I work in a High Rise building in Midtown Manhattan, N.Y. that houses art studios, photo studios and major entertainment venues. I am not associated with the entertainment industry at all in the building or anyplace else. As customary on Fridays, the companies in the building literally throw out things that they no longer need to include furniture, light fixtures, picture frames and props that are in almost perfect condition. These items are placed in a open public space and then on Mondays when people start coming in, they look through things and take whatever they please - NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
Well, this Monday, as I walked past the area with a co-worker, he saw a planter and a small plant table which he picked up. I saw a Graffiti painting on a framed canvas ( 3' x 4') that was modern abstract leaning on the wall with the rest of the so called "garbage".
I took it as I thought it would look nice in my basement and walked it to my office and placed it in the corner of my cubicle.
Today, 3 days later, I drove in to work specifically to transport the picture with my coworkers planters home and in the afternoon at 4 P.M. place the painting in the back of my truck and drive home out of the city.
2 hours later, I just received a text message from the Chief of Security of the Building that stated that they reviewed the security tapes and with the help of my offices security manager, have identified me as the person that took the painting that was with all the other furniture and fixtures . They stated that they want it back but it was thrown away accidentally and it is worth over $7,000. - WTF !
My question here is should I just give it back or is it garbage like everything else that was there and picked up ?
Hey all, thanks for posting ALL the rules and regulations regarding garbage pickup but what I failed to say in my original Posting was that this " Garbage" is on the 3rd Floor of the building in an area specifically designated for ALL building employees to browse through. There are no fences, no specific time or anything like that, So if you happen to walk by and see something you can use, you can take it as their is also a large sign that says: "SWAP, DONATE OR PICKUP".....in other words, this is sanctioned by building management.
I conferred with a lawyer friend of mine and he told me that this is considered "ABANDONED Property" and I could technically keep it but I have decided in order to avoid any further conflict, I am just going to give it back.
Thanks FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES
Well, this Monday, as I walked past the area with a co-worker, he saw a planter and a small plant table which he picked up. I saw a Graffiti painting on a framed canvas ( 3' x 4') that was modern abstract leaning on the wall with the rest of the so called "garbage".
I took it as I thought it would look nice in my basement and walked it to my office and placed it in the corner of my cubicle.
Today, 3 days later, I drove in to work specifically to transport the picture with my coworkers planters home and in the afternoon at 4 P.M. place the painting in the back of my truck and drive home out of the city.
2 hours later, I just received a text message from the Chief of Security of the Building that stated that they reviewed the security tapes and with the help of my offices security manager, have identified me as the person that took the painting that was with all the other furniture and fixtures . They stated that they want it back but it was thrown away accidentally and it is worth over $7,000. - WTF !
My question here is should I just give it back or is it garbage like everything else that was there and picked up ?
Hey all, thanks for posting ALL the rules and regulations regarding garbage pickup but what I failed to say in my original Posting was that this " Garbage" is on the 3rd Floor of the building in an area specifically designated for ALL building employees to browse through. There are no fences, no specific time or anything like that, So if you happen to walk by and see something you can use, you can take it as their is also a large sign that says: "SWAP, DONATE OR PICKUP".....in other words, this is sanctioned by building management.
I conferred with a lawyer friend of mine and he told me that this is considered "ABANDONED Property" and I could technically keep it but I have decided in order to avoid any further conflict, I am just going to give it back.
Thanks FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES
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