Cards stolen at the National

[ruth-gehrig]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Hope it ends up working out for you! I always assumed this had to happen all over at the National (I've only been to 2). It suprises the heck out of me.....the value in merchandise in that HUGE room and very little security. Incredible

[tbob]

There were two guys walking around, not even sure if they were security guys but both look like they could have been batboys for the 1943 Cardinals as they were about 80 years old at least
I had a friend lose a complete 60's set of cards in the binder, snatched right off his table. These guys are getting clever, they travel in groups of 2 or 3 and while the others keep the dealers busy, the lone scum sets a hollow bottom box right on top of the binder and viola' the cards disappear. I saw a security camera in the Center but it was not aimed at any of the tables (figures) and may not even have been turned on. It's a damn shame that the National doesn't provide some kind of security. They make darn sure you don't re-enter without having been stamped, there were 6 or 7 individuals manning this arduous (sarcasm intended) task but not one real security guy. Damn shame...

[E93]

I heard several stories of stuff being stolen off tables this year. Another board member has a '63 Topps set stolen off his table and the guy at the booth behind him also lost a notebook.
JimB

[Leon]

Our whole hobby is built on trust and honor. That being said there is so much money in it there are bound to be scoundrels. They don't care about the hobby they just want to scam people. Those people need to be caught and tar and feathered in public sight (imo). There absolutely needs to be more security cameras. Good points.

[murcerfan]

How much do you think most dealers would pay for a weeks rental on a security camera/ recorder set-up?

Hello..... Levi?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by murcerfan

How much do you think most dealers would pay for a weeks rental on a security camera/ recorder set-up?

Hello..... Levi?

\

They could charge $25-$50 more per table and have a great camera security system.....I would pay it.

[DanP]

I install security camera's for friends and family (as a hobby). There are complete camera systems that can be purchased now for just a few hundred dollars. The system includes the DVR and starts with 4 camera's. I would guess that the total cost would be around $500 including the monitor. If you could request a booth next to a friend(or friends) you could all share the cost. They are extremely easy to setup (even if you just have basic computer skills).

Another option if you are already bringing a laptop is a stand-alone IP camera. These camera's can record to your hard drive or an SD card inserted in the camera. These camera's start at around $75. They also are not very difficult to setup.

I've installed all different types (Panasonic, Vivotek, Samsung, etc.) Basically even the inexpensive camera's would have a great picture for setup you would need.

Here's one that I just installed at our local golf course:
http://www.lorextechnology.com/secur...FQMPbAod13Qz4w

If it were me I would not expect that any security guards would help. The place is just to big. For them to install camera's that would be able to see each table would be incredibly expensive (they will never do it).

If you had your own system you could mount the camera's on a pole pointing exactly where you need them.

I would think the thieves would probably just go to another table if they saw a video surveillance system at your booth.

Good luck!