Personal Safety

[kailes2872]

I woke up very early this morning after not being able to sleep. As I have ventured back into collecting for the past 5.5 years, the purchases have added up over time.

I live in a pretty nice neighborhood. The average income is probably 3x-5x the national average and the homes are commensurate to this income level. We have occasional teenage vandals, but no issues with theft or break-ins.

While I have enjoyed my collecting journey and do not want it to end, I also do not want to put my family at risk.

At the same time, if I would have to keep the collection off site, that would be a bummer as well. The joy that i receive my from my collection is looking at it, touching it, smelling it, showing it to friends. I am basically a 10 year old kid and these were the cards that I looked at in the display cases and was told to move my hands so that I didn't get fingerprints on them. If I can't enjoy them, then my collection is no better than another part of my investment portfolio that sits at another location as well.

I am not sure why this suddenly overwhelmed me this morning. I am obviously being vague with storage details, but I would love any feedback (in terms you can explain or PM) that helps you to alleviate any concerns so that you are able to feel safe while still enjoying your collection.

[Leon]

When I had more into my collection than I should have I kept most of it in a Bank Safe Deposit box that was just a few miles away. I had 99% of my stuff online so I could see it all of the time. And every few weeks or so I would go down and play with them for a few hours. I always felt safe doing it that way. I couldn't have afforded to lose it all. I am too old to start over >
.

[PowderedH2O]

I have my sets in binders on display on a bookcase. But, my nicer graded cards are elsewhere in a nondescript box. You could put your best cards in a cereal box in the pantry or a shoe box in your wife's closet, or anywhere if you want to keep them on site. I assume you have an alarm system, so this limits the amount of time thrives have. If they can't find them, they can't steal them. And if they do, you know it was someone you showed your stuff to.

[clydepepper]

Luckily, we cardboard collectors are not as obvious as targets as those who may collect more liquid items. Most thieves look for items they can convert to easy cash like electronics and silverware.

I'm not saying the risk of having high-dollar cards on site is non-existent. I just feel that common sense precautions are 'usually' enough.

I keep my high-dollar cards in fire-proof safes covered from view. While Leon uses his safe deposit box to hold his, I prefer to keep mine closer. Of course, I live in a gated community and am not a well-known collector.

I do have images of some of my favorite cards on this forum, so I don't have to expose those cards very often.

Like Leon, however, I do like to get them out and 'play with them' occasionally and feel like that is an essential part of ownership.

.

[Bestdj777]

I live in a similar neighborhood. I keep most of my stuff in safes. To prevent anyone from even considering entering my home though, I have security cameras (both interior and exterior) and an alarm system. It cost me about $1000 for the cameras (Arlo) and $750 for the security system (Simplisafe). Fortunately, both systems are designed so you can install them yourself, my city reimbursed me for half the cost of the security cameras, I get a discount on my home owner's insurance from having the alarm, and the alarm system is the only thing with a monthly fee and it's pretty reasonable (~$15).

I am confident no one could get my cards if they entered my home, but the added layer of protection, and the signs warning about it, make me rest a little more comfortably. Most of our break ins are teenagers from the local high school looking for electronics, and those kids will likely choose a neighbors house.

[Hxcmilkshake]

Fire proof Safe. (I worry more about fire) Closet. Dog. Gun. Not necessarily in that order.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[T206Collector]

Anything of value is in my safe deposit box as well. You never know who may try to nick your priceless treasures. When I was a kid we got burgled by a “friend” of one of my stepbrothers who took a shine to some of the jewelry and other valuables in the house. I learned a valuable lesson - pun intended!

[TobaccoKing4]

Like milkshake said...a fireproof safe, a dog, and a .44.

[joshuanip]

Although I live in a good area with a crime rate among the lowest in the city, I am 15 minutes away from an adjacent city among the highest. The burglaries in my neighborhood are all transient crimes, especially given the contrast in neighborhoods.

I had a neighbor whose housekeeper stole a couple hundred grand in gold and antiques because they cased her joint while cleaning and knew when she wasn’t at home. Poor lady was widowed and an antiques dealer, which left her broke.

That said, my wife doesn’t work and always home with the kids. Which concerns me more than my cards. In this case, a bolted safe for my valuables susceptible to common theft and a safety deposit box for my higher dollar stuff that could put my family in danger. For those not with me, I take a picture of them as Leon suggested.

Works for me. Allows me to look at my cards while also knowing there isnt anything too big in my house.

[kailes2872]

That said, my wife doesn’t work and always home with the kids. Which concerns me more than my cards

This

I could handle the loss and use milkshake’s advice (although my wife wants to get a Yorkie and I am not sure that helps much). I’ll take my chances when I am home. But the family is always on my mind.

Thanks for the feedback. It had given me a lot of ideas and security measures that I had not considered

[conor912]

Originally Posted by joshuanip

That said, my wife doesn’t work and always home with the kids.

As a stay at home dad, I can assure you that your wife works plenty. 🙂

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by Hxcmilkshake

Fire proof Safe. (I worry more about fire) Closet. Dog. Gun. Not necessarily in that order.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

God only knows how many cards were lost to fire over the decades. Allegedly the only known T206 sheets went in a fire

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

I woke up very early this morning after not being able to sleep. As I have ventured back into collecting for the past 5.5 years, the purchases have added up over time.

I live in a pretty nice neighborhood. The average income is probably 3x-5x the national average and the homes are commensurate to this income level. We have occasional teenage vandals, but no issues with theft or break-ins.

While I have enjoyed my collecting journey and do not want it to end, I also do not want to put my family at risk.

At the same time, if I would have to keep the collection off site, that would be a bummer as well. The joy that i receive my from my collection is looking at it, touching it, smelling it, showing it to friends. I am basically a 10 year old kid and these were the cards that I looked at in the display cases and was told to move my hands so that I didn't get fingerprints on them. If I can't enjoy them, then my collection is no better than another part of my investment portfolio that sits at another location as well.

I am not sure why this suddenly overwhelmed me this morning. I am obviously being vague with storage details, but I would love any feedback (in terms you can explain or PM) that helps you to alleviate any concerns so that you are able to feel safe while still enjoying your collection.

Invest in a “state of the art” alarm system & waterproof/fireproof gunsafe ($2-$3K). Now you can sleep well! 👍

[barrysloate]

For those who are suggesting keeping guns in the house to protect your valuables: you may get robbed when you are not home. A very good safe, or a safe deposit box, is strongly recommended.