Pickers

[ex98thdrill]

We had a guy show up at the house in September who tried to burn my father, he tried this "oh come on we're friends" bit where I replied with "if you're a real friend you'd give him what the truck is worth." He thought he'd con me and quickly realized that he was pi$$ing in the wind.

Instead of taking his offer for $1,500, we took it to Hershey and sold it for $2,800. He took another car that we had ('41 Ford) that was an all original very straight car and sold it to a street rodder.

He strikes me as the type who sees a car, starts working a deal with someone, then goes out and buys the car and screws everyone on both sides.

I've got his number, I don't like him, and if he knows what's good for him, he'll never step foot in our shop again....

[Guest Silverghost]

I have heard that many "Pickers" will not buy a car unless they already have a customer lined-up to buy it from them !

Why would anyone enjoy watching a show where two "Pickers" try to steal an item for a very low price from some old person who has owned it for 50 years and then immediately try to "flip-it" for fast cash ? "Ca---ching !"

They have no real true love for any of these items~~~

Just the love for~~~

FAST EASY CASH $$$~~~

It's all about making fast easy money on the backs of other older folks !

That's just my opinion of "Pickers " in general !

[Restorer32]

It is interesting that many here who maintain that "flippers" are ruining the car hobby have no problem with the Pickers doing exactly the same thing.

[msmazcol]

The one thing that pickers can do for the hobby is get items in circulation that had gone way to stagnate. All to often people buy things that never leave their possession. What is the point of that? Leave it for the estate to dispose of?

By a picker "pushing" the issue it can bring people into a motivated position.

As far as the price of an item if the seller does his homework and knows the value of his stuff there is no issue. Don't sell it for less than it is currently worth.

My Dad and I debate this often. The idea of selling a vehicle from a collection for a set price. The new owner re-sells it for more. The original owner should NOT have a complaint if he was satisfied with the original sale price.

The marking up of any item being sold is how this country operates.

I once sold auto parts for a living. I never saw so many different price sheets for the same parts in my life.

Jobber, stocking dealer, dealer, retail, list. It seemed like somewhere early on it the items life it had to be nearly free.

[ex98thdrill]

It is interesting that many here who maintain that "flippers" are ruining the car hobby have no problem with the Pickers doing exactly the same thing.

I don't think so. we've bought and sold cars, but when we did, we don't argue with the price, and the owner sets the price.

Where I get mad is when you throw a price and they low-ball you. We had a '41 Ford listed for $4,000 and a '42 Dodge truck listed for $2,500. My math adds up to $6,500 right?? This guy comes in and we tell him if he takes both of them he can have them both for $5,500 (we'd knock off a $1,000). In either case at $6,500 both of these cars were very fair priced. This guy comes in and cons my father and torments the crap out of him to get the '41 Ford for $3,000. My dad (like a fool) takes it, and then Mike comes back and wants to low ball us on the Dodge for $1,500. He almost got away with it, but I was there so it didn't fly. We took the Dodge to Hershey, put $3,000 and sold it for $2,800. Needless to say we got our $5,500, but this idiot tried to screw us.

By the way, I was told that he sold this very clean straight '41 Ford to a street rodder in Georgia for $4,500 so if he paid the full $2,500 for the Dodge, he would've only had $1,000 in it based on what he sold the '41 Ford for.

I have no problem with people buying stuff and selling stuff, but when they low ball things so bad where it is an insult, that's where I draw the line.

[Dave@Moon]

I have heard that many "Pickers" will not buy a car unless they already have a customer lined-up to buy it from them !

That's not surprising. How many people do you know with the kind of cash to buy and then sit on merchandise of the level of an antique car are willing to spend most of the year living out of a van? Even if it is on TV, this has to be a labor of love for them.

Why would anyone enjoy watching a show where two "Pickers" try to steal an item for a very low price from some old person who has owned it for 50 years and then immediately try to "flip-it" for fast cash ? "Ca---ching !"

They have no real true love for any of these items~~~

Just the love for~~~

FAST EASY CASH $$$~~~

It's all about making fast easy money on the backs of other older folks !

That's just my opinion of "Pickers " in general !

You don't have to watch very many of these shows before you find one where someone makes an offer for sale for an item that's WAY below it's genuine value. There was an episode of Pawn Stars last year where someone came into the shop with a Fabrege broach, which she only wanted about $100 for it. It's worth at least 6 figures. They told her what it was and gave her a fair price for it.

I don't care who you are, if you're dishonest a 6 figure score would be enough to tell the director to shut the camera off.

There are crooks in every line of work. This one would be an easy one to operate in as a crook, but frankly I don't think the volume of business they'd get would comapre with cheating people at a computer store or a used car lot.

[Restorer32]

Some folks are their own worst enemy. Years ago I went with Dad to look at a Model A "Vicky" advertised in the local paper for $1300. We arrived at the seller's house just one step ahead of another potential buyer. Man comes to the door and we ask about the Vicky. The other potential buyer pipes up that if we didn't take the car for $1300 HE would pay the $1300. We all looked at the car. Dad, ever the haggler, says "Will you take $1100?". Seller says "Sure". Other potential buyer, who had already offered the full $1300, walked away shaking his head.

[poci1957]

This whole topic is a tough one to fully grasp without being one's own contradiction. On the one hand I watched the early Pickers shows noticing that they would buy collectables on the cheap (at least compared to what I had seen at Hershey ) and then at the end of the show recap how much money they made from them. It all gave me a feeling like watching the TV auctions I have complained about so often--that the participant may have sort of liked the collectables but was more interested in the deal and the money.

But this time we actually see the elderly owner sell it to the Pickers for pennies on the dollar. It left me worried that for some it could be a sort of collectable pornography, where the viewer watches the seller be fleeced and fantasizes himself in on the action. (Sorry to be too graphic, Peter can pull this part if he thinks it necessary)

BUT on the other hand, I am a capitalist and agree that there is lots of time and cost involved in going to the hinterlands to dig this stuff up and a guy has to make a profit. Indeed, if the seller agrees to sell for a given price then no one held a gun to his head. The seller is happy, the buyer/reseller makes a profit and covers his time and cost and the final buyer/collector has an item he wants, it is all the American way.

Or, to sum up very succinctly, if I find a $20 bill on the street, even though I got it for nothing it is still worth $20. Todd C

Edited December 14, 2010 by poci1957 (see edit history)

[LINC400]

I can't say for sure, but my guess is that there is more reality to this show than the majority of reality shows on TV. Although I'm sure picks with no purchases and boring parts are edited out.

That being said I collect antiques and have a house full of them myself. I know what the value is on all of them. If someone sells items for pennies on the dollar, that is no one's fault but their own. With the amount of antique books and internet access, it should not take very long to get an idea of what most stuff is worth. But most people are too lazy to do this.

There are antique malls all over the country. Most dealers buy stuff for pennies on the dollar at garage or estate sales. I know because I have taken some stuff to sell, and they really lowball everything. But if I don't like the price, I don't sell. I don't take the lowball offer and then complain I got screwed. So it isn't just pickers. And if I go to an antique mall, and see something I want that is priced well below what it is worth, I am not going to go to the cash register and insist on paying more either.

The Pickers generally ask these people what they want, and either pay fairly close to that or don't buy it. If the people are complaining later, they should have checked on the stuff before they sold it. They were quite happy to get what they got at the time. Plus they don't figure all the gas, motels, meals, car repairs, time spent etc. involved in getting this stuff. Plus it can lay around for months or years in the shop before it sells.

Looking at the places they go to, they are basically saving most of these items from furthur ruin. Most of the stuff is deteriorating left outside, or getting water damage and moldy in a basement or attic. Personally I'd rather see them make a few bucks getting these items rescued and sold to collectors than the idiots that have something priced 20 times what it is worth and then the items end up totally worthless because no one would ever pay that, and the stuff ends up rotting beyond saving.

Edited December 14, 2010 by LINC400 (see edit history)

[poci1957]

Looking at the places they go to, they are basically saving most of these items from furthur ruin. Most of the stuff is deteriorating left outside, or getting water damage and moldy in a basement or attic. Personally I'd rather see them make a few bucks getting these items rescued and sold to collectors than the idiots that have something priced 20 times what it is worth and then the items end up totally worthless because no one would ever pay that, and the stuff ends up rotting beyond saving.

I did not address this angle but that is a very good point and often the case.

[ex98thdrill]

I wonder how much of this gets reimbursed by the network.

I've been to Orange County Choppers, and I know from what they've told me was that the network pays Orange County Choppers to build the motorcycles.

If the network is paying a lot of the expenses (travel expenses, appearance fees, hourly film rates, trucking expenses, etc.), what they're buying and selling is immaterial. When you watch the show, sit down and think about how many times you see those guys on film sitting back at their store?? I hardly ever see them at their store. For someone travelling around as much as they do, you sure don't see a lot of luggage in that van.....

I'm sure the same can be said with Pawn Stars. I'm sure when they call in these outside experts that they must be getting paid for an appearance as well.

The one thing that I have seen with American Pickers is that when the price is ridiculously low, I've seen them stop the person and give them more money than their asking price.

We can beat on 'pickers' but something to think about is how many people walking around Hershey are trying to save a car, and how many people are out there doing the same thing that those guys on American Pickers are doing??

In our case we're getting rid of excess stuff, while being able to finance our trip to Hershey. Most often whatever money we make gets spent on tools and parts to build another one of our cars. We sold an old truck and trailer, took the money and bought a new trailer.

Most of the time we're hunting for parts to keep our cars running, but we'll buy stuff at Hershey, take it back to our spot and re-sell it at a profit if the item is priced right and we can make a few bucks on it. I guess where I have the problem is when the deal is good to begin with, and someone is trying to beat you down, and stick to you like white on rice until you cave in.

[Restorer32]

I suspect most of these folks they are "taking advantage of" have very little money in most of the items they sell. In many cases, especially with the older collections of "stuff", the owners likelygot many of the items for free or nearly so. In my book it's a toss up who is taking advantage of whom. Let's face it, many of the items they buy may NEVER sell at a profit. Would YOU buy that huge rusted out arrow sign they bought? Just because they value an item at $200 doesn't mean it will actually ever sell for $200.

[ex98thdrill]

Yeah and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It all goes back to the saying "another man's junk is another man's treasure."

There is a collector out there for everything, and something that we view is junk could be a high priced collectible, and what someone else views as junk may be a high priced collectible to us.

I once had a brother in-law who collected antique golf clubs. I look at a golf club, I have no idea what is good, what is bad, what is worthless and what is not, but he knew the difference.

We used to store our car collection in a barn behind a house that my father rented out. A guy who I work with used to rent the house. I can remember one time another one of my coworkers had been over to the barn and he came into work and said "hey Pat, when are you and your dad going to haul all of those junk cars to the junk yard so you can have more room in that barn?" I didn't get mad, I didn't try to explain anything but my answer to him was "call me when you decide to clean out your garage."

To this day I don't know squat about the value of an antique golf club, but I know a little bit about automotive related cars, parts, signs and collectibles.

[Restorer32]

When we first started with antique cars in 1968 or so one of the first cars we dragged home was a 1928 Cadillac sedan in nice driveable condition fresh out of a barn. Word got back to us that our neighbor lady was gossiping in church that Dad's business must not be doing well if he had to buy a car that old to drive. Gotta love small towns.

[roadkillontheweb]

I used to be a picker here in Iowa back in the early to mid 80s through the 90s but of course I did not know it was called a picker. I purchased old cars and trucks that I knew I could sell for more to support my addiction to antique cars. Someone earlier mentioned how many others had tried but had not succeeded in buying something from someone and got pissed about it. I have been that guy and can tell you why! I purchased a 1956 Dodge Convertible from a guy in southwest Iowa for $25 (the price he asked for it) many of the locals had tried to buy it from him in the past and would have been glad to pay more for it but he sold it to me, why? I would be taking it from the area and he would not have to see it restored and feel bad about letting it go like he would if a local had bought and restored it. That car is now in Sweden and I made a very handsome profit. Do i feel bad that I got it out of the trees where it was rotting away and now it is in the hands of someone that cares for it, hell no.

On the question of do these guys walk around with pockets full of cash? yes and no back when I did it ATMs were few and far between but you could got to the local bank and cash a check or get a cash advance on a credit card if you did not bring enough. I found where I had my most success was when I went to a dealership that had been picked before. Someone had been through before tore the place up only to come out with a few parts and want them for next to nothing. My buddy (the GM guy) and I (Mopar) would offer to buy all of the old stock inventory and get it out of their way clearing shelves for them. The prices we got were great and we did not leave behind a mess so not only were we invited back but we were referred to other places on occasion. On one occasion the son had let us in and we were going through an upstairs store room when the dad came back and heard we were there and came up to chase us off. When he saw that we had cleared the halls and straightened the mess left by the previous guy he let us stay and invited us back many times. that You never get anywhere if you do not look, do not ask, and treat people bad!

[Guest Silverghost]

WELL~

Now you guys have me watching the "Pickers" show ~~~

I guess that's what the History Channel network wants !

Viewers put money in their & their advertisers pockets !

Did you like the way Mike tried to "Low Ball" the price on that clean Rolls~Royce ?

$7000 !!!

He could not get that car out of his mind !

I guess he thought it was the best thing there and he was going to cash-in BIG time !

CA---- CHIING $$$

Those two guys in the funny wool ski caps knew better than to take his low ball offer!

The Guys with those funny hats won that battle !

The "Picker" lost !

But I am sure he is crying all the way to the bank anyway from what he gets paid by the History Channel to appear on his "Reality Show " !

He's now a TV star !

Edited December 16, 2010 by Silverghost (see edit history)

[roadkillontheweb]

I will relate another story.

I was a regional service tech that got me out in the state of Iowa for many years driving down back roads and small towns. Being that I collected the stuff that the locals did not want "Mopar" there was less competition. I have a collection of IADA (Iowa automobile dealer assn) annual directories that told me where every dealership in the state was located for each year 1955-80. Whenever I had time and I was in a small town tried to see what had happened to the old dealership.

I was in Farragut IA and looked at the listings to find that there was a Chevy dealer in town back in the 50s. I asked around and found that the firehouse was were the dealership was and was told everything was gone. I drove down the street and found a repair garage and pulled in to ask where the local salvage yards were located. The guy asked what I was looking for and I just told him antique car parts. He directed me to look up stairs and led me up to see what he had. He told me that he had worked at the Buick garage in nearby Shenandoah when it went under in 1959 and he had purchased their parts inventory and opened this shop in his hometown. In 1963 the local Chevy garage folded and the regional rep had talked him into becoming a Chevy dealer for 1964. It did not take him long to figure out that he did not need the headaches and quit dealing Chevy by 65. Over the years he had used most of the mechanical parts servicing cars from the Buick and Chevy parts inventories he had purchased. All that was left over was the NOS radios, clocks, tissue dispersers, compasses bumper guards, fender skirts, several 40s Buick grilles, signs, posters, chrome trim, accessories. Needles to say I was floored. I simply asked him how much for me to clear off every shelf and take it all. $300 was his answer so went to the bank and took out a cash advance on my credit card and paid the guy. It took me two days and two trips with my van stuffed to the brim but his shelves were now free for him to use and I even swept up and fixed a couple of lights for him. The wife was mad because her garage was full of parts and I did not ask her about taking the $300. by Sunday I invited the first guy over who bought the 5 NOS 1941 Buick grille halves and a set of the rear fender ornaments for the same car for $500. I gave the $500 to the wife and she was happy, the guy who bought the grilles etc. was thrilled. All the Chevy parts my buddy bought and made a killing off of the 62 NOS tissue dispenser alone made back most of the cost and by Wednesday I had sold the rest to a vendor for a couple grand. Looking back I should have sold the other stuff myself but the garage was cleaned out and the wife was happy and I had money in my pocket for the next adventure. Life was good!

[Paul Dobbin]

"Picker's" the new term for all of us who go to Hershey or other car related flea markets in search of a bargain or a needed part. Problem is we're picking pickers. But, it's a free market and if the selling pickers price is to high, we make an offer. If the price is to low we buy the item. That's the way it works and if the selling picker makes a profit, good for him. If he's been carrying the item around for years he may sell at a loss to raise cash for something he wants more, good for him. I've even been given stuff at flea markets because I knew what it was.

Remember there is no sin in making a profit, and no sin in getting a deal on something you want. Both parties have to agree or there is no deal.

I have barns full of junk I'll never make a profit on, but I enjoy the old junk.

We both watch the Picker's (wife too) and very often think they paid way to much, resulting in our unsolicited advice being given to the TV screen.

Is my junk for sale? NO, but offer me a lot more than I think it's worth and it's yours, otherwise wait for my Estate Sale.

Think about all the hours we spend in search of junk as compared to the actual time buying and it would be impossible to film an episode a week without a sponsor paying the bills. Enjoy the show, because it's almost never that easy.

[LINC400]

WELL~

Now you guys have me watching the "Pickers" show ~~~

I guess that's what the History Channel network wants !

Viewers put money in their & their advertisers pockets !

Did you like the way Mike tried to "Low Ball" the price on that clean Rolls~Royce ?

$7000 !!!

He could not get that car out of his mind !

I guess he thought it was the best thing there and he was going to cash-in BIG time !

CA---- CHIING $$$

Those two guys in the funny wool ski caps knew better than to take his low ball offer!

The Guys with those funny hats won that battle !

The "Picker" lost !

But I am sure he is crying all the way to the bank anyway from what he gets paid by the History Channel to appear on his "Reality Show " !

He's now a TV star !

From the episodes I have watched, it seems to me that the pickers really don't know that much about cars. They bought a Dodge and Studebaker before and were lucky to make a small profit selling them for more than they were worth because I think they overpaid for both. From his reaction on the show, I think he was not aware of the value of the car. Simply offered a few thousand more than he did for the others because it was a Rolls. Also, I don't know how anyone can say they Rolls was so clean. All you could see was the rear end. The sides and roof were buried by junk. I don't know if it even ran. Plus the 2 odd guys in hats were basing their $25,000 value on the fact that one was listed in a collector car mag for $18,000, but wasn't as complete. Well who is to say the $18,000 was reasonable or ridiculous? They never showed pics of it, and of course that seller can ask whatever he wants. It doesn't mean anyone will ever pay it.

[Guest muledeer]

I am an avid watcher of the show , As the show goes on, I have noticed that the guys are starting to offer more for items than when the show first started , so it is my guess they must be getting compensation from somewhere , ...and they also gave danielle a raise on one episode , further...., I don't know why they would let anyone film them doing their picking, showing us their tactics, their stratagies , etc .....giving us other would be pickers, picking lessons for free , no one else gives out this kind of info for nothing....they sell books, dvds , etc ...don't worry, they get paid!!! also,why would they hurt themselves regarding future picks,... when people see their profit margin ,isn't it going to get harder and harder to make the sweet deals?.... come on , it is a show,..... they take time to jazz it up some.....when Mike or Frank go into an attic or flip open a door to the big suprise that awaits them , who is doing the filming ??? think there is some guy with his camera already in there? ,and when they are filmed coming up someone's driveway from the sellers house, ....well ,if some camera crew was outside my home, I would be asking questions before Mike and Frank got to my door. To me it is giving us a taste of what a lot of us dream about , going around the country finding that ....piece , that part, that hidden away for decades something we have been searching for , adventure , you bet! Love it!

1905 Maxwell

1906 Cadillac tulip

1907 Franklin model D

1936 Cord sportsman

1948 tucker

1959 cadillac

1962 corvette

1969 dodge charger

Edited January 3, 2011 by muledeer
forgot info (see edit history)

[Tom Laferriere]

I have been waiting for Tom Laferriere to chime in. It is funny that while this discussion has been going on, according to facebook, Laferriere Classic Cars was enjoying a visit with the American Pickers. Hopefully he will have something to add after he gets back home.

It was a nice visit in Iowa. I was dragging my newly acquired 1937 Packard 120 Convertible Sedan and took a few photos while I was there. Mike, Frank and Danielle were not there.

[ex98thdrill]

Being that I collected the stuff that the locals did not want "Mopar" there was less competition.

That's what got us into Mopars. 30+ years ago no one wanted the Mopar stuff, and all of the demand was for the Ford stuff. My dad bought an entire stock of a old Ford parts room for $200, and he used to trade one box of Ford parts for two boxes of Mopar parts. Years later a lot of the Ford stuff is being reproduced, and the Mopar stuff isn't out there. We've managed to turn a good profit on that stuff, and it's gotten to the point where we're able to do Hershey for free or at a very small expense.

We're not diehard Mopar guys, but it's more of a case that we have the cars that we do because we bought 'em right and it was affordable.

[MCHinson]

I have never seen the show. I finally decided to upgrade to a significant cable TV package and a new HD TV for the family for Christmas. I will soon be able to see this show for the first time.

[stealthbob]

I have never seen the show. I finally decided to upgrade to a significant cable TV package and a new HD TV for the family for Christmas. I will soon be able to see this show for the first time.

I rarely watch "TV" anymore....it all on the net:

American Pickers — American Pickers: What's in the Box? — History.com Videos

[Sweepspear]

I've seen on several occasions where the person will throw a figure out that Mike, or Frank will say is too low, and then offer more.

I can't say I ever felt they were taking advantage of people.

[stealthbob]

Ok you 60's Ford guys...comment on "Fairlane Fever":

American Pickers — American Pickers: Fairlane Fever — History.com Videos

...was 14k a real number?

[1937hd45]

Fairlane Fever, guess that causes severe rocker panel and wheel arch rot, but at least the numbers match.

[msmazcol]

Thought she was a wee bit on the rusty side for the number they valued it at but I'm not a fan of Henry Ford either.

Edited January 4, 2011 by msmazcol (see edit history)

[MCHinson]

I am not really that well informed on cars that are that new but I thought they paid a bit too much for it. I recently started watching the show and have been enjoying it.

I thought that the episode with the Sally and Sam Barnett was cool to see.

As has been mentioned here before, On last night's show there was an example of them paying more for something than someone asked for. They were looking at an old mouse trap and the lady said they could have it for free....they said, no it is worth $20 and they paid her that for it. If I recall correctly, they said it was valued at about $35 retail.

[Dave@Moon]

I was gobsmacked when they paid that much for the Fairlane. Mopar and GM mid-size muscle cars are valued much higher (unfairly in my eye), and if this were a Chevelle SS or Super Bee that price would've been right. I'll bet they keep the car when they're all done with it.

If someone is so inclined they can likely ask one of them this winter. Frank Fritz is apparently making the custom car show appearance circuit, with an appearance this weekend here in Cincinnati at the Cavalcade of Customs Car Show ( Cavalcade of Customs in Cincinnati USA ). (According to the TV ads. He doesn't appear on their web site.) I won't be there, but if someone's in town that day maybe they can ask!

[poci1957]

I was gobsmacked when they paid that much for the Fairlane. I'll bet they keep the car when they're all done with it.

I agree. I will admit to often being out of date on pricing, but for someone to buy it now for $14,000? I don't think so, they are now in it for $11,000 and I think if anyone offers anywhere near that they should take it and run and note the risks of trying to "flip" an old car. Todd

[bhclark]

I do believe Frank was here in Cincinnati at our Calvacade of Customs annual car show this weekend.

We visited Antique Archaeology on our way to The BCA nationals in Iowa this past summer. Danielle spent half an hour talking to us while she opened up the shop and pulled a dozen motorcycles out into the parking lot to open up the garage for tourists. She has known Mike for many years.

Mike has been doing this all his life and really is into the "hunt". In addition, he has a personal addiction to old motorcycles, while Frank collects oil cans. They got started doing what a lot of us do, buying and selling in order to finance their own hobby.

Mike has wanted to do the show for years and used to video tape himself until he finally got a production company interested and managed to sell a pilot to History Channel.

Yes, the picks you see on TV are staged, but what they do is real, including the freestyling. They just set everything up again after finding what they want to film, then re do it all for the camera.

Their prices really aren't all that crazy either...I think they sell stuff cheap, especially porcelain and other advertising signs.

The day we were there, a guy from Florida was picking up the red phone booth from one of the early shows.

Mike recently bought a new house in Nashville and is opening up a second shop at a historic building there.

So, basically, after years and years of "picking", they are now able to relax, pick part time and live off the royalties and tchotchke sales. ($10 keyrings!)

We should all be so lucky to make it big doing what we love.

[Guest Backyardmechanic]

This is one of the tours that the Dodge Brothers Club will be taking in during the National meet in June. So plan to atten NOW.

Vern

[ksparks]

Despite years in the old car hobby looking for parts to buy to trade, keep, resale to help project costs or put on projects never heard the expression Pickers until this show. I am able to download in on vuze.com here. I also saw the show concerning the arrow sign with the lights etc and i thought the same in terms of few chances to resale for their investment. I would say the majority of us have been pickers for years but more for the fun of the find than an immediate thought for what we could resale for etc. I understand that whether pawn starts or pickers no one would want to pay retail or antique shop prices but also never take advantage in terms of pre knowing the item might be worth triple or four times the asking price. It is an interesting show ie pickers etc but doubt it could be a real profession unless there was a strong backer or deep personal financial pockets. We all know that some individuals who have large collections in barns very well know value on most of the items thus parts etc are over valued or fairly prices if they want to move the item based upon their original purchase price. a rare rickenbacker part, brass era part or independent make part does not often make it the most valuable thing around just because it is rare. fun show to watch but i think that if i were one of the guys who they might visit one day i should would feel silly seeing myself on tv later with a group stating that they had made triple on something i had sold. i have been taken advantage of times when young on parts and even had items stolen but never burned another in a deal. often on some projects sold in the past i was looking for more to move the item ie a 24 cad project or templar etc in order to get my costs back to make room for another project.

Keith

keith123451@live.com

1922 auburn

1923 moon

1926 auburn

auburn parts etc various years

I suspect most of these folks they are "taking advantage of" have very little money in most of the items they sell. In many cases, especially with the older collections of "stuff", the owners likelygot many of the items for free or nearly so. In my book it's a toss up who is taking advantage of whom. Let's face it, many of the items they buy may NEVER sell at a profit. Would YOU buy that huge rusted out arrow sign they bought? Just because they value an item at $200 doesn't mean it will actually ever sell for $200.

[ksparks]

It was a nice visit in Iowa. I was dragging my newly acquired 1937 Packard 120 Convertible Sedan and took a few photos while I was there. Mike, Frank and Danielle were not there.

very nice purchase and to comment that i enjoy your website.

keith

keith123451@live.com

22,26 auburn

23 moon

auburn stuff

[ksparks]

WELL~

Now you guys have me watching the "Pickers" show ~~~

I guess that's what the History Channel network wants !

Viewers put money in their & their advertisers pockets !

Did you like the way Mike tried to "Low Ball" the price on that clean Rolls~Royce ?

$7000 !!!

He could not get that car out of his mind !

I guess he thought it was the best thing there and he was going to cash-in BIG time !

CA---- CHIING $$$

Those two guys in the funny wool ski caps knew better than to take his low ball offer!

The Guys with those funny hats won that battle !

The "Picker" lost !

But I am sure he is crying all the way to the bank anyway from what he gets paid by the History Channel to appear on his "Reality Show " !

He's now a TV star !

Yes, that was great that they did not accept that 7 mil for the Rolls Royce. Plus they knew what they had via the referrence to old car trader or whatever magazine it was. In addition they had transported the car back from Europe. A good offer would have been 16,000 to 28,000 usd but i know little about the value of a Rolls of that era.

[Guest bofusmosby]

Well, the "Pickers" show is very intertaining to me, so I do watch it. I too have never heard the term "Pickers" until the show.

The One show I can't stand is "Pawn Stars". They have an expert take a look at an item, and the guys say that it is very rare, and worth $10-$15,000. OK, so I know that they need to make a profit, but come on. Instead of them offering a reasonable price, they'll offer something like$3,000. They're crooks if you ask me.

I too have often wondered if the sellers of these items on Pickers get upset when they hear what their items were resold for.

[Guest gatorcy]

i saw that episode the other day they find some cool stuff

[Guest YellowBird]

Just spent the day with Mike & Frank and can't say enough good stuff about them. Two great, down to earth guys who worked hard and got lucky enough to have a job we all dream about.

They 'picked' from a friend's home & warehouse and seemed very fair with prices, etc. From my opinion (and seems to be shared by my friend) they are top-notch people - welcome back anytime!

[stealthbob]

Cars...old ones have been mentioned many times in this thread! Prices discussed ect.

Just for the record Sunny and 15 degrees Celsius here, no snow in the forecast.