Nightmares at the National

[7nohitter]

You've been to the National; it was a great time EXCEPT FOR:


We've all read about high dollar collectibles that mysteriously walk off at the National. What about other negative experiences?

The 'Legend' whose autograph you waited in line for who trns out to be a jerk.

The dealer who can't be bothered to look up, even you're asking about his '33 Goudey PSA 6 Ruth.

The hotel where the housekeeping crew accidentally threw away your newly acquired John McGraw autograph because they thought it was a piece of scrap paper.

LET'S HEAR the HORROR STORIES!

[bcookie]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

You've been to the National; it was a great time EXCEPT FOR:


We've all read about high dollar collectibles that mysteriously walk off at the National. What about other negative experiences?

The 'Legend' whose autograph you waited in line for who trns out to be a jerk.

The dealer who can't be bothered to look up, even you're asking about his '33 Goudey PSA 6 Ruth.

The hotel where the housekeeping crew accidentally threw away your newly acquired John McGraw autograph because they thought it was a piece of scrap paper.

LET'S HEAR the HORROR STORIES!

It was great except for Kareem Abdul Jabar cancelling at the last minute.
I waited in line outside the building for over 2 hours to finally be told he was cancelling..

This was Anaheim 1991

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by bcookie

It was great except for Kareem Abdul Jabar cancelling at the last minute.
I waited in line outside the building for over 2 hours to finally be told he was cancelling..

This was Anaheim 1991

Interesting on two counts

1. In Anaheim in 1991 Don Larsen didn't cancel





and

2. I once waited 2 hours at a McDonalds in Salt Lake City for a personal appearance by John Stockton also in 1991 (or close to it). He never showed, but the french fries were hot.

[7nohitter]

Frank,

Always love seeing the dual-signed ticket!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

Frank,

Always love seeing the dual-signed ticket!

.........and I got the Yogi pre mortem.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

.........and I got the Yogi pre mortem.

Hm, post-mortem autographs. I wonder how far away TOPPS is from considering that one!

[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.

[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.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

You've been to the National; it was a great time EXCEPT FOR:


We've all read about high dollar collectibles that mysteriously walk off at the National. What about other negative experiences?

The 'Legend' whose autograph you waited in line for who trns out to be a jerk.

The dealer who can't be bothered to look up, even you're asking about his '33 Goudey PSA 6 Ruth.

The hotel where the housekeeping crew accidentally threw away your newly acquired John McGraw autograph because they thought it was a piece of scrap paper.

LET'S HEAR the HORROR STORIES!

At the National in Baltimore a few year back, the big news going around the floor was that a dealer had one or two binders of 60's Kellogg's cards stolen.