#182579
Thu Apr 08 2010 11:30 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209
Petro Enthusiast
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OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209 |
Early this morning while the sun was shinning and the birds chirping I jumped into my pick-up and drove out to the only petro. service and repair business in our area. 30+ years in business with a HUGE stock pile of old pumps piled behind the shop. A few days ago I had no idea this place existed. No phone book listing, no local advertisement, Just a run down old building buried in the middle of a industrial park with a broken sign out front that says equipment repair. I only discovered it by mistake while picking up supplies in the area and damn near drove off the road when a old Tok. clockface caught my eye. I turned around and stopped by but no one was there. Same thing the following day so I tried again today and here's how it went: Good morning my name is Joe. I see you have a few nice old pumps out back. Any chance you have parts available to sell or would like to sell some of the pumps? I don't have ( insert F-Bomb here ) time to screw with bleep bleep pump parts and bleep bleep pumps! Does this mean maybe? ..I think he likes me
North on Route 66, East on Gas Alley.
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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.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,994
Veteran Member
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Veteran Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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if at first you dont succeed.... flash some $$.might change his tune!
Looking for gas,oil related clocks,especially neon and spinners .clock repair available. Mick
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,186 Likes: 1
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see if you have something he can fix first, change his cranky tune, then ask
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,137 Likes: 47
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Joe: that is definately code language for "stop by anytime and we'll go get a coffee together".
I say drop by every week until he yells at you in a fit of rage to just out back and load all those @#$%^&* pumps and take them home.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209
Petro Enthusiast
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OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209 |
That's what I thought. I mean how could anyone be mean and nasty to little old me? Joe: that is definately code language for "stop by anytime and we'll go get a coffee together".
I say drop by every week until he yells at you in a fit of rage to just out back and load all those @#$%^&* pumps and take them home. Or wait till he's out back by the pumps and ***** him off so he starts throwing parts at me
North on Route 66, East on Gas Alley.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,369 Likes: 7
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Don't take it personaly, you surely aren't the first to stop and ask about the pumps. That guy has probably been bugged to death. He has probably had folks stop and take a bunch of his time and not wanted to pay his price. If he has something you like, don't give up. Stop back again but not too soon, figure out another way to approach him, like the offer of hard cash first thing. If it doesn't work the second time ,I would give up then.
Nuttin like a grizzled 'ol pump mechanic !!!
Veeder Root Rebuilds.....since 1987 Veeder Root Identification CD Gas Pump Clock Repair jkyocom@bellsouth.net
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 311
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 311 |
Send in a Pamela Anderson look alike to ask about the pumps.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,900 Likes: 48
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Funny story Joe...... next time hand him a $50 dollar bill and say "lets talk"...... maybe that will loosen him up a little bit and he'll know that you are serious.... hey it's woth a shot if you are really serious about getting the pumps. Good Luck,
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,369 Likes: 7
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Posts: 3,369 Likes: 7 |
Once I had a woman tell me she would sell me her pumps if I could find her a female silver donkey to buy. She had a male and wanted to raise silver donkeys. It was a Wayne visible and a 241 cast sentry...never found that donkey.
Veeder Root Rebuilds.....since 1987 Veeder Root Identification CD Gas Pump Clock Repair jkyocom@bellsouth.net
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209
Petro Enthusiast
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OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 209 |
PLEAZZZZ can I buy a pump from you? If that don't work I'll fall on the ground in front of his shop and have a fit... .. .. .. ...
North on Route 66, East on Gas Alley.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 50
Active Member
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Active Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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JK, Too bad about that, I have two female mini donkeys for sale, gray in color though.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,622 Likes: 1
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We have a local bakery that I like so I take people that I am trying to soften up doughnuts or a cinnamon roll. And it makes it harder to curse at you when your mouth is full of a giant cinnamon roll. Good luck. Mike
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,720
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Posts: 1,720 |
In my business I've always found that a written correspondence works best. Send him a nice, short, letter explaining that you would be interested in buying his pumps and that you are not going to waste his time. Tell him you are a serious buyer and collector and love to restore pumps. Might get his attention or might not but at least he would have you contact information for another day down the road Ray
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 797 Likes: 11
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 797 Likes: 11 |
You may want to take a few pics of "before and after" of your pumps, show him that you have a true appreciation of the history/hobby. Some people just don't get it until you "educate" them about the world of petro. Be honest with him and it will work out eventually. Good Luck, M
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 649
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 649 |
I agree with Matthegasman.That's basically how I do it except I use my showroom (invite them over) to demonstrate my respect for history and to show that pumps are only a part of preserving and displaying pieces that relate to the gas and oil industry in general.
I have yet to meet a visitor who did not respond in a positive way to that approach.I know some other collectors who use the pictures approach to show they are serious and knowlegable about the hobby.Seems to work out for them.
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