Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Paying it Forward!

I really believe in the concept of "Paying it Forward", and within the gas & oil collectibles hobby, I have tried to do as many good deeds for others as I can. Sometimes it has been a tip on where to find a special sign they are looking for, sometimes its been a tip on a smoking hot deal on a gas pump, and sometimes I have sent something to another collector, simply because I thought they should have it.
In turn, I have received many of the same things back from others, not return favors, but brand new unexpected things from friends and strangers alike! Some things were small favors and others were BIG favors, and every once in a while, I will receive a small gift from someone, simply because they thought I needed it!

WELL, THIS PAST WEEK HAS COMPLETELY ASTONISHED ME!

First off, I received a message from Kelly Callison. She and her dad, Dave, use the handle "Warriorgas" here on Old Gas. She needed my address because she had just chanced upon something she wanted to send to me. My curiosity was instantly piqued, and I started watching for this item to show up in the mail. When it arrived, it brought back a flood of memories from my past! It was a liscense topper from the Schommer Nash dealership here in Devils Lake. I don't ever remember being inside their dealership, but I remember their body shop very well and was frequently over there, as I was fascinated by auto body repair. I even got to know a couple of the Schommer brothers fairly well! What wonderful time, remembering those moments from a time long ago! Kelly had made the week for me with a simple gesture on her part, that was an act of total thoughtfulness!

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY!

I often receive things in the mail from ebay, or an Old Gas member, so when a package arrived on Saturday, I didn't think anything of it, just assuming that it was another small item I had purchased. The package sat in my entryway for the rest of the weekend, and I grabbed it today and took it out to the shop to open it and check the condition.
When I got it open, there was a note inside from Tom Hilliker (nochevys), that said "this can belongs in your collection more than mine, please enjoy the can". Well I tell you---I was a bit surprised by this note and I hurridly dug into the box to see what he was talking about? To my utter amazement, inside was one of the best Cities Service Penetrating Oil cans that I had ever seen!!! I have been after one of these cans for several years and I remember losing out on one in an ebay auction that brought over $350!! Every one that I find has always been such poor condition, that I didn't want it, and they always brought WAY TOO MUCH! I couldn't believe my eyes! Here I was staring at a 9+ example that someone just sent me because they thought it was where it belonged! Talk about an act of unselfish caring about the hobby!!!
I am so truly humbled by these 2 acts of generosity, that I had to share my feelings about what these 2 people have done for me and the importance of "Paying it Forward" in this world! Whether it be within this hobby, or within your community, please find time to do some small favor for someone else, with no thought of compensation! I really believe it will make a difference in this busy world of ours, and for some unexplained reason--- it seems to come back to you tenfold!
My sincere thanks to Tom and Kelly! May your rewards in life be greater than you can ever imagine! God Bless you!

Great stories! Keeping an eye out for each other is what keeps this Hobby and in turn Oldgas, strong...

That Cities tin, is sweet.... As is the license topper...

dang... I had one Cities Service item that Kevin didn't... and Tom had to go and ruin that

Hey what about all those C/S smalls Bryce? I bet Kevin doesn't have the CS truck in the pen.
Nice stories Kevin.
And of course great collecting altruism on the part of "Warriorgas" and "Nochevys".Giving up valued stuff to someone who would "use" it better.

I was 2nd bidder on the last nice one on ebay that you are referring too- the C.S. Penetrating oil can is killer...

Sweet can! Great story. Thanks for posting Kevin.

Great stories Kevin and great can. There is still good people out there.

Play the lottery,play the lottery,play the lottery!

Great story Kevin and a couple great looking pieces!! Love the can! And the topper! Well in this case, a bottomer. I always love a piece that has personal connection to home for the collector. I have a couple of those that I just had to have cuz they made me think of something from when I was young or something.
Looking at this from the other side of Kevin. I was the recipient of Kevin's giving when I first got in the hobby. I wanted to do a pump side panel project that I needed a nozzle for. I knew absolutely nothing about nothing. Even far less than I now know. Which aint much. Anyway, Kevin gave me this nozzle for a simple $10 donation to the Oldgas website. If I remember correctly, he even covered the shipping. I of course still have the nozzle and always will. The project still is not off the ground, Y'all know what that's all about, but some day, some day, that nozzle will shine brightly on my pump panel and I will always remember where it came from.

Awesome story's!! Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Great news to hear. Ya know there are some truly wonderful people out there!

Great story's I've receved forms of this as well from members.

Great stories, thanks for sharing them with all of us!

Kevin- Thanks for sharing. Lots of truth in that story!! J

Great story and yes it always comes around.