Can I sell it in The AnswerBank: Civil

Can I sell it

About 20 years ago an acquaintance asked me to take care of an item for him. Believe it or not I only ever knew him by his first name and I can't even be sure how it would be spelled; nor did I know his address. I haven't seen him for more than 16-17 years although he knows where to find me as I am still in the same place. Obviously I have no way of contacting or finding him, so can I sell the item? I can't serve notice on him to recover it, nor can I give him notice that I intend to sell. Help!!

19:30 Wed 30th May 2012

sinderella

you have done your duty and took care of it,instead of charging him storage sell it and treat yourself with the money.
p.s. what is it?

Nini74

is it of particularly high value either financially or sentimentally to him? i wouldn't recommend selling his grandmother's engagement ring or something, but it seems he's not that bothered about getting it back....was he planning on going away and asked you to keep it indefinitely? what is it though? curiosity killed the cat....

Brinjal

you could put an ad in news paper of your intention to sell unclaimed property.

rowanwitch

put an ad in the local paper... but if you sell it you still have to keep the money for him

custodian

Question Author

Thanks all for your input. I'd rather not say exactly what it is but it is not a family piece or anything that is likely to have any sentimemtal value. As regards value, I have been unable to get even a guesstimate from my research sources, but have been recommended to use e-bay. I have seen a previous posting here suggesting keeping the proceeds for 6 years. Will they be mine after that time?

sandyRoe

If you won't say what it is could you give us a clue of what it might be worth?

HowardKennitby

Do you think that this person is likely to be dead by now?

Citizens' Advice Bureau may be able to give some help on the legal position.

vivandorron

A strange first timer's question on AB.

20yrs ago a mere acquaintance asks you to look after an item. (Was it 'hot' at the time?.) Furthermore, he must have a very strange name if you are unable to spell it. Also you are unwilling to tell us what actually is the item.

Please provide more information such as in which way were you acquainted with him; why would he want you to look after the item in question etc.?

Ron.

custodian

Question Author

Hello again. The person in question used the same pub as me, that's all.
There is no question of the item being "hot" and at the time I expected to be in possession for only a few weeks. As regards his name there are several different spellings of it, simple as that. The item may be unique which is why I've had no success in getting anyone to suggest a value. And, no, I'm not going to say what it is.

hc4361

After 20 years you should consider it abandoned and do with it whatever you like.

rowanwitch

If it can't be valued how do you propose to sell it?

I am now very curious.... I think you need to make reasonable efforts to locate the owner and that may mean trying under all the possible spellings of his name...

TWR

Regards the Item, does this person have family? if known, could his family claim if this item was sold? If he knows where to find you, can his family? as said, put a notice of intention that if the item has not been claimed within a time period of 6 Months stating the start / end date, a contact address, that the Item will be sold to cover handling. if this Item has family value I'm sure someone will come out of the woodwork as they do when there is value. If you have a bank, can you ask them the price to keep it in their vault?