Music Dec 23, 2008

Dispossessed, or, How I Lost Most of My Music Collection—and Nearly My Mind

by Dave Segal

Comments

101
Have you considered hiring a private detective rather than a lawyer? The records are somewhere, and somebody knows where. It's only a matter of finding out where. A detective is better suited to this task than an attorney.

If you're serious about recovering money damages, though, you should definitely hire an attorney. Don't be afraid of that. He won't bite!
on January 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM · Report this
102
Ok grandpa, vinyl is real, digital is not. Snore to the hoarders.
on January 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM · Report this
103
dumbass, you should know buy now not to let your records out of your site, should of brought those yourself if they meant that much to you
on January 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM · Report this
104
I empathize with you, man. I swear this on the original copy of Esquerita Capital which was smashed in two by a careless faceless USPS worker.
on January 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM · Report this
105
Thank you for sharing your personal horror story that turned into something of a revelation.

About 3 years, I was moving so much that I sold my record collection before they could get damaged in storage or natural causes. I had nowhere near the number of records you had, but I still felt like I had gone through a huge break-up, thinking of all the good times I had with each record, everything that we had been through together over the years. The endless montage playing over and over for weeks.

Then I heard the radio DJ that I sold my record collection to put on the first press of the White Album that used to be mine, and it was like the DJ was the new relationship and that I wanted my records back, my relationship back with those records.

That was three years ago. I've moved about 3 times since. I miss having them every now and then, but I don't miss being responsible for them, worrying about them, having nightmares about fires or floods.

Sorry for your loss. I salute you and your journey and for sharing it so brilliantly.
on January 14, 2009 at 10:48 AM · Report this
106
Dude, I'm so sorry. I don't even know what to say. :(
on January 16, 2009 at 2:33 AM · Report this
107
Reading this gave me post-traumatic stress disorder after my own hellish move (not only did I have an estimated 4,500 lbs. of music/magazines, but also five antiques that are all 120 yrs old).

Quoth an an old friend: "Next time I have to move, I'm burning my shit and starting over."
on January 19, 2009 at 9:10 AM · Report this
108
If you lost "Heaven's end" and "Wolf flow" by Loop, let me know your adress and i will send them to you (for free of course). I have two copies of those records. I will be pleased to give those cds to you who, i know, will apreciate them. That will be my grain of sand to your recovery.

on November 21, 2009 at 3:28 PM · Report this
109
Update? What's up with yer case, Segal?
Grease Wizard on November 25, 2009 at 5:24 PM · Report this
110
@108
I did lose those Loop records, Miguel. Your entrance to paradise will be assured if you were to send them, care of The Stranger, but, really, it's beyond the call of duty.

@109
Been badgering Eagle Express for some kind/any kind of monetary compensation, with no luck. The owner promises to send money, but never comes through.
Outright thuggery might be my best bet at this point.
Segal on November 26, 2009 at 3:45 PM · Report this
111
Dave, I don't have time to read all the comments to see if this has been suggested yet but have you been calling record stores & looking on craigslist(or ebay or whatever) to see if somebody has been trying to unload a large collection? Surely in that big of a collection there were some pretty rare gems that if somebody is selling, odds are it's yours. I realize it would be an exhausting process, but obvs worth it. I once had about 200 CD's taken out of my car, not being an "iPod guy" it stung pretty bad. What pissed me off more than anything was the amount of TIME I spent gathering those. About 7 years of purchasing/burning down the tubes. Condolences...
robotbutler on December 2, 2009 at 1:22 PM · Report this
112
Ok, I'm an idiot. This post is a year old. If anything I just rubbed salt in an old wound. Sorry!
robotbutler on December 4, 2009 at 11:25 AM · Report this
113
No worries, robotbutler. I haven't done that, but I did make the rounds of area record shops to look for my stuff. I saw some similar titles scattered here and there, but that could've been coincidence.

Sorry to hear about your loss, too.
Segal on December 6, 2009 at 12:17 PM · Report this
114
Possessions are chains bra. chains we lock away in storage.
on July 20, 2010 at 1:59 PM · Report this
116
Every effort made to retrieve my records, get compensation from the moving company, and contact government officials about measures to take failed.
Dave Segal on May 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM · Stranger Staff
117
Ms. Billingsley. It's like you peered directly into my mind.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
herculesvanlines on April 24, 2012 at 2:12 AM · Report this
120
Lol Yeah, some people just have way too many things, products, accessories, electronics, you try making the list. Some people even have too many garage door openers, but you can never have too many garage doors in Phoenix, AZ. ;)
BeckonsAttore on July 11, 2013 at 9:58 AM · Report this
121
Lol Yeah, some people just have way too many things, products, accessories, electronics, you try making the list. Some people even have too many garage door openers, but you can never have too many garage doors in Phoenix, AZ. ;)
BeckonsAttore on July 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM · Report this
122
I'm so sorry to hear of your terrible experience. That's really the worst. I'm not sure if this is helpful, but perhaps for those who are reading this after the fact and are in search of a good mover, we have only reputable movers on our website: http://www.moveboxer.com. We make it our mission to scout out only the best movers. Best of luck to you.
jennymmorehead on October 31, 2013 at 12:02 PM · Report this