Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Price less swap meet things

While I am really new to this petrolania hobby, I'm not new to swap meets as I have been selling & buying Model A Ford parts for years. I attended my first oil & gas show/swap this past weekend & had a great time. From watching this forum for a while I've learned that good quality original items command high prices. The one thing I don't understand is vendors who do not put a price tag on anything on their table. I get the idea that this allows the seller to interact with the potential buyers, maybe do a little dickering but it keeps me from even asking. Maybe it's just me, but I'm left with the feeling of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it".

I don't know if it's laziness or arrogance on the part of the vendors. I encounter this at the old car swap meets as well and I usually just glance at the offerings and move along. I have to really need the part to ask the price. I know I probably pass up some good deals, but too often the vendor isn't even at his table & the person minding the store has no idea of what he wants for the part. I have always put a price tag on my items, and if I go wandering, the folks I leave minding the space know how much I'll knock off, or they can call me for a price check.

But again, maybe it's just me.

I agree! If there is a price, it gives both myself and the seller a starting spot.

Maybe if I could hear from the other side on the opinions of not marking prices on items, I might understand.

I always try and mark my items.. I can understand if putting a sticker or a tag on the item might damage it.

Love unpriced stuff. Sometimes it means they dont know what they have and i let them price it. "It's your stuff price it!"
Had some good deals at Spring Peotone show because of unpriced stuff.
Sometimes it is not that way and people are scared to price it.Those people i dont understand why they set up, unless it is just a display.

I generally bring thousands of items to a show. Many I decide to bring at the last minute. It takes a huge amount of time to price everything. I have been pricing my smalls that are in display cases the best I can. The larger items if I have time, I will take a post it note and price.
Tied tags fall off, or get damaged, caught on things in transport. Real hassle.
It is always good to have at least some things priced both high items and low. This can give the shopper a quick sense as to weather you are rational in your pricing or somewhere in the Milky Way.
I have found as a shopper, always ask if you are interested. You never know what the vendor will say and don't nit pick over a few bucks. Vendors remember the good and bad customers.
Most customers have no clue what it takes to set up at a show.

Like 60wayne I bring a large number of items to the show, but even worse my turnover is normally very quick because I setup at more than shows. I go to various shows and flea markets where a tagged price can be a deterrent rather than a draw.

I'm not Walmart or some retail shop, I wheel and deal, and those who take just a moment to ask me about an item realize that's true. I try to ask potential buyers what they are looking for and what their price range is and can indicate several pieces that might fit the bill.

A price tag might be easy for you to look at and simply walk away because you don't like the number on it. Or maybe you're just window shopping comparing prices on similar signs. You let the price tag tell you what you want to know rather than asking the guy who is selling the item.

A true salesman wants to sell an item, wants to interact with prospective buyers, and wants to do all he can to maybe sell you more than just one thing. Or develop a long term buying/selling relationship. I have regulars at shows and markets who know to ask me and that's why I'm successful.

Car shows, petrol shows, etc are communal events, they aren't retail shops, they are places to not just buy but to make connections that may last years. Price tags are great for retail operations, but for those of us who like to buy and sell at events we know they aren't what sell the items.

i have expressed my opinion on this many times... price your items.

unless its an ultra rare sign, or cities item, or sweney item... if there is no price, i will not ask for a price... i will simply keep walking.

a perfect example of this: there was a restored pump at the Dixie show that I walked by and looked at it at least 5 or 6 times between thursday and saturday... and I never saw a price on it, so I just kept walking. Later on Saturday, I walked by again and saw a very small tag hanging behind the hose, so I stopped again and looked, and there was the price... and I bought it. Had that pump not been priced, there would have been no sale on it.

I love sellers who don't price things because it keeps the majority of buyers away and makes for a more negotiable seller at the end of the day,I've found.

I'm with you ,Vernski!No price-no buy for me!I was turned off from this "no-pricing" at a tractor swap-meet.I asked a lady how much something was,she didn't know and would have to ask her husband(who was inside of a horse trailer)he was 10-15 feet away but couldn't see me,and had to have his wife point to me *before* he could price it,he didn't realize I could hear him!I passed on the item quickly.
At the same show another year,3 of us went into a booth ,and asked about the same item ,from the same seller and got 3 different prices.Youngest(me)got the high price,and my dad(oldest)got the low price!

I've bought several items that were priced at a great low price that I didn't need, hoping that I would need it some day. If it hadn't been priced, I would had never asked how much and moved to the next vendor. Brady

I've been going to car swap meets for years, and I have no trouble asking the seller what the price is on an item I may be interested in. On the other hand, it's nice to see prices on items that may fit my car or a friends, just so I can keep up on their values. I'm new to this hobby and I've only been to one show. I don't have any specific areas that I'm interested in just yet, so I appreciate priced items so that I can get an education. I feel like I may be wasting a sellers time if I ask him the price on several items without being a serious buyer.
Ken

As as a seller I always price everything I have for sale at a swap meet or flea market. When I was selling at automotive swap meets I'd have as many as 3000 items for sale. ALL priced.

As a buyer I prefer to see things priced as it saves time.

i don't ask either... i figure they're on a fishing trip. No price i walk on...

Do you know what a gas show would be like if everyone didn't price there items? It would be miserable!

I don't understand , at a show a firm option of I will not buy if it is not priced. This is just a loss for both buyer and seller.

In a brick and mortar shop I would expect items to be priced. There is no rush to get your items displayed if you are selling.

With shows, there is a transient group of sellers and buyers. You are very limited on time.
Mason Dixon Gas for me , a day of packing and deciding what I can deal with in the limited time and space. Three plus hours of driving, about three hours of set up, a few hours of sleep, five hours of dealing and socializing, two hours of packing , then a long tiring drive home. This year I had to pull over and let my buddy drive for awhile.

For me this is a hobby not a business. I might of sold a hundred items, some priced some not. I came home with four items, only two from the show, less money then I started with and a head full of memories and renewed friendships.

If you are interest in an item, slow down and take the time to ask the price. You might not buy the item but you might end up with a friendship or just a good conversation.

On Saturdays I like to go to yard sales, flea market, auctions.
Yard sales you have from 7 to 11, flea from 7 to 2, auctions are at 10 am. Almost nothing is ever priced. Have to decide, can't always do everything. I start the day and if I am having a good time, I don't worry about getting to the next event. There is always another one next week. What great find did I miss by taking my time and enjoying life. It really does not matter, it is just stuff.

I only do 1 or 2 shows a year. I generally do not price my items. Most of the stuff I take to a show is either there for me to dispose of (cheap) or came off my wall or shelf just for this show. If it does not sell it goes back on the wall.

I am not a dealer. Can't justify the time it takes to price everything. I have never had an issue with people not asking prices.

Usually when I pull into the gasstuff show in June I am swamped with everyone wanting stuff as soon as it comes out of my vehicle. no one hesitates to ask how much something is. Most of the stuff I sell is sold in the 1st hour after arrival.

for me, its not a firm option that I won't buy it if its not priced... but unless its something uber unique that really tickles my fancy, I wont bother to ask for a price... however if it is priced and that price seems intriguing, then I may inquire further.

case in point... the pump i bought at dixie last weekend. had it not been priced there was absolutely 0% chance I would have bought it. but since it was priced, I saw what a good deal it seemed to be (to me) and so I bought it. that vendor would have been hauling that 6ft - 400lb piece back home had it not been for that little tag that took 10-seconds to hang on it.

i respect any vendors choices to price or to not price their items... i just believe you'll have a better selling experience if you do.

and, as a buyer that goes on the early-bird days, it really gets old standing around looking for a vendor or trying to track a vendor down to find out a price... only to hear its well over what you were expecting.

In the 30+ years I've been collecting and selling 80% of the time the items are not priced. Never had an issue with this. Actually for me it makes it more fun.

Tom, you always have great prices, I do believe you are one of the most "waited for vendor" at Gasstuff. People know they are getting a good deal on some great items when you arrive.

Those requiring price tags or they walk away I view as mere bargain shoppers. You don't want to interact with the seller, you just want to go on your merry way unless something is either cheap or that gotta-have piece you want then a missing price tag is no big deal to you anyway. The word I would use is 'snooty' for those who have to see prices on a tag, you turn up your nose if it's not as cheap as you desire.

I'm sure as well you don't accept the price on the tags you do read, you want the guy to do better than that anyway, so the tag is mainly an excuse to know if you can **** a piece down.

Like I said earlier, the guys who know me know I wheel and deal so maybe I should start putting tags that just read "LESS THAN A MILLION" Then you'll have to come and look a them all anyways! ROFLMAO!!

I get sellers not pricing items...inventory turn over, the time and effort it takes anymore just to set up at a show, and the reality that it's suppose to be a hobby.

I think price tags can work just as negatively as not having price tags. Often prospective buyers are turned off by a price that seems to high...they keep walking without even trying to negotiate.

To all the sellers that set up at swap meets...I sincerely appreciate your time and efforts at bringing your wares to look at. The gas and oil circuit depends on you bringing your items to market. Thank you very much.

Sellers who don't price items...don't you get tired of constantly answering the "how much"question on the same pieces over and over?

I agree all items should be priced. It's better for both the buyer and seller. A prime example of this is within this site. Look at all of the for sale post with prices along with the number of viewers. Then look at the number of post and lack of viewers for the unpriced section.

No, What gets tiring is watching people mess with your stuff.
I put a machinist box full of tools out the other week at a car show. I open the drawers so the tools could be seen and everyone wanted to close those drawers. I had gout in my knee which hurt and I got up to open those drawers a hundred times over the weekend.
A few years ago I had a line of people waiting to lift the lid on a ice chest type Coke cooler. I stuck a rubber rat in it just to mess with people. One guy asked if it worked. I told him if you fill it with ice it works great.

If it's not priced, I am walking buy. I buy globes, cans, salt pepper shakers, signs or what ever catches my eye. So if I am walking around and something catches my eye and priced reasonable I might just buy it. Most of us don't walk around just trying to buy something cheap!

I look at guys like ^ above and when they don't price it I am think they are on a fishing trip trying to snag some sucker that might pay more than its worth. Or there just to lazy to write a price tag out.

Bottom line people can do what ever they want I guess.

I price my stuff. When I'm busy I can't answer every ones questions on price. If they see the price and they're interested , they wait until I can take care of them.
also helps when I have to leave and my helper doesn't have to remember 100"s of prices. I dislike the guys that have to size up the buyer before giving a price.

Good topic....

If i want it bad enuff i make every effort to deal with the vendor even if i have to wait.

Not at all. That's why I'm out there and don't have a Redbox sign vending machine!

In all seriousness, if you're in the business of selling intentionally then part of that business is actually interacting with people. I enjoy the horse-trading I do with people, if I didn't I wouldn't be at shows, flea markets, etc ALL THE TIME. I don't look at the requirement of talking to people as a burden, I see it as an opportunity to meet a lot of people, share some interest, maybe impart or learn some knowledge one of us didn't possess, etc. And I build a clientele and friendships that are renewed at future shows.

I will say from the number of flea markets and car shows I attend as a buyer that 90% of the vendors I deal with do not have their items priced. usually just stuff laid out on tables and tarps. to me the fun in buying is talking with the seller.

Jarvis,

The fishing is all yours. You want 10 baits on 10 lines as a fish and you're gonna pick the guy whose got the worm tied on with thread and not a hook... LOL.

Seriously if your looking at S&Ps you're right next to the seller anyway, are you TOO SHY to ask a price, I seriously doubt you are!

I don't price a sign any higher whether a guy looks like a farmer or executive.

And apparently you don't get out to flea markets where 90% isn't priced. I've been to at least 10 show events this year already, and most sign guys don't have prices stuck on their signs and most other vendors except retailers or new item vendors don't either.

Maybe it's just a too-rich-to-bother thing with tag requirers.

Since I don't have helpers that's one less headache for me. And the guys who are sizing buyers up aren't sign sellers in my opinion, they are flea market cheats who would price a pair of socks for $50 to one guy and $5 to another.

The fuss about overcharging however is moot because if you're an informed buyer and not some dolt you aught to know what the piece your picking up is worth shouldn't you? YES!

I'm sorry but there is not one person at a swap meet / gas show that isn't a "Bargain Shopper". There is not one of us whether we are a collector or a so called "Picker", that would not be looking for a bargain while were shopping a Swap meet or Gas show. I'm a collector but if I can find a sign for $200 that sells all day for $400, I'm buying because that gives me an extra few bucks to shop.
IMO as a collector, if it's not priced and your either busy with others or you have stepped away I'm 50/50 whether I wait or stop back. To me it's like going to a department store or a new car lot.... when it's priced I have a good idea if it's within my budget!

I think you pretty much nailed it Mike . And as far as the pricing , advantages work both ways I would think.

Pfft... window shoppers.

calling Mike & John window shoppers?... have you seen eithers' collection? they didnt get those collections by tire kicking and only buying under-priced items. I assure you that.

i think each side can be discussed without taking offense... its all preference after all.

I prefer that items be priced but it's not a deal breaker for me if they aren't priced.
I do wonder about some of the reasons behind not pricing items though.
Time....you have an asking price in mind. You have a selling price in mind. How much time does it take to write that price on a tag and stick it on a sign? 5 seconds? 10 seconds? About the same amount of time it takes to tell one perspective buyer the price.

The notion that people that won't ask a price is because they are bargain shoppers, window shoppers or snooty is absolutely absurd!
I'll use John as an example. He has clearly stated that he won't ask the price of an unmarked item. He's been labeled by Carolinaskies as a snooty bargain shopper or window shopper. ANYONE that knows John knows that he is anything but snooty! He'll strike up a conversation with anyone. No one is a stranger to him. He has an outstanding globe collection and he had also built an outstanding gas pump salt and pepper collection. You don't build collections like his by being a bargain or window shopper. It's a rarity in this hobby to be able to buy items of the caliber that John collects by being cheap.

There is a simpler solution (I do this when I am displaying a lot of paintings at once) at least for the folks that keep an inventory list of what they loaded up on the truck to take to the show. Put prices next to the items on the list and provide a copy of the list in plexi sign holders, taped to the window of your truck etc and for a larger list, a notebook. You may not list all your items, but it could give the buyers information about your pricing.

Just a thought...IMHO

p.s. I am sure there are some complications that would make this impractical but I was wondering if any one has tried or has seen this?

Well this nice thread takes a sad twist....These are the days I really miss DB because he would of responded before me to this sad shot.

And Thank you Bryce because you and I have done business and both left quite a few shows and auctions with big loads of nice stuff.

Paul, I could stoop to your level and smart a** comment with a response but it's not worth it. So I'll do this instead, if you ever up in central Wisconsin look me up and you can see my collection. But be prepared to spend some time because there's 3 buildings, a storage container, and a semi trailer full of my "window shoppers" purchases.

And if not just take a peek at my roster here.... http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=603231#Post603231

pfft....maybe the "window shoppers" are just looking for nicer stuff...LOL

These are outside shows that have rain and dew which makes tags fall off with 100's of items I can't be sure that they are all on after each and every event. I do my best. Most people ask since I bring nice stuff. I have never once walked away from a show thinking I lost sales because my tags fell off. Good stuff sells priced or not.

I wouldn't pass on an opportunity to add to my collection simply because I feel a need to force my views on another person and punish them for doing things differently.

No right or wrong answer seller has the right to sell their items as they please on their terms. Seller has the right to spend their money how and where they want.

Personally, I place a greater value on a collectable that I want then the money in my wallet. If, I have to ask for the price of an item then so be it. It opens the door for further communication and it's only a beginning point in the art of negotiating a deal. IMO makes no difference if the starting point is marked on the item or if it is verbally conveyed to me.

Gloves off dudes...

If you feel offended by my comments it was INTENTIONAL, because that's how I feel when people say they think a seller is out to ream them for more money because a precious tag isn't applied. That is patently false for the majority of vendors in ANY setting.

Further, I call you window shoppers, because that's what you are doing, you're looking at numerous signs and deciding that because something doesn't have a precious tag your time is too important to ask the vendor because their busy. Maybe their busy because they have customers who weren't tag-inhibited!

BTW, a person can have a huge collection, it doesn't make them a Saint or bargain-hunter either. I deal with plenty of people with large and small collections who don't require tags. The self-informed know a price is good or bad whether a tag is present or price is given by a vendor. The less informed have the opportunity when conversing with me to find out the whys and where-fors of my pricing of a common or rare item. Because that's part of what my job as a vendor is as I see it.

As I said in an earlier post, I'm not a Redbox Sign Vending operation. I'm flesh and blood, human being standing across from you at an event. Treat me with some damned respect and not some servant who has to meet your tag pricing whims.

Yes, I'm glad some of you find offense with some terms I've used, because it means it pricks at you, showing you actually might come to comprehend that those of us who don't price stuff are human too and have as much right to not tag everything in sight. Be social, not stuck-up!

I appreciate those who have spoken up and said they aren't annoyed, stymied, fearful, or otherwise offended by the lack of tags. They are the more true spirit of collecting, they don't let a price tag get in the way of their collecting another piece. They aren't fearful of being overcharged. They brazenly step forth and talk to a live person and more often than not find they can not only buy that non-tagged item, but develop a connection that will lead to future purchases.

I'm done with the thread now, don't need the tag-dependent crowd lauding themselves any further.

Adieu to the thread.

It's times like this that I really miss DB's insight. I suspect if he was still with us he post a reply asking Paul if he argues with the man in the mirror when he shaves in the morning.

Paul, some people prefer tags, some don't care. It's no big deal! Yet YOU feel the need to insult those that have opinions that differ from yours. This is not the first time you've done that.

Then you have the nerve to demand that people respect you after you've intentionally disrespected them.

Strange business practice indeed, to intentionally offend a sizable percentage of the potential customers out there. Most successful sales and service people in any business know that they need to treat potential customers with respect, even when they may disagree with them.

Very strange also is to call accomplished collectors "window shoppers" as if they are not serious in their intentions to buy.

Lucky for any seller that serious collectors will deal with nearly any kind of vendor if he is the only one who has what they want. Of course, accomplished collectors remember bad experiences of the past and avoid those sellers.

Paul I think this thread was going great with people expressing their opinions on both sides until you started the name calling. As a buyer/collector, tags are easier for me so that's what I like. But that's just my OPINION!!

So now that I'm labeled a "window shopper " my question is, Paul what do you want for your sign with a window? Cause that's a window shoppers dream lol!

That is why the ignore feature on this site is great... It takes a lot to make my ignore list but I have added another to it. LOL

Anybody keeping score? 15 say price tags-5 say no price tags.
And 5 it doesn't matter.

I would rather see prices,but as many have said if its a item I'm interested in to add to my collection it doesn't matter I will ask a price.Collecting one company I can make a show and be home before the dog has to ***** on the carpet. Always a plus.

OOPS -16 for price tags.