PSA: Storage Units and Comics (DON'T DO IT) 2 2

[O Doyle Rules]

 

On 6/3/2022 at 6:09 AM, D84 said:

Another thread was started so time for another bump. 

I asked this question in the other thread with no replies:

Collectibles insurance is inexpensive, however, with that being said, what are the most secure ways to protect a collection from loss? Both at home and offsite? It's a pain to settling large insurance losses even when it all goes smoothly. 

Any replies or thoughts are appreciated. 

[D84]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:36 AM, O Doyle Rules said:

 

I asked this question in the other thread with no replies:

Collectibles insurance is inexpensive, however, with that being said, what are the most secure ways to protect a collection from loss? Both at home and offsite? It's a pain to settling large insurance losses even when it all goes smoothly. 

Any replies or thoughts are appreciated. 

High end stuff: either a gun safe or safety deposit box in a bank.

[shadroch]

On 6/3/2022 at 9:12 AM, D84 said:

High end stuff: either a gun safe or safety deposit box in a bank.

Both of those can be problematic.  Many banks only are climate controlled during business hours  and gun safes can cause rust if not properly equipped. 

You really need to do your own research because different branchs of the same bank might have different vault conditions,  and humidity varies by region.

[D84]

On 6/3/2022 at 12:00 PM, shadroch said:

Both of those can be problematic.  Many banks only are climate controlled during business hours  and gun safes can cause rust if not properly equipped. 

You really need to do your own research because different branchs of the same bank might have different vault conditions,  and humidity varies by region.

Everyone should do more research before making a decision on how to protect their valuable property.

I was just trying to point in a direction of where to start.

[O Doyle Rules]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:07 AM, D84 said:

Everyone should do more research before making a decision on how to protect their valuable property.

I was just trying to point in a direction of where to start.

I appreciate that. I was looking for possible different options and at least you are offering possible solutions. Thank you!

[O Doyle Rules]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:00 AM, shadroch said:

Both of those can be problematic.  Many banks only are climate controlled during business hours  and gun safes can cause rust if not properly equipped. 

You really need to do your own research because different branchs of the same bank might have different vault conditions,  and humidity varies by region.

Posting on here was the start of my research to hopefully get pointed in a good direction. I will do my own due diligence before settling in on a final solution that I think will work for me and provide the level of protection I want. What works for you? I assume you store your high end collectibles in some form or fashion? 

[thehumantorch]

On 6/3/2022 at 11:25 AM, O Doyle Rules said:

I appreciate that. I was looking for possible different options and at least you are offering possible solutions. Thank you!

A security system for your home is a good start.  Also, don't advertise what you have.  Random break-ins can happen but if word gets out that there's a valuable collection in your home chances of a theft greatly increase.

[shadroch]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:37 AM, O Doyle Rules said:

Posting on here was the start of my research to hopefully get pointed in a good direction. I will do my own due diligence before settling in on a final solution that I think will work for me and provide the level of protection I want. What works for you? I assume you store your high end collectibles in some form or fashion? 

The best level of protection is keeping your security arraingements off the web.  I have a policy with Collectible Insurance Agency, which doesn't need much documentation for items under $5,000.   My policy covers two locations and since the chances of both being hit or in a fire at the same time are slim, I only buy half the coverage if they were all in one spot.

 

[O Doyle Rules]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:40 AM, thehumantorch said:

A security system for your home is a good start.  Also, don't advertise what you have.  Random break-ins can happen but if word gets out that there's a valuable collection in your home chances of a theft greatly increase.

Ditto on both! Thanks.

[ADAMANTIUM]

On 6/3/2022 at 6:45 PM, lemonman6 said:

I’ll give you one picture to show you why storage lockers are bad for comics.

Last year, I decided to put boxes of comics into storage temporarily and this was the result barely 3 months later. The storage company initially told me insurance would cover it and played dumb when this happened. 350 dollars a month for these guys to ruin 100+ long boxes of mostly high grade Bronze Age stuff.

When you get 2 feet of water into a storage unit every box will fall no matter how well you prepare.

Keep away from storage units unless you’re prepared to lose everything in it.

PSA for this thread too!

[DavidTheDavid]

On 6/3/2022 at 12:40 PM, thehumantorch said:

A security system for your home is a good start.  Also, don't advertise what you have.  Random break-ins can happen but if word gets out that there's a valuable collection in your home chances of a theft greatly increase.

Does it? I haven't seen those stories, but maybe people aren't advertising their misfortune. 

[shadroch]

On 6/3/2022 at 5:17 PM, DavidTheDavid said:

Does it? I haven't seen those stories, but maybe people aren't advertising their misfortune. 

A bunch of kids befriended an old man because of his golden age comics and robbed him. I think he had a heart attack and died . 

Nick Cage had books stolen during a party, or so the story is told.

[D84]

After seeing a couple more threads about this, I thought this needed a bump.

I'm not trying to shame anyone, but give people the perspective of someone who worked storage for over a decade in both California and Texas.

[ADAMANTIUM]

On 2/12/2023 at 10:07 AM, D84 said:

After seeing a couple more threads about this, I thought this needed a bump.

I'm not trying to shame anyone, but give people the perspective of someone who worked storage for over a decade in both California and Texas.

Indeed. The theif caught in the act pays back 7 fold, here we are with experience. It's a must share.

Edited February 12, 2023 by ADAMANTIUM

[NP_Gresham]

Sorry to latest victims, but will they ever learn?

if you don’t want to discuss what you may have done wrong I really can’t be bothered with your sob story.

[Bumble Kitty]

On 6/3/2022 at 8:36 AM, O Doyle Rules said:

I asked this question in the other thread with no replies:

Collectibles insurance is inexpensive, however, with that being said, what are the most secure ways to protect a collection from loss? Both at home and offsite? It's a pain to settling large insurance losses even when it all goes smoothly. 

Any replies or thoughts are appreciated. 

This is a great question and this is what I have found in my research:

Intro:  There are some things that can be done to increase the security of your comic books.  Please note a professional thief will break into your car, home or safe given enough time.  You want to make it more difficult for the crook and cause him (or her) to target your neighbor instead.  This might sound a little harsh, but it just means don't make yourself an easy target.

House:  This is the first place to start.  Make sure your doors and windows are sturdy.  If the lock on your back door is 40 years old, replace it with a high quality lock.  It should have a strike plate with very long screws.  If your windows are old and drafty, replace them.  For example, an old single pane window should be replaced with a modern dual pane window.  It offers increased thermal protection and safety protection.  Windows usually have the manufacturer's lock.  Add a second method of locking it.  To be very safe, add a third method of locking it.  You may need to consult an expert on how to accomplish this.  Do your homework on this and use someone you can trust.

Alarm:  If you have never considered getting one, think about it.  If you have thought about it, do it!  Survey several companies and the sensors they offer.  Note that there is a monthly charge for the security company to continuously monitor the alarm for breaches.  Consider adding cameras that connect directly to your smart phone. Again, do your research.

Dog:  Having a large dog that is territorial is a good deterrent.  A very small dog is not.  If you are a dog lover, this might be a good option.

Safes:  Some have said get a gun safe.  Get a gun safe if you have guns.  If you want a safe for your comics, papers, precious metals, etc. get a safe that is UL rated.  Get a safe that is made for the stuff you want to put in it.  The safe should be made to offer protection against fire and theft.  Remember, all safes can be breached, given enough time.  A two bit thief will break into one in days.  A professional may take take 30 minutes.  But if you have a house alarm, the thief probably doesn't want to stick around for more than a minute or two as an alarm is howling away.

For the safe to be effective, it should weigh at least 800 pounds.  Even safes that weigh 500 pounds can be dragged away by a couple of pros. Whatever you get, bolt it down!

Do not get one of those Costco safes that cost 100 to 500 dollars.  They are junk.  It is better to wait and save up and get a quality safe.  They are not cheap, unfortunately.

Car:  Never leave anything in plain sight if you park your vehicle.  Notice I didn't say anything of value.  Some thieves will steal anything, even a 10 year old CD.  If they break in your car to steal a CD, they may find your funny books that are in the trunk.  Don't tempt anyone.

Storage Facilities and Safe Deposit Boxes:  As the original posted said -- don't use them.  If you must use them because you temporarily need more room, put your crummy stuff in them.  Leave the good stuff at home.  You may find that you can dispose of the crummy stuff and it frees up more space at home.

Insurance:  If you have a sizable collection, you should get insurance specifically for that stuff.  Ask around at conventions (i.e. other collectors and dealers) about their insurance.  Then do your own research.  

You will need to do some sort of inventory or documentation on your collection.  This may include a complete list, grades, price paid and scans.  This could be a lot of work or it could be a fun exercise.  Without documentation, how do you know what they took?  If your books are stolen and if you want the CGC community to help out, you need scans.

Law Enforcement:  Fine art crime is not taken seriously in the USA.  Comic books ranked several notches below fine art, regardless of what we think and feel.  So the police are not going to drop everything to look for your stolen funny books.  But you will need a police report to file an insurance claim.  No police report, no insurance settlement.  Of course, if you didn't get insurance, you just got screwed over two times.

That is a quick summary of what I have found.  Differing opinions are welcomed.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Bumble Kitty

[D84]

@CGC Mike

Can we pin this? I keep seeing people talk about their collections getting ripped off and I'd like for them to read this thread before putting high value comics in a storage unit.

This is not about kicking people while they are down; I'm hoping people read this and it makes them decide against putting ANYTHING valuable at a storage facility.

Edited December 7, 2023 by D84

[CGC Mike]

On 12/7/2023 at 7:34 AM, D84 said:

@CGC Mike

Can we pin this?

I can do that.

[D84]

On 12/7/2023 at 6:52 AM, CGC Mike said:

I can do that.

Thanks.

Again the goal is prevention, not berating the people who have been through this horrible ordeal.

[bc]

On 12/7/2023 at 8:55 AM, D84 said:

Thanks.

Again the goal is prevention, not berating the people who have been through this horrible ordeal.

Great idea 

-bc