glorybebe Posted February 19, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 19, 2012 A Bartlett, California, man bought the old safe from James Labrecque for $122.93. When the man opened the safe, he found $26,000 in cash, a revelation that will haunt Labrecque for quite some time..................A contentious email chain between Labrecque and the buyer ensued. The regretful Labrecque had asked for a cut of the cash, but the buyer declined, citing Labrecque's selling policy which states, "What you see is what you get, no returns, and no money back." Labrecque doesn't quite see it that way. "That's a chunk of change, you know. That's life-altering money," he said. "I mean, if I was in that situation and I found that kind of money and I bought it from someone, I'd say, 'Here, man, I found this money. I'll give you half of it.'" link Yeah, he sold it and now wants half? Too bad, so sad.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Am Not Resisting Posted February 19, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) Too bad, so sad. Edit: Didn't even see that Glory said the same thing! Edited February 19, 2012 by I Am Not Resisting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Wearer of Hats Posted February 19, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 19, 2012 In this case, seller beware. Tough luck mate - it's you're damn fault for not checking the safe wasn't empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Only Posted February 19, 2012 #4 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Man, he could've bought an NES and 5 games with his half of the cut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__Kratos__ Posted February 19, 2012 #5 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Why would you brag about finding that much cash? The tax man is going to hear about it. I wonder why the buyer cut open the safe instead of trying to find out the combination. Just seems weird to buy an old safe and then torch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaikou Posted February 19, 2012 #6 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Wow, I think I should start buying used safes, never know what you'll find! I can see why that other guy want's a cut of the money but it's kinda his own fault for not checking the contents before selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted February 19, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Wow! that was a lucky purchase that's for sure. While he does have the right to keep the cash, I can't help thinking how I would feel if it were me. I know the seller should have checked inside it first, but still.....it seems a bit mean somehow to keep ALL the money, but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatus1 Posted February 19, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Umm...I know this isn't a mystery or anything but...something doesn't sound quite right to me. For starters, a locksmith is going to charge you between $60-$100 to open the safe, depending on the model. Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of money, but at least you know that the contents will be safe. The problem with torching a safe is that the heat from the torch has nowhere to go. The inside of the safe is quickly going to turn into a kiln, and I really can't see how any cash, short of being $26,000 worth of change, survived the process without being significantly damaged. I am probably missing something, and maybe getting too suspicious in my old age, but still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kryso Posted February 19, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Haha, bought as seen, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daughter of the Nine Moons Posted February 19, 2012 #10 Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) Why would you brag about finding that much cash? The tax man is going to hear about it. I know nothing about US Tax law. Is found money really subject to taxes? Edited February 19, 2012 by Daughter of the Nine Moons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Only Posted February 19, 2012 #11 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I wonder why the buyer cut open the safe instead of trying to find out the combination. Just seems weird to buy an old safe and then torch it. Maybe he watches a lot of Storage Wars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__Kratos__ Posted February 19, 2012 #12 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Umm...I know this isn't a mystery or anything but...something doesn't sound quite right to me. For starters, a locksmith is going to charge you between $60-$100 to open the safe, depending on the model. Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of money, but at least you know that the contents will be safe. The problem with torching a safe is that the heat from the torch has nowhere to go. The inside of the safe is quickly going to turn into a kiln, and I really can't see how any cash, short of being $26,000 worth of change, survived the process without being significantly damaged. I am probably missing something, and maybe getting too suspicious in my old age, but still... Hmm, you're right. I remember seeing a mythbusters where they tried to torch into a safe and they started everything on fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Only Posted February 19, 2012 #13 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Well some safes are built in a way that you can heat the hinges with a torch, and then muscle them off with a blunt tool. But my guess is that whoever made the article just put a generic "torching a safe" picture on the page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatus1 Posted February 19, 2012 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I know nothing about US Tax law. Is found money really subject to taxes? Technically, yes, found money is income and all income is taxable. That said, no one is going to know you found cash, and chances are minimal to none that anyone is going to bother to find out. Even at that, you do have the legal option to claim that the found money is actually property, not cash, if it is part of a previous purchase, such as the safe (like buying a bad engine just to sell the parts). That particular tactic depends on how good your lawyer is and how sympathetic the tax judge is. Cases and outcomes range from trying to evade tax laws by hiding a $10,000 bundle of cash in a giant chocolate bar (judge was not sympathetic), and one where someone bought an old mattresses and discovered a bit over a hundred thousand dollars stuffed inside (judge figured anyone who had to resort to buying a used mattress from an ex-drug-dealer was probably not intentionally trying to cheat on their taxes). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glorybebe Posted February 20, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Too bad, so sad. Edit: Didn't even see that Glory said the same thing! LOL! Great minds........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky7 Posted February 20, 2012 #16 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If it was me buying this safe and finding the money, I would keep it. This is based on the fact that once the purchase was made, the item no matter what the item is and the contents now belong to me. I actually know someone who would have given ALL the money back!!! Even if he did rightfully own the money once purchased, he would have given ALL the cash back ! There is lawful and then there is righteous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipster Posted February 20, 2012 #17 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If you follow the link from the yahoo article to the original post there is an update, the Buyer was joking.....or so he says Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipster Posted February 20, 2012 #18 Share Posted February 20, 2012 http://www.wmctv.com/story/16944877/bartlett-man-finds-26000-in-safe-bought-on-ebay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgok64 Posted February 20, 2012 #19 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Nobody simply "forgets" about money they put in a safe. The seller & buyer alike may be unwittingly involved with stolen property. Hopefully the buyer won't spend it all because he'll probably be getting a notice from the police or an attorney that he's got to give it back to the person it was stolen from. Won't surprise me if the seller gets into a bit of trouble.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Fluffs Posted February 20, 2012 #20 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Lucky fellah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoParanormal Posted February 20, 2012 #21 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Dang... The best thing I ever found was a soviet era Degtyaryov Machine Gun whilst being deployed in Iraq the first time in a "tool" shed. Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+and-then Posted February 21, 2012 #22 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Dang... The best thing I ever found was a soviet era Degtyaryov Machine Gun whilst being deployed in Iraq the first time in a "tool" shed. Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep it. It would be a dilemma for me. I'd feel like I should give some of the money back but I'm not sure I'd do it Coolest thing I ever found was a Japanese Officer's sword that was a WWII trophy for some vet who had previously lived in a house we were renting. I was 5 and had gone exploring in the nooks and crannies of a closet. Can you imagine the excitement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoParanormal Posted February 21, 2012 #23 Share Posted February 21, 2012 It would be a dilemma for me. I'd feel like I should give some of the money back but I'm not sure I'd do it Coolest thing I ever found was a Japanese Officer's sword that was a WWII trophy for some vet who had previously lived in a house we were renting. I was 5 and had gone exploring in the nooks and crannies of a closet. Can you imagine the excitement? lol! Oh yea, I couldn't imagine being that age and finding a "Ninja" type sword lol!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27vet Posted February 21, 2012 #24 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Publicity stunt. Anyway eBay and Paypal suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggie2011 Posted February 21, 2012 #25 Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) *snip* if a safe is locked its usually a good indication theres somthing inside of it,if there was dimonds in a envolope u wouldnt hear them in there ether..furthermore he ruins any chance of getting it back i would have straight away said it was my life savings and called the police therefore getting the money back Edited February 21, 2012 by Saru Removed flame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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