Stolen PRS-505 - Melbourne, Australia

pox67 · 10-11-2008, 08:03 PM

Hi all,

some bad news to report as my PRS-505 was stolen from a cafe in Melbourne yesterday. I have the serial number of it and there can't be many 505's in Melbourne as they are not readily available. So if any one hears of one for sale second hand please let me know. It won't come with CD, packaging or cables as I still have those. It is the dark blue model and has about 10 Sci-Fi books on it.

The reader was lifted out of my bag as I went to the washroom and my wife went to put a tip in the tip jar

You can never get to comfortable it seems.

I have only had it for a few months but have read quite a few books with it. I will definitely be getting another reader but probably not for a while as the Australia dollar is doing so bad (currently 66US cents to our dollar and I got the read at 98US cents to the dollar).

I had just started a great new book as well!

RickyMaveety · 10-11-2008, 08:12 PM

I am so sorry to hear that. I think the only time I have left my Kindle (and my purse) behind is when I was at the meetup in Houston last weekend. But, if you can't trust your stuff with a bunch of MR members, then you might as well just give up and put a gun to your head.

I do hope you get it back. For that matter, I hope the world economy gets better, and quick. I also hope that the thief gets caught ... and gets what by rights should be coming to him/her.

Patricia · 10-11-2008, 10:16 PM

I'm sorry to hear about this.
It could be worth checking your home insurance to see whether you are covered against theft of personal items outside the house.

JeffElkins · 10-11-2008, 11:22 PM

That's a good reason to personalize your Reader. It can be done via software or with an etching tool. It won't prevent a theft, but at least you can definitively prove the Reader is yours if it turns up in a pawn shop.

Ervserver · 10-11-2008, 11:58 PM

If you buy a new one install a GPS chip inside it

pilotbob · 10-12-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

That's a good reason to personalize your Reader. It can be done via software or with an etching tool. It won't prevent a theft, but at least you can definitively prove the Reader is yours if it turns up in a pawn shop.

I think Serial number is adequate for that. But, you need to record it. Does everyone have all their tech s/ns written in a file somewhere and stored off site?

I know I don't. This gives me motivation to do it.

BOb

PS: GO Rays!

montsnmags · 10-12-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pox67

Hi all,

some bad news to report as my PRS-505 was stolen from a cafe in Melbourne yesterday. I have the serial number of it and there can't be many 505's in Melbourne as they are not readily available. So if any one hears of one for sale second hand please let me know. It won't come with CD, packaging or cables as I still have those. It is the dark blue model and has about 10 Sci-Fi books on it.
...

Well, that suck-diddly-ucks. As someone mentioned, look into the fine details of your home insurance policy, as on some rare occasions the small print actually works in your favour.

Keep an eye out on ebay, and the trading post, and oztion, and cash converters online, and the like as well. I know with ebay you can set up a search that alerts you to new items listed (either via newsfeed or email), and the others might have something similar. If you want to try identify the serial number, fake an innocent question like "The screens were changed by Sony at one point, so can you tell me the serial number?".

I don't know if Sony DRM works similar to Mobipocket, but, if so, and your device PID is registered with the Sony Connect store to support DRMed purchases (assuming you ever used it so - I realise that from Oz this is of reduced probability), you might want to contact them to see if they can track if someone starts registering purchases on it. (This is merely hypothetical on my part - I have no idea how Sony DRM works...hell, I can't say I'm completely sure how Mobipocket DRM works on my Iliad

).

Again, that sucks. Sorry to hear it.

Cheers,
Marc

InspectorGadget · 10-12-2008, 01:02 AM

I feel for you.

Brings to mind something -- Does everyone have their name and phone number labeled (engraved, Brother sticker-labeled, etc.) on the back of their reader, their laptop, their phone, iPod, etc.?

"I know I don't" (to quote Bob). I thought about this the last time I lost my Treo. There are lots of moral, responsible people in this world. Even if your item gets stolen, and certainly if it gets left behind or lost, a good person may come across it at some point, and if you're identified, you have a much better chance of getting it back.

- The Inspector

HarryT · 10-12-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

I feel for you.

Brings to mind something -- Does everyone have their name and phone number labeled (engraved, Brother sticker-labeled, etc.) on the back of their reader, their laptop, their phone, iPod, etc.?

I don't, because I re-sell most of my gadgets. Any non-permanent ID can be removed. Any permanent ID makes the device virtually unsellable.

My house insurance covers theft of devices even outside the home.

grimo1re · 10-12-2008, 04:40 AM

Awww, that sucks! I'm sorry you've lost your reader, I'd be frantic without mine.....and just having started a new book, how frustrating. Let's hope the Aussie dollar rallies (but not before I've managed to shift some funds back home) and you can buy a nice 700!

JanetCinNC · 10-12-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

That's a good reason to personalize your Reader. It can be done via software or with an etching tool. It won't prevent a theft, but at least you can definitively prove the Reader is yours if it turns up in a pawn shop.

A quick and easy way I personalized my reader is here https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23880

If you don't have your serial number handy, there is no arguing with proving it's yours when it has your picture ID in it. Sure, they can remove it if they have the software, but if they are stealing it to sell it, they probably aren't going to clear out anything from it.

MickeyC · 10-12-2008, 12:00 PM

Bummer! I once left my reader on the treadmill at the gym and didn't realize it for 20 minutes. When I noted my error, I ran back to the treadmill to find it right where I'd left it. Whew!

My first thought, when I read your post, was that it was a MobileRead member who took it. After all, we are a bunch of out-of-control bookworms. But then, whoever of us it was, having discovered the ten books on the reader, would probably still be sitting there reading away oblivious to all else.

Taylor514ce · 10-12-2008, 12:24 PM

I was going to post what Marc already did, but it's worth repeating: tell Sony the device has been stolen, so that if the new "owner" ever tries to register it with them, they will at least be aware. I'm not sure what they could do about it, however.

InspectorGadget · 10-12-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't, because I re-sell most of my gadgets. Any non-permanent ID can be removed. Any permanent ID makes the device virtually unsellable.

My house insurance covers theft of devices even outside the home.

I also re-sell many of my gadgets. I have never defaced something with an engraver. However, my point was that it may be worth labeling with removable ID because there do exist honest people and you'll improve your chances of recovery. If you lose an electronic device in a public place, even if found by an honest person, what can they do with it if it's not labeled?

Also remember, insurance is collective risk management. As such, we all pay for insurance claims. I would think maximizing the chance of recovery would be a virtue.

I've had things returned to me.

- The Inspector

pox67 · 10-12-2008, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the support

Unfortunately the cafe never rang back to say someone found it

Now I will start calling insurance and the Visa company to see if there is anyway I can get some money back on it.

I will also let Sony know and see if they can lock it out of the system.

10-11-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
pox67 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia Device: Sony PRS-505 (stolen), Bebook	Stolen PRS-505 - Melbourne, Australia Hi all, some bad news to report as my PRS-505 was stolen from a cafe in Melbourne yesterday. I have the serial number of it and there can't be many 505's in Melbourne as they are not readily available. So if any one hears of one for sale second hand please let me know. It won't come with CD, packaging or cables as I still have those. It is the dark blue model and has about 10 Sci-Fi books on it. The reader was lifted out of my bag as I went to the washroom and my wife went to put a tip in the tip jar You can never get to comfortable it seems. I have only had it for a few months but have read quite a few books with it. I will definitely be getting another reader but probably not for a while as the Australia dollar is doing so bad (currently 66US cents to our dollar and I got the read at 98US cents to the dollar). I had just started a great new book as well!

10-12-2008, 12:00 PM	#12
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Bummer! I once left my reader on the treadmill at the gym and didn't realize it for 20 minutes. When I noted my error, I ran back to the treadmill to find it right where I'd left it. Whew! My first thought, when I read your post, was that it was a MobileRead member who took it. After all, we are a bunch of out-of-control bookworms. But then, whoever of us it was, having discovered the ten books on the reader, would probably still be sitting there reading away oblivious to all else. Last edited by MickeyC; 10-12-2008 at 12:05 PM.

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10-11-2008, 08:12 PM	#2
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	I am so sorry to hear that. I think the only time I have left my Kindle (and my purse) behind is when I was at the meetup in Houston last weekend. But, if you can't trust your stuff with a bunch of MR members, then you might as well just give up and put a gun to your head. I do hope you get it back. For that matter, I hope the world economy gets better, and quick. I also hope that the thief gets caught ... and gets what by rights should be coming to him/her.

10-11-2008, 10:16 PM	#3
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I'm sorry to hear about this. It could be worth checking your home insurance to see whether you are covered against theft of personal items outside the house.

10-11-2008, 11:22 PM	#4
JeffElkins Guru Posts: 780 Karma: 1416 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Kobo Clara 2E/HD, Kindle PW	That's a good reason to personalize your Reader. It can be done via software or with an etching tool. It won't prevent a theft, but at least you can definitively prove the Reader is yours if it turns up in a pawn shop.

10-11-2008, 11:58 PM	#5
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	If you buy a new one install a GPS chip inside it

10-12-2008, 01:02 AM	#8
InspectorGadget Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 70 Join Date: Apr 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	I feel for you. Brings to mind something -- Does everyone have their name and phone number labeled (engraved, Brother sticker-labeled, etc.) on the back of their reader, their laptop, their phone, iPod, etc.? "I know I don't" (to quote Bob). I thought about this the last time I lost my Treo. There are lots of moral, responsible people in this world. Even if your item gets stolen, and certainly if it gets left behind or lost, a good person may come across it at some point, and if you're identified, you have a much better chance of getting it back. - The Inspector

10-12-2008, 04:40 AM	#10
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Awww, that sucks! I'm sorry you've lost your reader, I'd be frantic without mine.....and just having started a new book, how frustrating. Let's hope the Aussie dollar rallies (but not before I've managed to shift some funds back home) and you can buy a nice 700!

10-12-2008, 12:24 PM	#13
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	I was going to post what Marc already did, but it's worth repeating: tell Sony the device has been stolen, so that if the new "owner" ever tries to register it with them, they will at least be aware. I'm not sure what they could do about it, however.

10-12-2008, 06:26 PM	#15
pox67 Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia Device: Sony PRS-505 (stolen), Bebook	Thanks for the support Unfortunately the cafe never rang back to say someone found it Now I will start calling insurance and the Visa company to see if there is anyway I can get some money back on it. I will also let Sony know and see if they can lock it out of the system.