What to expect at “The National”

[Tony Gordon]

Unfortunately theft is rampant at the National in Rosemont. My booth was hit in 2010. All of the security cameras were off. I later learned that the guy who hit me was a Rosemont cop. He didn’t leave through the front door. He had access to the whole building and snuck out through a side exit. Be careful and vigilant at the show.

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Unfortunately theft is rampant at the National in Rosemont. My booth was hit in 2010. All of the security cameras were off. I later learned that the guy who hit me was a Rosemont cop. He didn’t leave through the front door. He had access to the whole building and snuck out through a side exit. Be careful and vigilant at the show.

Wow. Sorry to hear that. It's bad enough when someone steals from you but in this hobby, the cards being what they are, makes it ten times worse.

[packs]

Professional pickpockets can often be identified by the chimney soot blowing in the wind behind them.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by packs

Professional pickpockets can often be identified by the chimney soot blowing in the wind behind them.

Everybody in Rosemont, keep an eye out for these guys...

Fagin is looking a lot like Moser. Could they be one and the same?

[packs]

If someone calls you "Mack" or asks you the hour, you've been targeted.

[JollyElm]

If they're using rhyming slang in a Cockney accent, hightail it out of there quickly!!

[Steve_NY]

Because of all of the theft at the National, I now keep all of my showcases locked and only pile items behind the table not in reach of customers. I also don't hand anyone piles of cards anymore: I give them 10 cards at a time so I can keep track of everything. Why? Its easy to palm cards if you give them stacks of cards like I used to do and not think anything of it.

Forgive me for taking such precautions (and these are just a few) but I have lost some valuable items over the years.

One of my favorites is when they try to split you in two or three places at once but I only help two customers at a time: one for me and one for my wife. Everyone else has to wait. While I may lose customers that way, I don't lose collectibles.

Any other tricks that we all should watch out for?

Steve

[CurtisFlood]

Yes, I have done that for all Chicago Shows. It seems to be the epicenter for theft. I haven't had a problem, but have always kept showcases locked and deal with one person at a time, as these guys work in pairs or threes.

Know who you are dealing with and you should be ok.