Avoiding Stolen Gear: Safeguarding Your Survey Equipment Purchases
Survey equipment is a significant investment — even when you’re buying used. That’s why ensuring legitimacy is so important.
Survey equipment gets ripped off all the time, stolen from jobs sites and storage lots. The risks of unknowingly buying stolen equipment are substantial, ranging from legal complications to operational setbacks. Owning stolen equipment, even unintentionally, can lead to its confiscation and leave you unable to access essential manufacturer services like calibration or repairs. Stolen items may also technically belong to insurance companies or original owners, creating complex ownership disputes.
The easiest thing to do is avoid buying stolen equipment in the first place. When you take the right precautionary steps, you protect your business, your reputation, and peace of mind. Keep reading for tips on proper due diligence and avoiding costly mistakes with stolen equipment. Have questions? The team at Munsoned Survey is here to help. Reach out to us if you have any questions about the legitimacy of used survey equipment.
The Myth of a Comprehensive Stolen Survey Equipment Database
While many industries benefit from centralized resources to track stolen assets, survey equipment lacks a comprehensive and reliable database for this purpose.
Existing resources are limited, often relying on manual updates and user submissions, leading to incomplete and outdated information. For example, the National Equipment Register (NER) primarily focuses on heavy machinery and does not offer extensive coverage for specialized survey tools. Similarly, the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) maintains a registry, but it too depends on voluntary submissions, leaving significant gaps in its listings.
These limitations make it difficult to rely on such sources for thorough equipment verification.
Reliable Resources for Verifying Equipment Legitimacy
When it comes to ensuring the legitimacy of survey equipment, two trusted resources stand out: Trimble’s MyTrimbleProtected (MTP) and Leica’s myWorld Customer Portal.
Trimble’s MyTrimbleProtected (MTP):
MTP is a service designed to help users identify and protect against stolen equipment. With a Trimble Identity, users can log in and check if a piece of equipment has been flagged as stolen. Should it be flagged, the original Trimble Dealer information will be provided.
Leica’s myWorld Customer Portal:
Similarly, Leica’s myWorld portal is an invaluable tool for verifying equipment status. Users can access service histories and confirm whether an instrument has been reported stolen. By entering serial numbers or related identifiers, myWorld ensures buyers can confidently confirm the legitimacy of Leica equipment before making a purchase.
Leveraging these manufacturer-backed resources is critical for avoiding stolen items and maintaining access to essential services.
Legal Considerations in Equipment Ownership
Owning survey equipment involves more than just making a payment — understanding rightful ownership is essential. Simply purchasing equipment, even in good faith, does not guarantee you own it legally. If the item is stolen, the original owner (or their insurance company, if a payout has occurred) retains the rightful claim. There is no statute of limitations on stolen property, meaning it can be reclaimed at any time.
Possessing stolen equipment, even unintentionally, can lead to serious consequences. Legal disputes and potential confiscation of the item are just the beginning. Manufacturers like Trimble and Leica will not service equipment reported as stolen, leaving you unable to perform essential calibrations or repairs.
Munsoned Survey: Your Trusted Partner
When it comes to purchasing survey equipment, having a trusted partner makes all the difference. At Munsoned Survey, we bring years of expertise in the survey equipment industry, and we know how to verify the legitimacy of tools and ensure that you make informed purchasing decisions.
Our team is here to assist with equipment verification, offering guidance to help you avoid the pitfalls of unknowingly buying stolen instruments. Whether you’re navigating complex ownership questions or seeking reliable advice, our team is committed to providing the support you need to protect your investment and operate with confidence.
Check out our inventory of legitimate used survey equipment, and contact us any time with questions.