Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion do you buy at Ebay or shows or just private deals

With Ebay selling fakes of every sign made , in my mind they have lost credibility amongst hard core collectors . I recently sold a sign on there for 936 and was charged 100 dollars so its not as cheap as it used to be either . I buy on there once or twice a year , but used to buy back in the 90s and early 2000s twice a month at least . Just wondered where everyone else's preferences lie these days ? Do you like ebay , shows or private buys guys ?

All 3. Probably the most on eBay.

I buy the least on ebay, more from shows and auctions and private deals the most.
A lot of guys are buying on facebook. I haven't bought anything there yet.

All of the above. Mostly shows and Ebay. Private is a bit hard by me because a lot of the guys are not willing to sell or are incredibly high priced.

Ebay sucks! But I do buy flathead parts and some oil cans on ebay but not too often. Mostly from friends/collectors. If it's not right I know where they live and we can have a conversation with my buddy Bubba. It's a joke about Bubba.

I think ebay is going screw itself and I'll sit in my chair with popcorn and watch and enjoy. HA!

There is still deals to be had on Ebay after you sift through the trash...Shows are a good place..A lot of good dealers at those.

Have never sold on e-bay. Every once and awhile I will buy. Most of what I buy is from auctions, private, shows,flea markets, craigslist. I like the search and find. I also like to pick up things and inspect.

I am on the eBay porn channel far less than I used to be and rely increasingly on contacts to buy and sell. More and more the question of authenticity rears it head and well so far I've not been screwed by my peers.

All 3, it just depends on the piece!

Mostly private dealings some times just being in the right place at the right time.


Kurt

I Like Craigslist, as I can go and look at the item and then negotiate accordingly.

I get a lot of stuff off eBay, mostly books and non petro. I still check it out and occasionally get a petro item.

Auctions have a lot of good stuff all at one place. Depending on the auction company, you can be almost sure everything is original. Depending on the auction company. I get an item now and then but auction prices have been strong lately.

Private sales is where most of my collection came from. Shows are probably second.

Got a couple things from the Facebook pages.

Never anything off Craigslist yet.

A person needs to keep up with technology or they will miss stuff.

Then again face to face contact/ dealing is more enjoyable most of the time over sitting at a keyboard.

i find all my stuff in old barns and by 'free-styling' knocking on doors


but in reality, i buy from all the different sources. but i always prefer the in-person private deals, those are the best and most memorable

Shows and private deals for me .........................

I'm on Facebook, Ebay, Craigslist, the newspapers, auction sites, and Old Gas! I have bought items from connections related to all of the afore mentioned places. My best pieces, however, have come from my newspaper ads and by connecting with other collectors! You can't be everywhere and by networking with other collectors, you stand a much better chance of finding that coveted treasure that you are searching for! Its a two way street though, and you have to make sure you're out there helping other collectors or they won't remember you when the time comes! I have found some pretty neat items that were too far away for me and just made a couple calls to other collectors in that area, and bingo-- the item found a new home with a collector!

I've bought from all,but I have to admit,connecting with others on Facebook recently with similar interests as me has led me to acquire some very,very good things that I thought I could never find or have.People just show you what they have & how much,and you message them instantly....literally no waiting,no over inflated price and no B.S. fees or exaggerated descriptions.
I'm on FB right now and am awaiting 3 more packages this week.
I've already returned the favor to the hobby and sold 8 of my items for below mkt. value as well.

I have just been on FB the last few weeks. It seems like a hard place to buy anything. By the time I see it 100 people plus have already seen it and is sold.

Most of my collection has come from other collectors, antique dealer buddies, and auctions. I've bought one sign off ebay.

Very interesting to see where the trends are going . Early 2000s Ebay was a hot place for sure . Now everything has changed . More venues .

I have the best luck now on craigslist . But I have got a few good leads from antique store owners on signs and other items they were not willing to pay retail price for . I would always rather hold an item in my hand and be sure of value.

The last 8 signs I purchased were from Facebook. I also buy from people on this site, shows and last but not least eBay. When I lived in Wisconsin I would find signs in antique shops and occasionally old gas stations, farms, etc.

Private sales have always been where my heart is at plain and simple. Demolition has by far been the biggest payoff due to the fact that sometimes I'm paid to remove it! You really can't beat getting out there and looking though. Can't tell you how many flanges and DS hangers in brackets I've found as painted like ***** "Local Family Farm blah blah blah, Welcome!" sitting right where they've been for 50 years.