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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: theSchmett on September 16, 2013, 11:13:59 AM

Title: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: theSchmett on September 16, 2013, 11:13:59 AM
How should I get the back to the owner?

They were found 15 feet from the sidewalk in a flower bed on my front lawn. Unless someone stumbled onto my lawn, these were tossed. No loyalty tags, no gym memberships, etc...

A Mercedes key fob, a post office key (with a 5 digit # on it), and assorted housekeys.

The dealership (# on the keychain) was cagey about whether or not they could find the person.

My concern is giving the keys to a stranger who can figure out where they belong, and that person not acting in good faith.

So most sensible group of people I've ever communicated with via the interwebs... what do I do?



Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: MissStache on September 16, 2013, 11:17:32 AM
I would take them to the post office.  I imagine they can find the PO box based on the # and maybe give the person a call?
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: KulshanGirl on September 16, 2013, 11:19:25 AM
Post it on Craiglist in the Lost & Found.  Don't give details, just say keys, and ask responders to describe them. If no one claims them after a while, turn them in to the police.  Or, the post office is also a good idea.
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: Miamoo on September 16, 2013, 11:19:53 AM
Post office would be the first place I would go or . . . post on craigslist perhaps?
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: Miamoo on September 16, 2013, 11:21:47 AM
Oops, got beaten to it!
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: theSchmett on September 16, 2013, 11:52:13 AM
Post office is a great idea, I hope they can be helpful.

It would be pretty funny to find the PO box, put the keys inside, and walk away.. but life isn't a movie so I won't do that.

As far as craigslist, almost all my experiences have involved scammers or otherwise crazies... I don't want to post "keys found" because I could never sort through the replies!

Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: SunshineGirl on September 16, 2013, 01:46:47 PM
I'd give to the police. If the keys were tossed, maybe the person was robbed and has already reported it to the police. You could also leave a note in the PO box of the owner if the post office will help you figure that out.
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: dragoncar on September 16, 2013, 01:59:41 PM
I'd give to the police. If the keys were tossed, maybe the person was robbed and has already reported it to the police. You could also leave a note in the PO box of the owner if the post office will help you figure that out.

Yeah, police.  Because if I lost my keys that's where I'd go to see if they were turned in.  That's also the only legal option (in some places).
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: CALL 911 on September 16, 2013, 02:47:02 PM
Or just drop them into a mailbox and let the (always forthright and honest) USPS employees figure it out.
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: Frankies Girl on September 16, 2013, 02:54:07 PM
Why not make a sign and post it near where you found the keys? Ask for them to call or email you (probably would do a throw away email) and describe the keys?
Title: Re: Need advice - I found some keys in one of my flowerbeds
Post by: theSchmett on September 18, 2013, 03:46:06 AM
More good stuff. I hadn't considered someone being robbed and the keys being tossed.  My town "news" site posts a police blotter so I can check that too.