Stolen Razor Alert!

Hello, everyone! I haven't posted in a while, but figured now was the time... These photos are of a razor I made and sold recently. It was shipped to London and somewhere along the way the razor was "separated" from the packaging and is now nowhere to be found. The packaging is safe though! Anyway, the package was insured, but it's still an unsettling feeling knowing that a razor I put so much work into is now out there somewhere, either damaged, trashed, or in the hands of someone who stole it.

So, please, keep an eye out for this razor. If you see it anywhere- for sale, in a collection, etc. it is STOLEN! Please contact me if you find it! Thanks!

Noted !.......

Will do!! It is a shame that there such dishonest people out there.

Think it was internally from the shipper? I assume you contacted them to let them know it was stolen internally???

That's a shame ! Sorry about that I can't stand thieves !

Be careful with the word 'stolen'.

It certainly might be. But then again it may have gotten lost in some way, after which it would end up some place lost and found, and then auctioned off after a set amount of time. There are entire shows such as 'lost and sold' dedicated to exactly that scenario.

So while it may have been stolen, it may also be that it got lost, found, sold (which is perfectly legal) and then end up in a collection. If you ever watched 'lost and sold' you'll see a ton of things, sometimes very expensive that never got claimed from the lost and found simply because of something went wrong and ended up where it wasn't supposed to be. I've seen even things like authentic rolex watches, hermes clothing, laptops. jewelry etc being auction off.

EDIT: just to be clear, in the above scenario that razor would legally be property of the person who bought it at the auction. So if it should ever be found, it is best to be open minded and not going in with accusations or demands to get it back before the details have been established.

In fact, I recently shipped a razor to one of our members here, and it had arrived with the box opened and the razor taken out of the wrapping. It had then be put in again without wrapping. Luckily it arrived whole, but something else could have happened to it, causing it to get lost, without anyone having acted in bad faith.

That might have happened to yours. And it being a fixed handle razor, it could have simply cut itself a way out. There is also no point in complaining about that scenario, because mailing knives and razors goes against the rules of the post. that is also why I didn't complain about my packaged having been opened and the razor being put back in the package loose.

In all these years I've had 3 instances of a custom razor send to the UK where the shipping box arrived safely but the razor was meticulously separated and removed from the box. They even stuffed the box to make it look as if there was a content inside and re-taped it all. Interestingly enough, so far this has only happened when shipping to the UK, in particular London. So why am I not surprised. At least is was insured. Still a hassle and very sad when it happens.

In my case it was cut out, but then shoved back and taped again.
So at least in some cases, packages get cut, inspected and then carelessly packed back in without regard for the contents.
If it happens 3 times in the same area, then there is indeed more than that going on.

although in the case of London, it might have been paranoia about sharp things. It would not surprise me, given their draconian knife rules, general fear of knives, and the fact that mailing knives is technically illegal. But then I would expect a formal letter to be in the box.

In any case, the razor of the OP is recognizable enough that it will be spotted if it should resurface.
It would certainly be interesting to find out what happened.

Saw this blade on Instagram, really cool blade. I'll keep an eye out here in Mennonite country. :)

I'm assuming you have already contacted the shipping company and demanded an investigation? Do you know if the packaging was damaged and the razor possibly lost from within, or was it resealed and deliberately removed?
I'd be devastated if I'd bought that from you and didn't receive it. I'll keep an eye on the various auction sites here in the UK.

I'll try to remember that razor, perhaps ever see.

I bought an 11/16 Perle Des Orients Le Grelot from an eBay seller in London 13 months ago. I signed for a bubble envelope at the Post Office and then noticed it was light. It had been cut open, razor removed, retaped, and then sent on. I was shipping Christmas packages and collecting this package and managed to sign for it before I held it. Of course the seller felt bad but wasn't going to take the loss. Ebay did nothing, and since it was shipped from UK, the Royal Mail said I couldn't do anything but hope the seller would use his time to process a claim... which he didn't since it wasn't insured. I now avoid buying anything that has to go through the mail via London. I also request shipments come in a box, and have the contents described as 'Vintage Grooming Product' instead of 'Straight Razor', and always examine the package before I sign for it.

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Originally Posted by wayne394

I'm assuming you have already contacted the shipping company and demanded an investigation? Do you know if the packaging was damaged and the razor possibly lost from within, or was it resealed and deliberately removed?
I'd be devastated if I'd bought that from you and didn't receive it. I'll keep an eye on the various auction sites here in the UK.

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If it was shipped by post, or even regular courier service, I'd be careful with that. We all do it, everybody does, but shipping knives and razors is technically illegal (in case of national post) or against the rules (in case of courier). As with all things of that nature, you are the one supposed to verify if what you are shipping is allowed or not. 'shaving gear' or 'vintage shaver' or whatever might not raise eyebrows on a shipping label. But if you demand a formal investigation and need to provide detailed information and pictures of said item, you are going to be in for a bunch of uncomfortable questions, and possibly risking a fine.

As an aside, in most European countries, the seller is liable for making good with the customer in cases like this. It doesn't matter whether the customer paid for insured shipping, registered shipping, or transport by homing pigeon. If the item does not land in the hands of the buyer in the condition it was supposed to, the seller must replace or refund as appropriate. That is supported by the courts without any wiggle room.

So nice to hear that you are in the land of the living Alex. No posts in 2015, and only 1 in 2014. Business been slow ?

Just for information London is not the only place stuff happens! I have lost more than one shipment in the US of A. Never use an envelope for any reason! Box only and covered with fillametment tape...and insure it! Secret the item in a larger container inside...which may prevent easy extration. Then they have to make a lot bigger hole to get it out and leave obvious tracks. Of course they could steel the whole thing...larger box reduces that risk.
YMMV
Ricard

Have you called Customs? They could have taken it out to inspect and not packed it back properly. Could be sitting in their lost and found.

Probably some bloke in the East End of London thinks himself lucky to have such a fine box cutter.

That is a beauty!
Sorry someone took it or something happened to it.
Shame

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Probably some bloke in the East End of London thinks himself lucky to have such a fine box cutter.

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Sadly, this could be the truth.

Sorry to hear about the loss of such a lovely razor.

Unfortunately postal "theft" happens all over the world. I would be extremely reticent to trust our own postal service with any expensive shaving (or any other type of) equipment.

Pretty cool looking razor I will keep my eyes open.

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Originally Posted by Thug

Sorry to hear about the loss of such a lovely razor.

Unfortunately postal "theft" happens all over the world. I would be extremely reticent to trust our own postal service with any expensive shaving (or any other type of) equipment.

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Well, I've shipped many a razor over the last couple of years.
I always choose registered shipping, because registered shipping has legal status and always travels in closed bags, and kept in locked rooms.

So far I had

1 package opened, and then resealed, with the razor loose inside, which eventually caused the scales to crack.
1 fixed handle razor with the very tip broken off, possibly caused by impact.
A couple of packages that took 5 to 7 weeks to arrive.

Most of my blades go to the US.
all in all, I say the statistics are very favorable to the postal services.

I've had good luck too, however I am waiting on one to arrive to Germany...been about 3 weeks so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, I've shipped many a razor over the last couple of years.
I always choose registered shipping, because registered shipping has legal status and always travels in closed bags, and kept in locked rooms.

So far I had

1 package opened, and then resealed, with the razor loose inside, which eventually caused the scales to crack.
1 fixed handle razor with the very tip broken off, possibly caused by impact.
A couple of packages that took 5 to 7 weeks to arrive.

Most of my blades go to the US.
all in all, I say the statistics are very favorable to the postal services.

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In the US that would be Registered Mail,for valuables, the post office uses a chain of custody during the package travels. Furthermore your item should be double box, a box within a box, with complete address of sender and receiver on both boxes. That's how its done by the Diamond, gold, and silver industries.

Not sure how the OP package was shipped, but seems like the package was delivered, but getting the money from the postal service will be quite an ordeal.