#679993
Mon Feb 20 2017 12:36 PM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,094 Likes: 4
Veteran Member
|
OP
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,094 Likes: 4 |
since it seems ive been completely priced out of the market for petroliana should I continue by trying to buy poorer quality items sell my collection or simply tuck it away and hope the rocket ride of the last 5-10 years continues?
Got Socony???
Tom
|
|
|
Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category
Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 584 Likes: 35
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 584 Likes: 35 |
Tom, Depends upon your goals.
Is your goal to make a profit from this stuff? If so, then maybe you should hold unless you think we haven't hit the ceiling yet. If you think we have and that's the only reason you still have this stuff, then sell.
Do you collect simply because you like this stuff and enjoy the hunt? If so, then why stop? Just buy what little you can to stay within your budget and don't worry about future value.
I try to avoid buying lower-quality stuff unless that's the look I'm going for. If I wanted a barn-hanger sign, I'd find something rough and rusty. otherwise I try to buy the best quality I can find. It looks nicer and is more likely to hold its value.
BrianH
Brian H
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,272
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,272 |
Tom, good luck whichever way you decide!
In my opinion the "rocket ride" as too prices, started well over 40 years ago...
As you know, I have a very long history in this Petro Hobby.. For me; when a Seller started asking more than $15 for a pristine white over orange Oilzum Can with "Oswald" looking out; pricing had started it's "rocket ride".. LOL
Looking for Tide Water/ Tide Water-Associated/ Tidewater items
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,933 Likes: 91
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,933 Likes: 91 |
A lot depends on your age,being 82 I have sold some of my better signs.Do not think I have much "long term" left!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,389 Likes: 40
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,389 Likes: 40 |
My opinion Tom, sell now for top dollar while people are paying theses stupid prices, the market has changed but the ones paying inflated prices for ***** are the new breed of wanna be pickers who will be gone in a few years and things will get back into perspective. And I don't mean everybody spending big $ on ***** these days are "pickers" but a good guess would be over 75% are.
"Remember, history that is forgotten is doomed to repeat itself!"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,773 Likes: 165
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,773 Likes: 165 |
If your passion is collecting and you enjoy it then keep your collection. I hit it hard buying and looking for items to add to my collection and when I do sell I hope the market is still good, I don't collect hoping to get rich on it someday only because I love it so much.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,639 Likes: 42
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,639 Likes: 42 |
I say hold on to it as long as you possibly can. I honestly regret selling most everything I did during the last 15 years. I find nothing comes close to it today in uniqueness & quality,let alone the price I paid for it back then. Today it seems all I see to replace it with is just too bland,expensive and common as well as overseas re-popped ***** to copy what we all had access. Everything that came to market during those past years had so much more character to it too. I really believe we were blessed in so many ways with this stuff here in this country during the last 15-30 years. I want all my stuff back..
Collecting Vintage Sunoco
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,085 Likes: 11
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,085 Likes: 11 |
You guys have been at this much longer than I, and collecting one company I don't know that I can help. I can relate to being priced out. When I started if I found it I bought almost regardless of condition,now if I can upgrade one or two items a year I'm tickled and content. Don't have it all and maybe never will but what I have is not for sale. Never was about the money for me.
*Wanted Pierce Pennant Petroleum*
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,871 Likes: 48
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,871 Likes: 48 |
Didn't vote because I didn't have the "do what you want to do" , vote button. I think you already know.
Have gas all the time
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 896 Likes: 43
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 896 Likes: 43 |
I voted to hold. It only my opinion but the stuff I buy is for my collection. The only time I sell is when I have a better duplicate and am trying to purchase something else. I'm going to continue to hold whether the price goes up or down as I enjoy looking at my stuff every time I walk through the garage and don't look at it as an investment. Someday my son is going to have to make a hard decision but I hope that's a long way off.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707 Likes: 17
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 707 Likes: 17 |
Tom, I voted to hold. I started collecting about 15 years ago. Probably three fourths of my signs all hold the memory of the hunt. For example, I have a fairly "roached" Exide Batterry Dealer sign. I will always remember the hot summer afternoon and running across it at Canton, Texas Trade Days. I talked with the owner for 20 minutes are so about collecting and eventually nogotiated the deal. It was heavy and seemed like It took forever to get to the car. I washed and cleaned it when I got home and could not believe how well it cleaned up. I will never forget all of that. It is the hunt!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,979 Likes: 24
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,979 Likes: 24 |
Yes, wish I had most of the stuff that I have sold over the years, BUT. Have many things that I would not have been able to have if I did not. Life comes 1st, then the other stuff. Keep the things you like no matter what, you will always enjoy them. Tough call though when you have no one that wants them and age is creeping up along with any health problems. There is only so much space in that last room you are in, and the coffin is tighter yet.
Craig
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,772 Likes: 1
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,772 Likes: 1 |
I was feeling the same way a few years ago. I decided I wasn't ready to leave the hobby. I sold off a bunch of stuff and added the proceeds to my collecting budget and bought better signs and globes. I sold globes that I didn't think I'd ever part with. Turns out I didn't have any real regrets because I used the proceeds to buy nicer stuff. My advice is to sell off the the lesser quality items, and use the money to buy a few better pieces.
Wanted: Gas pump globes:Sinclair & affiliates, IL companies. Ripple bodies. Anything Sinclair, Stoll, Pierce, 4 Bros. http://www.lastgas15.com/
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,791 Likes: 9
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,791 Likes: 9 |
Not a fair question. Each of us have different incomes, different needs. Do you make $150,000 a year and don't have any children or do you make $50,000 a year and have three teenagers ready to go to college? Also, no mention as to what your collection is, do you collect smalls like pens & pencils or do you collect signs? As far as prices going sky high, I agree this has happened with signs and globes, but pumps have gone up in price mostly based on inflation, unless of course you are looking for a Roman. Most pumps from the 50s are still selling for just a little more than were in 10 years ago. The best suggestion I have read from up above is sell off average items, use the money to buy better quality items.
Jack Sim
Author, 1st & 2nd editions of Gas Pump ID book, 3rd edition is now available at www.gaspumpbible.comAir Meter ID book also available
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983 Likes: 106
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983 Likes: 106 |
I think you should sell. PM me with what you have... Ha ha ha ha. Just kidding.
Like others have said, it depends on your goals. Are you building a collection to enjoy, are you doing it for money now, or are you doing it for an investment down the road, do you buy and sell to pay for your hobby, do you have unlimited money? It all depends. Many variables.
Last edited by Speedracer; Tue Feb 21 2017 12:36 AM.
-Steve B. (WTB: 48" Flying A button, 48" black/org Phillips 66, White Star, and Chevrolet Signs. Also looking for a Wayne 866. Send a PM. Thanks.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,094 Likes: 4
Veteran Member
|
OP
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,094 Likes: 4 |
Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm probably just going to hold for now and see if there is an adjustment at some point. I will probably sell off all my non Socony items and just focus on the one company moving forward since that is where I have been trying to concentrate my efforts lately anyways.
Got Socony???
Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,050 Likes: 4
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,050 Likes: 4 |
There are still things out there that can be bought for a fair price. They are Not as easy to find as they once were but it is still possible. It just takes more time and effort. I would not buy something of a lesser quality unless you are happy with it.
US Air Force Retired, 1981-2007
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 15
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 15 |
I am new to the hobby, but I have been into oil and gas since I was a kid in the early 1980's.
My dad is into cars and collectibles. I have recently inherited some of his prized items, but if I wanted to add to my collection prices are insane for some of the pieces I own.
Even last year, I started seriously collecting WHIZ / R.M. Hollingshead cans. I am up to around 60+ unique items. In the last 4 months, cans I paid $10-$20 are now $25-$50 for identical cans!
I say "Hold" if you are planning for the long haul, I say "sell" if you are wanting to retire soon and could put the money elsewhere while these items are bringing a premium.
Keep On Keepin' On.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,165 Likes: 44
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,165 Likes: 44 |
Well Said Craig. Very important thing to remember for us Senior collectors.I always tell my children I am going to be buried in my Camaro ! But I don't think that is going to happen.I Can only enjoy it while I am here.Same thing with the petro stuff.
Wanted TEXACO related items & SUNOCO related items .Signs -Globes et'c. Oil Cans - Grease cans .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,206 Likes: 13
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,206 Likes: 13 |
I voted hold but Bob...lastgas15...offered some good advise.
Tom.
Always buying gas pumps and parts. Visit my web site: www.gaspumps.usBuckles Vintage Gas Pump Parts LLC Carthage Indiana
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,423 Likes: 18
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,423 Likes: 18 |
become a brand collector and pick a small local brand! it will help with the budget issue, and will also make each and every find that much more enjoyable. The best thing I ever did, was started collecting Sweney. Things rarely surface, but when they do, I dont have to justify the purchase price to myself.
For that reason, I voted 'BUY'!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,818 Likes: 2
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,818 Likes: 2 |
Everyone has put forward valid points based on their personal circumstances. I didn't vote as I feel only you can truly answer this question as it pertains to you. Finances are a big part of determining the level at which we participate in this hobby. Lots of collectors are being forced out by the rising prices and the uncertainty of a market correction.
I also, find myself struggling with the whole collecting thing; for slightly different reasons then you. For me it's the time factor...I can't believe how much time each day I put into my collection. I retired early in order to continue collecting, moved to facilitate housing my collection under one roof. My entire existence seems to revolve around my collecting. Luckily, my wife is very supportive. I just hope, I'm not taking advantage of her kindness.
When planning my future, I have always placed a "0 dollar value" on my collection in order to safe guard myself if the market ever crashes. In the event of a market correction, there would be no lifestyle consequences.
Dave GILL, Dave's Garage & Memorabilia, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|