I suspect there is a bit of Robin Hood syndrome happening here. Pretty sure most folks who scored super cheap high quality gear from them are grateful they committed these crimes.. or grateful for the deals they got as a result. None of them are coming forward offering to cough up the difference as part of the restitution to Vail. I certainly wouldn't. There is equally valid sentiment that Vail's lack of oversight and accounting standards cost them these losses as much as the employees who took advantage of the opportunity are to blame,
Here is how I feel about it FWIW.
1) I would never have purchased the skis had I known they were stolen.
2) I feel sad about the whole thing. I feel sad for SkiCo, for the perpetrators, and for some of the related taint that is now in my quiver.
3) I don't have any grateful feeling. As I said, I feel sad for the above and also a bit sad about the skis. I get attached to my kit but instead of now happily thinking these skis are great and I got a good deal on them now I know they were stolen goods. I'm still going to use them, but it does take some of the shine off of them and now I probably won't have quite the same pride in them knowing they were stolen. The whole situation has caused pain for both Aspen and the perpetrators. I'd prefer not to have stolen kit in my quiver. No winners here.
4) no, I'm not going out of my way to return them to Aspen. If law enforcement reaches out I'll cooperate come what may, but I figure at this point it's water under the bridge and I doubt Aspen really wants them.
. interesting situation. Has there been any update on how this was perpetrated? I have to wonder how their inventory and receivables systems work.
