Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Collectable prices in the future?

I'm probably one of the few that defend the picker's tv show.

What I like about them....they attempt to educate the people they visit about pricing. In other words, it's clearly communicated that they need to buy at wholesale prices. And..at least on the shows I've watched they haven't inflated the final value of items more that they are usually worth.

In regard to the thread topic, we've said it a million times on here. "The good stuff will always be good"

Personally, I don't see the common pumps holding their value. I've seen restored Tok 39 and 300's with price tags far below what it would take to restore them.

Remember, before the mid to late 70s most of these "cherished" items, weren't worth a "plug nickel".

Pumps were scrapped, used as landfill, became "Japanese" cars..etc.

Cans were flattened, kicked along the street, stuck in corners and/or used to hold screws,nails..etc.

Globes were stuck in a corner or stored in an attic or basement.. etc.

Signs were used to patch roofs, used to make sheds, buried, painted over, left to rust on old buildings..etc.

Values will rise and fall, just like all items that are collected.

If one is collecting, betting on what things will be worth "down the road", IMO they might as well play the stock market. The future is just as uncertain.

Now if they are collecting because they love these items... and their thought process is; "who cares if it will be worth more down the road, compared to what I paid now for it now". Then they will be the rich ones, IMO. They will be able to just enjoy their collection and not be worried whether their "investment" is growing in wealth.

In the future, again IMO;

Quality items will mostly hold their value and/or increase.

Marginal items will fluctuate just like they do now.

Rare items will always be rare.

Some collectors will pay too much and others will pass on items.......................

Just like now.

Bob, somebody needs to buy ya a beer for those outstanding words !!!!!!! Bravo............... ! Ed Shaver

On the subject of younger petroleum collectors. Just last week I went to the weekly auction about five miles away, and there was a round Red Crown Gasoline sign to be sold, and it was rough. It would have made a good barn hanger. I bid to my limit, and lost the bid. My neighbors son who is just 22 years old bought it. He had been to my place checking out stuff, and decided it was time for him to start collecting. I know him pretty well so we got to talking and now he wants a gas pump.I welcomed him to the hobby!

I am 25 and new to the hobby, and also introduced my dad to the hobby as well. He is 52. Can't teach an old dog new tricks lol. On the weekends we both go our separate ways and hit up local auctions. I sold a few barn hangers for descent money. Its great to see all the older guys at auctions looking at me when I out bid them lol. I think the industry will stay strong. There will always be car collectors, and with the car collectors there will always be a petro collector

Get him ADDICTED to pumps Norm ! LOL

Hey Ryan...if you keep out bidding us "oldtimers" then you better start checking your tires before you leave the next auction. LOL (Just kiddin')

Its ok I drive an H1 hummer with run flat tires lol just kiddin

Nobody really knows what will still be collectable in the future, but I believe Petroliana items have a good chance of always being collectable because it is tied to history. Compare that to say...transformers or gigapets. You really cant go wrong if you buy what you enjoy. If you hope to be able to sell in the future without a loss, or maybe some profit, collect the more rarer items in excellent condition, but avoid the very high, top end stuff like a Polly globe. It may sell for 25k today, but in 10 years from now it may be 5k. My 2 cents.
John