StuffBak - Gadget Loss Protection and Recovery System

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.smartphone.net/smartphonethoughts/software_detail.asp?id=1501' target='_blank'>http://www.smartphone.net/smartphonethoughts/software_detail.asp?id=1501</a><br /><br /></div>I just noticed an interesting new product for sale on our Smartphone.net affiliate store. Basically, it's a set of labels that you can affix to your gadget. Each label would have an identifying number and a toll free phone number to call. For each gadget that is returned, a $20 fee is paid to the person who located and returned it, and the gadgets owner can choose to add to that fee - if desired. The thing is, I'm not overly confident that this system would work. They claim a 75% return rate, but why return the device for just $20 when you could ebay it for a lot more?? There are 2 different versions available, <a href="http://www.smartphone.net/smartphonethoughts/software_detail.asp?id=1501">small</a> and <a href="http://www.smartphone.net/smartphonethoughts/software_detail.asp?id=1502">large,</a> and they are priced at $15.90 and $25.90 respectively. Below is a short quote on how and what StuffBak is. Give it a read and let me know what you think.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050616-StuffBack.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br /><i>"StuffBak is a loss protection and recovery service used by consumers and businesses to protect their valuable mobile devices (cameras, laptops, PDAs, cell phones, etc.). StuffBak labels provide a method of confidential identification along with a recovery service that makes it easy (toll free number and/or website) and rewarding ($20 StuffBak product reward plus optional owner cash reward) for finders to return items. StuffBak labels and tags are designed for even the smallest portable devices and include free registration and free returns for two years. StuffBak immediately notifies the owner when their lost item is found and coordinates the recovery process between finder and owner. Confidentiality is maintained for both parties while the item is efficiently reunited with the owner. StuffBak's service has a proven 75% recovery rate."</i>

[Jason Dunn]

...but why return the device for just $20 when you could ebay it for a lot more??

Because most people are generally honest and not thieves. :-)

[Mark Kenepp]

I think I got stuffback stickers with my RhinoSkin case purchase a couple of years ago.

I honestly never used it though I think that I still have them, somewhere.

It would have cost me nothing to use the service, I only had to register.

It seems that if there is no cost, it couldn't hurt, except that you are putting a sticker on your device which some may not want to do.

If I remember my though process correctly, I didn't want to give my name and phone number to a company I never heard of, at the time.

[Fred]

A lot of my valuable stuff (smartphone, camera, kitesurfing gear) is labelled with "If found, contact me for a reward" along with my phone number and email. No need to pay for that.

I've not tested it out yet - apart from a digital camera which was stolen when my sister borrowed it. :evil: I guess they won't be calling, but hopefully the splash screen with my details on it might make it slightly harder to sell.

[KevinRPhillips]

I'll agree with Jason. If you find something that has a means to return it to the rightful owner, the person who doesn't arguably could be called a "Thief"... at the very least their morals are questionable. It's worth a lot more to me to know that I did the right thing. (Good Karma is money in the bank!)

For example, if you find a bag of money that fell of a Brinks truck... better return it unless you want to spend some time at a government sponsored facility. "Finders Keepers" isn't always the case.

Otherwise, if you can't determine the owner, bonus to me.

[Mike Temporale]

I'm not saying that anyone that finds something is a theif. I am saying that you can't bank on them being honest and returning your $500 cell phone.

I think once it's slipped out of your pocket, you can hope, but in all reality the chances of getting it back are pretty slim. Unless it has some way of calling home by itself. ;)

[KevinRPhillips]

Mike,

I hate to think that if a phone or device is clearly labeled that the finder wouldn't try and contact the owner. Unfortunately, that is probably the case.