Right or wrong
#704012
Wed Feb 07 2018 01:31 AM
Wed Feb 07 2018 01:31 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,426 St. Louis, MO, USA
Jack Sim
OP
Veteran Member
|
OP
Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,426
St. Louis, MO, USA
|
Tonight I received this request:
"Hey just scored two high boys super old what can ya tell me about these and what would you recommend as far as full restore or left original. I’m clueless but I really like these things."
First notice, no pictures.
My answer was:
"I thank you for asking me for the information you requested. I wish I had millions of dollars of money to help others how to sell items to others. I sell gas pump/oil related/etc. literature. I am not in the business of valuing other people's finds, although I was recently hired to fly to Palm Beach, CA, to value a $3,00,000 collection. If you wish to hire me to identify and value your finds, contact me and I will specify my charges."
How many others in this hobby get these type of requests. It seems that every time I help someone value the item, he sells it to someone for $1.00 more than I offered. Are we being used? We spend dollars and hours learning what we know, then because of the internet, others feel that they can bypast that learning process and just get an answer with a quick email or an click of the button. I have 41 files drawers filled with gas pump/air meter/service station equipment literature. Of course I have a great deal of money tied up in acquiring this information. Of course I will not sit here, look up the info. they want and send it to them. Does that make us bad guys?
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Re: Right or wrong
[Re: Jack Sim]
#704015
Wed Feb 07 2018 03:32 AM
Wed Feb 07 2018 03:32 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 878 NJ
RedHat
Petro Enthusiast
|
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 878
NJ
|
Jack,
It seems this happens to you frequently these days, so I’ll throw my two cents in for perspective.
I can understand why someone would seek your opinion as you are understandably held in very high regard with collectors around the world for the research you’ve done, people you’ve helped and books you’ve written. Being around this site for only a couple years (and lurking around the outskirts for some time before joining), yours was one of the first “household names” I came to hear on a regular basis, and for good reason. I think that this type of attention (unwanted or otherwise) unfortunately comes with the territory when being a “celebrity” (if you can allow me to use that word, for I have no better metaphor) in whatever niche someone pours their heart and time into. Be it your authors and writers, scientists and researchers, athletes and coaches, or whatever position you can imagine where someone effectively masters their field, people will always seek that individual’s advice at the cheapest cost for their own gain.
Now, being done playing that bit of devil’s advocate, I would say you are ABSOLUTELY entitled to tell anyone who asks for advice (ecspecially when nothing, not even first dibs, is offered in return) to either bug off, pick up one of your books or do the research and leg work themselves. Frankly, I think you have afforded that individual a kinder response than most would. I am sure that you have put decades of blood, sweat, tears and money into your research and love for this hobby, and I believe you should be afforded the respect you are owed. In my opinion, it is in really bad taste the way these people reach out to you with a feeling of entitlement to the knowledge you have spent a lifetime acquiring.
In short, they are the bad guys, not you.
Looking for European Shell, Veedol, Standard, Vacuum, Michelin and Sinclair ephemera/cans/signage
|
|
|
Re: Right or wrong
[Re: Jack Sim]
#704022
Wed Feb 07 2018 08:35 AM
Wed Feb 07 2018 08:35 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,382 Portland Oregon
Craig Osbeck
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,382
Portland Oregon
|
I too have asked people when I first started how, what, or where to get stuff. Did I ask whether to restore or not, sure who does not. Everyone asks someone with more knowledge than themselves, it is only natural. We do not know it all, we do not know where to get all the info, that is why we are asking. Yes many people now just want to make money on an item, that does not mean that they can't ask the questions. Can you charge, you bet, I do not but I do not have all that knowledge. We all just don't pick up a book and start looking as who will tell us where the books are at ? Not all on the internet, library or what have you. You seek out people you meet at shows, auctions, or what ever and ask them about stuff. If they want to purchase something off you so be it. BUT, there is that group now who wants to keep on asking what it is worth, who to sell it to, and how to make it sell without extending their hand if they do make a sale. Have gone back several times and paid people for either info, referrals and the like. Guy here taught me that years ago. Do not get to bent out of shape when someone asks for help, it is kind of pleasing to know that you are helping another person with their issue or problem.
Craig
|
|
|
Re: Right or wrong
[Re: Jack Sim]
#704030
Wed Feb 07 2018 11:36 AM
Wed Feb 07 2018 11:36 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,268 Mass
KZ1000
Veteran Member
|
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,268
Mass
|
I think if you claim to be the #1 authority on something then answering people's questions should be expected, to a point. To air in public Everytime someone ask a question you don't like, is just plain Wrong.
"Remember, history that is forgotten is doomed to repeat itself!"
|
|
|
|
|