Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Stolen Signs

Here's the Dixie and American. These pictures were taking in an antique store by a guy that gave me the lead on the 4. They were sold before my friend could get to them. The Gulf was the only one left.
The Dixie is pretty distinct so it should be easy to spot.

While I really feel sorry for the owner, I can only say the outside of the building is for the barn hangers (the signs that we use to fill over a hole in the wall). Put your good signs inside the building. If you don't sooner or later someone will decide they want the signs more than you do.

Just watch more than one Picker's show and you will know they are always after signs, the whole country knows this.

Putting your signs outside is like putting your wallet on the porch with a sign that says, I won't be home tonight.

Jack Sim

In one of the Esso's on Craigslist, you can see a Gulf sign in the corner too. (I'm not accusing that guy of course - he may be a good guy, but just a possible lead. gotta throw in the disclaimer... lol)

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/clt/4944877127.html

Did the police go to the antique shop yet?

The owner needs to keep pressure on the police to follow up on all leads as investigating theft is low on the priority list for some departments.
Just because some of the signs have been sold doesn't mean they can't be recovered.
The police need to have a chat with the antique shop owner. The owner needs to talk to the investigating officer daily.

...seriously...

Speedracer, the post on craigslist has been deleted.

Wes, yes they went. He is actually a Captain for the Sheriff's Department. They are going back this morning because of a lead I received last night saying that they saw the Dixie and American at the store, but the store owner told the police he never had them when my friend got the Gulf back. The lead I received has pictures of the signs from the antique shop. So it seems pretty shady to me. We'll see what happens, and I'll keep everyone updated as I find new information.

Matt has posted this in the FB group PIcks of the Week,

Link to FB group

I've shared this information on Facebook groups I'm a member of, any of the other SC/GA/NC/TN people out there make sure you share Matt's post within you pages that reach other collectors.


Someone had time and opportunity to steal so many signs. And if they disposed of them locally/regionally as it seems then perhaps there is hope of recovery.

"Putting your signs outside is like putting your wallet on the porch with a sign that says, I won't be home tonight."
Well said. Pumps also. Don't think that bolting them down and/or leaving the guts in them is going to deter thieves. You will be sadly mistaken. Dave

...hopefully, his getting caught lying to the authorities might make him a little more willing to cooperate...

Threaten the owner with prosecution for giving false information and possibly theft by receiving and watch his lips start flapping. The money he made from the sale will not even offset his attorney fees. Dave

The antique shop owner SHOULD have a record of from whom the sign(s) were purchased and certain a receipt to whom they were sold!
I am truly sorry for your loss/this incident. No bad on you for displaying your signs. I know that you will be more wary in the future.
Honest people believe that everyone else is honest as well. MOST people are honest and will not steal. However.......
Dave

Hey maybe the antique shop owner got them real cheap if you know what I mean.....

Note to self: Seems like a repeat of the trailer full of signs being stolen. Seems to me like you guys are going to have to fix this. Good Luck!

Loyd,

My trailer was stolen not because of the signs but because the druggies thought it was full of tools and such they could sell quick for money. All they had to do was defeat the trailer lock and haul it away.

Whoever stole the above load of signs had to target the location, and have some time and a trailer to haul them away.