How do I get an iPod returned?
November 13, 2007 11:29 AM Subscribe
I'm getting an iPod for my 10 year old. He WILL lose it. What combination of info and guilt-inducing pithy phrase can I engrave on the back that increases the chances of getting it returned?
"I am ten years old and will probably lose this iPod. You can have my allowance for five weeks if you return it to me."
posted by judith at 11:34 AM on November 13, 2007 [13 favorites]
posted by judith at 11:34 AM on November 13, 2007 [13 favorites]
I always engrave "If found, please return to [my email]" but I've heard adding a "Reward" at the end helps.
posted by mathowie at 11:35 AM on November 13, 2007
posted by mathowie at 11:35 AM on November 13, 2007
If you were hoping for the engraving direct from Apple, you should state the limits. 2 lines with 22 characters each (incl. punctuation and spaces), isn't it?
posted by a_green_man at 11:36 AM on November 13, 2007
posted by a_green_man at 11:36 AM on November 13, 2007
Response by poster: That is correct, 'a_green_man'. Thanks for adding.
posted by mikemonteiro at 11:40 AM on November 13, 2007
posted by mikemonteiro at 11:40 AM on November 13, 2007
Response by poster: @ jozxyqk: Because this is how lessons are learned in life.
posted by mikemonteiro at 11:41 AM on November 13, 2007
posted by mikemonteiro at 11:41 AM on November 13, 2007
In addition to contact information, engrave an embarrassing nickname or "I sleep with [stuffed animal] every night." He'll hate it, but he'll hang on to it!
In all seriousness, a phone number and "reward if found" are all you need.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:41 AM on November 13, 2007 [2 favorites]
In all seriousness, a phone number and "reward if found" are all you need.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:41 AM on November 13, 2007 [2 favorites]
I kinda like judith's suggestion, but the kind of person who'd consider keeping an iPod despite contact info engraved on it is not likely to be sympathetic to the fact that it's the property of a "spoiled" 10 year old.
Maybe something more along the lines of "This wasn't cheap for me. Return to [phone] for reward."
posted by contraption at 11:43 AM on November 13, 2007
Maybe something more along the lines of "This wasn't cheap for me. Return to [phone] for reward."
posted by contraption at 11:43 AM on November 13, 2007
Just put his name on the back, and "happy birthday" or "Merry Christmas" or whatever. I think people would be less inclined to use an iPod with someone else's name engraved on the back.
posted by chunking express at 11:48 AM on November 13, 2007
posted by chunking express at 11:48 AM on November 13, 2007
"This is STOLEN"
"Reward from [your short email address]"
posted by terpia at 11:53 AM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
"Reward from [your short email address]"
posted by terpia at 11:53 AM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
Property of "insert famous person here"
Call "your number, not kid's" if found.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:53 AM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
Call "your number, not kid's" if found.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:53 AM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
Why not get a less expensive mp3 player for now with the stipulation that he can get a better one if he doesn't lose the cheaper one within x amount of time (say, one year)? That way, he learns responsibility a little more effectively than YOU taking a ~$300 hit to the wallet.
If he's not paying for it with his money, it's not going to matter to him as much if he loses it. End of story.
There are better ways of teaching a child responsibility than to spend loads of money on him.
In re: engraving, "Reward if found. [throwaway email]"
posted by Verdandi at 12:06 PM on November 13, 2007 [5 favorites]
If he's not paying for it with his money, it's not going to matter to him as much if he loses it. End of story.
There are better ways of teaching a child responsibility than to spend loads of money on him.
In re: engraving, "Reward if found. [throwaway email]"
posted by Verdandi at 12:06 PM on November 13, 2007 [5 favorites]
If this is not returned, Mom will visit wrath upon the original owner of this iPod.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:08 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by Ironmouth at 12:08 PM on November 13, 2007
"This iPod is gay" ought to prevent thefts by fellow 10-year-old schoolkids.
But seriously there actually isn't any better alternative than "Please return" + email or phone (yours not his). Rewards won't tempt thieves to make contact with owners unless they're bigger than is relevant here, writing "stolen" makes no sense since it'll say that when it's in the possession of the legitimate owner, too, and jokes that embarrass the kid will decrease, not increase, the care he shows towards it.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:15 PM on November 13, 2007
But seriously there actually isn't any better alternative than "Please return" + email or phone (yours not his). Rewards won't tempt thieves to make contact with owners unless they're bigger than is relevant here, writing "stolen" makes no sense since it'll say that when it's in the possession of the legitimate owner, too, and jokes that embarrass the kid will decrease, not increase, the care he shows towards it.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:15 PM on November 13, 2007
Why don't you buy your kid a much cheaper brand of audio player? For much less than the price of an iPod you can get a pretty good audio player that's sturdy, got enough GBs and, obviously, cheaper to replace. If your son wants top of the line stuff, he can work and earn the money to buy one.
No? Then get ready to buy replacements. Words might be mightier than then words, but they sure as hell can't make you not lose stuff, especially if (you == 10-year-old boy).
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:16 PM on November 13, 2007
No? Then get ready to buy replacements. Words might be mightier than then words, but they sure as hell can't make you not lose stuff, especially if (you == 10-year-old boy).
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:16 PM on November 13, 2007
I have to agree with Pecinpah on this one. If we give our ten-year-old expensive electronics, we do so with the understanding that he pays us back if he loses it. He's only lost one thing, and it wasn't even expensive. It was a $60 Shuffle. He lost it, he did tons of extra chores to earn the money to pay us back. He takes much better care of his things now.
posted by cooker girl at 12:18 PM on November 13, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 12:18 PM on November 13, 2007 [3 favorites]
Assuming this is a shuffle or nano (solid state = durable = recommended for kid), include and encourage the neck-lanyard-type case thing. That way it's unlikely to ever be lost. They're also damn convenient. No wasted pocket.
posted by rokusan at 12:20 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by rokusan at 12:20 PM on November 13, 2007
I was going to get all fancy/snarky about different threatening messages that could be put on the back, but realistically the best thing is a contact email and the promise of a reward.
...it's not as much fun as "return or the child will die" but it'll be much more successful and won't involve the risk of prison time for you.
posted by aramaic at 12:23 PM on November 13, 2007
...it's not as much fun as "return or the child will die" but it'll be much more successful and won't involve the risk of prison time for you.
posted by aramaic at 12:23 PM on November 13, 2007
This ipod = 104 weeks
of taking out trash
posted by contessa at 12:23 PM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
of taking out trash
posted by contessa at 12:23 PM on November 13, 2007 [1 favorite]
You can uglify it (paint it a goofy color) and then engrave 'belongs to' on the back. Glue an lanyard onto to it and tell him to wear it if he's taking it out of the house.
Or sell it and buy 2 or 3 refurbed Zunes. Or 10 flash based players.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:25 PM on November 13, 2007
Or sell it and buy 2 or 3 refurbed Zunes. Or 10 flash based players.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:25 PM on November 13, 2007
Uh - I hate to break it to you - but if it is a small one - who uses it without a rubber-sock/sleeve/protective enclosure anyways? Which means any guilt-inducing phrase or witty remark is just going to be hidden.
But - hey, my 9 year old has had a Nano for two years and has never lost it - but they do not allow iPods at her school. She has had a cellphone stolen out of her backpack, only to be returned two weeks later (it was a Firefly and locked to only dial emergency numbers ;-))
posted by jkaczor at 12:39 PM on November 13, 2007
But - hey, my 9 year old has had a Nano for two years and has never lost it - but they do not allow iPods at her school. She has had a cellphone stolen out of her backpack, only to be returned two weeks later (it was a Firefly and locked to only dial emergency numbers ;-))
posted by jkaczor at 12:39 PM on November 13, 2007
If you don't mind me prying, why exactly does a ten year old who's destined to lose it need an ipod?
Audiobooks
And for us - we did not buy the child. We bought my wife one, then using "Reagonomics" and "trickle-down" economic theory eventually when my wife upgraded, my daughter got the old model. Eventually it will trickle down through the 4-year-old, my mother-in-law and I may get a crack at it... (yeah right, sigh - it's a Zune for me... ugh)
posted by jkaczor at 12:42 PM on November 13, 2007
Audiobooks
And for us - we did not buy the child. We bought my wife one, then using "Reagonomics" and "trickle-down" economic theory eventually when my wife upgraded, my daughter got the old model. Eventually it will trickle down through the 4-year-old, my mother-in-law and I may get a crack at it... (yeah right, sigh - it's a Zune for me... ugh)
posted by jkaczor at 12:42 PM on November 13, 2007
I may not be the best person to ask, because I have no experience getting lost players returned. (Thought I was dropping it into an outside pocket of my bag. Apparently it was just... outside.) This was at school, so I posted on the official student forums that they have with all my information, pleading, scolding-- everything you could want.
Of course, it never found its way back to me. Lesson: If someone wants to return something, they will. They don't need coaxing or guilting; just put a phone number or whatever. But what you're talking about is, assuming the finder acts on cost-benefit analysis and not conscience, how can I increase the cost? And you can't. Free expensive toy > no free expensive toy. The annoyance or whatever of seeing your engraving on the back sometimes is negligible.
People who've pointed out the son's responsibility in all of this have the right idea, since that's the part of the equation you actually can do something about. I Am Not A Parent, but Verandi's little scheme sounds like a winner to me.
posted by jinjo at 12:47 PM on November 13, 2007
Of course, it never found its way back to me. Lesson: If someone wants to return something, they will. They don't need coaxing or guilting; just put a phone number or whatever. But what you're talking about is, assuming the finder acts on cost-benefit analysis and not conscience, how can I increase the cost? And you can't. Free expensive toy > no free expensive toy. The annoyance or whatever of seeing your engraving on the back sometimes is negligible.
People who've pointed out the son's responsibility in all of this have the right idea, since that's the part of the equation you actually can do something about. I Am Not A Parent, but Verandi's little scheme sounds like a winner to me.
posted by jinjo at 12:47 PM on November 13, 2007
Folks: He didn't buy a new one for his kid. It's an older iPod getting passed down.
posted by barnone at 1:04 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by barnone at 1:04 PM on November 13, 2007
Oh nevermind, that was someone else. Enough with the shaming though.
posted by barnone at 1:08 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by barnone at 1:08 PM on November 13, 2007
Whatever you do, write down the serial number so if he loses it you can report it in an official manner. I got a lost mp3 player back this way once.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 1:17 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 1:17 PM on November 13, 2007
You people suggesting non-iPod MP3 players? You don't have children. Or peer pressure. Or children with peer pressure.
On re-reading the thread three hours later: an e-mail address is probably more permanent/awkward-for-thief than a phone number.
posted by rokusan at 1:32 PM on November 13, 2007
On re-reading the thread three hours later: an e-mail address is probably more permanent/awkward-for-thief than a phone number.
posted by rokusan at 1:32 PM on November 13, 2007
Register the serial number with Apple. If it is lost or stolen, then brought in for repair it will get flagged.
posted by Gungho at 1:49 PM on November 13, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by Gungho at 1:49 PM on November 13, 2007 [2 favorites]
Mod note: a few comments removed, stop with the LOLMACZ nonsense and go to metatalk if you want to talk about the ramifications of getting a ten year old an ipod.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:17 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:17 PM on November 13, 2007
I'd put "You're not getting another one Timmy" as a reminder for him not to lose it.
posted by advicepig at 2:28 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by advicepig at 2:28 PM on November 13, 2007
I dont get the part about the child paying the parents back if he or she loses it..... its his property so if he loses it that in and of its self should be his own punishment... It was a gift, not a loaer...
anyway.
The idea bouat equting the ipod to taking out the trash or some other chore the young ones do sounds like the best guilt inducing option.
posted by crewshell at 2:43 PM on November 13, 2007
anyway.
The idea bouat equting the ipod to taking out the trash or some other chore the young ones do sounds like the best guilt inducing option.
posted by crewshell at 2:43 PM on November 13, 2007
How about:
"Reward for return, no
questions: [phone]"
For those getting snazzy, the line and character limits are severe.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 4:07 PM on November 13, 2007
"Reward for return, no
questions: [phone]"
For those getting snazzy, the line and character limits are severe.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 4:07 PM on November 13, 2007
crewshell, I guess I was a little vague. I meant that he wanted to replace the one he lost, so we made him pay for it. If I lose something that was a gift, I would never expect the giver to buy me a replacement.
posted by cooker girl at 4:13 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by cooker girl at 4:13 PM on November 13, 2007
I wouldn't be so pessimistic about him losing it. Besides the engraving, do what I did (I lose things a lot) and get
a. an distinctive bright colored case
b. one that a keychain or lanyard can attach to
c. bigger headphones
Yeah, it makes it so much harder to lost when it is so visible and bulkier.
posted by melissam at 5:34 PM on November 13, 2007
a. an distinctive bright colored case
b. one that a keychain or lanyard can attach to
c. bigger headphones
Yeah, it makes it so much harder to lost when it is so visible and bulkier.
posted by melissam at 5:34 PM on November 13, 2007
child's name and phone number, then:
"happy tenth birthday, brandon!
love you forever, grandma."
posted by twistofrhyme at 5:40 PM on November 13, 2007
"happy tenth birthday, brandon!
love you forever, grandma."
posted by twistofrhyme at 5:40 PM on November 13, 2007
TomMelee: "I can't fathom that a 10 year old has so much music that he needs 30+ gigs of space?"
iPods come with as little as 1GB (Shuffle). The Nano has 2GB (2nd gen), or 4, or 8.
Oh, and the new Nano? It's only $150. Not a $300 hit to the wallet. The Shuffle's $79 and even it is engravable.
posted by IndigoRain at 7:47 PM on November 13, 2007
iPods come with as little as 1GB (Shuffle). The Nano has 2GB (2nd gen), or 4, or 8.
Oh, and the new Nano? It's only $150. Not a $300 hit to the wallet. The Shuffle's $79 and even it is engravable.
posted by IndigoRain at 7:47 PM on November 13, 2007
gotcha cooker, yea i agree he should pay to replace it in that case!
posted by crewshell at 8:08 PM on November 13, 2007
posted by crewshell at 8:08 PM on November 13, 2007
How about
'if found please keep me
to teach my owner a lesson'.
More seriously, any cutesy shit that is meant to say 'please be nice and return me because I am owned by a kid' would probably reduce my usual instinct to return things, because I am a misanthropic arsehole who is jealous of little kids with shit I can't afford for myself. I'd still return it, but I'd hate doing it. Just go with the name and phone number - people who return things will use them, people who don't will just scratch off anything too annoying anyway.
posted by jacalata at 8:30 PM on November 13, 2007
'if found please keep me
to teach my owner a lesson'.
More seriously, any cutesy shit that is meant to say 'please be nice and return me because I am owned by a kid' would probably reduce my usual instinct to return things, because I am a misanthropic arsehole who is jealous of little kids with shit I can't afford for myself. I'd still return it, but I'd hate doing it. Just go with the name and phone number - people who return things will use them, people who don't will just scratch off anything too annoying anyway.
posted by jacalata at 8:30 PM on November 13, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
Cash reward if returned, eternal guilt and possible damnation otherwise!
posted by beaucoupkevin at 11:32 AM on November 13, 2007