So I was at one computer the other night, minding my own business when my husband rushed into the room and said, “Quick! Turn the TV on channel 40!”
Have you seen American Pickers on The History Channel? I don’t get excited about much on TV these days. I rarely even turn it on. Thursday nights with Community, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock and The Office is the only night I get excited about. Other than that, it’s Ghost Hunters or some special on UFOs or Big Foot or something goofy. Mad Men, but it’s out of season right now. But I’m excited about this one.
It’s a new series and leaves Antique Roadshow and Pawn Stars In. The. Dust. This is us, ladies! Whether we’re dealers, pickers or hunter gatherers. This is what we do. They just do it on a much larger scale than most of us. They, the two guys, have Connections. They know People. They know Buyers of Certain Things. I don’t know about the rest of you, but the only people I know who say “watch for [this] for me”, the [this] will be a cup and saucer of a certain pattern of a particular company. The chances of me running across that certain pattern of the particular company and the specific piece they need is one in a million. The chances of me remembering that certain pattern of that particular company and the specific piece and even who wanted me to watch for it are one in 100 million. I just don’t have people wanting to buy old carnival rides. Not that I run across many of those, anyway.
Not only do these fellows have Connections and people calling them to sell them stuff, they’ll ride down a rural road, find a likely looking barn and go knock on the house door. They just ask the owner if they have anything they’d like to sell.
I’ve always wanted to do that, but don’t have the nerve. Or the money. You have to go with a fistful of dollars. Lena and I always talked about doing that. I told her I’d have her back if she’d do the talking. That was fine with her, but we never did it. Guess neither of us ever had the fistful of dollars.
The only thing that bothers me a little is they show us the buying price and the selling price. Now, it’s one thing to do that on Pawn Stars where the people brought the item to them with the amount they wanted for it in mind, but to go up to an 88 year old man’s house and ask to buy stuff, then get something for $75 that sells for wang-dang-doodle-dollars, I’m just not comfortable with bragging to the world about it. I hope they share some of that profit or have something worked out. Let me explain. I have no problem paying 50ยข for something and selling it for nearly $400.00. That happened to me once. I was expecting to get $10.00. However, I didn’t televise the results. I did not ask them if I could buy it and after it sold, I chose carefully who I told about it. Didn’t want it to get back to the sellers and have them mad at me. Yes, that’s unreasonable, but since when are most people reasonable when it comes to money? But how does that make the seller – the person who hadn’t even thought of selling anything – who was approached and asked if he’d sell stuff – feel? How about his family? Are they going to think they were being taken advantage of. All I’m saying is if you’re gonna broadcast the results and there’s a ridiculously huge profit margin, maybe share some of that. Sure you have expenses. I understand that. All too well. The difference here is between someone coming to you to sell something and you knocking on someone’s door asking them if you can buy something they hadn’t thought of selling and had no time to research to make an informed decision – and then bragging to the world at what a good deal you made. It just makes me uncomfortable. That’s all. Maybe they do share or maybe there’s more behind the scenes stuff we don’t know about. Like maybe they get paid for being chosen to sell stuff out of their barn. Or something. But I love the show and hope it has a long run!
When the show was over that night, Ricky came back in the room (we don’t watch TV together – don’t like the same stuff) and proclaimed, “That’s what WE’RE gonna be doing!” “Ok, honey. Sounds great to me, but you’ll have to be the one going up to the door.”
Sue at Vintage Rescue Squad wrote a good review of the show the other day. Check it out!
The fuzzy pictures are two places near me that have always intrigued me. Two places I’d love to plunder. But I could barely stop the car long enough to snap the picture. I was afraid someone would come out with a shotgun demanding to know why I was taking a picture of their junk.
ROFL – I so understand that “shotgun” feeling – that’s exactly what would happen here if I tried walking up to some of these backwoods places. I’m thinking having a camera crew with you does a lot to smooth the way.
i never really got how the whole “picker” business worked. i mean, if you’re hunting for something that someone else told you to find so *they* can sell it, you’d have to know it’s desirable, and wouldn’t you just sell it yourself if you found it?? and what kind of money are we talking about? how does someone *else* know what YOU would spend for something??
so the show sounds awesome and maybe it’ll answer some questions for me. now i’m off to search for it on the history channel and set it to record.
and, excuse me, PAWN STAR?? where have *I* been?? under a ROCK??
We LOVE the show, and have set it to record so we won’t miss a show. They find amazing stuff and I see so much more that I’d want. I also wish I had the nerve to stop and ask if things are for sale. Love your blog, it’s great.
Whew – I thought I was the only one uncomfortable with the “showing how much we made” piece – especially when it was an “unsolicited” visit to that poor ole farmer (some of the other folks they visited I was not so sad about). I too hope they shared sum of their profit – but I’d be surprised if they did. It was the only thing that really turned me off watching this show in the future…now getting a deal at a Thrift Shop is a totally different thing – Junk On!
Thanks for the shoutout, Wanda! I think I’ll be “reviewing” it every week. I did a little research, and many of these are leads (and sometimes the sellers themselves called in to participate). The pickers do do a little “free-styling” and I think that’s where people’s discomfort comes in. The bottom line for me, however, is that even if a seller didn’t know what it’s worth, he still chose to sell it. Their prices are still fair, compared to what locals might pay, or GOD FORBID, their heirs might pitch things. I do suspect that there’s a lot more behind-the-scenes deals that we don’t know about. There’s no way someone can appear on TV without being fore-warned about what they’re getting into (and many times they sign a waiver). I suspect the show might be paying them something. Oh, I’ve written too much, but I soooo love the show! Thanks for your enthusiasm! XOX
I missed the show but it is supposed to replayed tonight so I set the timer on the TV to record.
I laughed when you talked about going up to strangers doors and asking them if they had anything for sale. My husband is really good at this. We have a 60 foot windmill we are going to put on our property that he had been looking at for years when driving past a rural farm house. The windmill was bent over near the top and obviously needed a lot of work. My husband went to this farmhouse about a dozen times before he found someone home. He asked the owner if he wanted to sell the windmill and was told a lot of people stop and ask about it but no one ever returns to remove it. My husband tried to pay him $500 for the windmill on the spot but the man said no. Then the man said if you come back on the weekend and take it down I’ll sell it to you. So, Thanksgiving weekend, in 40 degree weather my husband climbed the windmill tower and one by one lowered each piece down to me using a pulley. It took us two days but now we have a windmill we plan on putting up on our property.
It’s amazing what you can buy if you just ask.
Kelley
I was an “Antique Picker” for about 30 years, and love the show on the History Channel. Many of their experiences were my experiences, finding treasures by traveling the Eastern US. The show reveals secrets to the trade. Every Antique shop has its own hidden treasures,that can to purchased and resold in some other part of the country for much more to the right collector, dealer, gallery or museum. It is all knowing what to look for,to see the potential someone else misses. So much more when you travel the backroads of America. Many times you haven’t got any idea what something is worth because you have never see or heard of it before,that is when you have to go with you “gut feeling” or intution. Some of the best items I have purchased came from this divine gift. A picker uses this everyday. You buy what you can, but always remember what you saw and who had it. Together that memory of where to find it is you real moneymaker,because years later that item may be just what your antique dealer or museum cutator friend may be needing. Timing is another key to picking. A seller may not sell today but will sell for the right price tomorrow, next month ,next year. An item is worth more if you have a potential buyer looking for it,otherwise it is anyone guess as to how much or when you will sell it. I am sure they will reveal all the keys to sucessful antique picking.
I had seen the preview on the American Picker website, and just loved it, but I was SO hoping this show would be about the stuff, and not the prices stuff brings.
The guys talk about the joy of the find, and yes you can see it in their eyes, but it seems to me the joy looks a lot like $$$.
Not that there is anything wrong with that – this is their business after all. I just just hoping for another direction.
I agree that the people on film have to know what they are getting into. As spontaneous as it looks, I’m sure there is a guy with a clipboard and a legal agreement that is gone over and signed before the filming begins.
Have been a Antiques and Collectibles dealer for 20+ years and have made some good deals and some bad. But the seller has answered an ad placed by me and has asked for an offer or it has been a tag sale or auction. Never have I cold called on someone because there residence looked inviting. That is wrong, it is wrong to pressure someone to sell something when they have not initiated the sale. It makes no difference if they are young or old. But prying on the elderly is especially disgraceful. As a up front dealer I will never use a So called picker.
I have been picking for years and had some good and bad times doing it. I show needs to show more of the “Freestyle” stops gone bad…it happens more than most think. I have more say “No thanks” than say “Yes we have what you need”. I have had the police called on us as well. Never charged with anything as it is free capitalism and we did nothing wrong however,a pain to go through. I see it as we help stimulate this broke state by trading money from hand to hand. Many think this is wrong however, I make it known up front that we are pickers and sell in antiques. We tell any potential sellers that they are not pressured to sell anything and not to feel guilty for turning down an offer. It is their item and I reserve their right to say “No”. I also let them know that they do not have to show us around and tell them to just keep in mind what we seek. If they have it we ask them to bring it into our shop and we will sell it on a consignment program. If not we could pay cash on the spot, we leave it upto them. We love our jobs and would not trade it for the world! We are not our to “Rob, Steal or Scam anyone as we allow sellers many options and are straight up with our intent. Great show on tv these days…I feel they stole our job and made it into a great tv series! Mike,Frank…where’s our cut!? Lol! Pick on!
My husband and I absolutely love the show. This is something I have wanted to do for so long but we were still working and not able to because we didn’t have the time to. Now we do, we’re retired. We live in a county that has many backroads with old houses with tons of “junk” on the property and a lot of buildings that I’m sure are full of wonderful finds. My problem however is I’m not sure how or where to find the right buyer for the item I found. I know we are going to do it even if we have to do it on a “wing and a prayer”. I would love any tips or advise that anyone may have to help. I would be more than happy to help someone else if I can. Thanks, Beth
I am an antique dealer and picker. More of a picker these days as people are interested in selling. In the Northeast pickers or (door knokers) have been around for 100s of years. I am not so much a door knoker, I get leads from different sourses. I think if the truth be known most of the American pickers finds are from people that have found them and asked for them to come out and look at thier items. I work for myself but I also work for other dealers that have gotten so many calls they can’t handle tham all. They call me to cover a haouse call or even an auction.
I believe most of the sellers on the show asked for them to come by and visit. Many of them think they want to sell but when asked just can’t. Now a good picker spends a lot of time with the seller. You can tell when the seller finally starts to think about letting some items go.
For those that think they would like to be a picker you will need to spend years leaning. Going to auctions meeting dealers, and meeting more dealers and more dealers… Don’t plan on making much money picking at first and be realy to make misstakes. The kind of mistakes that cost you money. If you notice on the show they give the cost, the value and sometimes what they sold the item for. Remember the $5,500.00 mistake Frank made on the car!!!! Watch the show closely and you will see; they paid $100.00 value $300.00 sold for $150.00. Pickers buy mostly for dealers that have to make the better money becuase they have to hold the item untill a retail customer comes along. Most of the time the margin is 20 – 50% of the cost. The dealer calls and asks if I am going to the auction, and if I am, we work out a deal. This is a great way for the dealer to buy an item without letting other dealers know he or she is the buyer. I also do this for some collectors.
If I am working for a dealer at an auction I get a % of the purchase price or the difference between the high bit the dealer sets and the lower price it goes for, whitch ever is greater. I also only do this if there are items I want at the auction.
I feel the show is an honest look at what a picker does. We take chances most of the time when buying rough items. The margins are not what you might think but the hunt is great!! The people are great and for me that is what it is all about… the people!!
its not the junk they pick its the people they meet thats the treasure americans doing what its takes and showing the pride in the history of this country, great show true history thanks
Ijust wanted to leave a note that i love that they tell what they pay for it and tell what they sale it for ,like myself i dont know how much things sale for or what to sell them for to a person that would need to resale it,like american pickers, iv invited them out to my home because my mother in law passed and were on an acre of land with 4 very large barns filled with antiques,and collectables so anyone interested,email me lol,its been a year and we are still over welmed ,i love american pickers i think there fair priced, and good teachers
Two guys buying Stuff that someone wants.
People will buy anything-thats why American Pickers make a good
living-There are millions of people out there that will buy anything.
Look at Ebay?
Absolutely love you guys….the best show on TV. Can’t wait to see where you’ll go next. Good luck and happy picking.
i mostly agree with lizzies comments,
i just cant stand the disgusting look of pure greed in their eyes, the pair of them are almost salivating. then they cut to shots of them saying how much they enjoyed meeting the people theyve just fleeced.
Indeed…they says its the items and history behind them…I disagree…all those two are seeing are $$$ (notice how when just the two of em are infront of the camera in their van or somewhere outside , praying that someone will sell a particular item…and then bragging about when they do obtain it)…theyre a disgusting lot in my opinion.I watched the first couple episodes thinking the show would be interesting…I was wrong. Thought it was going to be more like they bought stuff and gave the person they were buying from a percentage of the profit (doesn’t happen)..Just my 2 cents worth.
Its not the best show on the history channel, but it can be pretty interesting at times depending on what they find..i just can’t stand frank fritz he’s pretty annoying for sure and is the one that gives u the feeling he’s just out to rip people off.
been to the shop and love the show
was there at the shop this week and love the show and took an item to sell
i have a 1905 white house cook book i like to know wt the vaule of it
i like to sell it for a good pice my e-mail is marye0621@comcast.net
and phone number is 904-738-7878
seems like an intersting job
those people have a choice to sell or not sell it and if it’s just something thats been laying around for years what does it matter how much they pay for it there obviously not doin anything with it and still makin more then what they had so it should’nt matter how much they pay thats how they make money
I’m torn…sometimes an episode feels positive and then sometimes the attitude of the 2 of them smears the ‘feel good’ right out it. Overall I enjoy it mostly for what they discover and can do without their bickering antics. I keep watching weekly though!!
i am professional at yard sale i have done my home work studied have books i paid dearly for my education has been expensive before the pc education was paid for and you would have to seek out the knowledge now with click on mouse you can have it delivered to front door.knowledge is now free.if i come to your sale and you do not know the value you loose or do not care .american picker go in on a hot lead they are invited to see the good stuff.they pay and than have to sell it until you sit at market and try to sell you would not understand.they drive mercedes truck have hot leads go for the ice cream than have to flip it. until you do that you should not blame them the sellers are to blame the pickers were invited. this is television do not loose that thought .i might be coming to your yard sale you better watch out. comments welcomed
They always act like there really exicted about other peoples stuff but all they really care about is how much $$$ they can make off the stuff….people save it up for years and they come alone and want it cheap so they can make the most money…I wouldnt be able to sleep…just my opinion.
I saw it on tv where they came back and give $5,000 back after they left
I can’t understand why any viewers of the show would get upset or annoyed at them displaying the price bought/sold(or valued). It wouldn’t be very educating (for those of us who enjoy learning) if they didn’t. Personally, I love finding out what an item can sell for at retail value. Anyway, this is business after all, right?
As for the sellers… can they really complain? I’m sure they have all signed waivers and are entirely aware of the resell price. If they wanted to have sold any of the items at full retail price, they should have gone out and put the work into restoring, advertising, and selling them to collectors. Also, if any of them do find out what the valued price is and throw a tantrum, they should be slapped and sent to his/her bedroom. Clearly, this person isn’t adult enough.
I love this show, and the worst part is I didn’t like it when it first started. It either grew on me, or History plays it so much that they forced me to like without me knowing. its gotten to a point where I wasn’t happy just watching the recordings of it the next day. I dunno I think I should be able to watch the tv I pay for monthly wherever I am, Frank and Mike would understand. So working at DISH network I bought a sling adapter to hook up to my receiver, and since I work nights and my lunch happens to fall at the correct time, I can watch American Pickers on my HTC live as it happens. Granted there were other reason for purchasing it, but it comes in handy for watching one of my favorite shows.
I love american Pickers. that seems to me like the coolest job ever. When I was a kid about 12 years old, I said to my Mom, I would like to be an archeologist. she said to me, now why would you want to pick through peoples old junk. At the time I was thinking, I would love to pick through peoples old junk, but i was too embaressed to say it to my Mom. Well…I’m almost 50 now, and I still feel the same way. I wish I had a job looking through peoples old junk!
I’m a dealer/picker in the UK, these guys
Aren’t making a massive margin on average
Around 100pct which is not huge bearing in
Mind all there costs. That look in eye isn’t
Greed its the love of what they do. We’ve the
Best job in the world and I don’t know a rich
Dealer/picker.
HI American Pickers,i have inheritied some old lp,s playing records from the 1930′s and 1940′s,some of them are orchestra and the old band era,there are approximately 100 records. they are in excellent condition. willing to sell what you think they are worth. Sincerely Nila
American Pickers truck was just spotted going North on I-71 in Franklin County, Ohio! I’m curious to find out where they were going and what they found!
Picking, buying, selling, done for years on ebay, Done paying Ebay fees, I am going one on one..more money, less BS
I use to watch American Pickers but found out that every thing is now “staged” — that they actually bring ‘stuff’ in so it can be ‘discovered’ by Frank and Mike.
That takes away all the fun. Anyone can do that. So, I’ve taken it off record and will no longer fall for that reality show crap.
Is it just me, or are there others out there that think the grammar used on the Pickers needs a little editing?
Is a deal a deal?
I picked a 1893 Barner oil on board, at a thrift store for $0.25 (Looked like a Victorian magazine pic that had been lacquered on board, my loop said otherwise as I clearly saw the brush strokes) I sold it for $500.00 cash less then a hour later.
The art dealer then put it in his gallery, put 10grand on it and sold it 3 days later for $8500.00
Was this fair? Is a deal a deal?
I picked a Wallace Nutting signed early picture for $5.00 one of his first. Same Art dealer told me due to a water stain he would pay me $300.00, I took it.
The art dealer sold it for $1200.00 later found that picture was very rare as it was his earliest.
Was this fair? Is a deal a deal?
I picked for him for three years, I did pay my bills but it was a lot of driving and time for sure. Should have he came back and said hey I made a killing on that painting you brought me here is a little something extra for the good eye?
What would you do?
Come on both American pickers and will skin a old person faster then you can say huckster (her too). Sorry guys they take full advantage at every opportunity. Yes they pay OK when dealing with someone who knows what they have, don’t know what you have and they eat them for lunch. The older the person the more they low-ball! then they put up the comical values at the end of the show, first to hide the fact they burnt the seller and second would be IRS reasons, lot of unreported income in there line of work. I know the type, make 100g and report 40g.
I hate the show. These guys go through massive amounts of stuff and then literally browbeat the poor owners to sell them an item or two at fractions of their supposed value. How much real skill is involved there? What they should do is have a show where those two guys show up at a pawn shop or an antiques store in a small town and compete to see who knows their stuff (as far as valuing antiques) and with a $2000 budget each, who can make the most profit buying undervalued items in the store. And don’t just list what the producers want us to believe the items could be sold for (by making a phone call), go sell the pieces at auction and show us what the items actually clear for! Now that would be a show worth watching. I’m not into whiners and brow beaters.