Buying vintage cards at the National

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I'm an old geezer with bad knees who would have no chance fighting off or escaping from a mugger, so I bring very little cash with me to the National or any other show. When a dealer is understandably unwilling to accept my check because I am not known to him, I will:
- Ask said dealer if he will accept a reference from another dealer or two that know(s) me, and/or
- Ask said dealer if he will ship my purchase to me after my check clears. This sometimes results in paying a shipping cost, but I prefer this to the risk of losing a pile of $$.
I have not yet had both of these approaches fail me and not be able make a desired purchase.

I have always written checks for deals on Net 54 and to other dealers. They can hold the check if they want but most don't if you have any reputation. Kiting a check is punishable by 3 times the amount and 1 year in jail here. I will probably try the cash method in Anaheim, if I go. Haven't been to a show since 91. You can't spend the cash nowadays.

[A2000]

If you’re carrying large quantities of cash and driving a long distance to the National, I’d be more worried about this:

https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/n...hem-of-crimes/

The area around the convention center and local hotels is very safe during the day. Wouldn’t want to carry too much cash and walk around after dark but that would apply to everywhere there are convention centers.

One thing for sure is, rosemont is infinitely safer than Atlantic City!

[Yoda]

After having had my pocket picked at the Nat'l in Cleveland several years, losing about 4k in cash, credit card, passport, drivers license etc., I now carry a money belt securely fastened under my shirt, which if nothing else gives me confidence at the Big Show. I was the perfect target, drooling over a nice E95 Matty, trying to do a deal with the dealer, totally distracted. I would be always aware of my surroundings when talking to a dealer, particularly if someone is just a little too close for comfort. These perps often work in pairs: one distracts and the other picks.

You can rest assured that the Center will be seriously crowded, bumping and shoving is to be expected. You can be certain that thieves, scammers, grifters and hookers will see Chicago as a rich environment. Be on your toes and don't have an experience like mine.

[Exhibitman]

Not hookers. If they show up the first night, they never come back. Like any card collector is going to waste the price of a pretty good card on that. As the old joke goes (or would at the National):

A hooker approaches a convention-goer and offers to do anything he wants for $250. "OK," the man says, "find me a T206 Cobb with decent centering, wide borders and clean surfaces." For those who don't know it, the original she'll do anything he wants for $250 as long as he says it in three words. His response: "paint my house."

[Jewish-collector]

Here's what you do. From the dollar store, get a wallet and play money. Make it real thick with the play money bills. Put it in your back pocket as usual. (Your real money is in your money belt as Yoda describes). Remember to add the note in with the play money, "Sometimes you just gotta say WTF." beer chug.gif

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Yoda

After having had my pocket picked at the Nat'l in Cleveland several years, losing about 4k in cash, credit card, passport, drivers license etc., I now carry a money belt securely fastened under my shirt, which if nothing else gives me confidence at the Big Show. I was the perfect target, drooling over a nice E95 Matty, trying to do a deal with the dealer, totally distracted. I would be always aware of my surroundings when talking to a dealer, particularly if someone is just a little too close for comfort. These perps often work in pairs: one distracts and the other picks.

You can rest assured that the Center will be seriously crowded, bumping and shoving is to be expected. You can be certain that thieves, scammers, grifters and hookers will see Chicago as a rich environment. Be on your toes and don't have an experience like mine.

I do not work for either company and get nothing from this, but I use these products. A rare time I will endorse anything without payment.

You can also purchase pickpocket proof pants and jackets. Once you get used to them they become second nature to use. They have side pockets that have an outside zipper. That is pretty easy for a pickpocket to pull up. Inside the pocket is a second pocket that is secured with velcro. That one could not be opened without you feeling it. Inside the main pocket is also a small pocket down the bottom that zips. It is good for hotel keycards, change or Colgan chip coins. They have business and adventure pants. The adventure pants have a small strap that goes across the pocket and buttons on the other side making it impossible to unzip. The back pockets require you to unbutton, unzip then unbutton again. No pickpocket can do that that quickly. The coat is also great. I own three pairs of pants and the jacket. I have worn the pants at The National.

See www.clothingarts.com. They are well worth the price and will have random sales of 10-25% off. Just get on their mailing list.

For bags check out www.travelonbags.com. I used their messenger bag in Paris and felt safe using it. Anti RFID blocking, slash resistant strap and panels. Also, the hooks that attach the strap to the bag lock and the zipper pulls are like caribiners that you hook onto a little ring to keep it closed. I bought my bag through the Macy's site and got 25% off.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Michael B

They have business and adventure pants. The adventure pants have a small strap that goes across the pocket and buttons on the other side making it impossible to unzip. The back pockets require you to unbutton, unzip then unbutton again. No pickpocket can do that that quickly.

Sounds pretty theft-proof. I know if I were going to the National I would feel better if I were wearing my big boy adventure pants.

Brian

[Yoda]

Maybe get a debit card from your bank?

[Exhibitman]

Rosemont is to Chicago as New Rochelle is to Harlem, or as Burbank is to South Central Los Angeles. It is a 'burb and not even part of the city.

While casinos are really, really safe, the closest I got to a fistfight in the last 30+ years was in a casino in Las Vegas. I am an early riser and when I am there I like to play craps or blackjack really early. I was walking away from the cage past the bar at the Casino Royale when this drunk older man stepped out of the bar, blocked my way, tapped me on the chest across the logo of my Yankees sweatshirt with his beer can, and drawled in some sort of Southern accent: "Don't come in here with that crap on." Then he looked up at me, realized that I was a good 8" taller and 120# heavier than him, and that his mouth had just written a check his body could not cash, and said: "even if you are about 6'9" and 300#. Uhh, sorry about that." Knowing how intense casino security is, I just walked away. No point in getting my ass kicked by the bouncers just to take a shot at some drunk idiot.