"Gene" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:42:23 -0500, Rob wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:10:53 -0800, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

"John wrote in message
news On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:01:48 -0500, Gene
wrote:

On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:34:53 -0800, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

"John wrote in message
...
On 27 October I took my boat in to get the oils changed and engine
winterized. Also wanted them to check the alternator. Told them,
Dumfries Marine, that they could take their time as I'd be out of
town
for a few days.

I got back in town after a trip to NC, and saw no message on the
machine from them. Didn't worry. Waited another week, but still had
heard nothing. Finally, around 9 November, I'm thinking they should
have called, so I call them. No answer. Leave a message.

Next day same thing. I call, no answer, leave message. I did this
every day that week. I try over the weekend - nothing.

The next week comes and I start by calling them on Monday, that's
16
Nov. No answer. Tuesday AM I drive to Dumfries to see what the hell
is
happening. No one around (at about 10:30), no sign on door, no
nothing. My boat is behind the building with a padlock on the
hitch,
but other than that there is no security.

Wednesday I call again, nothing. I drive down Thursday, and again
on
Saturday morning. Nothing. Yesterday AM I call and get a recording
that the phone's been disconnected. ****.

I call the Dumfries Police. Explain what's happened. They try to
call
and get the answer machine. The 'disconnected' recording was a
fluke,
or I misdialed. Don't know. The police said they'd check things out
and get back to me. They also said I might have to take the matter
to
civil court as they have no report of a crime. I tell them that as
far
as I'm concerned my boat's been stolen. They never got back to me.

This morning I rent the biggest bolt cutter the rental place can
provide. Costs me ten bucks. I'm off to get my damn boat. When I
get
there I see a pickup backed up to the door and a bunch of stuff
loaded
in the back. I try the door and it's open. I yell and someone
replies.
Turns out to be one of the two brothers who run the place.

I ask what the hell's going on. He shrugs, but doesn't answer. I
ask
if they're still in business. Another shrug. Finally I tell him I
want
my damn boat. He hands me the keys. When I ask him why he hasn't
called, his response is, "Personal problems."

Anyway, I get my boat and go. Last time I go there for anything.
--

John H


It's probably pretty good that you didn't act on getting your boat
with
the
bolt cutters. Even though it was your boat, you could be charged
with
trespass, breaking/entering, perhaps property damage, and God knows
what
else.

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. John's actions were BY FAR
the best approach.

To assume that our court system works is to engage in a fool's
errand.
You will spend forever engaged in placating the system and paying
obscene amounts to attorneys.... with unpredictable results, at best.

When faced with this sort of issue.... a wise individual seeks
forgiveness, NOT permission.....

I figured possession was nine-tenths and all that. I'd have felt much
better getting hassled about cutting the lock off while the boat was
in *my* driveway.

They would have had the keys, but I could get more made.
--

John H


You'd be wrong. If you remove something from someone else's property
without
their permission, you're subject to arrest.

Not when that "something" is YOUR property.....

This nine-tenths business gets a
lot of people in trouble who wouldn't have been if they just had some
patience.

Bull$hit... patience will only co$t you MANY dollar$ to recover that
which i$ ALREADY YOUR$......

You can't "steal" something that you OWN......

If you have to enter private property to do it you can have problems.

Rob

Wrong.... as every Fuller Brush Man knows........

post No Trespassing signs....... maybe a different situation.....


No, there's a presumption of private property involved also... just like a
presumption of privacy. Sorry.

--
Nom=de=Plume