off as a loss on your taxes.

 

Very good point.

 

I'm sad to hear about this. I don't know if you are in the US, so this article might not be of much help. http://vallalaw.com/va-articles/2015/7/24/summer-2012-newsletter

 

I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I'd feel pretty devastated in your shoes.

I also think it's a good idea for your to contact the police yourself and take charge of whatever needs to be done.

 

yes...contact the police...it's almost sounding like an inside job !!

 

I am so very sorry to hear that, Asian.
I am in a different country, so I have no idea about your rights in this situation. I can only say what the others have, take as many photos as you can, contact the police if the owner still hasn't, and make sure your name is in the report as owner.

The shop owner and staff are clearly careless, to say the least. Best to take all your items out of there and find another, more reliable store.
Before signing a new contract, make sure every detail is discussed and is written in the contract. No verbal agreement on anything, make sure it is written and signed. Look into the insurance and legal situation before you sign.
Good luck!

 

I know of several antique mall vendors that have security cameras in their booths. One of them learned via hidden camera that a store employee was complicit in pilfering their cases. The store paid up in that circumstance.

Unfortunately in most instances stolen property is never recovered since police usually don't have the resources to investigate "lesser" crimes. You could check pawn shops, flea markets, and online sites like Craigslist and see if it turns up there and notify law enforcement if it does.

 

So sorry Asian Fever. Without liability clearly written in a contract I fear you are going to have to fight this on your own. As others have said, no matter how you plan to move forward..a police report is a must!

 

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Someone in my area had a lot of expensive estate jewelry in an antique mall stolen, and she distributed fliers with photos to all the area pawn shops, other antique malls, auctioneers, antique dealers, etc., and was able to retrieve some of it, but it took a lot of time and effort on her part.

 

While the store may offer consignments, it sounds more like Asian Fever is renting space. Correct me if I am wrong. In either case, liability for theft should be covered in any contract signed at time of rental or consignment. If not, it is extremely negligent on the part of the store owner. They may be on the hook if this is the case but you would probably have to prove negligence in court.

In most situations, the risk is retained by the owner of the goods and it is spelled out in a contract. It would be up to the owner to obtain insurance but that may not even be possible or cost prohibitive. There is a certain amount of risk you take any time you offer something for sale to the public. You try to minimize risk but it is impossible to negate it entirely.

I sell and work in a very similar store. Our contracts are spelled out, with the owner of the goods holding liability for their property. We try to minimize risk and do have cameras that cover some areas of the store. Valuables are generally kept in locked cases up front near the cash station where is it likely to notice any suspicious actions. However, it would be possible for a diligent and talented thief to steal something from our store. Fortunately, we have not had many problems.

I might add that we also do not have any single item in our store worth $5K. Were it my item, I might think twice before offering something like this in an unregulated retail environment. I am sorry this has happened to you and hope that you are able to somehow retrieve your property or compensation.