Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion The high cost of writing a book

Recently we have been discussing the price of signs, globes and pumps. Mostly the discussions are on, how much people are paying for these items.
Since I collect literature, which I use to write books, I watch eBay, since this seems to be the main sourse of literature.
Well, here is the reason my revision, which I am working on, may be the last book on pumps I will be able write.
I was willing to pay about $35.00 for this brochure, it contained 5 pictures I could use (thats $7.00 per picture), here is what it went for: 6598016258
This item I would have paid about $50.00 for, here is what it went for: 7209411378
This brochure probably had a few pictures in it I didn't have, but I couldn't afford to pay this much for just a few pictures: 7207790965
I already had the catalog and I valued it about $50.00.: 7204843597
I am not complaining about not being able to purchase these items, everyone is entitled to pay what they want for them, but when you pay $224.00 for a 12 page brochure that is hard to display, maybe that sign isn't that high a price.
Jack Sim, Author, Gas Pump Identification book.

Have you ever considered contacting the winning bidders and asking them to allow you to publish the pics in the brochures. They might let you have scans of the brochures for free. Just a thought.

Jack,

You might also consider selling the ones that you've already scanned to finance the purchase of ones that you don't have...

Wes

Jack, I would have to agree with you on the prices of literature. I love old Gulf literature and for the most part I am able to find it for reasonable prices. But whenever anyone views my collection they walk right by the rack of literature and head for the signs, cans and pumps. So when collectors are willing to pay $200 plus for a small brochure maybe those signs, cans and pumps are priced right!

As far as I know, ebay won't let you contact the buyer.
Someone also suggested I contact the seller and ask for a copy before he ships it to the buyer, but since I wouldn't want this to happen to me, I refrain from asking someone to do it for me.
Jack Sim

As a buyer, I've been contacted many times by people from this forum and others. That’s how I ended up with two Wayne 40A's instead of just one. Ebay may not like it, but it happens all the time.

The people from this forum have saved me a ton of money on fakes. Thanks You!

Brian

Go to the auction page, click on the high bidders ID. On the members profile page click on the contact member link. It will ask for your password. Just tell him who you are and what its for. Good luck.

Why not buy them on ebay...use what you need and re-sell them again on ebay..

hi jack... maybe i'm missing something here.. please enlighten me if i am...its my take that you are complaining about the cost of literature that you will eventually compile into a book... yet you complain about the "profit margin" that the seller of such literature is making. BUT... you would like to see profits from your book ???... so... what makes you better than them ????..sorry gas pump guru.. i just don't get it....so... please don't take this out of context.. but... what am i missing.. if you feel that you would rather email me your answer.... well... my email works... you know the drill...

Lighten up Bro.

i did jim... lets hear from jack

I agree with JimT... Lighten up please. Jack's post is informative.. I did not realize that the literature some people collect commands the prices he has brought to our attention. I appreciate the knowledge I have received from Jack's post and I am empathetic to his particular situation as an author and a contributor to this hobby. Thanks Jack for your efforts and your contribution to the hobby.

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Frank

[This message has been edited by FrankSargent (edited 01-24-2006).]

[This message has been edited by FrankSargent (edited 01-24-2006).]

in no way was my question meant to be condecending... i asked a question.. thats it... no lines in the sand here.. just a question... i am not disputing jacks input to this site... just a damn question... don't read between the lines... its pretty clear to me...

WOW.............

Great book Jack. I actually looked through my copy last night. I write articles for a small soda publication and sometimes get info the same way, or have to spend alot of time researching, but it's all fun.

Keep up the good work, and keep on enjoying it!!!

A collector once told me..

You cant own everything at once!!...

But you can own ALMOST EVERYTHING once, IF you do it right..