Cards stolen at the National

[383astro]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Thanks guys. I talked with just about every vintage dealer at the show and most all of them have some sort of story about being ripped off at a major show. One dealer told me his car was stolen out of the parking lot at the '08 National. There are some war stories out there. At this show, several other dealers were hit yesterday. The dealer behind my booth lost a '63 Topps set, another dealer lost a '53 Bowman Color set, and a dealer had a '65 Topps Namath rookie stolen yesterday. I also received a call a short time ago from a dealer who had a binder stolen today. I think now is the time to start a dialogue about increasing security at the National. I would like to see more security personnel on the floor, security cameras and "spotters" out looking for thieves.

Holy Crap, monetarily losing those 2 sets would be like losing my whole collection.

[rainier2004]

I hate thieves...as a buyer Im in huge support for increased security as well. I would volunteer my time and pay for a background check and "spot" all day for 3 days for free admission on day 1. Im amazed at how trusting dealers are at the shows but it provides for a wonderful environment just like when you were a kid. Id pay more for my ticket if I knew the $$$ was for extra security as well.

[carrigansghost]

National background clearance already done on me. I have also installed many surveillance systems and would be more than willing to work for free. I also look the part of a lowlife.

Rawn

[whitehse]

Walking the show floor yesterday I do not recall seeing a single cop or security person inside the convention all. Being a former loss prevention person, there were many times through the day that I noticed it would have been so easy to steal a card, a binder or just about anything because of the lack of attention by some dealers. I found myself sitting at a number of tables going through boxes where the dealer didnt even acknowledge my existance and was preoccupied with their phone or computer. I could have filled the bag I had with a good amount of cards and faded into the crowd.

I think the National promoters might need to provide a mandatory security class that has the cost built into the price of the booths as many of the dealers (not all) didnt seem to have a clue as to how to keep their stuff secure.

Again, this is coming from someone who has 15 years of retail loss prevention experience. I wanted to say to a few of the dealers I dealt with "is this item free because they way you have it on your table it will be gone by the end of the day" but I kept my mouth shut.

[mintacular]

I walked past a major auction house table at a recent show and there was a 10K+ '52 Topps Mantle that I could've snatched as the dealer had his back to me and the glass dealer case was half-open. I remember looking around and thinking "Why is the case open like that and nobody is watching?" I also remember another dealer telling me a story how the first day of the national many of his best cards were swiped (Aaron rc's, etc.)

[7nohitter]

I don't know if I could have restrained myself, Minty!

[Big Ben]

First and most importantly, I hope that you find your cards Tony.

Just to add to this thread, at the National today, I asked a dealer to see a T206 Cobb. The dealer was very nice and let me see the card while he was having an in depth conversation with another person. I looked the card over and decided that I didn't want the card so I patiently waited for the dealer to recognize me in order for me to return his card. After I returned the card to the dealer, I told my friend that I was with that if I was an unscrupulous person, I could have very easily walked away with the card and the dealer may have realized his loss at a much later time. I couldn't believe it!