Circus Train Watching and the Gold Ring Recovery

[scaupus]

Jorge was a stranger to me before Sunday. We met when he saw me metal detecting in a park by his Hollywood, Florida home, and he asked me if I thought I could find a gold ring he'd lost 2 months earlier in his girlfriend's backyard, which was just a few blocks away. Funny thing about the timing of his request; the park is right next to the FEC train tracks. The Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus train had passed by just thirty minutes earlier. I had stopped hunting, and stood entranced, watching every car that went by. A circus train is a rare and wonderful sight. I took it as a good omen.

And then Jorge showed up. My offer to Jorge was $25 if I didn't find the ring, $50 if I did find the ring. He agreed.

And about thirty minutes after we met, Jorge had his gold ring back, and I was $50 richer. A week earlier I had helped a couple recover a necklace on the beach, and they had rewarded me $40. I hope this is habit forming.

Here's a video of Jorge telling the story:

 

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[Toadady]

what, no pics of the train?

I thought most of the metal detector recoverys were just for the fun of it.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Congrats!

 

[WHADIFIND]

I thought most of the metal detector recoverys were just for the fun of it.

If we are out and find something we can restore to an owner, like a ring, watch, phone, etc. we usually love the owner's reaction and that makes it worthwhile. But, when someone stops us, and asks us to give up our fun hunt, I don't see any reason why a person shouldn't be compensated for their time. They would in ANY other profession after being hired. Of course though, it's up to the discretion of the hunter. I have done both. Hired and just helped someone who lost something important to them, for free.

HH!

 

[mariposagold]

If we are out and find something we can restore to an owner, like a ring, watch, phone, etc. we usually love the owner's reaction and that makes it worthwhile. But, when someone stops us, and asks us to give up our fun hunt, I don't see any reason why a person shouldn't be compensated for their time. They would in ANY other profession after being hired. Of course though, it's up to the discretion of the hunter. I have done both. Hired and just helped someone who lost something important to them, for free.

HH!

Well put, I was toying with the question until I read your well stated point. The only traceable item I have found was a fully charged cellphone. I wouldn't dream of charging for it's return nor would I charge for any traceable item I found on a hunt. Put it make sense that if some one has a need and you have the means, compensation is certainly in order. Time is money.

 

[Broken knee]

Remember, no good deed go's unpunished! HE HE Nice HH
Broken Knee

 

[webatch]

Good job, Congrats.... and YEAH where are the Circus train pics... lol

As a general rule I wouldn't charge someone to find something. I wouldn't turn down a reward voluntarily offered unless I felt like the person really couldn't afford it.

That being said I think that it is a reasonable position to consider ones time as valuable. AND let us not forget we (Metal Detectorists) have a monitary investment in equipment and supplies.

There are so many hours of use in a piece of equipment and batteries. It may be very minimal but it is costing something for every hour of use.

Whadifind is correct that in any other profession there would be a charge for service rendered and I see nothing wrong for charging for the service. The man agreed to the terms up front.

I have only had one request like this and haven't gone out to the site yet, have been waiting for the snow to melt off. So this weekend I should get my opportunity to find a ring. Since this is for a friend at work I definitely won't be asking her for a reward.