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#604625 Sat Mar 21 2015 02:17 PM
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As some of you know, this is becoming a bigger problem. As a
one man operation and getting up in years, I have to use the RR more than the old days. You can ask your next door stall mate to watch over your booth while your gone,but if they have customers they are distracted. My friend got ripped off at the last meet with the 2 guy operation, 1 asking all kind of questions while his buddy lifts a sign while your distracted. Expenses going to the meet mount up and then when you Ripped Off, you can go in the hole real fast.How are you trying to protect yourselfs at the meets??

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Tbirdgas #604631 Sat Mar 21 2015 03:22 PM
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If I set up at a meet, I won't do it by myself. I like to make eye contact with people when they come into my booth. Makes me remember faces, features, clothes, etc. Also, I put cheaper stuff near the entrance in case someone decides to "borrow" something as they go by.

Tom Stover #604640 Sat Mar 21 2015 04:39 PM
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Personally, I have been eliminating the shows that do not give a return. The sales we get from the web site seem to work in our favor? No travel and no chance of the stuff walking away while your head is turned. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

gasmansgp #604648 Sat Mar 21 2015 05:24 PM
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When I set up YEARS ago, I would put a double row of caution tape up while I was setting up.
NOBODY was allowed to cross the tape.
I didn't give prices or talk to anybody until I was completely set up.
I hated the moths to a porch light when setting up.
Same goes for when I was out.
If they crossed the tape, my neighbors knew they didn't belong there at all.
For placement, I sold pumps and candy machines and larger stuff like that, so I put those in the front as they wouldn't have feet.
BTW, this isn't a new problem. It's been happening for quite some time but has increased since the late 90's with more outlets to sell stuff.

bppierce #604674 Sat Mar 21 2015 08:34 PM
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Haven't done a show for a while, I do try to only take items that can't walk away. Also always go with a partner so that one person can be off doing whatever while other watches the booth, makes it way more fun too that way. From my experience, really need to be careful trusting other vendors too much too.


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Paul Bell #604709 Sun Mar 22 2015 08:04 AM
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I've done shows for over 40 years. Only know of one item that
got taken . It was a $15 battery. He had some buddies distract me while he walked off with it. I saw them later together.
He had been at my display twice , trying to get me to take less.
In al those years , $15 is not hard to absorb. But I agree ,
it is tough to do a show by yourself.
Very easy for someone to walk off with a good item , I just try to keep them closest to where my observation post is.
Part of the business end of it I guess.
Having a helper doesn't make much difference when they are engaged in conversation.

It's for sale #604714 Sun Mar 22 2015 08:33 AM
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We used to set up at flea markets and automotive swap meets 12-18 week ends a year. Never had anything stolen whether I was alone or had help.


Wanted: Gas pump globes:Sinclair & affiliates, IL companies. Ripple bodies. Anything Sinclair, Stoll, Pierce, 4 Bros.


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Lastgas15 #604719 Sun Mar 22 2015 09:06 AM
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What show did your buddy get ripped off at, what did they take?


US Air Force Retired, 1981-2007
Wes Maxwell #604720 Sun Mar 22 2015 09:11 AM
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Certain indoor shows I go to as a buyer have cameras set up I've noticed....this is for toy,train & slot car.
Many of those items can run into the $100's & can be hidden behind the human hand is why,I imagine.


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Cold Pizza #604725 Sun Mar 22 2015 09:40 AM
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I know it's a good bit of trouble but even the larger swap meets need to establish in and out points and rope off site so every one going in and out have an eye ball on them and check there purchase. It's sad that's what it's come too but I even had to confront a woman at a sale for trying to steal an arm load of items. The only way I caught her was the fact that we always have two people so one can sit out from our space and watch .


Remember you are only as good as your help
If you don't make any noise no one will hear you!
coheley5 #604755 Sun Mar 22 2015 12:46 PM
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That's really sad to hear - but its not just the shows anymore, a guy stopped by my place here in Topeka that collects in the area and said he had 2-3 pumps stolen right out of his yard and they took their time taking them apart.

I think more people are seeing the false price inflation in our hobby created by the fake pawn stars and ricks tv show prices and its drawing the crooks into our hobby.

Really sucks!


Travis Towle
Topeka, Kansas

785-408-3409

Last edited by travis_towle; Sun Mar 22 2015 12:47 PM.
Lastgas15 #604818 Sun Mar 22 2015 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: Lastgas15
We used to set up at flea markets and automotive swap meets 12-18 week ends a year. Never had anything stolen whether I was alone or had help.



As always a Pleasure to hear your Great Insight and Appreciate Your Great Contribution to this thread.

Tbirdgas #604831 Sun Mar 22 2015 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: Tbirdgas
Originally Posted By: Lastgas15
We used to set up at flea markets and automotive swap meets 12-18 week ends a year. Never had anything stolen whether I was alone or had help.



As always a Pleasure to hear your Great Insight and Appreciate Your Great Contribution to this thread.

sarcasm noted. Why don't you just put me on your ignore list if you don't like what I have to say?

Last edited by Lastgas15; Sun Mar 22 2015 06:16 PM.

Wanted: Gas pump globes:Sinclair & affiliates, IL companies. Ripple bodies. Anything Sinclair, Stoll, Pierce, 4 Bros.


http://www.lastgas15.com/
Tbirdgas #604837 Sun Mar 22 2015 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: Tbirdgas
As some of you know, this is becoming a bigger problem. As a
one man operation and getting up in years, I have to use the RR more than the old days. You can ask your next door stall mate to watch over your booth while your gone,but if they have customers they are distracted. My friend got ripped off at the last meet with the 2 guy operation, 1 asking all kind of questions while his buddy lifts a sign while your distracted. Expenses going to the meet mount up and then when you Ripped Off, you can go in the hole real fast.How are you trying to protect yourselfs at the meets??

Please explain how theft at shows is becoming a bigger problem. I have set up off and on at the petro swap meet in Peotone since the beginning 15 or so years ago and best I can remember there has been one theft at the show. That item was recovered. I didn't do anything special to protect my items from theft at the Peotone show a few weeks ago. I've not heard of theft being a problem at the other shows I've attended or set up at whether they've been automotive or petro shows. So is this increasing theft problem at shows a regional thing?


Wanted: Gas pump globes:Sinclair & affiliates, IL companies. Ripple bodies. Anything Sinclair, Stoll, Pierce, 4 Bros.


http://www.lastgas15.com/
Lastgas15 #605207 Tue Mar 24 2015 05:45 PM
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Maybe I am getting older and have CRS syndrome but I have been doing shows for over 25 years and do not remember ever having anything removed without paying. Also if someone can lift and carry what I sell I don't want to mess them anyway.

I am sure there may be some bad apples out there but as a whole this hobby has the nicest and most honest people you will ever meet!

Tom.


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Carthage Indiana
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