I wanted to share a funny story: Chicago Helix

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artyswiss

Active member
A Sennheiser rep left about 10- 15 grand of audio equipment outside of Helix in a full parking lot two years ago...My friend wanted to take it....but I insisted on returning it. I really would have loved to have some nice new audio gold...but I couldn't help but think about the poor Indy filmmaker missing all his stuff. So I brought it in. Eventually, the rep claimed the equipment and thanked us for bringing it back and said that he would "hook it up next time" for us when we came back. Next week we were back at Helix ready to grab ourselves a Me66. We got ten percent off.

I would still make the same decision even now, because if it's not mine and someone else's hard earned money went into it. I couldn't help but laugh at the reward...not that I was expecting one...but because it was offered to me I at least thought "Hook it up" actually meant hook it up...I guess he was really grateful that he got back his 15k of audio treasure.


My question is: What would you do in this situation? It was very tempting.
 
Well like anything I guess you decide if doing the right thing requires compensation. I guess the IRS does by allowing you to deduct charitable contributions.
 
You did the right thing. Plus, chances are you would have been recorded by a camera some where in the parking lot. Stealing is stealing, but finders keepers, well, that stealing to.
 
I woud have turned it in. I did something similar with some software a while back and ended up with a couple of free licenses. I didn't do it for that but it was a nice reward. The thing is if you knew it was from some giant mogul maybe you could sleep at night but really the only way to make the world better is to do what you can. If you feel it's OK then you can't complain when someone rips you off.

I go by "If I die right now am I in the positive side or the negative?". It's simple but that can be a plus. If someone you respect would think it was a good thing then do it. That is not nec. what the law would say so YMMV. But it lets me sleep well.
 
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Shouldn't have been any question. The stuff wasn't yours so it should be returned. Just because the rep made a mistake doesn't mean the gear is up for grabs. I don't find the story very funny. I find it somewhat sad. Honesty is always the best policy.
The Japanese have a great deal of integrity when it comes to this type of thing. If they find even an umbrella that someone lost or left behind they turn it in to lost and found. Why? Because it wasn't their's and they knew that person would want it back if possible. I worked with a female sound mixer on a sporting event. We set up a crowd mic with a battery powered preamp way up in the stands. We also had a carrying case and spare batteries in the vicinity. The equipment was to be there over night and was considered safe because it was in a press box. Well guess what someone helped themselves to the batteries and carrying case. Fortunately the mic and preamp wasn't noticed. I still remember the look on her face when I told her what happened. It was beyond her comprehension.
Always do the right thing, reward or not.
Off my soapbox now.
Bernie
 
I think its pretty normal to have the thought cross your mind "hmm I could really use this equipment" even for a split second. What matters is making that right choice despite peer pressure to hold onto something that's not yours. BOOM. Nothing sad about reality. Like someone said upward over in here. You do what you can.
 
I try to have good karma with all my professional choices. I've had stuff stolen and it sucks. A Sennheiser rep should have kicked down an actual mic though IMO. But I try not do do anything shady with regards to things I make money with. I feel that the universe will take the ill gotten gains and deduct it from my justly gotten gains eventually. Maybe not. If the universe doesn't do that then my subconscious might. My guilt may cause me to subconsciously ruin an opportunity in order to achieve equilibrium. Best to just be a good person and work hard for your money.
 
I'm a believer in the whole "karma" thing too. If I left $10K in boom poles behind by accident, I would want someone to return them to me, so I would turn in anything left behind by someone else.

Always think about how YOU want to be treated, and what if you were in the situation of the other person. It irks me to no end when I hear someone tell about how their stuff got stolen.
 
If I wasn't a moderator here, and didn't have a reputation for calmness, I might say something like "Thieves suck, and should be kicked in the face whenever possible."
 
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