My husband travels quite a bit. Probably 6 months ago he rented a car and when he brought it home, there was another person's suitcase in the trunk. He called the rental company and they told him their policy was that they take no liability for what people leave in their car nor would they contact the person it belonged to. My husband took the suitcase out, and let it sit in the garage. Fast forward to a week ago. He assumed there was no identifying information inside so he emptied it and we were simply going to donate the contents to Goodwill. Along with having quite a huge amount of clothes, there is a checkbook and some bills which clearly identify the man. He and his wife were easy to find, including a phone number, through White Pages.com. I know I should call them and tell them I have this man's luggage. I am afraid they will be mad we "waited so long" or think it's shady. I certainly am not going to pay shipping to get it to them but there is easily $500 or more worth of clothes inside. (They are in Indiana and we are in SW Illinois). Advice?
I made a phone call to the one number I could find. This was three days ago. I left a friendly, lengthy message detailing what happened and asking what they would like me to do about the suitcase. Haven't heard anything. If I don't hear anything, I can assume maybe they have moved or simply do not care? I am not going to pay to ship it to a place I am not even sure they may live any more. This suitcase weighs 50 pounds plus easily. I will call again (there was an automated voicemail not identifying the family by name) but after a few months, I will have to donate this stuff.
You should contact them and explain the situation. I think they are going to be grateful to get their possessions back.
Contact them and let them know you have it. If nothing else, giving them peace of mind that their checkbook and personal information is not floating around somewhere! Let them know the truth, and if they think its "shady" who cares. Im sure they will be just happy and relieved and will probably want it back! I would!
Contact them and let them decide what to do with their belongings.
do you really need to even ask?!?!? seems simple...'golden rule' = trreat others the way you want to be treated...and really shipping cost is holding you back?!
let them decide...keep in mind karma...it can be kind or cruel but always just : )
just call them and tell them you rented the car and found their luggage - they won't know how long you sat on it
and if they are that close I would bet they would drive up to get it
I agree with everyone else. Contact them! I would be thankful to know where my stuff is. I'm sure they have cancelled their accounts that are in the bag once they knew it was gone, but I'm sure they would want their clothes back. Let them know the real story and let them decide what they want to do.
Give the poor guy his stuff back!
i can't see why you wouldn't return it. wouldn't you want it back, even it it was 6 months later? do the right thing.
PLEASE CONTACT THEM! I am sure if they want the items they will pay to ship them. Also, they have no idea when your husband rented the car or how long you have had the items. My husbands bag was lost on a flight (recovered later) and we nearly had a nervous breakdown. We thought at one point someone may have accidentally taken the bag. It may have just looked like "things" to someone else but in that bag were items and clothing that were given to my husband for Father's Day from our kids, clothes I had bought him for other holidays, etc. Just the fact that they can have relief knowing their checkbook isn't in the hands of a crook will make their day!!
How would you feel if it were your stuff. As mothers we are always putting everyone first. I have left so many items and am grateful for the honesty of people. In this crazy world today the small acts of kindness go a long way.
Explain that you tried to contact them via the car rental , as well as white pages....these things take time. I am sure they will be more grateful just to have it back.
Ask them to prepay at UPS or Fedex. This way you are not paying anything.
