Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion How many auctions does the hobby need?

That's right folks I said it, and it's about time someone does. I apologize if this ruffles some feathers but someone needs to throw up a flag at some point? Has anyone but me noticed that there are so many auctions now that our hobby is literally saturated with them? What's even worse is the folks that are holding these auctions (sometimes weekly) could care less about when they are having them? I think this hurts some of us vendors who actually take the time to hunt for items all year long (and no not on the internet). Then when the shows come up, buyers have spent all of their money they've saved on an auction held one week or a few days prior to when the show takes place? Having a major auction one week or sometimes a few days before a show like we're seeing at CTO, Dixie or Hershey is in my opinion very greedy. It really makes it difficult for the guys who set up and hope to do well at a show. Although some people might say "Oh there's more money out there than you think and it really doesn't impact the shows that much", I still disagree. It's not so much the auctions themselves that I have a problem with, I mean honestly I'll bid on an item from time to time throughout the year myself. However, it's the timing that I feel is very questionable and it really needs to stop. Some or most of these gas and oil shows have an auction that takes place during their event. So how do those auctioneers feel about an auction or multiple auctions happening before their auctions take place? Kinda getting confusing isn't it? Feel free to say what you want...

Goober

Tim, I agree. Thirty years ago, when I was just getting into this business, there were very few gas and oil auctions. Usually one associated with the Check the Oil show in Columbus. Vic's Place, in Guthrie, Oklahoma had one in February because it was between show dates and Vic thought it would be fun? He was correct, it was a hoot and a half! It became one of my favorite auctions then. But after Vic's was sold, Ball Auction Service picked up the slack and did the auction for a while longer. I spent a lot of time to and from Oklahoma, in those years. Barrett Jackson was just starting with an automobilia auction in Scottsdale. That was about all that I can remember right now? There were probably more but I'm old and can not place others?

I always saw the buyer's shy away from an actual show, when an auction was local and in the same time period. Frankly, it used to upset me when I was set up at a show and tire kickers would mention that they were only looking. All they wanted was to price things before going to the sale, hoping to get a better price?

As I said earlier, I am older now and no longer doing shows. I have not been to an auction in years. I did however, like going. As you became known to the Auctioneers, it was a great deal of fun.

With so many sales happening, I no longer have any interest or time to attend. Too much of a good thing can turn out to be sickening. Just me talking, Regards, Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Most of these show unfortunately have become drop off points.

Your absolutely right Greg. I went to the CTO show last year and all the nice pumps were sold before they made it to the show. I'm going again this year but it is very possible that this will be the last time. .

I have no clue about how many auctions are too many...but I thought just the other day how thankful I am for all of the vendors that take the time to haul all of their wares and set up at CTO.
You truly make the hobby great and I appreciate all your effort!

I would ask, how many guys in it just the money does the hobby need? Why are the prices so crazy? Because everyone wants more than they paid just last week for it.

Thank you sir. Unless you’re a vendor, nobody realizes how much work it is to prepare for a show, work a show and unpack from a show. My buddy Chuck and I bring a lot of product to CTO, Dixie, etc. and it is 40 hours worth of work crammed into two days, not to mention packing and pricing items the entire week beforehand.

Prices increase just from simple supply and demand. More and more people getting into the hobby, but the amount of items barely increases, unless some stuff is found in the wild.

More wealthy people entering the hobby with unlimited supplies of money. I had a guy land his helicopter near me at Dixie and buy a bunch of stuff from me !!

We usually run an auction 2-3 weeks prior to a show. Given the large size of some of the items, it makes logistics manageable. Other side of the coin, we know we've brought customers to shows who had no idea these shows even existed because they're picking up their stuff. The hobby is growing. With all of the sellers out there, good inventory sells, period. The same you work to bring good inventory to a show to setup, auction houses have to work to get eye balls on their auctions. A lot of people do not have the time to take 2-3-4 days to attend a show, but can sit and watch a few items in an auction. It's hard for an in person vendor to get auction pricing when that buyer isn't there.

Business distribution models continue to evolve into a more direct-model thanks to easy on-line access and information for end-user.
Finders of a globes/signs/pumps have so many outlets to sell it vs a picker who gathered it regionally via ground pounding.

Many very affluent buyers are switched on to this hobby due to easy accessibility and simply stated have more zero’s in their net worth.
One man’s $10,000 globe is another $100 globe based on their overall net worth.

More aging baby boomers who pass away w/ families with little passion for these possessions are selling off collections given high values.
More inventory means more auctions and on-line listings/ easy access for end-users.

Become very apparent after 30 years in this hobby is the actual supply is far larger than when I first got into this hobby perspective.
What I once thought was a rare globe or the number of brands of globes in this hobby is greatly sku’d via on-line education and access of today.
Shows me how much of this stuff was saved(pumps, globes, signs) and in current circulation(private or publicly available).

Knowing how much of this stuff is out there has very much changed my perspective and valuation.

Still love the hobby but admit easy obtained stuff has taken some shine off that copper penny..

Saw the helo, that was a 1st for me at swap meet.Being way over in Wa probably makes a
big difference, may be not be that big of deal over in the eastern part of the county. 1st time at Dixie, a I can say it is
different than any other swap meet I've been to.Doses take a lot of time to price things and pack it up, unpack set up,
etc.You do fine at the meet, it's OK, if not, win some lose some. My biggest complaint is when people cry about the
price and beat you up, they forget about the cost of motels,gas and food. Not all the good stuff going to auctions. Contacted a major
auction company, they responded,sent pics asked about fees and then just ghosted me. Took as much as I could pack in a
HR-V (best packing job I've ever done) and sold big portion of it at the meet.For the Guys who say nothing good shows up.
few of us old timers (80)don't like to be insulted or push around, do bring some good stuff. Most of mine was not run of the mill
stuff you see at meets all the time. Just wish I had my truck (had 24 pumps, done to 8) would have brought 4 pumps.