Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion What was I thinking......

So, Im sitting at home at about six in the evening and the phone rings. When I answer, thinking it is Ali trying to sell me Viagra since it was long distance, I am immediately asked just who did I think I was spouting all this expertise on OG. When I asked what he meant, He proceeded to give me a lecture about passing judgement on items by just looking at a picture. Of course when I questioned him I received no answers to my inquiries as to what particular item he was talking about. He kept asking me to prove to him what makes me an expert on the subject. Well,,, Here goes nothing. Since I wasnt allowed to finish any of my sentences, you can decide wether to heed them or not. 34 years ago, I picked up my first porcelain sign. Still have it. I thought it was pretty cool but needed a gas pump to go with it. About that same time I met a collector who gave me some pointers and some good advice. If you like it, buy it, it will pay you back later. Figure out what you want to collect and then learn all there is to know about it. Dont lose your head when buying as you will also lose your roll. And lastly, If it doesnt sound right it isnt. He told me this applied to almost all things except women. When I asked about one contradicting the other, he just said to hand him another beer. Well I took his advice and I learned all I could about signs, globes, porcelain, metal, and repops. There were repops back then too. I went to shows, auctions, flea markets, collectors homes, and bought every book I could. I read them over and over. I talked to others until my wife cut the light off and went to bed. I educated myself before I paid for a fake. Cant say I havent paid too much but I havent bought a fake. So to answer the question as to what makes me an expert, Im not. I try to learn something about this stuff everyday. But I can say with utter confidence that I know what Im talking about at least 90 percent of the time. Wether or not anyone choses to listen is strictly up to them. And I dont have all the answers, nor do I know of every reproduction. I dont know of anyone who does. Im just trying to help, like a guy did for me 30 some years ago. But you can get a real good idea from the dyed in the wool guys on OG wether its a fake or not. Have any of you received a call like this? Just seems odd that I would be singled out. That collector friend also gave me one other piece of advice that has proved to be true also, If you dont foul up from time to time, your sittin on your butt doing nothing. Sometimes I feel like Ive been real busy.

Looks like we found the seller of the fakes and know they are a member of this site. The only questions I have is who is it and what sign were they referring to?

Did the number show up on caller id by any chance? We could narrow this down real quick if it did.

Dave--I get a lot of calls because I keep my cell phone number posted on my profile but I can't say I've ever gotten one like that!
I think you must have commented on an item he owns, or at least one that he has a duplicate of??
A logical person would have called to discuss the merits of the item in question, but it sounds like there was no discussing anything with him? You must have hit a nerve somewhere?

Never ceases to amaze me at the audacity that some people have to do that because there wrong, misinformed or just plane ignorant.

Haven't gotten a call like that yet. But I did learn something today TALKING with john mancino (gas stuff) today AT the hershy SHOW, I didn't realise that sterling was part of Quaker state.

KW may be right about hitting a nerve. If it's not a seller of FAKES, It must be someone who paid to much for an item before they did a little research.(WHO'S THE SMART ONE)
He should of called you to say thanks!!!

Either way I would not let It bother you at all.

Gene

Been there... I used to voice how I didn't like unmarked repops and I had some idoit calling me and just cussing me out. He would call and leave nasty messages on my voice mail. Then they started sending me emails from made up email addresses.
Someone had some serious issues! There are some crazies on here for sure!

Jeez!! Whoever he is has some issues for sure! Wow...

When I first starting to read your (wocopep) comments I thought the subject was about him doing all the talking and you not being able to make a comment.

I learned a long time ago that there is a difference between a discussion and an argument. In a discussion, one person has the floor, and after he expresses his problems, then he sits down, and the next person has the floor. When one person keeps interrupting the other, not letting them finish even a sentence, this is not a discussion it is a argument. Don't ever let yourself get into an argument. As soon as you do, you are lowering yourself down to his level.

If he doesn't want to discuss whatever problem he has with you, just hang up the phone, life is too short to deal with this type of person.

Jack Sim

Wocopep. excellent advice you were given. I too had a long time collector take me by the belt loop and teach me all he knew and more 15 years ago! The new guys should print out your advice you rec'd and take heed...
I called out a father son team for selling repo's on HERE. They are BOTH still members! They called threatening my life and gonna drive over and wipe out my whole family because I pointed out all the repo's they were and are still selling!
Not sure what it takes to get banned from here BUT they never did...Nor has others I have busted dead wood selling repos...
I will continue pointing out the BAD sellers BUT at some point oldgas and its members need to STOP supporting these people or allowing them to access this site for sales or to steal images...

I think it is getting to be the time that Oldgas is made private... In other words, you cannot view anything without being a member. There are too many trolls.

Ryan, Jim wouldn't do it.
I would like to just see showcase private! Then guys could show stuff off maybe?

Private?... there are over 10,000 members. Whats to keep the suspects from being a member?

When you have a group of people this large, there are always gonna be a few bad apples. No matter what you do to try and stop them. You will never completely get rid of all them.

Maybe there is a private place already and we just don't know about it? Cuz it's a secret.

As to the OP's situation. I cannot even imagine why someone would take the time to call you like that. I'm with Jack, just hang up on 'em. And don't ever stop calling out the bad element when you see it!

Hey Wocopep,

Welcome to the jungle buddy, don't feel bad about an irate phone call. I got a call (from another current OG member) asking me how I could have the nerve to sell my gas pumps at the prices I was asking. He stated that I had no right selling a pump for that much money? Well I will tell you, anyone of my customers has the right to not buy whatever I'm selling. I also try and sell items so there is room for the next guy to make some money. I believe at that time, these were the current prices I was asking: unrestored Roman Column $5800 Hayes 2 in 1 cash recorder $3500 Wayne 40 twin $5500 Wayne 71 showcase $3750 You get the point, these aren't your typical 50's electrics. Some collectors let their jealousy get the best of them. I'll bet he'd step right up to the plate if those prices were the same today. I make sure my family gets to eat, whoever doesn't like the prices, go call someone who gives a ----.

Goober

That would be a GREAT start Ryan! I also feel or suggest a possible BAN Policy if caught selling repo's TWICE or intentionally decieving people. Oldgas wont police itself, Obviously! The BAD people dont wanna quit by themselves! LOL They need help!

I rather enjoyed the banter back and forth while the call lasted. He never really made sense with the accusations and I have to admit that once I realized what type of call this was, I stirred the pot every chance I got. I treated them like most of the telemarketers that call me. I did go back a couple of times on my phone and tried to figure out where the call came from. Like I said initially, I thought it was a telemarketer because the number was all zeros. It says it originated in New Mexico but that isnt where the call came from either. Im learning that you can disguise your phone in any number of ways. What was funny was that the madder he got the more fun it was for me.

I read this 3 times cuz everytime it made me laugh at loud!!

Tom, I am in for that!!

You can count on my vote.

Out of the blue, I got a no brain PM from Wes HAGUE last week. I'll tell you, that repop pushing moron got the reply he deserved from me. What is it, with these no minds wanting to offer unsolicited advice?

Most forums I belong to have at least one or two categories that are for members only. You must log in with your info to even view it.

If Oldgas ever does that with the For Sale section, I would be in favor of doing a reset and only those members who get approved through the site can list items.....just like is done with listing a for sale item with no price here.

I commend you for the way you reacted to the caller. Too many times in life it seems that we take things way too seriously, especially when someone calls us out. You are obviously confident that the advice that you have offered over the years was backed up by the knowledge, experience, and hard work that you have in the hobby. Your post on how you handled things is a lesson in itself.