Are you sure about that? I always thought you got your merchandise back and then the thief had to pay the buyer back. Besides, I think it's even illegal to have possession of stolen goods. How do you know the buyer wasn't the thief's partner?

As for violating privacy, I say if somebody stole something from you, you should have the right to bust down his door and take it back, privacy or not. That's what the police are gonna do anyway. Police aren't gods that have special rights (besides being able to speed). And you can always citizen's arrest the thief.

All this reminds me of the married with children episode where a guy breaks into Al's house and the thief sues Al for punching him, and then Al counter-sues the thief for hurting his hand when he hit his face.