Confessions of a Dying Thief by Steffensmeier Darrell J.; Steffensmeier Darrell J.; Ulmer Jeffery T. & Jeffery T. Ulmer

Author:Steffensmeier, Darrell J.; Steffensmeier, Darrell J.; Ulmer, Jeffery T. & Jeffery T. Ulmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2005-03-01T16:00:00+00:00

Sam as a Background Operator

I am content to keep the fencing small and stay more in the background. Would do some scouting off and on, say, for Rocky or for Andy or the oldest Beck boy. They have a place they want to clip, ask me to take a look at. I did it for the enjoyment. And gave tips on places to clip, to Andy or to one of the Beck boys or to this or that one I am dealing with. The information for the tips can come about in different ways but knowing the antique people and being at this or that antique place was a main source.

This happened last spring about the time the doctor found the spot on my lung [the cancer]. I am stopped at Log Cabin’s place [nicknamed after the “log cabin” building that housed his business]. A lady is asking Log Cabin about buying a hutch to put her dishware and is talking about a nice silverware set her mother gave her. Wants to know if Log Cabin can deliver it in the evening ‘cause her and her husband both worked during the day. My ears opened. Then saw she signed the registry, so put her name in my memory. I am thinking I should check this out. Found out where she lived, in a neighborhood where the houses are pretty far apart. Did some scouting. Had Chubby take a package for delivery to make sure no one else was home during the day. Then had Andy and his buddy, Carl, clip the place like ten o’clock in the morning. Pulled up in a van to do some “electrical” work, broke in, open the garage door and back the van partway in. Carried out some very nice pieces that I zipped to Scottie and Corky in Oceantown. One was a set of Spanish silverware that brought a nice penny.

It wasn’t so much that I was out looking to get information on places to clip but more that my mind would just click—hey, maybe I should check that out. Would do that sometimes but other times just drop it. I did not want to push the envelope too far, to take chances that I shouldn’t.

Another thing, there has always been a lotta of antique fraud mixed in with my legit business. People buying what they are thinking is an antique but it is junk. I have fooled antique dealers already but you have to be careful not to jeopardize whether you are able do business with the guy down the road. Don’t want him to cut you off or spread the word that you’re a shyster. Is not the same as when I’m clipping an ordinary joe blow. With another dealer, you can only clip so far—enough to keep him on his toes ‘cause that is only good business, but don’t overdo it or beat him too badly.

You never know what kind of opportunities will come your way. Life is funny that way and with how your past affects that.

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