Security and Indoor Shows
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Security and Indoor Shows
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At my home/studio, I have a professional alarm system, a radio antenna in the event that phone lines are cut and two safes. I keep my finished jewelry inventory in one safe and raw materials, repairs, and custom orders in the other. I’ve been doing shows since 1978 and I carry a “dummy” bag in case of a hold-up.
On the final day of a show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va., I was waiting to drive my van into the building because I never wheel our valuables outside, especially into a parking lot. At 7:10, I checked my watch to see how the line was moving and walked back to my booth. I took off my coat and laid it over our packed cart positioned between two shipping crates. At 7:12 p.m., my employee, Cindy, went to get her coat and found the cart was gone. We ran to what we thought were all the exit doors to tell security. My cart was found later in a snow bank by a food vendor who saw my name sticker on it. That’s when we learned that there was a small separate entrance for food vendors.
The thieves took our purses, all show revenue, personal cash, laptop computer, printer, cell phones, wireless credit card terminal, all my keys and personal jewelry, and my entire existing inventory, including items sold at the show that needed sizing and four pieces for repair. I had to refund the cost of the sold pieces and pay for the stolen repair work.
The majority of my inventory is one-of-a-kind pieces with stones that are irreplaceable. I have a record of all my work (sold and unsold) on my computer and carry a hard copy with me to shows, complete with photos and descriptions of every stone in size and carat weight, as well as overall measurements and weight of each piece. All my pieces are hallmarked with my designer stamp. I sent copies of this record to suppliers, gem cutters, and the police in Fairfax County.
I cannot get insurance to cover my inventory because I do not have “limited access” for my studio in my home. Because I do not have a “store,” they will not insure my inventory off-premises, either. I had the inventory covered “enroute” to shows for one year about 15 years ago. The premium was $30,000 a year at that time and inventory was not covered while at a show nor if I left the vehicle unattended. The coverage limit was about $50,000. I just could not afford to continue it. I carry insurance to cover loss of my booth and $1 million in liability insurance.
Our purses turned-up on the back of a pick-up truck at a rest stop on I-95. All we got back were our credit cards. I had to replace two sets of electronic car keys at a cost of $387 because my insurance deductible is $500. My business policy only covers having my vehicles re-keyed if the thieves try to steal items from the vehicle or if they steal the actual vehicle. I’ve changed passwords on everything because they took my laptop and PC card.
I’m working 14-hour days to replace my inventory. The secure feeling that I once enjoyed by exhibiting inside a convention hall is gone. There were no security cameras at the Dulles Expo Center. I feel it is important for artists to share our knowledge to prevent this heartache from happening in the future.
Sharon Teaman
State College, Pa.
www.teaman-jewelry.com