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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stolen buggy- tempted to Facebook shame - any advice?

231 replies

JSSB · 25/01/2017 09:50

I really need some advice as at the end of my tether. Apologies in advance for the long post. Last November I had my twin boys buggy stolen from my car when parked outside our house. Reported to Police who did not attend as "petty" crime, but they advised to check selling sites as it may appear on there which I have been doing ever since. Last Friday it popped up on a facebook selling site. I contacted police as advised and was told it was a low priority so they did not know when would attend. I therefore contacted the seller directly and arranged to view straight away. I visited the property, confirmed it was my buggy and called police immediately who said they would attend. Long story short the Police did not attend until next day after me ringing all night and surprise surprise buggy has been sold and they cannot provide details to police of who they brought it from or sold it to as their phone is broken 😒 I have been advised by Police they can take no further action. I have the sellers details and am very tempted to put on all local sites warning people not to buy anything from her. Advice please.

OP posts:
MillyMollyMardy · 25/01/2017 11:03

Do you have legal advice on your house insurance? This often covers you for solicitors letters etc. A threatening letter may be all you need. I always though that being in possession of stolen objects means they still belong to the original owner even if you were unaware they were stolen.

bonfireheart · 25/01/2017 11:04

can I genuinely ask what outcome you want?
The person who bought it to return? But then they lose out on money.
From the current buyer to say they bought it from x? But even then you can't prove x stole it from your car. You have no proof, the police have no proof. Simply saying its your buggy isn't proof. They could have bought it off someone else who bought it off someone else... Them not having the contact details of the person they bought it from also isn't proof enough.

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:05

MillyMollyMardy yes that is the advice we have been given by the Police. However the issue is they no longer have the pram and "can't find" who they sold it to. Without the pram the Police have no physical evidence. The sickening thing is I actually had it in my hands but followed Police advice and left it at the property.

OP posts:
PinkTrotters · 25/01/2017 11:06

Can't provide details to police of who they bought it from and sold it to. Except now she can, for money Hmm If the police still won't help you I would shame or go with what LikeTheShoes suggested.

bonfireheart · 25/01/2017 11:06

Also how can you prove to anyone it is your buggy?

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:06

I just want the pram back. I don't care who stole it or who bought it.

OP posts:
jollygoose · 25/01/2017 11:07

I think I would be threatening her with court action - the threat itself might be enough to make her think about recompense. If not it could be worth taking legal action yourself.

bonfireheart · 25/01/2017 11:08

Threatening who exactly with court action?

MillyMollyMardy · 25/01/2017 11:09

Have you spoken to your insurers?
Do you have screen shots of the Facebook page?

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:10

As stated above the proof is the serial number and date of manufacture which I checked when in property.

OP posts:
FlouncingInAWinterWonderland · 25/01/2017 11:10

Could you go through small claims court and claim for a replacement pram?

I wonder if you could print everything out and make a good case against her.

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:11

Yes have screenshots of it all including messages to me where they may be able to "find" it when they've raised some money.

OP posts:
Emberroo · 25/01/2017 11:13

I can't believe you didn't just walk out of the house with it. Or call the police while you were stood there. No way would I have left without it! Cheeky cow

Willyoujustbequiet · 25/01/2017 11:15

This is a disgrace

Formal complaint into the police. Tweet them/shame police on social media

Post on the selling sites with the disclaimer about her. But also a small claims case against her.

Emberroo · 25/01/2017 11:15

And yes, name and shame her, everywhere. I'd be calling the local papers too. Have just reread and seen you left it there on Police advice, terrible advice! You must be furious.

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:16

I know I feel such an idiot now but did what was told to do by police. Also I was on my own in a house of 4 people in what is a notorious local area.

OP posts:
MillyMollyMardy · 25/01/2017 11:17

Have been through something similar in which the police failed to act and told me it was a civil matter.
A tradesman took money and then failed to carry out work or respond. Speak to your insurers and see what they suggest.
If you get no joy make a complaint about the police's lack of action. I ended up getting a visit from a senior officer who the took the man to the County Court for me to get the money back. You may not get this to happen but I can completely see why you are so incensed and upset. Some bugger stole your property and no-one wants to deal with it.

Emberroo · 25/01/2017 11:17

OP just wanted to say please consider your own security.

  • stolen from your car so they have your reg number and use it to track you down
  • stolen from ours your house so they may know where you live
  • you've had Facebook correspondence with them so they know who you are
  • you've been to view the buggy so they know what you look like

Time to step away I would say. Shaming them on Facebook or whatever else you're planning when they've already been visited by the police, it's likely to antagonise them further.

This is how people get away with it! People thinking like this. Don't be scared into submissive silence OP, stand up to them!

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:17

I'm really not a vindictive person but feel so helpless.

OP posts:
alwaysthepessimist · 25/01/2017 11:17

I would put a message on the selling group asking the buyer to make contact with you - don't say anything on the public post just ask them to privately message you, when they do you need to explain the situation and let them know they have now bought stolen goods and this is now in the hands of the police

LaContessaDiPlump · 25/01/2017 11:20

I'd be furious - with her and the police!

Hope you get it resolved op.

penguincrumble · 25/01/2017 11:22

If a car costing £1400 had been nicked I bet the police would be interested Angry

QuimReaper · 25/01/2017 11:27

I know it's the benefit of hindsight OP but I bet you so wish you'd rustled up a handful of MNers to go and "view" the pram with you, with documentation proving it's yours, and politely taken it back! I can see how sickening it is that you were so close to it. If the police had told you they weren't going to recover it for you, you could at least have had the option to take matters into your own hands. Even if the woman bought it from the thief and didn't know it was stolen (sounds unlikely) it's tough titties really, isn't it: she needs to take that up with whomever she bought it from.

You do need to consider your personal safety as mentioned above though.

What makes you so sure the buggy really has been sold and collected?

Original poster
JSSB · 25/01/2017 11:30

My husband doesn't believe they have sold it. He thinks they still have it or have moved it to another location. I don't know what to believe any more 😢

OP posts:
QuimReaper · 25/01/2017 11:35

I think it's possible they rumbled you when you came to view it and declared it Sold straight away. The Police could at least have a dekko in their property couldn't they, now you've got their attention? I mean, realistically where are they going to move it to?