When people left games at your house YEARS ago...

[madrocsz]

I would keep them, I have been in the exact same shoes as this, maybe not to the extent of 100$ sculptors cut but yeah.

Needless to say, unless you still contact them often, know they are major collectors etc, it really isn't worth the trouble. Most likely they forgot or long since cared and on the flip side can you think of any games you may have left at others houses back in the day.

Growing up in the burbs like I did, we brought games/controllers to everyones house, when they eventually got put away for years it just happened. I couldnt tell you where half these dudes live anymore lol

[sheep2001]

I'd say Facebook or email them, say hi,  then subsequently say, oh I still have those games of yours, if you want them.  If they aren't collectors, they will probably tell you to keep them.

I would love it for some of the people who had games and CDs of mine growing up to own up to it and offered them back (and even a dreamcast and games - I know who he is, and I know he no longer has it).  I was too generous and let people 'borrow' whatever they wanted.  It's only years later when collecting I realise quite how many are missing.

[tbonesteak4dinner]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I guess I expected this many varied responses.

I found the guy that owns Master Quest and Star Fox Assault on facebook, so I'll send him a message in the next couple days. The guy that owns Sculptor's Cut unfortunately has a both a first and last name as common as "Smith" so there wasn't any luck on facebook, and obviously google is no help. Our friendship ran its course well before facebook and myspace existed, so my only hope is if he logs on to his AIM screen name from 2001. Guess I'll check that from time to time.

Just to clarify for those of you who responded like I took something without consent - I already did go the extra mile to return these games to these guys years ago, so there's no "stealing" involved. If they keep leaving it on your counter when you tell them to bring it home for months, then there's nothing you can do. I can't make them take home their game. Either way it's always here if he somehow finds me on Facebook or AIM - I never planned on selling anything.

[wiggy]

Like I said, shoot them an email or whatever if you've got it, but don't go hiring a private detective to hunt them down.  What I'm saying isn't separated by more than a few degrees of what you're saying.

The way I look at it, it's not stealing or like stealing.  They forgot it, not T-bone.  Sounds like he already tried to get the items returned forever ago but the owners of said games weren't really all that concerned. 

If he's already tried and failed to return them, that's one thing, but no one should keep something like that without making every honest attempt to contact the owners. Hiring a detective might be a bit much, but then again, maybe not; I'd say it depends on the circumstances. With so much info online now, you can get a current address or phone number for almost anyone from a records search. Some of the fees are large, but many are small.

He did try to return, like forever ago.  See OP.

I think you're reading between the lines when you need to be doing so within the lines.  There's only so much that one can reasonably be expected to do in this sort of situation, and seriously, hiring a private detective isn't one. This isn't someone's heirloom gold broach or anything.

[UncleBob]

I will say, just because they haven't made the effort to contact you to get them back, it doesn't mean they don't want them back.

I loaned a copy of Pokémon Yellow to a co-worker who then moved to Florida.

I still talk trash about him to this day.

Not really, but whenever he comes up in conversation, I usually end up making a comment about how he "stole" my game.  He was a great guy and all and I don't really hold it against him, but I'll forever think of him as the Pokémon thief. =D

[tbonesteak4dinner]

He did try to return, like forever ago.  See OP.

I think you're reading between the lines when you need to be doing so within the lines.  There's only so much that one can reasonably be expected to do in this sort of situation, and seriously, hiring a private detective isn't one. This isn't someone's heirloom gold broach or anything.

This. I think Moviefan forgot to actually read the post. And did a private detective really get mentioned? Why should I incur that cost for someone else's mistake? Especially for something so low in monetary value - a PI's fee would already double the value of those games in the first hour. This isn't like a missed connection or something - they had months and then years where they could grab the games from me. If they won't take it home, then I can't be held accountable for that.

I will say, just because they haven't made the effort to contact you to get them back, it doesn't mean they don't want them back.

I loaned a copy of Pokémon Yellow to a co-worker who then moved to Florida.

I still talk trash about him to this day.

Not really, but whenever he comes up in conversation, I usually end up making a comment about how he "stole" my game.  He was a great guy and all and I don't really hold it against him, but I'll forever think of him as the Pokémon thief. =D

But did he try to return it to you continuously? Sounds like he borrowed it and then just held on to it. I've already gone through the steps to get the items back to these guys once. This post and the whole ordeal is me trying to go the extra mile. (again) They're burning a hole in my shelf and a feel bad enough already about having them even though they failed to get them back from me when I brought it up...