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So when I was driving today I saw an expensive power tool on the side of the road (worth around $300-$400). I picked it up thinking I would try and get it back to the owner but didn't think through how I would do that.

I was going to turn it in to the police dept. Any other suggestions? I want to do the right thing.

Did you pick it up off a highway or less trafficed road? Could you post a sign like "Found Power tool, call xxx-xxxx to claim"?

If your area is close to larger city, local craigslist ad might work.

It was on a "main road" but not a very traveled main road.

I thought about a CL ad but I really don't want to be bothered with all the scammers trying to claim its theirs. KWIM

Did you plug it in? IE does it still work? Probably fell off some construction truck.

IDK - if you did the sign or CL, you don't have to say what type of tool it is (like Moving said).....if they contact you, THEY'd have to tell you what it was plus make so you would know for sure?

IDK how that works with the police - is it like money, if no one claims in so many days it comes back to you?

It's gas powered and don't tempt me to fire it up. I LOVE power tools.

It looks to be in good condition. And there is evidence that it was recently used so I'm pretty sure it is working.

Find something distinguishing about it, then post an ad on CL. Tell people they have to id whatever that distinguishing thing is.

I see people post found pets and they'll say people have to describe the collar the dog was wearing, or something like that. I would make the ad very generic - like "found power tool in ______ city. Please identify the tool, and _________ distinguishing thing.

Something like that to weed out the scammers.

Sounds like you are the new owner. Is there a name engraved anywhere?

losers weepers, finders keepers?

Oh wait, that was in 3rd grade. sorry.

that's awesome you want to do the right thing. There are some great suggestions here.

I believe you can post your CL ad and tell them to put the location where you found it and what kind of tool it is in the title - that way you can ignore all the scammers.

If you do CL, use an anonymous email account. Learned that one the hard way.

So I decided to call the police and they came by to pick it up. I just think it's easier that way and will protect me from any legal issues.

After 30 days is no one claims it it will be mine. So now I wait and see I guess.

Kudos to you, myname! We'll be waiting to see if anyone claims it...

Myname, you done good.

I think I remember you had a leaf blower stolen off your truck last year?

I think I remember you had a leaf blower stolen off your truck last year?

Yup. And it really stinks to lose expensive equipment. I still miss that blower. To me my equipment and tools are like my kids. I have an emotional attachment to my tools.

ETA: I'm going to put an ad in CL tonight saying something along the lines of a tool was found on such and such road, it is at the xyz police department. That way I don't have to deal with the scammers and and I won't respond to anyone that tries to contact me. That way I've made every reasonable effort to get this thing back to the owner.

[This message edited by Myname at 6:06 AM, August 28th (Wednesday)]

Only 29 more days until it is yours...........

I'm more inclined to go with the loosers wheepers route.

Seriously if you aren't smart enough to secure your load, you probably shouldn't be operating a power tool.

Hope it's a quiet 29 days.

You did the right thing. You never know if that's the tool that keeps a small business making money to feed kids. We all mess up sometimes.

You could also post a note on a phone pole where you found it.

awesome. you just racked up some good karma points =)

I think, if the 30 days is up and you get the tool, you can feel very good about having made every effort to return it to the original owner.