Nightmares at the National

[Steve_NY]

Yes, the stories you have heard are true. When you have many expensive items for display in one location for a number of days, there are certainly those that come in to the show just to try to steal them.

I have done every National but 4 of them, and have had my share of items stolen. Any one who tells you differently is either lying or blind. I consider it the cost of doing business.

But I have evolved and have learned from my mistakes. Rather than list the biggest items every taken, I would prefer to offer National dealers some advice on how to protect against such thefts, like losing a 52 Mantle or more expensive items.

1 -- My first layer of display is now all my showcases. Even if the show is slow, LOCK them anyway, and put your most expensive "cards" in those locked showcases.

2 -- The second layer behind the showcases should be less expensive items that they can reach to look at.

3 -- The third layer which they can't reach would be more expensive items. When they try to reach them, you jump in and help them.

4 -- NEVER let anyone come into your booth areas. They can keep you occupied while their accomplices go to work.

5 -- Consider adding a 360 degree small inexpensive security camera that you can record and play back immediately on your IPhone, IPAD or Droid. Consider keeping the system active 24 hours to protect your booth.

6 -- Maybe others can add other ways to protect against having horror stories?

Here is a horror story that almost happened to me:

*****************8

Back in the day, before body bags, I used to travel to the National with just four small suitcases to display. It was in Anaheim, and when I checked into the hotel, I was checked into one of the exterior freestanding units. My antennas went off immediately and I returned to the reservations desk, and quickly switched to a hotel room, which I felt offered better security. A day or two later, I drove by that area and found police cars all over and the entire unit was smashed in and covered by large bamboo and trees. I never found out what had happened but we were at Disney when it transpired. Just imagine if I had left my suitcases in there when I went to Disney with my family, as it still was not set up day.

It really disappoints me and makes me think about stopping setting up at shows when something gets stolen, but I keep coming back for more.

Why? The vast majority of collectors and attendees would never even consider taking anything without paying for it. Still it can't hurt to be overly cautious.


Steve

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

Yes, the stories you have heard are true. When you have many expensive items for display in one location for a number of days, there are certainly those that come in to the show just to try to steal them.

I have done every National but 4 of them, and have had my share of items stolen. Any one who tells you differently is either lying or blind. I consider it the cost of doing business.

But I have evolved and have learned from my mistakes. Rather than list the biggest items every taken, I would prefer to offer National dealers some advice on how to protect against such thefts, like losing a 52 Mantle or more expensive items.

1 -- My first layer of display is now all my showcases. Even if the show is slow, LOCK them anyway, and put your most expensive "cards" in those locked showcases.

2 -- The second layer behind the showcases should be less expensive items that they can reach to look at.

3 -- The third layer which they can't reach would be more expensive items. When they try to reach them, you jump in and help them.

4 -- NEVER let anyone come into your booth areas. They can keep you occupied while their accomplices go to work.

5 -- Consider adding a 360 degree small inexpensive security camera that you can record and play back immediately on your IPhone, IPAD or Droid. Consider keeping the system active 24 hours to protect your booth.

6 -- Maybe others can add other ways to protect against having horror stories?

Here is a horror story that almost happened to me:

*****************8

Back in the day, before body bags, I used to travel to the National with just four small suitcases to display. It was in Anaheim, and when I checked into the hotel, I was checked into one of the exterior freestanding units. My antennas went off immediately and I returned to the reservations desk, and quickly switched to a hotel room, which I felt offered better security. A day or two later, I drove by that area and found police cars all over and the entire unit was smashed in and covered by large bamboo and trees. I never found out what had happened but we were at Disney when it transpired. Just imagine if I had left my suitcases in there when I went to Disney with my family, as it still was not set up day.

It really disappoints me and makes me think about stopping setting up at shows when something gets stolen, but I keep coming back for more.

Why? The vast majority of collectors and attendees would never even consider taking anything without paying for it. Still it can't hurt to be overly cautious.


Steve

Steve-

Great suggestions!

[irv]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

such thefts, like losing a 52 Mantle or more expensive items.


Steve

Ouch!!

You, or someone you know?

I never considered thefts were a problem/issue at these shows, but I guess I was naive thinking it didn't go on.

From the last show I attended at the spring Toronto Expo, it wasn't that busy but I did notice sometimes only 1 guy running a booth with multiple customers.

I waited until I had the sellers attention but not everyone did as I was interrupted more than once by a pushy customer.
I have never ran/been in one as a seller but I can't imagine I'd be anything less than a burned out frazzled wreck once the week-end was done

[BeanTown]

I don't Know if this would be considered a nightmare... But it seems every year when walking around the floor you run Into an item you gotta have! The price may be a little high and the seller might not be flexible so you walk away. Then after looking around your mind keeps coming back to that item you walked away from. You say what the heck, I'll buy it and you walk back and it's been sold! Then, you get back home to only discover its be auctioned off and the price it realized is way more than the asking price from the National.

[Buythatcard]

Several years ago, I attended the Chicago National and had a great time. I bought $7,000 worth of cards for my inventory. Doesn't sound like a nightmare until I tried to catch my flight back to NJ.

The stupidest decision that I ever made was to pack all the cards into my suitcases. They were just too heavy to carry onto the plane. I checked my bags and was ready to board when they decided to cancel my flight. The next flight they put me on was also cancelled. Finally 13 hours later I was back in NJ.
I ran down to the luggage carousel to wait for my bags. I waited and waited until no more bags came off. My bags along with $7,000 worth of cards were not there. I almost had a heart attack. I just saw my business go up in flames.

I was told that they would search for the bags which probably got left behind in Chicago due to the cancellations. I waited for 4 days until they actually delivered it to my house. I opened them immediately and every card was still there.

I guess you can consider this a Nightmare after the National.

[Danny Smith]

My personal national nightmare is the horrific smell of folks that just don't understand how important a shower and deodorant are in maintaining good hygeine.

[Exhibitman]

So far no nightmares. You have to be proactive whether you are a buyer or a seller.

One thing to consider is cash management. If I have a wad I split it between my wallet and other storage so if I lose one I don't get wiped out.

Never check anything you would mind losing. Even consider fedex to send home heavy stuff.

Use the hotel safe for your stuff. Most have in room safes now.

[bxb]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

So far no nightmares. You have to be proactive whether you are a buyer or a seller.

One thing to consider is cash management. If I have a wad I split it between my wallet and other storage so if I lose one I don't get wiped out.

Never check anything you would mind losing. Even consider fedex to send home heavy stuff.

Use the hotel safe for your stuff. Most have in room safes now.

Good points, Adam.

However, all should be aware that hotel room safes may not be that safe:

http://digg.com/video/lock-pick-hotel-safes

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by BeanTown

I don't Know if this would be considered a nightmare... But it seems every year when walking around the floor you run Into an item you gotta have! The price may be a little high and the seller might not be flexible so you walk away. Then after looking around your mind keeps coming back to that item you walked away from. You say what the heck, I'll buy it and you walk back and it's been sold! Then, you get back home to only discover its be auctioned off and the price it realized is way more than the asking price from the National.

Jay - That happens all the time. But don't say what the heck, say WTF.

[njdunkin1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Jay - That happens all the time. But don't say what the heck, say WTF.

That's starting to get repetitive, friend. Would you mind?

No card show nightmares for me. Haven't even been to the National yet, I hope to go next time one is in Chicago. Occasionally I find a card I really want, but it seems that many dealers way overprice their cards!
NJ Dunkin

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by njdunkin1

That's starting to get repetitive, friend. Would you mind?

He's quoting the 1983 movie, Risky Business.

[buymycards]

Hi Andrew, he isn't on the dealer list at this time.

I wish I could remember the name of another dealer. This dealers tables were being run by a good looking woman with kind of a low cut blouse. Being the sexist pig that I am, I paid more than I should have for a T213-2 Bender.

Rick

[unamuzd1]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

He's quoting the 1983 movie, Risky Business.

In what seems a family-friendly way, all things considered.

Speaking of 1983, I wasn't at the national that year. I did, however, attend the one in 1986. I guess I was 13 at the time, if my maths still work. I haven't been to one since, though I'm eyeing next year.

In terms of nightmares, mine's minor. The last thing I bought at the 1986 National, from a dealer near the door, was an unopened pack of 1976 Topps. I don't remember what I paid, but it wasn't too much, and I got a Brooks Robinson out of it. Which was awesome, because Robby was a favorite player (I grew up in Arkansas, so he's a hometown boy), but less awesome because it had a surface wrinkle. I just figured, these things happen sometimes.

Then a few days later I was looking at the wrapper and saw that it had a mail-in offer on it that expired in 1974.

Realizing that there were jerks who would sell a kid a re-sealed pack is probably one of the reasons I've never prioritized going back to the National.

[Steve_NY]

No, I never lost a '52 Mantle but others have. At almost every National there are incidents. I have lost $300 - $500 items, but I relate every loss to what that item actually cost me, and what it will cost to replace.

By the way, I thought of another couple of ways to protect against thefts:

7-- Never give anyone, including other sellers, the permission to look through your showcases. They often say that they have an interest in lots of items in one specific showcase. Guess what happens? You wouldn't even know you are missing an expensive card -- they are that good.

8 -- The same goes for boxes that you have under the table. They want to see everything, and you will never even know that you have lost some valuable cards.

9 -- Don't help more than 2 customers personally at the same time; only one if they are on different sides of your display;. It's a common tactic to split you up on purpose.
If a customer really wants what you have on display, they will stick around or come back. If not, such is life. I would rather lose a sale than a stack of T205s or worse.

As you can see, I practice what I preach, but would sure love to hear what others do to protect themselves.

Steve

[Jewish-collector]

I would suggest always keeping the showcases locked. As I understand, a card was stolen from the corner of a showcase when the dealer was busy helping someone at the other end of his display.