Getting Back Lost Gadgets

Reader Kevin writes: I have just lost my iPod and I can't find it.  Is there a way to get it back with out paying a lot of money? I still have the box.

Sorry, Kevin. That box and $3.50 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks, that's about it.

An iPod is no different than any other possession: Once you've paid for it, it's yours... and your responsibility. And since iPods are highly coveted and very liquid on the black market, if you suspect your iPod was stolen (as opposed to stuck in the couch cushions somewhere), you should probably start mentally preparing yourself that it's gone forever. Instead of moaning, start planning now on how to secure your next gadget. Some suggestions...

If you're especially prone to losing gadgets, services like StuffBak are definitely worth the investment. You puchase a set of small keychains and irremovable stickers (pictured) with unique code numbers on them and a toll free number for the finder to call. Just stick the labels on your phone, iPod, or notebook, and register your gear with the StuffBak website, setting any rewards you'd like to offer. Hopefully, someone who finds the gear will be motivated to call and send you back your MP3 player. Service costs vary widely, but plan on paying about $15 to $20 a year for the first 50(!) gadgets you lose. The company claims a whopping 75 percent recovery rate.

If you suspect an outright theft, some people have had luck scouring Craigslist and eBay for a listing that matches the item. With more unique products (like a laptop with odd specifications) this is a generally more successful strategy, and it's something you should check at least once if you lose a device.

Insurance is another possibility: You can insure just about anything if you have homeowner's or renter's insurance to specifically cover you in the event of loss or theft. However, deductibles don't often make this worthwhile for something like an iPod. Gadget-specific insurers also litter the web with iPod-only plans, but I can't offer an opinion on how legitimate any of these services are.

For notebooks, I've also written about LoJack for Laptops in the past. 

Did you lose a gadget and manage to get it back? Let other readers know your secrets in the comments section!