We lost an important member of the family weekend before last (5th June) as we were passing through Zürich. We left a rucksack on the S2 at the Flughafen and until now nothing has shown up on the SBB or easyfind.ch site. The SBB contact centre have told us it's probably been stolen.
Mr. Bear was in the rucksack and quite frankly the only thing that matters. His companion and life long friend Oskar is inconsolable.
So a couple of questions - any advice of who to call/email? We've spoken to Zurich Lost & Found, SBB & the police. If the worst has happened, where are stolen goods sold, so I can keep an eye there? Are there any high visibility networks I can post some photos to for people to keep a look out?
We lived in Zurich a while back so are somewhat familiar with the systems and I speak a bit of german which has helped a bit so far!
I am sorry that you lost a beloved bear. Always a tragedy!
Could you post a picture? Maybe that would help if someone saw him somewhere.
If you used Inta or Facebook create a page there. I know of cases where that helped.
Maybe also try to ask the airport if you have not yet done that already.
The possibility of where it could be sold are endless. Maybe create a pdf with all the information that you can send as e-mail to all the Brokenhaus in the Zurich region (and maybe also Thurgau and St. Gallen). Search online for them ans call if there is no e-mail.
Its a long shot but maybe something worth doing.
And as an alternative: try to find the same or a very similar bear and buy that. Maybe better similar and tell that its the brother or cousin or whatever. It might help a little
I heard that toy bears, like small pets, can have a short holiday and come back looking slightly different. Happens all the time. Sometimes they can even grow a bit or get a tan while at the beach.
I'm not sure the SBB would even hold onto something like that in the lost and found. In my experience they weren't interested if it was something with little monetary value.
Thanks everyone for your replies! I've attached some pics (I think...)
Mr. Bear's companion is too old to be fooled by the replacement tricks, but the older the kid the greater the heartache...even the suggestion of a new one is understandably rejected!
Hadn't thought of emailing the Brocki's, I'll give that a go and I think the social media campaign will begin soon...
If you know what brand/make MrBear is, you can google who produced those bears and ask where you can buy a new one. That is how I got another one for my nephew when they were sold out in my home country.
But for the time being hoping you will be reunited!
I just called the Police to report as stolen in case they come across him but they told me to report it to the authorities back here (in the UK) and pointed me back to the SBB fündburo. At least, I managed the conversation in German. Small but hollow victory
Would it be possible to make a report if I (or someone on my behalf) were in person?
When Mr. Bear does make it home (with a little help from his friends), maybe he could wear a collar with a little message in it. Maybe I'm naive, but I'd like to think most people would call/post anywhere in the world to get him back to Oskar.
I don't live in the Zurich area but in my Canton we have a very active lost and found group on Facebook as well as Cantonal and local facebook groups - so I would start with the Zurich/Flughafen area equivalents. there is also a doudou perdu facebook group and accompanying website - these are heavily Suisse Romande centric (because that is where I live) but maybe you can find the equivalent for the German speaking part?
Oh, I get really upset when this happens. A couple of times when I've been out recently I've found a small furry toy that's been dropped by a toddler and I've put it on a nearby wall just in case they come by again. The other evening it was a tiny giraffe near the local bus stop. I also feel sad when I find a tiny shoe, glove or hat that's been parted from its little owner
Great news! We got the email we'd been hoping for from the SBB - the bag, bear and belongings...all in one piece.
He's on his way home!
I've been thinking a lot about how we often depend on the kindness of strangers and that 99.9% of the time that kindness is invisible. Occasionally, you see the effect of it above the surface and it's a reminder to be more thankful (and be that invisible kindness myself). So, whoever it was who saw the bag, handed it in or kept it safe - we owe you one!