Lost box on 329

[jml99]

Ok, I will preface this with I feel incredibly dumb and know that there is probably zero chance that I will ever see my items again, but...I figure I should give everything a shot.

I lost a priority mail box with some items in it on 329 about 1.5 km north of Ishikawa this afternoon. I put the box on top of my car while wrestling my baby into her carseat, and promptly forgot about it as I drove away. I got all the way to the Courtney post office before realizing what I had done. By the time I got back, it was nowhere to be found. I'm pretty sure it was on 329 since an envelope I had placed under it was on the side of the road there. Does anyone have any suggestions as to who I could contact about a "lost and found" out in town? I already walked both sides of the road looking for it.

I know from experience that it's probably gone (lost a silver and gold watch at the Butler O'Club two springs ago, and that one never turned up, even though it had my name engraved on the back, surprise surprise) but I just wanted to ask for advice since it was a box my husband asked me to mail for him while he's away. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Jazz]

If your name or any information that would lead to you is in it, chances are it will find its way back to you, but that's only because you're in Okinawa.

[Sex Wax]

err..just out of curiosity...um....were you by any chance trying to mail your spouse any....how do I say it....."herbs of a smoking variety"? Because that seems to have been happening lately.

[macker]

I think the "box" is a euphemism.....

I have lost many "boxes" around 329, 330 along with BC and gate streets...

I sure do miss those "boxes"

[socalheart]

LOL. Oh you guys! :rolleyes: Don't mind them too much. As Ryu said, there is a good chance that a mature person found the box and either took it to the post office or local police box. There is also the chance a kid found it, and you've lost whatever was in there. Call the MP or SF people and give them a heads up about the lost box. If they receive it from the local authorities, they'll at least know who to call. Give it a week and hold your breath. :D

[jml99]

Thanks, Ryu...my husband had already labelled it including our return address so I am hoping it will show up at one of the base post offices.

Sex Wax...ha ha ha...I've been hearing about that too. It's not nearly as interesting... It's just an item he sold to someone on E-Bay, kinda pricey, which is why I am desperate to get it back because I am sure the person paid him already. Although I'm sure he could use some of those herbs where he is right now, if he was interested in that kind of thing.

[I Am Luna]

...that one never turned up, even though it had my name engraved on the back, surprise surprise)...

:grin1: I love MY iPod!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/254120141_147310e0ae.jpg

[uriel]

better than on base is what i'd say your chances are. hope you get it back. intact.

[Muku]

Thanks, Ryu...my husband had already labelled it including our return address so I am hoping it will show up at one of the base post offices.

Sex Wax...ha ha ha...I've been hearing about that too. It's not nearly as interesting... It's just an item he sold to someone on E-Bay, kinda pricey, which is why I am desperate to get it back because I am sure the person paid him already. Although I'm sure he could use some of those herbs where he is right now, if he was interested in that kind of thing.

When you say pricey what range?

Because if in fact a Japanese person turned it in to the local police they are entitled by law here to a minimum of 10% reward of the value of the item. Also if noone claims said item from the police within I think it is 6 months the item then becomes the property, by law, of the person that turned it in.

Also the Japanese police have no obligation to contact you either, if they do it is out of courtesy that they would. Plus please remember that even if there is a return address on the box if the "finder" returns it through the mail they would have to pay the shipping costs.

I dont want to make you feel any worse than you do already, and I truly hope that you find the box, however I just wanted you to be aware of certain things that could happen if found.

Another worst case scenario, depending on the item, is that the finder may try to sell it for cash at a place like manga-soko in Awase, a place that buys just about anything for cash. You would also be hard pressed to prove your ownership unless you got in touch with the police and filed a report for the missing item.

I suggest you also contact the MP/SP's and or base legal for more advice.

[socalheart]

Plus please remember that even if there is a return address on the box if the "finder" returns it through the mail they would have to pay the shipping costs.

If the person simply puts it in the mail box without postage, the box should be returned to sender. heh. I recall trying this once as a kid. It worked. :D

[badkitty]

I hope that you box gets returned to you.

[Muku]

If the person simply puts it in the mail box without postage, the box should be returned to sender. heh. I recall trying this once as a kid. It worked. :D
I hope it's small enough to fit into a mail box. Oh and the sender would have to pay the postage on receipt, however I doubt that would be a problem.

[jml99]

When you say pricey what range?

Because if in fact a Japanese person turned it in to the local police they are entitled by law here to a minimum of 10% reward of the value of the item. Also if noone claims said item from the police within I think it is 6 months the item then becomes the property, by law, of the person that turned it in.

Also the Japanese police have no obligation to contact you either, if they do it is out of courtesy that they would. Plus please remember that even if there is a return address on the box if the "finder" returns it through the mail they would have to pay the shipping costs.

I dont want to make you feel any worse than you do already, and I truly hope that you find the box, however I just wanted you to be aware of certain things that could happen if found.

Another worst case scenario, depending on the item, is that the finder may try to sell it for cash at a place like manga-soko in Awase, a place that buys just about anything for cash. You would also be hard pressed to prove your ownership unless you got in touch with the police and filed a report for the missing item.

I suggest you also contact the MP/SP's and or base legal for more advice.

Thanks for all this info, Muku...I'm not positive but I think it was in the vicinity of $100-$150. Not sure because I haven't been able to reach my husband to tell him about it (not that I'm too excited about telling him) so I can get in contact with the buyer. I'll definitely get in touch with the MPs and (try to) talk to the Japanese police...I'd be happy to pay a finder's fee! Interesting law...wonder if it helps get things returned. It's not like it is a super-expensive item (although it's also not like we have $100 to throw away, either), it's more the principle of me losing something I was entrusted with. Maybe I'll also check manga-soko for my watch, LOL.

[Carl]

I once left my wallet at the payphone at the Greyhound station in Palm Springs. I was on my way to MOS school in 29 Palms and my wallet had everything in it...my last $6, mil ID, social security card, etc. It was a nightmare trying to get on base at 11pm with no ID. Anyway, about a month later, it shows up at my mom's place in NC. Whoever sent it didn't leave a return address or put any letter or anything in with the wallet, but they did take my $6. Fair enough.

If I could have my wallet returned from Palm Springs of all places, I'm sure your box will end up somewhere where you will find it. Japanese people are generally pretty good about letting you know you've forgotten something or returning something they think someone has lost. My wife left her cell phone on a payphone in the Narita airport and didn't even notice it was gone until they called her name over the intercom asking her to come retrieve it. Someone saw it sitting at the payphone and gave it to the service desk.

[jml99]

Just a quick update... I went to the Courtney post office today to check my mail and ask them to keep an eye out for the box, and as soon as I went up to the counter to claim another package, the clerk got all excited and pulled the box I was looking for out from under the counter! He said that someone had turned it in late yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, the person didn't leave their name, so I can't thank them personally, but I can say that my faith in the goodness of (most) people has been restored. Thanks again to everyone for all of their advice!

[Carl]

Glad to hear you got your box back :D

[socalheart]

You're very fortunate. :thumbup: It must be that whole karma thing.

[Sex Wax]

I will burn some incense for the finder of your box. Schkaboomba (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showpost.php?p=102533&postcount=54) has visited you.

[Oki alumni]

I will burn some incense for the finder of your box. Schkaboomba has visited you.

NOW....about that SOCK!

-Oki Alumni:old: ("You don't always GET what you WAAAAANNNNT!)

[Sex Wax]

NOW....about that SOCK!

-Oki Alumni:old: ("You don't always GET what you WAAAAANNNNT!)

Lost socks are not lost. They have been transported to an alternate universe where the beings only have one foot....and they are cold. I cannot help you.

[Oki alumni]

Lost socks are not lost. They have been transported to an alternate universe where the beings only have one foot....and they are cold. I cannot help you.

The FIRST and ONLY answer that's EVER made TOTAL sense. I'll quit complaining. THANKS SexWax!

-Oki Alumni:old:

[DJ Tak]

NOW....about that SOCK!

-Oki Alumni:old: ("You don't always GET what you WAAAAANNNNT!)

Walking around the house saying ninniku usually works for me :grin1:

[martyman]

:first:And I thought the washing machine was a gateway to an alternate universe just for socks.

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Great news !

GLAD you got it back, !! :) :) :) :) :) :) :)


Peace! :)