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Posted By: carolinaskies Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 03:26 PM
Got to talking to a few people over the weekend who have visited both of the American Pickers/Antique Archeology stores in Iowa and Nashville. Neither store was selling much more than show related kitch, shirts, mugs, etc. The majority of items on display were part of Mike's "collection" and the few real antiques that were for sale were smalls like door knobs.

I'm curious as to whether anyone on Oldgas has experience with these stores actually selling signs & other substantial picks from these guys?
Posted By: Loyd Pierce Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 05:15 PM
Yep look under am.pickers last night7-29 ---in general petro.

Katfish bought two signs from Nashville store.
Posted By: Gasman84470 Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 05:25 PM
My two visits to the Iowa store were marked by the same observation. Lots of Tees and stuff that say you've been there and little show related picks for sale. I did buy a sign through an OGer who had listed it for a friend that turned out to be from Frank Fritz Finds store in Savana IL and the sign had been on the show. But all in all there is little you would recognize as collectables. I have not visited the Nashville store.
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 09:34 PM
Maybe Katfish will tell us whether they were priced outright or he had to ask about them?
Posted By: Mike M. Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 09:45 PM
I met a guy in Oronoco, Mn. at Gold Rush Days that had the Pickers at his shop. It hasn't been on yet but he was happy they left as (LIKE has been said on this site a hundred times, the show is FAKE) They filmed taking down a bunch of stuff that both goofs wanted/acted to buy, made deals and left with buying nothing and him spending the rest of the day climbing around putting stuff back up where it was. He said they were nice but all the buying/making deals is a joke and he wanted to see how silly it was.
Posted By: gulfiend! Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 09:57 PM
Originally Posted By: Mike M.
I met a guy in Oronoco, Mn. at Gold Rush Days that had the Pickers at his shop. It hasn't been on yet but he was happy they left as (LIKE has been said on this site a hundred times, the show is FAKE) They filmed taking down a bunch of stuff that both goofs wanted/acted to buy, made deals and left with buying nothing and him spending the rest of the day climbing around putting stuff back up where it was. He said they were nice but all the buying/making deals is a joke and he wanted to see how silly it was.


...do you know if they paid him for his time/inconvenience?
Posted By: oldnfuelish Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 10:02 PM
A friend of mine near here had them in his house.told me that all stuff was bought and paid for by producers before mike and frank even showed up.one item they bought was put in a closet,so they could pretend they found it. Big joke!
Posted By: Dick Bennett Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 10:58 PM
IF they are paid like other TV Shows @ $200,000 per episode! Do you really think they care about what they sell in store?
BULL S*** TV = Entertainment w/ LOTS of Commercials.
Same script writer as Porn Stars, Storage Wars, Cajun Pawn, etc.
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Tue Aug 27 2013 11:33 PM
Guys, my question isn't about the show production value, it about the ability to buy from their store locations. Please limit the conversation to experience/knowledge about that part. Other threads document the derision for the production value just fine.

I'm more interested to see if it's more who you know or can talk to at the stores to get the opportunity to buy stuff than just negative critique of the show itself. I expected the show kitch, but I'm hoping there is still more than just passing opportunity to purchase bona fide finds.
Posted By: Mike M. Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 12:22 AM
Originally Posted By: gulfiend!
Originally Posted By: Mike M.
I met a guy in Oronoco, Mn. at Gold Rush Days that had the Pickers at his shop. It hasn't been on yet but he was happy they left as (LIKE has been said on this site a hundred times, the show is FAKE) They filmed taking down a bunch of stuff that both goofs wanted/acted to buy, made deals and left with buying nothing and him spending the rest of the day climbing around putting stuff back up where it was. He said they were nice but all the buying/making deals is a joke and he wanted to see how silly it was.




...do you know if they paid him for his time/inconvenience?


Yes, he said he got paid for his time. Said the show producers were there early to look it all over and made a deal with him but he didn't sound too excited about the whole ordeal.

Paul you list your occupation as "Picker" so why would you care what you could get at one of their stores? As to quote the fakers "there's no meat left on the bone"
Everyone who has spoke about going to their stores have said the items there that are worth buying are there for the Tv cameras and part of Mike's collection and are priced crazy high if their priced at all.
Watch Mike's E-bay page for a while and you'll see what's there....
http://myworld.ebay.com/antiquearchaeologyleclaire/
Posted By: katfsh Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 12:27 AM
I did buy a couple of signs last year on the way to Chip's. They were not priced.The store was real busy and I waited untill it slowed down and asked the prices and they told me.After looking some more and spending time to talk with them they opened up some. I told them what I wanted and they even took the items I wanted outside and waited for me to load them and helped me tie them down.How many times a day do you think they get asked"how much is that" by tire kikers and folks who don't have a thought of buying a thing.I would bet I would rather have the profits off their t-shirt sales than their anti-q's. Hope this helps.
Shorty
Posted By: Dig joy Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 03:18 AM
Merch = staggering profits. I'm surprised they have any real finds for sale in-store. Just like the pawn shop in Vegas, it's almost all tourist trap *****.
Posted By: oilmanpat Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 11:48 AM
Been to both paces and came away empty handed. Only thing for sale was new shirts and the like..
Posted By: 60wayne Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 12:20 PM
The American Choppers store is the same way. Nice display of bikes and then tee shirts and bubbly heads. Had a hard time trying to look at the old Indian bike above the cashier. I found the young women cashiers quite a distraction. They were like pin cushions with graffiti and bad clothing.
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 08:01 PM
Originally Posted By: katfsh
I did buy a couple of signs last year on the way to Chip's. They were not priced.The store was real busy and I waited untill it slowed down and asked the prices and they told me.After looking some more and spending time to talk with them they opened up some. I told them what I wanted and they even took the items I wanted outside and waited for me to load them and helped me tie them down.How many times a day do you think they get asked"how much is that" by tire kikers and folks who don't have a thought of buying a thing.I would bet I would rather have the profits off their t-shirt sales than their anti-q's. Hope this helps.
Shorty


Thanks for that information, I was hoping it wasn't simply a front for merch.

Do you know whether it true though that in that Nashville store it's only that front area, they don't stock stuff in any of the rest of that building. I got the impression that they got the building rather than just that one section.
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 08:21 PM
Originally Posted By: Mike M.

Paul you list your occupation as "Picker" so why would you care what you could get at one of their stores? As to quote the fakers "there's no meat left on the bone"
Everyone who has spoke about going to their stores have said the items there that are worth buying are there for the Tv cameras and part of Mike's collection and are priced crazy high if their priced at all.
Watch Mike's E-bay page for a while and you'll see what's there....
http://myworld.ebay.com/antiquearchaeologyleclaire/




I don't want to appear to be mean, but you really need to get that chip off your shoulder about pickers in general.

Pickers as a group do a hell of a lot of business between each other and most wheel and deal faster and with more stuff in one week than you as a collector ever realize. And "meat on the bone" is relative to your locale, the pick(s) in question, and the picker's list of clients. I've traded, swapped, bought, sold, bargained, etc... with a wide array of other pickers to mutual benefit for 12 years.

In this case, if I visit the Nashville store with some items to trade, I'd like to know that the store is more than just a merchandising front and that's why I started this thread, to get reports on real life experience with the stores, like katfish has given.

You collectors may bemoan the TV show, but you have no idea what we pickers have to put up with on a regular basis when we go to a show or a market to sell our picks. Imagine 1000 people looking at your collection obviously for sale and 40-50% remarking that you should contact the pickers to sell them!

I'm visible in the public arena 3-5 times a week selling my acquisitions and I'm always looking for new sources and new outlets.

Below are typical selections I put out for sale every week.

Posted By: oilmanpat Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 08:51 PM
The Nashville store is about the same size as the one in LaCaire. They only have a small part of the building for a showroom. Looked like maybe the upstairs was for crew relaxing.
Posted By: Mike M. Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 08:59 PM
So as I read it Katfish told you what you wanted to hear but you don't care what anyone else (like oilmanpat) told you on this thread.
Your not the only one who hears (you should contact the pickers) all the time when they see your collection. Not everyone can see the true reality of the reality shows!
You go ahead and spend gas money and please let us know what you get from them.
And if you can get your hands on a copy of this:
http://www.worldwidenewsonline.com/mopar-collector-s-guide-september-2013.html
They tell all about how this show is run.

I have no problem or chip on my shoulder about what you do or anyone else does for a living. I wish you luck at what your doing.
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Aug 28 2013 10:29 PM
Mike,

I had only heard negative comments concerning the ability to buy from the stores. So I went fishing for answers. So when a comment to the contrary occurs it calls into question whether the former comments develop an accurate picture of the situation. And since a smart person doesn't burn bridges without great forethought, or throw the baby out with the bathwater, I prefer to defer to more experiencial commentary than derogatory prattle.

If perchance I'm travelling anywhere within reasonable distance of Nashville I might stop by the store. But it's not a necessity as you can tell from the picture above. Again, a smart person avails himself of opportunity when it knocks.

BTW, I asked the gal that runs the Nashville operation about the sale of items and this is the response I got....

"... yes we have merchandise, but also picks from the show for people to experience and enjoy, as well as items picked from Mike off the road. Keep in mind we are not your typical antique store anymore as our show is now aired internationally. Good stuff moves quick, but the guys are out over 1/2 the year picking inventory as much as possible. I hope this answers your question. -L"
Posted By: Hemibird Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Sep 04 2013 03:50 AM
I was in Wisconsin last week picking up a large neon sign and decided to stop at a vintage Motorcycle show in Iowa on my way back to Colorado. Mike Wolf was set up at the show with his trademark VW single cab selling motorcycle parts. While cruising around the show on his Harley, he stopped by my trailer to look at the sign I bought so we talked.

I asked him about a few signs he had for sale in Nashville last month and he told me both where sold....maybe Katfish? Anyway, he said the Iowa store can be pretty slow but things fly out the door in Nashville because of the locale.

We also spoke last month while I was in Nashville visiting family. I tried to purchase some Indian Motorcycle signs but he wouldn't sell any of them. He said after doing this for 25 years, he's finally in a position to keep the good stuff. I guess it's all relative and can't blame him for keeping the good stuff....don't we all. As far as how much stuff sells, don't think it really matters to him but he does seem to enjoy the hunt!
smile
Posted By: carolinaskies Re: Antique Archeology.. stores don't sell much - Wed Sep 04 2013 04:24 PM
Thanks Chuck for that input.
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