How would you handle this situation?

[OBXmetalDet]

Scenario 1: Let's say you're detecting the beach or maybe in a few feet of water then you find a ring, then a bystander says that's my ring. He wasn't looking around for it. You get a sense he's just trying to get a free ring.

Scenario 2: Very similar to Scenario 1. Let's say you're detecting the beach or maybe in a few feet of water and a bystander says that they lost a ring in this area. You get a sense that he's just saying that just in case you find a ring and he's not looking around for it. Then you happen to find a ring.

How would you handle each of these situations?

And has this ever happened to you?

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Happened a couple times to me. I tell them to identify the ring, l look inside ring then ask "what does the engraving say." If they can identify the engraving I return it, if they say they dont remember, or not sure or "something like" I keep it, tellingvthen well this one isnt engraved so obviously not yours and keep it, works even with no engraving.

I also have junk kids ring in pouch I saved for the thieves who continue arguing even when saying they dont remember what was engraved, I grab a junk ring and toss it as far as I can toss it and say, okay go get it then.

Had a guy swear his wife lost ring he saw me remove from scoop, didnt remember what was engraved. Ring size was maybe a 5, his wife would have needed an 11 she was so big, I just grabbed a junk ring and tossed it about 15 foot and said go get it.

If someone wants me to look or keep eye I ask them to identify it before looking including karot and engraving and size.

I will return anything I find if someone can identify it, done so on multiple occasions.

 

[no2pencil]

Generally as a rule I do not look at objects when I find them, specifically for this reason. It goes into my bag & I look at it at all I want when I get home. Also am very aware of my surroundings. I would do everything in my power to avoid the situation by not allowing them to see me find it. However, I would ask them for specific details, something they couldn't answer unless it was in fact theirs.

I also have junk kids ring in pouch I saved for the thieves who continue arguing even when saying they dont remember what was engraved, I grab a junk ring and toss it as far as I can toss it and say, okay go get it then.

These are great suggestions. I'll have to remember this.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Generally as a rule I do not look at objects when I find them, specifically for this reason. It goes into my bag & I look at it at all I want when I get home. Also am very aware of my surroundings. I would do everything in my power to avoid the situation by not allowing them to see me find it. However, I would ask them for specific details, something they couldn't answer unless it was in fact theirs.



These are great suggestions. I'll have to remember this.

I dont exam any finds but occasionally someone sees me removing ring from scoop because they are standing by me.

 

[Crunchyhippo]

A long-time detectorist told me that if someone claims the ring you just found is his, even if he doesn't know what it looks like, and he calls the cops on you, they'll make you give him the ring. I don't know if this is true or not, but it's why he said he never examines what he finds until he gets to a less public space. I guess you could say that you just found a really pretty bottle cap and hand that over. What about this ring here? Oh, I found that yesterday at a different beach.

 

[russau]

I agree with ALL of the comments !

 

[releventchair]

Having "bait" to surrender is always good.

 

[pepperj]

Starting to think that this should be part of the water detecting hardware.

Seahorse P17 Waterproof Gun Holster https://share.google/cugITbgMfMQ9cnZSc

 

[oldmxrat]

I put all juk rings on my carabiner on my pouch belt in plain sight, real stuff goes in the pouch, out of sight. If somebody says they lost a ring I let them pick from the carabiner.
Haven't had a taker yet.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

A long-time detectorist told me that if someone claims the ring you just found is his, even if he doesn't know what it looks like, and he calls the cops on you, they'll make you give him the ring. I don't know if this is true or not, but it's why he said he never examines what he finds until he gets to a less public space. I guess you could say that you just found a really pretty bottle cap and hand that over. What about this ring here? Oh, I found that yesterday at a different beach.

Tell the police to have him describe the ring. Ii happened to me maybe 6 times over 20 years.

 

[Crunchyhippo]

Tell the police to have him describe the ring. Ii happened to me maybe 6 times over 20 years.

I had no idea there were that many low-lifes out there like this. I bragged about the two rings I found so far to the one or two who asked out of curiosity, but I'm definitely keeping my mouth shut from now on when someone asks me if I've found anything yet.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I always put rings and jewelry straight into the pouch like a quarter. When asked I say no haven't found anything but change, or I'll keep an eye out for it. Finders keepers

 

[no2pencil]

I had no idea there were that many low-lifes out there like this. I bragged about the two rings I found so far to the one or two who asked out of curiosity, but I'm definitely keeping my mouth shut from now on when someone asks me if I've found anything yet.

I always tell people I just find junk & coins. If I have my headphones on, I don't even bother to reply.

 

[djackson7348]

I never show or admit I have found anything when out detecting. That's like letting someone go through a lost and found storage area to see if they see anything that is theirs.
I have been detecting over 40 years and have never found anything of value. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

However, I have looked for, and sometimes recovered, items for people who ask to hire me or as a favor if time permits. I am happy to help someone; I just refuse to be taken advantage of.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I had no idea there were that many low-lifes out there like this. I bragged about the two rings I found so far to the one or two who asked out of curiosity, but I'm definitely keeping my mouth shut from now on when someone asks me if I've found anything yet.

FYI.....Never ever let someone you dont know physically hold a gold find. Once in their hands they can claim it is theirs and its your word against theirs if police get involved. Remember, possession is 9/10 of the law.

 

[Glyphhunter722]

A long-time detectorist told me that if someone claims the ring you just found is his, even if he doesn't know what it looks like, and he calls the cops on you, they'll make you give him the ring. I don't know if this is true or not, but it's why he said he never examines what he finds until he gets to a less public space. I guess you could say that you just found a really pretty bottle cap and hand that over. What about this ring here? Oh, I found that yesterday at a different beach.

Not sure this is the case everywhere but as a retired law enforcement officer they would need to describe the ring or provide proof of purchase to verify before returning it to them. If they can't do so within the time frame then it would be returned the the one who found it. Again every jurisdiction is different and each officer may have a different understanding of the laws.

 

[cudamark]

I never show good finds to strangers. Just zinc cents, pull tabs, and other junk. Anything that may be good in the scoop gets grabbed and into my pouch to be looked over later if someone happens to be close by.
So, in answer to scenario 1, Don't let people see your finds and you won't have that problem.
Scenario 2, Get a very detailed description of the ring they lost and return it if found. You'd be surprised at the the monetary reward or good karma you might get if you do that.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

Happened a couple times to me. I tell them to identify the ring, l look inside ring then ask "what does the engraving say." If they can identify the engraving I return it, if they say they dont remember, or not sure or "something like" I keep it, tellingvthen well this one isnt engraved so obviously not yours and keep it, works even with no engraving.

I also have junk kids ring in pouch I saved for the thieves who continue arguing even when saying they dont remember what was engraved, I grab a junk ring and toss it as far as I can toss it and say, okay go get it then.

Had a guy swear his wife lost ring he saw me remove from scoop, didnt remember what was engraved. Ring size was maybe a 5, his wife would have needed an 11 she was so big, I just grabbed a junk ring and tossed it about 15 foot and said go get it.

If someone wants me to look or keep eye I ask them to identify it before looking including karot and engraving and size.

I will return anything I find if someone can identify it, done so on multiple occasions.

- This is really good advice. After I made my post, I thought about buying a cheap fake ring, then keep that hidden in my pocket or something so that if a thief just doesn't give up, I can throw them a bone to get them off my back.

- "his wife would have needed an 11 she
was so big"

this part gave me a good laugh, right here while drinking a beer at a bar. Surprised I didn't piss my pants.

- "If someone wants me to look or keep eye I ask them to identify it before looking including karot and engraving and size."

Another good suggestion. If they really did lose a ring they should have no problem describing it in detail. No vague answers allowed.

- "toss it as far as I can toss it and say, okay go get it then."

LOL...another good line. I noticed this came up more than once. I don't think I could do that.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

You'd be surprised at the the monetary reward or good karma you might get if you do that.

Last fall I was detecting at Ocean City, MD. Some guy chased me down saying that he and his buddies were throwing a football and the football hit his watch which fell apart. There is a really thin pin that holds the band to the watch face and he asked if I could help him find it.

He said he would give me $20. I told him I would try. He gave me a beer which I had while detecting for his lost object. I kept scanning the area where he was sure it was and I didn't get any signals. I set my detector down momentarily, then when I picked it up, I saw the object on the surface. I gave it to him. He was very grateful and gave me a $20 bill. I told him it's ok don't worry about it. He kept insisting that I take it so I accepted. Later I left that $20 bill as a tip for the hotel housekeeping.

It was great being able to help somebody find something that was very important to them.

 

[OBXmetalDet]

A few years ago, I was detecting on the beach at Ocean City, MD. There were 3 old ladies sitting on the beach talking to each other.

One if them said she lost a ring around where I was detecting. I couldn't tell if she was serious or not, but I was thinking, "if you lost a ring, then why aren't you trying to find it?"