Post #28874 by Trader Woody on Tue, Apr 1, 2003 2:06 PM

Just got this off the wire:

"Mug Collectors Targeted"
Collectors of Polynesian-style 'Tiki' mugs may soon find they have to return them to their original owners as a major restaurant chain attempts to reclaim what they say are stolen goods. Trader Vic's, for decades a purveyor of exotic cocktails and South Sea charm are now trying to get many of the mugs, salt & pepper shakers, and crockery lost through the ages to overenthusiastic patrons. "What we are talking about here are essentially items stolen from our restaurants", said a spokesman. "What seems like a fine reminder of a damn good night out, is actually the cause of losses to the restaurant totalling thousands of dollars every year. When these are sold for profit on places like eBay, it's actually no different than buying a CD player off a crack-head pimp in a sleazy bar."

Buyers and sellers in Tiki mugs are to be traced and their 'booty' confiscated and returned to Trader Vic's. Those who have been found to own such items from long closed establishments such as 'Tiki Bob's' of San Francisco may be liable for damages totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars, if it can be shown that the theft and sale of such items led to the establishment's demise.
A long term mug collector, Abe Rilphool, after hearing of these plans said, " I've over 350 mugs, and if they think they can just come over and seize them, they'll have a fight on their hands. And if they touch my Tiki Bob, I'll stick an unlidded Mr Bali Hai where the sun don't shine."

Trader Woody