Advice on tracking down stolen bags?

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may3545

may3545

Happy living
O.G.
Mar 15, 2006
10,438
10,525
#1
Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure if I should post here, but I would love advice or experience regarding theft of Hermes bags. I was away for a long holiday, and unfortunately there was a theft of the following handbags:

Kelly 28 sellier SO, craie epsom exterior, rose tyrien interior, lengthened shoulder strap
Kelly 20 rose azalee epsom, palladium hardware
Kelly 35 retourne iris clemence, palladium hardware
Jige clutch in beton swift
Jige clutch in rose sakura swift
Also some Chanel RTW.

The theft occurred in San Francisco.

Police report has been filed, and I also made an insurance claim with homeowner's policy, gathering all my receipts to submit as well.

The most important thing is that everyone is safe and healthy. I do love my bags and collection, and while insurance can hopefully help provide funds for replacing, I wonder if there's a way for me to track my official items down, in hopes to also catch the thief/thieves?

I don't come online often, nor do I post much. I try to stay positive and happy most of the time, drama-free for my own emotional wellbeing. Any advice is appreciated. And if any of you happen upon these items on the resale market, please let me know! I'll send police leads.

Thank you,
May
 
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#2
I'm so sorry you're going through this ordeal. Thankfully, everyone is safe.

Pawn shops are legally obligated to log all goods in their database (called CAPSS) with the sellers personal information and fingerprint. The police has access to this database and will notify you if the goods turn up at a pawn shop. Due to all the red tape, these thieves may not be stupid enough to sell to a pawn shop.

From experience, I'd visit any shop that resells used luxury goods in the San Francisco area with a policy report and ask if they'd contact you if these items come in. This includes both TheRealReal locations. If they won't call you, then set online alerts for any boutique's site including TheRealReal. I'd also set eBay alerts just in case these bags are listed in the near future. These are very specific bags and their low availability on the open market could work to your advantage.

Hopefully, the insurance company will help you recoup most if not all of your losses.

Good luck, OP.

PS
In my case, the theft was premeditated because it happened immediately after I left for work one day. The thieves probably watched my home often and wrote down my family's routine to know when we wouldn't be home. If your thieves didn't take anything else, then I'd start to question who knew you had these bags. After my break-in, sometimes I'd leave early for work and just circle back slowly to double-check my neighborhood for any suspicious vehicles or loiterers. Just be cognizant of your surroundings and if anyone is just on their cell phone on your street when you leave.
 
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#3
pursekitten said:
I'm so sorry you're going through this ordeal. Thankfully, everyone is safe.

Pawn shops are legally obligated to log all goods in their database (called CAPSS) with the sellers personal information and fingerprint. The police has access to this database and will notify you if the goods turn up at a pawn shop. Due to all the red tape, these thieves may not be stupid enough to sell to a pawn shop.

From experience, I'd visit any shop that resells used luxury goods in the San Francisco area with a policy report and ask if they'd contact you if these items come in. This includes both TheRealReal locations. If they won't call you, then set online alerts for any boutique's site including TheRealReal. I'd also set eBay alerts just in case these bags are listed in the near future. These are very specific bags and their low availability on the open market could work to your advantage.

Hopefully, the insurance company will help you recoup most if not all of your losses.

Good luck, OP.

PS
In my case, the theft was premeditated because it happened immediately after I left for work one day. The thieves probably watched my home often and wrote down my family's routine to know when we wouldn't be home. If your thieves didn't take anything else, then I'd start to question who knew you had these bags. After my break-in, sometimes I'd leave early for work and just circle back slowly to double-check my neighborhood for any suspicious vehicles or loiterers. Just be cognizant of your surroundings and if anyone is just on their cell phone on your street when you leave.
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This is super helpful! I'll reach out to shops and set alerts, as you mentioned.
 
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#9
So sorry this happened to you.

I also just saw a segment yesterday about the rise in Bay Area theft. Apparently there are large operations based in the East Bay where they are turning goods around. After changing several hands, things (including high end luxury bags)are being sold at the East Bay flea markets. I’m not sure if it’s worth going yourself, but many of the police departments there are working on finding these operations so maybe have your police department contact theirs. With such specific items, they may be able to track them down and also trace who took them in the first place.
 
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#14
All my lux items are in a large, heavy, gun safe with a lock, good luck trying to open it and it is so heavy needs at least two big people to move it, really need a trolley to move it. As i have said in other posts, I keep a thermostat in it to make sure leather does not ever overheat. If you collect expensive things, such a safe is a cheap investment.
 
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#15
pjhm said:
All my lux items are in a large, heavy, gun safe with a lock, good luck trying to open it and it is so heavy needs at least two big people to move it, really need a trolley to move it. As i have said in other posts, I keep a thermostat in it to make sure leather does not ever overheat. If you collect expensive things, such a safe is a cheap investment.
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Is there a brand you recommend?
 
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