Philly Show Theft - Be vigilant

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Yoda

If this keeps up, pretty soon there won't be a Philly show.

Sadly, it's not just the Philly Show. If this keeps up, there won't be any large multi-day shows.

[Schlesinj]

The location of the Philly show is a very strong, financially and safe area. It is the home of high wealth employment (pharmaceutical, finance type jobs etc). I think one issue and opportunity is (which makes it a good location too) is access to major roads (Pa turnpike and 422) to travel to Northeastern locations as well as within 40 minutes to major airports. We have two major cities Philly and Reading which within 40s minutes away, which could provide access and people looking for liquidity.

They do partner with the local Township’s police department in the building and I see them at exits too. It is unfortunate, but considering the publicity we hear and centralized location of valuable and generally large sums of cash and generally I do not see this slowing down.

[Snapolit1]

If people are going to keep valuable inventory in the trunks of parked cars this will continue forever.

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

The location of the Philly show is a very strong, financially and safe area. It is the home of high wealth employment (pharmaceutical, finance type jobs etc). I think one issue and opportunity is (which makes it a good location too) is access to major roads (Pa turnpike and 422) to travel to Northeastern locations as well as within 40 minutes to major airports. We have two major cities Philly and Reading which within 40s minutes away, which could provide access and people looking for liquidity.

They do partner with the local Township’s police department in the building and I see them at exits too. It is unfortunate, but considering the publicity we hear and centralized location of valuable and generally large sums of cash and generally I do not see this slowing down.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Maybe one reason that things keep happening at this show is that the venue is kind of out in the middle of nowhere for such a big event, primarily an industrial type of area. Although it’s not that far from airports, major highways, etc., I don’t recall there being even a single restaurant, gas station or hotel for at least a couple of miles in any direction. So unless you are there specifically for the show, very minimal amount of people passing through this targeted area. Does this make it more desirable for thieves? I think, maybe…..

[Schlesinj]

Fun fact: that is tnr venue where the National Dog Show is located (shown on Thanksgiving).

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Maybe one reason that things keep happening at this show is that the venue is kind of out in the middle of nowhere for such a big event, primarily an industrial type of area. Although it’s not that far from airports, major highways, etc., I don’t recall there being even a single restaurant, gas station or hotel for at least a couple of miles in any direction. So unless you are there specifically for the show, very minimal amount of people passing through this targeted area. Does this make it more desirable for thieves? I think, maybe…..

When it was in the casino I was happy to drive down. Two vices in one stop.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Maybe one reason that things keep happening at this show is that the venue is kind of out in the middle of nowhere for such a big event, primarily an industrial type of area. Although it’s not that far from airports, major highways, etc., I don’t recall there being even a single restaurant, gas station or hotel for at least a couple of miles in any direction. So unless you are there specifically for the show, very minimal amount of people passing through this targeted area. Does this make it more desirable for thieves? I think, maybe…..

There are two hotels, several restaurants a BJ's, a Home Depot, a Target, a massive movie theater and numerous other smaller shops on the same property as the show. There's a slew of restaurants and a WaWa for gas right across the street from the west entrance. Yes it used to be an industrial park but that was LONG before the show moved there.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Maybe one reason that things keep happening at this show is that the venue is kind of out in the middle of nowhere for such a big event, primarily an industrial type of area. Although it’s not that far from airports, major highways, etc., I don’t recall there being even a single restaurant, gas station or hotel for at least a couple of miles in any direction. So unless you are there specifically for the show, very minimal amount of people passing through this targeted area. Does this make it more desirable for thieves? I think, maybe…..

Phil, the show is basically in the same shopping center as a Lowes, BJ's (with gas), and Target. In addition within about 1 mile is a PJ Whelihans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wendy's Jersey Mike's, Wawa, Uno's, and Bob Evans. In addition, a lot of the industrial looking buildings in that area aren't industrial at all. They are business like gyms, trampoline parks, arcardes, etc.

Unfortuantely, extra security at the show I don't really think is going to do much for this type of theft. This theft occurred outside the show property. How is security suppose to track if someone is being followed especially once they leave the venue? Folks really need to be proactive about protecting their stuff and making it less attractive to a theif. Use the drive thru, make sure you have a full tank of gas before going to the show, take your stuff into the hotel or restaurant, etc.

The other thing I've noticed is I'm seeing a lot more large transaction being flashed around. By this I mean laying out the purchase on top the display case. This year I've spotted mulitple purchase of $5-25k in cash being laid out on top of the display case. it's quite attractive to see stacks of bills completly covering a display case. If I'm seeing that, I'm sure a theif is also seeing it. Along those same lines, dealers need to do a better job securing their cards. At this past show I was making a deal and the dealer left a couple thousand in cards sitting next to the display case while he looked around the booth for a calculator. I also can't count the number of times I've seen collectors put their carrying boxes either on the floor or on a display case and then move 10 feet away to look at something else. Simply put, if you make yourself an easy victim, at some point you will become one.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Wow, I must be going to a different Philly show than everybody else. I was just there in September and don’t recall seeing anything like a shopping center in the same lot. Was also there last December and didn’t see anything then either. Maybe the direction I was coming from, does that make sense at all?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Wow, I must be going to a different Philly show than everybody else. I was just there in September and don’t recall seeing anything like a shopping center in the same lot. Was also there last December and didn’t see anything then either. Maybe the direction I was coming from, does that make sense at all?

If you enter from the east you come through a park and that's about it, but it's a HUGE complex. It's a Lowe's not a Home Depot and some of the locations I mentioned aren't noted on the map, but this is all a giant shared parking lot. map is oriented with the bottom just about due east.