I heard from Amy Amdur today that there was a terrible robbery at Wells Street in Chicago last weekend. Jeweler Randy Polk from Fountain Hills, AZ, had his entire bag of jewelry disappear at the show. Our sympathies to Randy. I'm sure he has good insurance as he had expensive jewelry and undoubtedly knew the challenges of selling it at street fairs, yet how do you go on?
Over the years I've known several jewelers who have been robbed. Caution is always the word, out there in the public, people are watching. Bob Trisko has had several robberies, thieves following him down the freeways even and often he has an armed security guard in his booth, yet a moment's inattention brought trouble.
What kind of precautions do you take not only with your work, but with your other valuables? Anyone have any tips?
Replies
Layout and vigilance is a key to preventing theft/shoplifting during the show, but during set-up and breakdown is when jewelers are MOST vulnerable. I am a control freak about packing my things up well- to prevent damage, and wear and tear on my stock and my displays. I also need to fit it all back into my Subaru outback! I am usually the last one to leave. While packing, I create a pile around and on top of the hard sided totes that contain my stock- someone would have to spend considerable time and effort to root through the pile to get to it. My cash and receipts GO WITH ME to get the car- which is never out of eyesight to my booth- I am usually the first to arrive- last to leave. This gives me the best, closest parking space! Not to mention, the promoters usually chat with me and watch my gear pile while I get the car! I am very lucky to have a great rapport with all my promoters. But even my biggest event here is nothing compared the shows you guys are doing. I will be curious to see other's responses.
Vigilance, layout and a helper/watcher are my best tips. When kids come in, I become vigilant or anyone who looks a bit 'dodgy'. I try to just be a presence though, not hover, as both kids and dodgy looking people have bought in the past! I keep my stock in tubs tucked away and out of sight and my cash box etc., to the rear with no easy access. I display in groups so its easy to tell when something has been moved. I try to have a helper with me - to help me unload & packup and either fetch the car or watch everything while I do - and to help during the show, even if its just keeping an eye out.
Annette,
I hear you on the kids issue. Although pre-teen and teen are the age group I am most vigilant about here. Most children under 10 are just plain curious here.
I actually had a team of teen girls come in, about 16 y/o, Mom had refused to use the credit card for purchasing, so they returned to my booth, 5 times during the show, one would chat while the other would "wander" through the booth- my first year. At the end of the show I had missing merchandise. Lesson learned! Now I am super vigilant! And I set my layout so that I can see every piece on display from my sales area. No more shoplifting!
The problem with Wells or any show is that we need to break down first and then get the car. Jewelers need to paid a cop and stand will they break down and load. The promoters can also ask if the value of your jewelery is high do you want a cop standing will you break down for a small fee. The other thing that see is to take down the jewelery out and take to the car and then break down the display. Any way there always some risk and you need to be aware where your things are at all time and be careful.
That really sucks for Randy and this another black eye for Wells St and Chicago Special Events.
booth design plays a very important part in your security, some of the jewelry booth designs I've seen are are begging to be robbed. I have my work station at the back of my booth, I keep the sides and back of my tent enclosed (so no one can sneak up on you) I wear a belt bag that I keep my cash and cc receipts in, I keep my change bank and cc machine out of sight. The best tip is to be aware, living in Chicago stood me well in this regard.