Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Where Are WE Going ?

We all know prices on stuff go all over the board, on ebay and in private sales. I'm wondering where you guys think prices are going, or more so where they have gone. Personally, I think everything is down, partiality cans. Ive got lots of them and I don't even bother to list them. Signs seem to be bouncing around, pumps look down to me and globes aren't much better. Am I too pessimism looking at it from here and on ebay or not ? I may be put a lot of my stuff on ebay or oldgas but now doesn't look like a good time. Thank you for thoughts.

I'm always a buyer on cans if it is one I need. They will never sell if you don't bother to list them

If everything is down, then to me this is the perfect time to buy. Should be some great deals out there. I like to look at the glass as half full, not empty, and take advantage of the opportunity. To answer the topic heading " Where are WE going?", I'm not sure where everyone else is going, but I know I'm GOING to every swap meet and gas show I can, looking to buy. Another positive to lower prices is that it might motivate new people to start collecting. New collectors are vital for this hobby to continue long into the future.

I just had this conversation with a couple of vendors at slightly different intervals. Of the three of us, we all have seen an increase in sales this year. The sales have been smalls all the way to the high dollar items. In my opinion, things are starting to move again. As for pricing, Signs are strong, Pumps, if restored well are stable, cans, I don't think they are doing much. At least not the ones that we have in the Antique Mall? Where are we going? Same answer as Dennis, above....Time to buy is now. I am optimistic. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

I've been in this so hobby so long that we (My father, some of his collector friends and me getting under foot) were actually paid to take away; pumps, signs, cans and old service station equipment back in the early 1960s. (So I think prices and values have always been strong)

Since then, prices and values have fluctuated like the tide. This phenomena is not unique nor tied only to this hobby. Antique and vintage furniture, Automobiles, stamps, coins... etc. have all seen peak values and deep devaluation. Over all, if one is in the hobby to recoup and/or make money, they should track prices for years, possibly decades to see where the stable mid-value points were. And buy when a down turn is happening!

Most(all) of us don't make our purchases and/or trades thinking as an accountant. Always taking into account, appreciation and depreciation of each item. I think most of us, in fact loose all ability to think at times, when we want a certain item or items.

My way of thinking is; If I buy/trade an item and pay X amount of dollars. I then enjoy it in my collection for any amount of time. If I then sell it or trade it for Y amount of dollars, no matter what Z equals (the total loss or profit on the $ amount of said item) I still come out way ahead because of the pleasure I have gotten out of owning the item. (I am not a picker, nor do I sell very often, so my experiences maybe uniquely mine and mine alone)

I guess what I'm trying to say, in a long drawn out way: If you buy smart, buy quality items and enjoy your items.... in the long run or even short term you come out way ahead. As to values, it is the luck of the draw.... unless you can tell the future or have a working crystal ball.......

We are at a time where you can Buy on Oldgas, Ebay, at Swap meets,etc. and turn around and resell them on Craigslist and at Local auctions and make a buck. There are so many "New" and "Inexperienced" collectors paying crazy money for stuff.

Rick you hit the nail on the head....I put a esso sign is a local auction that was cut in half with a sawzall and someone paid top dollar for it. There are many inexperienced collectors out there paying top dollar for items. Look at all these repros selling for insane amounts? I am newer to this hobby, but have done countless hours of research which I feel is critical. I feel the good will always be good, but the run of the mill stuff will drop in value substantially. The main problem we are facing as collectors is who will want to fork over or even have the money to purchase some f these Petro items in the future? There is high unemployment, people are loosing jobs everyday, the next wave of forclosures is about to hit.......where do we go from here? Our items have a "niche" market. I feel prices were high a few years ago due to the muscle car craze and people needed items to decorate their garage that held their overpriced muscle car. If the economy gets worse people will be selling stuff left and right and take big hits because the funds are needed. This hobby has always been about the history to me and enjoyment, but with the cost of some of these items..... I think twice before pulling the trigger.

I collect mainly pumps and globes. Prices for unrestored pumps have gone up, no one was buying restored pumps but that is starting to turn around. I mainly get my globes from ebay and they are low enders. I don't see the selection there was 10 years ago for globes between 100-200. The ones I have seen have been bought for more than I would pay for them. Mid dollar range globes are down. Jusy my two cents. Richard

I don't agree about making a buck on Craigslist. I put signs up on CL and buyers only want to low ball my already low/reasonable price.

I posted a topic about aweek ago about "What is a Book Value" and I would have to say from the responses that I learned alot of the higher prices are due the area where the item is sold.But I still have to agree that prices are all over the place even in the same area.One thing I think we have also overlooked is the age of the some of the people spending the big money for stuff.From my experience most have kids that are grown and now have some money to spend.I also have found like someone before mentioned public auctions seem to get a higher price then other avenues for selling.

I agree with Doc, I put two globes on Craigslist, one all original capo Shamrock globe for $200.00 And a all original milk glass Red Crown globe with 7" metal base for $250.00 and not one call on the Red Crown. And one guy told me I was too high on the Shamrock.
So I gave up. I'll break them before I come down on a already good price. What do these people expect!

I couldn't have said it better myself.....

Globes are down a little and i have taken every chance i can to add some great pieces to my collection. I have bought some great stuff!

Me too JJ ! Just because some prices might be depressed, is not the time to worry! Its the time to buy!
Pumps seem as strong as ever. I sure don't have any problem finding buyers for them. Porcelain signs seem to be very strong too, and tough to find the good ones!
If prices were higher than heck, I'm sure people would be worried about being unable to buy anything! LOL

On the flip side....there was an auction this wweekend and a Texaco Farm Lubricants Sign, that I thought $400-$500 was plenty...sold for $800. guess I am going to have to get a crowbar out and dig into my wallet if I am going to keep buying.