Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase Amistadi

so, does anyone know this Amistadi guy that has written books? I believe one or two times he was helpful when i messaged him on Ebay. But, lately, I've left messages with him just to ask simple questions, not any OVERLOAD at all, and he just ignores them. Anyway know if he just chooses to be generally unhelpful with offering his knowledge (which i suppose is his right)?

Was it asking what his Reserve is? LOL

He has always been helpful with my questions, but as Dick said I know that he will not reveal reserves. He does get great stuff.

I've had great service and communication with him when ever I've needed it. But being he has nothing for sale right now on e-bay, I would guess he's on vacation or doing other things right now. Has a great collection and items always in great shape and he describes them well.

I run a business and get a lot of inquiries from potential customers looking for information. It gets quite time consuming to answer questions about what fits and wont fit...ect. It is usually the last time I hear from them as they were only looking for info to make a purchase else where.

I know that, after a while I get frustrated with having to answer repeat questions from persons that have no intention of supporting my business. Seems unfair to me to have to continue to answer their questions.

Dave, I agree that the questions can be a pain. I remember years ago when Vic Raupt owned Vic's Place. He was always available to any caller. Later when Seth took over, he again saw the value of taking time and supplying info. Having been in sales, most of my life, I know that by talking to enough people, the odds of a sale will come. We get five-ten calls a day along with as many emails. Just the nature of the beast. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Hi Paul,

Hope to see you in Columbus! Its been a long time since we've got to BS. Tim Rowland "Goober"

...I've dealt with him on several occasions, and never had any problems...I will say that I've only contacted him to ask him about something I was planning to buy, or making plans to pick an item up...

I've delt with him he is a Great Guy and I would buy from him again!! He is good at returning calls! Jim

Tim, "Goober".....although I miss Columbus greatly, my workload at the shop requires all available time. I do miss seeing and talking to old friends, like yourself. There's just not enough time in the day? Regards, Paul www.severngaspumps.com

hey Dave, that why you never answered my other question? oh well, your choice, i just kind of thought people on here would try and share their knowledge to keep the hobby going, etc...mabye i was wrong...

oh, plus, you never know when someone may refer someone else to your business, even if they have not purchased anything. of course, if the person remembers that they didn't answer their question, then they would probably tend to not recommend them. just another thought.

jimbo87us.... what is your burning question ? maybe we can answer it.

I've already posted the question to this list. I only wanted this other guy's opinion because he has published books on the topic, etc. but thanks for the offer. I will for sure take you up on your hospitality when my next question come up.

I seems like from other's posts that Amistadt has been a real help and a nice guy and I was thinkin' maybe you got him on a bad day, but after reading your last post, in that you already have your answer, but still wanted him to say so, you kinda come across as a pest--and if I am wrong, my apologies, I explain what I mean below...

As someone who was an expert in another field, if you have someone who has written a book and who has answered questions for you, you treat that relation ship like the only money you have to spend is gold coins, that you spend them carefully and infrequently.

I've had people come to me with questions that are easy to find the answers to, and they asked these types of questions again and again, and that becomes a pest you try to avoid. Even the most gracious experts can feel over used in this way...

So spend your gold carefully or you will alienate a good source.

WRONG!!! i think i had AMistadi answer one question for me, so i don't consider myself being a pest at all.
And like i said, I got answers to my questions, BUT there everyone is on a different level, so I also asked him. His name is out there, his phone number out there, so I don't see a problem with him sharing his knowlege (within limitation, not every week, etc.) However, as he chooses NOT to do that, that's his business, but i also would choose to not buy any more of his books, OR buy any of his stuff on Ebay, which i can't afford anyway. again, I just feel if people are really into a hobby they should share it with others (again, to an extent), but be willing to share their knowledge, etc. But, as I said, there's no law against NOT helping out other with the same interests. nuff said....

so, just to clarify on your last point,
"So spend your gold carefully or you will alienate a good source."


I believe I have more than spent my gold carefully

...I think Nicole addressed your concerns about as tactfully as humanly possible...if you choose to be offended...well, that's your choice...furthermore, I think her 'gold coin' analogy is valid for anyone in the hobby, not just the big players...



...and that's probably the real reason why he's not returning your calls...

...if every newbie called Amistadi just once a month to ask a question that could easily be answered by doing a little solitary research online, he wouldn't have time to do anything but answer the phone...he's a businessman, and - to be blunt - wasting time answering questions posed by a person who has no intention of buying anything is bad business...

...his name and phone number are 'out there' to buy/sell quality signs - it's not the Butterball hotline...I mean, I'm sure you could find Peyton Manning's phone number if you looked hard enough - but I don't think he's going to feel obligated to give you advice on how to be a pro quarterback...

...but, I'll tell you what: if you want a resource with 30+ years of experience collecting vintage signs, pumps, globes, etc, that will answer any emailed question within a 24-hour period, I would like to cheerfully offer my services - for $5 per question, paid in advance as a PayPal gift payment...for $100/month, I'll answer one question per day...my knowledge/experience is of value, not cheaply acquired...not to blow my own horn, but I've also published a book relating to the hobby...

yep, well, i am sure there are some out there, that are not into it JUST for the $$$$$$$$$$ and don't mind helping out someone who is less experienced. and don't worry, i won't be taking up his precious time again, i get the hint.
And i did buy his cheaply printed book, which I'm tempted to ship back to him.....

BTW, re: "Originally Posted By: jimbo87usi also would choose to not...buy any of his stuff on Ebay, which i can't afford anyway


WHO CAN???? guess that's why his stuff never meets reserve, and, as mentioned eariler, he never gives reserves out. Which, OF COURSE, is his God-given right if that's what he chooses. Good for business? Wouldn't think so.....but, it's a free country

I would have to agree with Gulfiend that Nicole couldn't have said it any nicer. Everyone has bad days, and I don't know that it's fair to slam someone based on one quick question?? That said, I do think many people may be ignoring the elephant in the room on this one. I don't think Amistadi is particularly known in this hobby for his congeniality - more for being a veteran who comes up with some very nice, rare stuff. I have dealt with him personally only once in the last twenty years and I will just say it was not a smooth transaction and leave it at that. I also have to wonder about his ebay auctions sometimes - but that is a whole different subject. I would suggest if you have questions to throw them up here on Oldgas- those willing to help will - and those not, won't. If it's something I feel I'm knowledgeable on, I will sure try to help.
Good luck.

ok, makes sense to me. Yeah, i wont be bothering him again, the only reason i did before is that he answered a question quite a while back, guess that was my one "Token" question, maybe since i bought his book, but whatever, it's his business and thanks for your offer i appreciate it. again, i was trying to get his opinion on my previous posts about the rarity of cat eye phillip 66 signs. His book offered me one of the very few images i could find out there. so, if anyone else has info, it would be apprecaiated. For those that have responded, thank you.

What a load of *****! Rich doesn't owe you anything because you bought one of his books.... He had sold thousands of copies but, you somehow think that he is now obligated to drop everything because someone who owns and/or read his book asks a question....

You wrote in your first post, the following: "I believe one or two times he was helpful when i messaged him on eBay. But, lately, I've left messages with him just to ask simple questions, not any OVERLOAD at all, and he just ignores them."

Based on your comments... Rich has been answering questions and "helping someone who is less experienced". And I know as does everyone here does, that he hasn't received a dime for helping you....

You are ungrateful for the help Rich has already given you... Why in the Hell would he or any Collector go out of their way to help you?

Oh, for your info and others here.... In Aug of this year I will have 50 years in the hobby... I don't owe anything to any Collector(s) that have less time in the hobby than I..... I do try to answer questions and share some of the knowledge I have acquired. But, I share because I want to, not because I owe something to others..... A giant difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the fact that that you opened with " does anybody know this Amistadi guy" which I thought was some what disrespectfull
I think members has been pretty easy on you.
A old 12 stepping saying comes to mind. Keep coming back you will get it sooner or later.

OH, is he some kind of PETRO GOD that you guys fall down to?
give me a break.....and your 12 steepin anology makes no sense, just like you. Boy, this list really is starting to SUCK...sounds like you guys are out to protect the elites in the so called "hobby", never mind the poor slobs who jsut want to learn from you. Screw it, it ain't wort it.

According to you, Rich did answer your questions.... He just didn't answer enough of them for you....

if Rich is Amistadi, I don't know who you all are, NO he did not answer. BUT, what he also did not do was simply email or phone back, saying that he did not have time to answer any future questions. That would have been the end of the story. Do ANY of you think it's rude to have not responded back. And i was very respectful when contacting him, saying i hated to bug him, but i wondered if....so, quit trying to judge me when you dont know the situation. All i ever simply asked was did any other members have the same lack of response like i did. Thank you.

The end is near for this thread........

Well we do have a FAQ forum on the site, why not give that a try ??

Fellas--This is a pointless discussion and it seems to be drawing you into it furthur. Don't fall for that!

It is clear that you are just trying to cause trouble. I am now locking this topic. Suspension will follow if you cannot follow the forum rules.