This post, poll and note has been one of the hottest topics on the Collectibles site for 2010 and what I posted below about the pros and cons still holds true. Hardly anyone seems neutral about the show, what do you think? - - - - - - - - - -
I don't ever remember as much pro and con discussion about a show dealing with antiques/junk/collectibles/folk art (take your choice) as there has been about American Pickers on the History Channel. The show chronicles two pickers going around the country side, stopping at places that look like they have loads of old junk. After several friends mentioned the show, I searched the channel guide to find repeats of the first episode. It certainly caught my attention when they dug through an old barn and found a carnival ride to buy - can I admit I would love to have that myself?
Then I read more on Kovel's Komments, so I popped over to the American Pickers web site, checking the discussion boards. Wow. The most common complaints, remember only three episodes have aired so far, is how the guys are taking advantage of the elderly. If you've ever bought antiques/junk/collectibles on speculation, you know what a gamble it is or can be. As far as taking advantage, there were a few items I thought they bought for an awfully low price, in fact I immediately went over to Priceminer.com to check what similar items have sold for in the past. (Price was about 25% - 40% of similar looking items)But would the seller have made that much at a yard sale? Absolutely not.
Another thing to remember - it's television! Tapes are edited, edited and edited more. They want drama, they want controversy or at the very least, interesting discussions going on. The show producers have done that with American Pickers. Is it my favorite show about collecting? No. Will I watch it again, you bet!
So what do you think? Have you watched the show? Do you think the pickers are taking advantage of the elderly? Do you think they are being fair with the prices offered and paid?
Comments
Paying 1/4 to 1/3 the value of something, as a picker, is probably fair. Paying $75 bucks for that $1200.00 ceramic or porcelain sign was wrong…then they claimed they gave her more than she asked on many items. Yeah, knowing they stole so much from her so they could throw 10 or 20 bucks more on other stuff was just to ease their conscience or look better on tv. Still, I enjoy the show. Also, Pawn Stars, Cash in the Attic-both BBC/USA, Antiques Roadshow- both BBC/USA…I am trying to learn to be my own appraiser after being given a huge collection of various items so I don’t get ripped off & also can sell fairly.
I once saw Martha Stewart proudly display a couple of Wedgewood plates on the Oprah show. She had gotten them at a yard sale. The family of the lady who sold them to her caught up with her and asked to buy them back and she told them no way. She was gleeful and Oprah just laughed it off.
So stuff it.
It’s funny, all of the people saying that they are “ripping off old people” have clearly never actually tried to sell ANYTHING… ever.
In the perfect world, you can buy something for $5 and sell it for $10. That means $5 profit… right? WRONG. We DON’T LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD.
The only real way to capture the biggest market for most specialty items like antiques & collectables is online. FeePay & Amazon have a COMPLETE AND TOTAL MONOPOLY on online sales. Sure you can start your own website or sell “somewhere else”… but nobody will ever see your stuff.
The fact is that FeePay & the post office take about 30% or more off of the top of everything.
PROFIT!?
MINUS -
Initial cost of item + Listing fee + final value fee + paypal fee + shipping + packing materials, gas & TIME.
=
Actual profit… maybe.
If you have your own shop, there’s still overhead… like rent, utilities, employees, tax, etc., etc.
AND…
Most of your “money” will be in the form of items sitting on the floor not being sold. It’s harder than you think to “spend” a “Planet of the Apes” lunchbox… believe me.
In a world where mechanics & plumbers are charging $100 dollars an hour? You will get more if you sell it directly but there is ALWAYS a fee for “fast cash” (take what you can get today and let somebody do all of the work).
If a person doesn’t want to get “ripped off” they can try to sell their own stuff and see for them selves how “not ripped off” they’re going to get on ebay.
And being old is no excuse for being ignorant. My whole family collects antiques and believe me… most of the oldest ones know their prices to the CENT.
If somebody finds an offer unfair, all they have to do is “just say no”. If they agree and find out that it was worth a lot more AFTER they sold it, they should have EDUCATED themselves about the price BEFOREHAND.
They buyer isn’t the only one who has to beware. The same rules apply to the seller.
I had a small shop at my house and I once had a dealer ask me if I minded if she put the item in her shop to sell it.
I replied as long as I get my price from her, she sould sell it for whatever she wanted..
I was there to sell , not to keep..We can’t always sell to collectors who will keep our treasures for themselves ..
These programs are helpful to let people know that they too have treasures in their homes…..
I think the pickers paid more for many of the items than the sellers would have gotten at an auction or yard sale. Some items they paid less, but it balances out in the end. I paid $50.00 2 years ago for a big porcelain sign advertising a chocolate shop, and that was at an auction!
The American Picker people are cheats.
They give you the assumpsion that they are country bumpkins.
They have a vast knowlege of todays prices and if they don’t they can look it up on the web.
You will never see them being asked how much something costs because they can’t lie, and if they do get asked, you will never see it.
Let’s say they visit your mother and ask her how much your mother wants for that painting. She, not knowingly, replies $300.00 and the Picker says that he will give her $300.00 for the art and the Beatles lunchbox.
She says okay.
What is wrong with this picture?
Theres nothing wrong with this picture, buying and selling isn’t a game of respect. Your not buying the item to be nice. This is their JOB they’re trying to make MONEY. If the seller is okay with the price there’s nothing wrong with it. Gosh you people are dumb when you say their taking advantage. Far from it.
they dont rip people of really because when they buy stuff they want to make profits on. After the costs of driving hundreds of miles to get to that location and paying there employee. And also they dont always know what there buying so they gamble on some things. like with them 2 big paintings they got at that closed fairground they bought for like $1500 and found out they where worth $10000 so they went back and gave $5000 to the person they bought it off so they dont feel like they ripped him off.
Remember too, just because it sells for $100.00 at an auction, that doesn’t mean the owner gets all that money. By the time the auctioner takes his cut, usually 25-30%, and takes out the advertising fees, and fees, if any, for pick up or set up, the seller usually gets only 40-50% of the price it sold for.
I had an elderly lady bring me some things she wanted me to buy from her, at yard sale prices. She had already sold some things on a nice consignment auction. They sold for about $4500.00, she only got about $1600.00 by the time the auctioner kept his fees, her share of the auction building rental fee, pick up and set up fees, and advetising fees. I insisted she take more than what she was asking. This lady had been in the antique business for 40 some years.
I think the show is very entertaining and that is what tv is all about. They ARE NOT taking advantage of the old folks. It is stuff sitting in their outbuildings that will never see the light of day again. Then, when they pass away, someone will come along and put it all up for auction in box lots at a fraction of the price. The old folks might as well enjoy the money they make. I think the prices are fair
When you are at a garage sale and find something wonderful do you tell the seller it should cost more or do you gladly pay the low price?
I was a picker for 10 years bought and sold made some money and lost some money if the sign the the american pickers bought was not sold to them it the sign would most have ended up at the scrap yard for $.50 cents i like the show .
It’s without a doubt that those who think these guys are taking advantage of the elderly or whomever who sells to them has, 1) never been in the fickle business of buying and selling antiques or vintage collectibles for themselves, and 2) have NO idea what wholesale prices any retailer pays for products, whether it be jewelry, electronics, clothing or even flowers. A business person CANNOT pay retail or price guide prices for something they are retailing. And if the people who think these guys are taking advantage of anyone, they should start their own business traveling around the country in an attempt to find old items to resell, paying the gas, maintenance, insurance & bank payments for a super duty cargo van; paying the motels & meals, even on the days nothing is found, paying the wages of all their employees, their health insurance, sick days, and the 40 or 50 chiropractor visits a year; and paying all state, county, & city business licenses & fees; paying the rent or mortgage, & taxes on the business building. Then pray that the item doesn’t sit unsold for one, two or even three years waiting for the person who just happens to be looking for the item you just happen to have, to just happen to walk into your business. Then if it’s the right color, age & condition that person is willing to buy, you’ll probably have to knock some off the price for them to take it. If you were lucky enough to make anything, you still have to pay your own mortgage & taxes, buy clothes, groceries, & whatever else you need to live.
My only objection about American Pickers is a vulgar expression uttered by the shorter man at the very beginning of the show.
Then, on the most recent episode, the taller man uttered a vulgar comment as the two were beneath an opera floor.
I’m old enough to have a vocabulary that doesn’t need gutter language to express myself.
Things change? Maybe, but the general coarsening of American society cannot possibly be considered positive.
Get with the times old woman! This is the way guys talk when they hang out together. Go take care of your cats!!
Ethel, You might as well just watch the Disney channel. Because whatever you think was vulgar on this show, is on every other show/network on your television. I’m sure you can find a “Leave it to Beaver” rerun to watch.
When Jordan and Joe grow up maybe they will understan.
I love watching this show. These guys are fair and I agree this stuff that people hold on to would probably never get the attention they deserve and maybe not the price if it weren’t for these guys. They give people the respect they deserve and are funny. Remember the gas and time they spend looking for these things. I would love it but am not as ambicious as them.
My most overwhelming emotion about American Pickers is envy. I want that job. What could be better than to just wander and roam through those barns, etc, which are clearly treasure troves of all kinds of interesting items. I have seen the American Picker guys walk past items I would have been all over. But frankly, I don’t think it is a realistic representation of what the encounter between ‘pickers’ and ‘pickee’ are really like. I suspect that the pickers really have to be more aggressive to get a deal to make a profit. As far as the assertion that they are exploiting the elderly – I know I am guilty of pouncing on an item labeled $2 which I know is a McCoy planter retailing as high as $75. Is there a yard saler out there that can say they are not guilty of that? That is part of the fun. And let’s face it, this method of buying/acquiring is glamorized on “Antiques Roadshow” when they reveal the retail value of an item that the owner just admitted to paying fifty cents for at an estate sale. I think the American Pickers are really better actors than they are pickers.
disturbing ,no class. couple of low life guys bragging about taking advantage of unknowing ,clueless some even elderly people. next week tune in to see them pulling the gold out of grandmas teeth and bragging about it .they give this picker shame
They’re a couple of little bstards. I hope someone gets them good. They’re moaning and complaining about going an extra 20 bucks when they already know they’ll triple their money.
-
They remind me of used car salesman who are always crying until you sign the papers, then they brag about screwing you.
“Un-American Carpetbaggers” more like it.
American Pickers ,perhaps the 1st couple of shows I thought ok.Then reality set in .Even if its a TV show for entertainment purposes ,It makes me want to puke ! This skinny Mike and Fat Frank who looks like he hasn’t had a bath in weeks.Mike is always laughing like a teenage prom queen on a 1st date . People who know me always make the remark,Pickers would have a feild day at your place . I,living in WV ever see these 2 skanks coming close to where I live ,I have a double barrel surprise for both of them and their whole crew.I would not sell them the time of day for 3 times the worth. Even the interior of their van looks like it would smell like an outhouse. Yikkkess!
first of all a true picker would be me an my father go out in a truck and look for items people have sat out for the trash.stuff people do not want anymore.not begging people to sale their stuff.and omg would he please stop crying about his back.
I view very little TV. But I know for sure this program will not be on my list. Pathetic ,a joke, rediculous, ect ect. Please!!!!
Predators
They are TAKING advantage … so the item might rust down to nothing doesn’t matter its these peoples treasures or junk and they are intruding and taking advantage of their stuff
i think this is a sad show of two con men roming and exploting people of thier goods, i hope they are happy, this show sucks ,mat thier faces be remembered to all i seriously hope that it kills thier businesss!!!!!
The problem is that everyone misinterprets the term “worth.” Something is only “worth” what someone else will pay with cash on a given day. Cash is king, not antiques or anything else. I don’t care what something is appraised for – an appraisal is an opinion and an appraisal doesn’t give you cash. You can have a house appraised at $350,000, but if the best offer you get is $300,000 that’s what it’s worth, plain and simple. This applies to everything else in the world with a price tag on it. No one is conning anyone out of anything nor are any of these other shows. They simply offer someone cash and then take on the liability of selling it themselves. Many items need hundreds or thousands of dollars in restoration work. That again falls on the books of the buyer. Cash doesn’t change in value, antiques and collectibles do and quickly. It’s a gamble to buy and a gamble to sell. Bikes are a perfect example – as Frank said on the last show, their values have plumeted in the last 5-6 years.
Before any of you bash people who buy and sell, do a little research of your own. If you all thing you are so smart, do a little of this stuff on your own. I think you’ll see it isn’t the money making scheme you all think it is.
Hey, it’s Junk! Just because there’s some sucker out there driven by greed, who thinks he can find another sucker even greedier who’ll pay more than he did, doesn’t change the fact that it’s still JUNK! Bottom line,…”Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it, not what YOU think it’s worth, or what YOU think someone else should pay you for it!”
Im sorry but I dont think alot of people understand how the Antiques Business is run. Like the pickers, most of us go to Auctions, Yard Sales, Estate Sales but you must have a knowledge about Antiquities or your wasting your time. Ive gone to an auction many times paid 300.00 for something and sold it for several thousand. Should I go back to the Auction House and tell them – Here’s some money for your consigner? I think not. These pickers are just trying to make a living, and there doing something they love. Granted I would never go door to door and say hey do you have any of these items for sale? Ive also seen them pay way to much for items that Ive personally sold before. I dont believe anyone is being taken advantage of. As for the Old Man with the Saddle, it would have been thrown out, or trashed once he passed away. Sadly, thats how America is today. Any Antiques Dealer would have scarfed that stuff up. For example, the lady with the sign, if anyone had called her (for example me ) I would have bought that sign and made the 1200.00. Its first come, first serve in the Antiques Business. And she wanted them there, TV or not, she wanted some money, and she got it. If she wanted to sell the stuff on Ebay she would have. I dont think some people like the simple fact that its that easy to make money in the Antiques Business but it is.
I can’t stop watching this show! I love seeing all the old “junk” the hosts come across, but I just wish they had two different hosts. If this show goes to a second season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see two more likable guys driving around in the big van. I find it curious that none of the people they have visited yet are middle-aged or younger. Maybe it’s because the younger set is more aware of this thing called eBay?
If I had a ton of antiques strewn all over my property I’d start an Ebay account and a UPS account, get a digital camera and spend my summer sippin lemonade and watching the money roll in from my auctions!
No one is forcing the people to SELL the item.
Still another antique-related TV show that completely fails to grasp the antique business!
Do you want an accurate look at the antique business? Come spend 60 days with me & my husband! We’ll drag you all over 6 states buying and selling antiques…everything from pure junk to five-figure antiques; we’ll load and unload trucks ’til you ache; get you up at 2:00 a.m. to go sell (that’s after getting in at midnight from an auction); we’ll polish you up for a fancy New Jersey antique show and then layer you in long underwear for New York’s 25th St. outdoor market in February; and for what we can’t sell at those venues we’ll run an auction and see how we fare! ANY TAKERS?
I’m in, I would love to get into the Antiques business
I love the show American Pickers. I was a picker for most of my life and in my opinion those out there who hate the two guys on the show were probably sucker punched by an unscrupulous picker/dealer. Most of us are good, decent, hard working people trying to make a few extra bucks to buy the kids some shoes. But, the thrill of finding that holy grail item certainly raises questions of ethics. I have had a very few moments like that and at the end of the day, I felt I was fair. I truly hope the boy cotters don’t get their way. I want American Pickers to stay on the air.
If these people that are against the show dont like it they should just change the channel and leave the ones like my self who loves the show to enjoy it.
great show!!! they are in no way taking advantage of anyone on this show. remember people, these guys are in BUSINESS, how many miles do they travel to find this stuff and then have it set in their shop for two years before someone buys it? and then have the buyer try to haggle THEM down for less money.
My great grandfather served in WW2. My Grandfather served in Korea. I am currently serving. Seeing these two guys go around the countryside and prey upon people who: grew up in a era where you could trust one another to be fair; deals were made with a handshake; and the term “neighbor” had some sort of meaning. So these two “pickers” need to quit preying upon those who have trust instilled in them. All they are doing is making a “buck” off of those who earned it!
You all are a bunch of idiots its a stupid tv show wich I have had the pleasure to be involved in everything is staged, nothing is real you people are so gullible.
Love the show.
Negotiating is relative and subjective!
There should be no judgement placed regarding “taking advantage of the so-called Elderly!”
BOTH negotiating parties have a choice to make.
Do I want to sell it for what they are offering or NOT…..period, end of negotiation!
First off I like the show about americana, but the idea of of two guys traveling around looking to profit off items from america’s past while driving a foreign built van(mercedes) calling themselves American Pickers makes me want to change the channel!!!!!!
Elderly taken advantage of- really? I have heard mike & frank ask the question “Is this something you would sell? numerous times. All the elderly have to do is say NO. The negative comments, as usual, are from the clueless that have no idea what picking is all about.
For example tonights show I think proves my theory the guys hold true to their word the man wanted 60 for a rusty bike they didn’t know what shape it was in agreed to it if the old man helped dig it out of the mountain of bryers it was just a rusted mess only could make out the shape but the pickers held true to word and lost 60 on the deal negative 60 in their pockets and practly a mess of rust in return wanna see people take advantage of down and out folks? Watch pawn stars!
These guys are predators looking to make the biggest profit margin they can. They try to take advantage of the ignorance of the seller as to the value of the item they are interested in. If they can purchase an item for pennies on the dollar they will do it and never lose a nights sleep over it. I like the Pawn Star guys over these two guys a whole lot better, because Rick is pretty keen on the owner of the item being there when the outside expert gives an appraisal on the item and then he makes a fair offer for the item allowing the seller to see what the profit margin is for the pawn shop. These guys are not so free with educating the seller, who they see as nothing more than a rube to be fleeced
“American Exploitation of the Elderly”
Fake laughs, fake friendships
These 2 should not be on TV
MORE CHUMLY LESS OF THESE CARPETBAGGERS. CHUMLY HAS MORE CLASS AND KNOWLEDGE THAN THESE TWO PUT TOGETHER
CHUMLY? SHOWS HOW MUCH CLASS YOU MUST HAVE. YOUR’E AN IDIOT.
There is a key difference that the “Collectors” and “Antique” people seem to be ignoring. That is, most of these people did not ask for these men to come to their house. I love the show “Pawn Stars” because I like to see the interesting items. People who go to the Pawn Shop to sell an item do so of their own choosing. My parents are now approaching the age where pushy strangers might convince them to sell things they wouldn’t have otherwise. For those of you who think you will never get old, and never loose your ability to deal with aggressive con artists, I wish you luck.
actually most of the sellers do ask these men to show up. They call the pickers business, tell them that they have stuff that they want to get rid of or that they are downsizing, then the pickers secretary calls them and tells them a name and an adress and then they show up and go through his/her junk/treasures. So you are wrong.
I really like the show. I don’t think they’re taking advantage of anyone. It’s not like any of these people they’re buying from are even actively trying to sell anything and somehow losing out on a better sale. And when the elderly folks pass on someone else will come on the property and haul it all off just to settle the estate…at which point the estate will get pennies on the dollar for the junk, if that. It’ll probably just go for scrap. At least they get some cash from the pickers to use while they’re still alive to enjoy it. The elderly are benefiting in my opinion…not being taken advantage of.
I’m an American Picker myself, and I must admit that the life looks pretty glamorous when the work-week is edited down into one hour. It is the other 79 hours that are a grind.
HELLO! I watch the show and wonder how they even make enough money to be in business. Half that rusty junk is just that. The Antique market has been on the skids for some time now. The younger generation doesn’t have memories of most of this stuff it and looks at it as junk. It would be different if they were buying top notch artifacts – they are buying beat to heck, rusty and dirty junk most of the time. When you add food, gas, time, insurance, cleaning, restoring….. A $50 profit is not a big deal. Taking advantage of people – what a joke. Most of the people looks like they could use a buck or two. Sometimes people watching think everything old that they own is worth top dollar, when most of the time it isn;t worth much at all. If that was the case, my mother-in-law would be worth millions!
I was watching this show and was astonished at what these guys claimed as profit. I was in the rare book business for the better part of a decade and learned the only thing worse than taking advantage of a seller is taking advantage of a buyer. People who buy collectibles based on what they see on American Pickers are bound to get screwed. Your post was the only one I read that called these chumps out for the frauds they are. At the end of the day (and the end of the series) these guys are setting themselves up as experts and they are not. They can expect people to pay what ever they ask. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, they know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
fat and skinny ,they remind me of laurel and hardy, also reminds me of flim flam men , confidence men, and con artist, the show im hoping for is the one when their dog mauled , shot and arrested , it will make the world a better place and tv worth watching
Anyone ever take into consideration the profit level of the sellers on these transactions? Most of these items were paid very little for…..example – the guy with the bike in the last show picked it up off the street in a junk pile and walked away with $30.00. Think he isn’t happy?? If both sides walk away happy it’s win, win. The person who gets the cash assumes no risk, the person who has bought a tangible item has. CASH IS KING!
Two people engaging in a business transaction…no one is forced into the deal that they make. The time and effort it takes to make 1 good contact will wipe out any of the “fortune”(as seen by the uninformed) made in the 1 hour snippit you see.
I can’t believe these stupid old fossils out in the boonies hang onto their worthless CRAP like it has anything other than scrap metal value!! I’d love to have American Pickers come to OUR house and offer me real money for trash!
They have great patience dealing with morons whose yards look like TRASH HEAPS– why haven’t their neighbors burnt their garbage scows down?? Besides the old idiot’s own families don’t give a DAMN about their piles of trash– their families will just dig a hole and bulldoze it all in– I”ve seen it done!! So if they get a chance to sell some of their precious hoarder garbage they are even more insane than they already are, not to do it! There’s a difference between antiques and collectibles and the rusty pieces of junk these guys buy.
The guys seem like a couple of scammers taking advantage of the people they deal with
(especially the elderly).
Maybe I am missing the point of the show but, how is it “saving american history one pick at a time” when they scam a item and double or triple their profit? How are they saving american history by scamming??
To me they are a couple of scammers looking to score.
I really dont get these guys.
How in earth is scamming from old people saving american history.
And, what is the deal with the taller of the two guys?
Not the smaller moron?
Is it his money they spend? Everytime I have seen the show all he does is slam his “partner”??
To me these guys are a couple of con men ripping off old people and laughing about it.
There is a thing called Karma guys.
Love ur show guys! Way better than the pawn shop show.I also think ur being fair with all the prices on the items,keep it up. Its just a shame that not all people are willing to let go of the belongings , thats what some times gets me mad when watching ur show. Specilay old ,realy old peole ,its like I dont know what they are going to take with them when they die. Keep ridn those back roads and please skip those kind of people.
These guys are scum fag’s, the skinny fag is like “talking some guy into selling his antique toy with the understanding that its going to him because he appreciates it.. he has it sold by the time he reaches his store. and with all the bartering he only makes $50 off the guy who thought it was going to some museum.
First impressions are everything and I watched the first episode and thought they were scum fag’s and then last night i saw that weasel buy that toy i was speaking of and Im done THIS SHOW SUCK’S!!
I dabble in searching for old cool stuff, estate sales, flea markets… My main problem is that this show is exposing a relatively unknown side job/job and i worry that it will make everyone think they have stuff that is worth more than it actually is thus driving up the cost of actual junk . And flooding the market with tons of wanna be “pickers”.
two things that will sorta ruin it for people that have been doing it for years.. also I do feel it seems like (whether they are or not) they are taking advantage.. just the shear fact that it the show shows what they paid for it, and then what its worth so if these folks watch the show after, they might feel a bit taken.
I HATE that they just stop and knock on doors because it looks like there could be cool stuff.. cold calling is not cool.
they are like ” hey can we intrude in your home and root around through the stuff that has been in your family for many years?”
Interesting show that evokes alotta emotion on both sides. These guys are in it for a profit. The people they approach are free to sell or decline. As long as they dont lie to the owners I am ok with the show.
I have a Vendo 81 coke machine that I bought several years ago. I let the seller make a price and I was willing to pay it, we both parted happy.
Many of the people they visit contact THEM due to ads they place in papers all over many states. And yes, sometimes they do cold calls. But ‘taking advantage’? Puhlees. Many of these people are tickled to find someone who appreciates their stuff and wants to hear about their collections. They’ve probably had kids telling them for years to throw that junk away! Some of these elderly ladies have no use for a whatever pump their husband picked up at a flea market and had sitting in the barn for years. Half of these people have no idea WHAT is buried in their barn under years of debris. Many of them are probably pleased as punch to have a couple of guys come up and give them a couple hundred to haul away some of the ‘junk’ they can no longer get rid of themselves.
They buy esoteric, collectible odds and ends because they have built up a business and have customers they specifically look for. Yes, they make some and they lose some. They try to be respectful of the property, listen to the stories, and while they negotiate, they never push. People are free to refuse and they often do. People in other countries haggle and barter all the time, only in this country do people think you HAVE to pay top dollar all the time, for everything.
They are saving stuff or ‘American history’ as they call it because it is going to be sold to people that want it and will appreciate it. Face it, when many of the owners pass away, their families are going to throw much of that stuff in the landfill, or it will sit in a barn until the barn falls down around it, to be bulldozed away. I’ve seen it happen many times.
you dumn asses if u sell it for scrap metal u might make 2 cents! stupid asses! u must have more money than u got cents! and not have nothing else to do!must be nice!
they drive around america real proud of themselves in a non american van real americans lol trash them let them pick germany
American vehicle manufacturers do not build useful vans like that Mercedes. That’s why most American companies are getting their butts kicked by foreign makers. You have to give peole what they need…not what some advertising bozo and ‘bean counter’ thinks will make money for the parent company.
American patriotism borders on the totally irrational these days it seems
Irrational? The show is called American Pickers, fool!
The ignorance in these comments is unbelievable. No one is being forced to sell anything. If this stuff wasn’t sold it would go dirt cheap at an auction after they died. You can’t take it with you. As for the Mercedes van, last time I looked the best selling cars in america were made by foreign companies. Welcome to 2010. America has decayed just like most of the rusted out crap in these peoples barns.
Sure, these guys are con men, fleecing people when and where they can. That’s the nature of buying and selling, and why I would never be in such a business. The very nature of buying and selling is deception, pure and simple. Bear in mind that you are seeing cherry-picked scenarios where the deal is more or less “fair”, we only see a fraction of the buys they make. I wouldn’t trust either one of these guys, the more I watch them. Their kindness and interest in the people they buy from seems false to me.
Really? Con men? these guys show initiative, operating in a niche, risky at best business and they are branded as crooks…come on! Yes, they most often buy from the elderly, who do you all think has all the great collectible stuff the 20-50 year old demographic? They are not looking for 1980′s spandex. All of you barking about prices, do you scream at the grocery stores when they charge you a 200% mark up or for God’s sake any other consumer item. This is America, that’s what we do…..right?
It’s bad enough that they are ruining it for the rest of us Pickers, But the worst thing is that they do all their collecting of American History in a foreign made Mercedes van ! I’ll tell you, If they pulled into my place claiming to be collectors of American History in a $50,000 Mercedes van with camera crew in tow, I’d be thinking get your wallets out boy’s, As I know, With that van & a TV show payroll, They have plenty of money to spend !
Heck, I’d charge extra just because they showed up not driving something American made. Saving American History in a new Mercedes, Who’d a thought. How Un American is that. Just my 2 cents.
Really? There is no way they are taking advantage of anyone. It’s a TV show for heaven’s sake. The sellers know perfectly well what the show is about and are without a doubt fully prepped. I would bet they get a little “extra something” on the side for appearing on the show. I like this show and for those who don’t, change your channel to a”reality” show like Bad Girls or the Bachelor….now there is something you can take seriously.
Love the show. Reminds me of how I grew up looking through old barns an abandoned houses looking for anything that looked old. So this show needs to come back just don’t bring Frank. Please
I love the show and think they provide a source of income to those who decide they want to part with some of their junk. I don’t think they are taking advantage of anyone. On many occasions I think their offers are too generous and all sellers have the option of saying no. As long as the seller is happy with the price they get…no foul. The fact that they may turn an item over and make a profit doesn’t make them scammers. Buy low…sell high. It’s the American way!
i was flippin through the channels one snowy nite recently and came across this show and loved it, i learned a lot and thought it was educational to know what is possible to find and sell to someone who would like to have it in a collection or what the case may be. just hope there’s more shows in the future and they come closer on the east coast.
Overall I find the show quite interesting, with some tangible excitement of discovery, and done fairly tastefully. The buyer’s prices and margins of profit are not out-of-line. What counts most as either a seller or buyer is politeness, discretion and remember where the other person is coming from. If the seller is apparently not wealthy, but really needs some bread, then offer and pay accordingly. They may be about to part with something they would really rather keep; if I sense this I say, “Maybe you should keep this.” Remember that you’re on their property and act as a welcomed guest. Show up on time at yard sales, not before. (I couldn’t just knock on someone’s door and expect to be cordially welcomed.) Remember it’s a chance to be sociable, enjoy discussing the value and history of what someone else enjoys. If someone has way too low a price on something, let them know what is a more reasonable selling price. People have given me things or lowered prices on other items just for the information. Tactfull and skillfull negotiating is all part of the friendly competition of finding a price that is acceptable to both. Neither push your luck nor let someone twist your arm or cajole you. You’ll have fun, find some deals and both feel good about transactions.
What I don’t like is the bit at the end where they display what they supposedly “made” or values each piece at.. They are as bad at valueing as Antiques Roadshow is..How about some REAL WORLD pricing, guys.. The show where the one dude “lost his shirt on an old car was priceless…
And dang it, get an American van guys!
Love the show – entertaining. Don’t overthink things, just enjoy. Keep the episodes coming. Can’t wait to see tonights new ones!
Wow, who the hell cares what kind of car they drive?! The History Channel probably paid for it to haul the camera crew around in. Plus, it’ll last longer than any American-made POS driving around nowadays.
This is how they make their living. I do the same. They rescue relics that would otherwise rot into the ground and pass them on to people who will appreciate them. They are indeed saving history. The owners of the items don’t have to sell. I’ve seen doors get slammed in their faces before. It’s up to the sellers whether they want them to look through their stuff for not. Plus, why not sell that old stuff they probably forgot they even had? They’ll get money and get it out of the way.
Just read a fun feature on CH+D http://www.chdresource.com/blog/guilty-design-pleasure-picking-and-grinning
Love the show, and I belive that these two lads are doing people a service by buying their old stuff lets face it if your neibour had a pile of old motorcycles for example and they nhave been there for years you had a chance to root thru them and buy one don`t begruge two lads getting something where they can make a buck on.
But as one person said the antique market is getting soft
so a person really has to know what they are doing. These lads should come to eastern Canada they would clean up.
In case some of you didn’t notice, they don’t always sell the item. When it shows the value of what it’s worth, not what they sell it for or if they have sold it.
Look into something rather than trolling something you glance at and nothing more, otherwise you are just wasting others time with worthless, pointless, words.
replace fat and skinny better known as dull and duller with 2 hot , knowlegable big breasted women . then the rating will improve
horrible ang sexist comment you are an idiot
greetings… taking everything (the many multi-layers of reality inherent in the production of the show – the surmised as well as the unknown) into account re: the American Pickers television program, i think the bad taste left in my mouth by these two seasoned “pickers” would be lessened if the program’s policy would be altered to ‘a 51/49% split of the PROFIT made by these “two pickers driving around the country in a Mercedes van”- 51% going to the folks who saved all these great things for so many years for so many different reasons.
i think the ‘sick-to-my-stomach’ pall that i feel when watching the program is a result from the fact that these guys all too often know the value of something and offer the person who has no idea what it’s worth such a lowball amount with a blatantly faux “ignorant” ‘oh-me-oh-my-oh-gosh-i-have-no-idea-what-this-is valued-at’ charade … it’s obvious when they do this and it’s also clear they oughta be ashamed of themselves when they do… for the most part, it’s certainly not a level paying field… and it’s really galling when the “American Pickers” overplay their “Aw, shucks” schtick and seek some sympathy when one of their buy “gambles” doesn’t reap them the considerable profit they anticipated… naive question? : are they paid for their involvement in this tv show?
sincerely, ernst.
flatblackCadillac artwerx
“oasis d’neon video magazine”
First of all, these do not take advantage of old people, this is stuff that these folks have just sitting with cobwebs and dust all over it. It they offer 75 bucks for a 400 dollar sign and the people take it thats their loss, your in the business to make money. You dont pay 200 dollars for a 300 dollar sign and expect to make anything. Selling and sitting on the stuff takes alot too, they make the effort to do that.
Well i happened upon this program american pickers and i was appalled by what i saw. these two sheisters lying and double dealin their way to ill gotten riches! i am outraged. as an elderly american i know that some of my ilk have no idea what is in their garages and i think it is shameful that they are being swindled. i pledge to boycott this television program and urge other God fearing Americans to do the same.
i dont think i should be bamboozled out of my money just because i dont care how much things are worth. i swear you cant even buy a loaf of bread these days. without some tax man taxin it up. These days it doesn’t take talent to be on televison I suppose. The only talent those two have is picking their own noses. . for shame on this history channel!! for shame
Some of your people are nuts! First of all, I saw many times those guys were paying more than I usually pay for similar item on the auctions. Secondly, when they buy stuff- they risk – not all items bring sound profits (eg. the $5000 car), thirdly, they travel, and they travel a LOT! This is not a 8.00 in the morning wake up with muffin and a coffee with the paper in hand and socializing at Starbucks- they often wake up early in the morning (how about 2.00 o clock?) spend hundreds of hours in their van, traveling, eating junk food and drinking gallons of junk coffee. They need to pay for gas, hotels (or yes, sleep in the van) and other expenses of the road. Last but not least they need to do their dirty job. They also need to spend a significant amount of time or money ( sell for less to sell fast) to sell the junk they bought. After all that – they do not look as a high net worth individuals- to say the least. They will probably end up just a notch better than the old pals with the junkyards they are buying from (unless the tv series turns out to be a phenomenon).
I personally love the show. The stuff these guys buy is stuff that has been sitting around in someones barn or shed for years. These people don’t even remember buying it. Just because people are elderly does not mean that they are stupid. Most of these old guys that they are buying stuff from have been doing this for years, they are well aware of what they have. You could go out today and buy something for a million dollars and that does not mean that you could turn around and sell it for that tomorrow. The stuff you sell is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Boycotting the show is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. It’s called TURN THE CHANNEL!!!! Thay are not knocking on your door trying to buy something and if they do SAY NO.
watch the show I love antiques and collect alot but sometimes they are way rude when someone does not want to sell take no for a reason. Yes alot has been out there and going to pot but it is not the same as someone getting it from them for their own enjoyment. I think they should not push so much.
I was a picker in my younger days. I traveled around New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York State in the 1950′s . The show reminds me of my heyday.
It is nice to watch them crawl around and find something buried in the mud which they can capitalize upon.
I love how so many people are picking on the van the Pickers drive! Mercedes? Yeah – its got a Mercedes badge on the hood – but is that all you see? Sad. Would the same folks make comments if it had a Dodge badge? Probably not, because Dodge is American…right? Yeah. Sure. Guess what – regardless of what badge is on the front, a large share of Chrysler is owned by Daimler from Germany. So go buy your “all-American” Chrysler vehicles and watch your money go oversees. Like it or not folks, we live in a GLOBAL economy now – there are no “American” cars, or “Japanese” cars driving around the streets of North America – they all have parts from multiple countries and/or are assembled in multiple countries. Get over it. Either like the show or don’t like the show – leave the “brand” of the stupid van out of it.
Personally I think the show is interesting. That said, it’s TV. A lot of it is probably set-up ahead of time…and is anything but “live”. However, the items they are looking at are real, and hearing about their history is interesting.
I finally found something of interest on tv. I can hardly wait till Monday night at 9 to watch American Pickers. I just love Mike and Frank! I have been a picker for as long as I can remember. Many items in my home came out of the trash. Now, I find out last Monday was the season finale. Please tell me that they will be making more episodes. I am waiting for those 2 to come to my area in Pennsylvania. I will invite them in for a ham sandwich and a beer!
Just watched an episode on Youtube, will buy the DVD this next July as it does not air here.
I’m a picker from Canada, since 1989. Going to USA once in a while to buy stuff too. On the road, with all the expenses (gas, truck depreciation, hotel, cell phone, etc), you MUST double your money (minimum!) on everything, or you’re dead.
It is a full time gambling business, when you’re lucky you make more than twice the money, but some items you made a mistake (paid too much) & you’re screwed up. With the internet auction sites & all the information available now, even some elderly people are smarter than the pickers themselves! Like somebody else said, market is down on many things, it is cheaper to buy at the auction that fighting with private people in their homes to get something.
It is like any other business: making money is always taking advantage of somebody at the end, because of your knowledge, the customers you have that the privates don’t, etc. . If you buy a Lazy-Boy from the store in town, you’re not complaining if he paid the piece 50% less from his supplier. That’s life! Lots of people are happy to get some money for their junk, even if it is not the “full retail market value”. Much better than throwing it in the trash can (or paying to get rid of it!). The only thing I complain about the show, they should not put the retail prices vs peice paid, (most of the times that’s bullshit), and it does not help the real pickers at the end because it does not reflect the real market now.
These clowns are PHONIES!! acting like they really love the item for themselves or a dear friend. HA! Then they jew them down for peanuts compared to what it is actually worth. Hopefully their victims get well paid from the producers of this cheesy show for looking like suckers on TV. They could probably run plenty of episodes on all the people that tell these a-bags off and slam the door in their greedy faces. ‘American Pickers’ AKA ‘American Greed, Scams and Scoundrels’
It’s funny how many people call these guys scammers. Have many of you seen how auction houses work? They are the ones who the loved ones will bring in to get rid of this stuff once the “old people” pass on. Go to a few auctions and see what things are going for. Then remember that the auction house is going to take a cut of that too. Then remember uncle Sam has his hand out as well. I would have much rather some guys come along and bought some of my grandparents junk and provided them with a few more dollars while they were alive. My grandfather passed away a year ago. The sum of material he collected in his life was auctioned off in a single morning. It barely covered the cost of his funeral expenses and paid off the bank. My dad and his brothers had to pay the auction house out of their own pockets. That’s reality folks.
picked up on this show in motel rooms while on a road trip. another “reality” show of sorts, but a heck of a lot more interesting than most that are on the tube, but i’m a collector of vintage advertising so entertaining to me. value is in the eye of the beholder & that should be definitely kept in mind. elderly folks are usually the ones with large collections of varied items. think one starts off with intent to restore, but easy to become a hoarder or next thing to that. sometimes they don’t even know what they have. as for show, dramatized to some extent, but that has to be. all “pickers” look for a good deal, but that doesn’t mean they can turn an item over & make a fortune on it.
I watch the show everytime i can, which is a lot. i love the show but noticed that sometimes the pickers make comments that make it seem they want the items for personal use, but end up selling it for profit. for example frank saw a shelley clock and said he has a friend by that name and is interested in buying it. sold! another item he claimed would look nice on his office table. SOLD! seems wrong to me.
This show is fun to watch. Trust me I had two parents that had stuff they were waiting to do something with sometime and they both died not having done a thing. This 2 are trying to make a living and remember they’ll be paying income taxes on these sales. The elderly WWII veteran from the very first show that people felt was grossly taken advantage had the guys back to sell more stuff. Between he and his daughter (daughter mostly) realized that her father was never going to do anything with the stuff. He could use the cash now and it would be one less worry after he passed on. Trust me nowadays most grown kids having to clean out mom and dad’s garages after they die will make more trips to the landfill with all of the stuff their parents hung on to than taking the time to find buyers.
I love the show, as with bargaining you have ups and downs. These guys are great, fun to watch and just plain entertaining.
These guys are not taking advantage of anyone. It is no different than any buying and selling. When you trade in a car they give youless than it is worth so they can sell it and make a profit. When a house appraisses for 100,000 it may truly sell for 90,000. SOme of these things they are buying they may lose money on.
I’ve just started watching this show last month. I LOVE the show!! I’m close to a family that has done flea markets and has come across some very interesting items over the many years. Have they been pickers themselves? Sure. Now the main “picker” is getting older and having to give up most of the flea markets, but she has always had her shop here in this small town. She is like my “2nd” mom and she has some amazing items in her “Clutter Hut”. It’s not open on a regular basis and because her shop is in a small town, she doesn’t get as much business as she should. If Mike would come to her shop and find some things that are interesting enough to offer a price for her…I say…YAY!!! She needs to sell and people just don’t always think to “check out” her items! I believe this is a way to give these people an income, while also helping the “picker” to make an income. What’s wrong with that? If she was to not be able to sell anything, would that benefit her in the least? Would these items be brought to other gendres to be viewed or marketed otherwise? Should a lifetime of being in this business just be lost on people getting “rid” of the items when that person is no longer here, or should it be shared and enjoyed as a part of our American history and culture? For these individuals to be able to receive compensation for there love of collecting, hoarding or whatever you want to call it…they should be compensated. The rest of us interested in the history and possibly owning part of this history should be able to have that chance. Possibly the next generation will carry on the love and intrigue of our past. I can only hope!
look, ill give it to you from my point, a buddhists/cosmic universal point. what these guys are doing is not wrong. that is, its not illegal. however, that is where the argument ends. its morally wrong.
these guys are stealing from people. they are completely duping them. buddhism/cosmic universal religions state that your karma is only as bad as your intention to commit the definable act. and your intention in doing so is defined by how aware your are that you are doing wrong.
you can argue however you want. to me karma is something you should fear, because when you don’t fear karma, cosmic repercussion/god, you give yourself permission to hurt others. it doesn’t matter whether the people being duped know there duped, what matters is that the people doing the duping, know as such, and that is how i live my life, others would do well to consider the same.
im psychic, have seen three ghosts in my life, that’s enough for me to to accept and entertain the believe that there is an afterlife and god. if you don’t fear what you do, then you don’t fear that its wrong.
i can sleep well knowing that in my religion, these men will be punished accordingly to cosmic law. the universe is extremely fair. god sees all, you get away with NOTHING!
I WATCHED IT ,TERRIBLE SHOW THESE 2 GUYS HAVE NO ABILITY , WORST SHOW IVE WATCHED SINCE BLOSSOM. I THINK THEY SIT ON THE COMPUTER AND WRITE THEIR OWN REVIEWS TO SELF PROMOTE. CRAP WILL ALWAYS BE CRAP NO MATTER HOW ITS PACKAGED
You have to remember; Antique Stores don’t have a catalog or suppliers they call up to reorder inventory. Inventory comes from dealers and pickers like these men here. More often or not; Frank and Mike are paying the asking prices.
If you like the American Pickers check out my video Pickin’ Ain’t Easy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr7JofFaAr4
this show is additive to watch……if i was 10 years younger i would love to be a picker……like pawn stars love American pickers
They call themselves American and drive a benz thats real funny stuff. Junk the benz and go pick an American panel truck douche bags.
Great show!!! I love it. Taking advantage of the elderly? Come on stupid? Their not picking up items neatly stored and maintained on a shelf. Their usually picking up junk out of the brush, weeds and weather. Their rescuing history and providing some $ into these “elderly” people’s pocket that they would not otherwise had. I can’t believe what they do pay for some of this “junk”.
LOVE the show. I have been a swap meet/garage sale picker for over 30 years. I have a huge collection of telephones, license plates, signs, Drive-in junk, Coca Cola collectables and sports memorabilia. I live in GA and TX and find stuff all the time in barns, people’s yards and junk shops. These guys are my heros. My wife and I just started watching but have all the episodes. Keep them picking.
One more comment for the idiots above who think these guys are taking advantage of people. One man’s junk in another mans treasure. I have given stuff to collectors free who restored and cleanup old junk that was of value to them just to get it back into the mainstream when I did not have the time. People who do not want to part with their stuff; don’t. People know that you’re making a buck reselling their stuff and often wish you well making that buck. That’s the whole ever-loving point of being a seller and a collector. These idiots with their moral objections are just myopic dimwits who wouldn’t understand what this whole buying and selling collectables philosophy is all about. They should watch re-runs of Ironsides instead, because they have never collected anything and probably have the first dime they ever made; with interest!
I love the show, I just wish they drove a American made Van.
Like most things in life, material items are not worth a dime unless someone wants them.
But for the most part I think the pickers on this show are more than fair to the people they buy from.
Maybe I missed it in the editing, but as far as I know I haven’t seen them hold up a gun to anyone and make them sell. If the person doesn’t want to sell it, then they don’t. If they do, they sell it and we’ve all seen them haggle with sellers. If the item sits there and gets ruined, what good does that do to anyone? If anyone hates this show, I hope they hate Pawn Stars too. The only difference is that the sellers come to that store rather than the AP buyers coming to their customers. Wouldn’t most of us want people to come to our house and start giving us cash for stuff? I like the show for the educational aspect too.
what kind of jukebox expert would say that a 48 rockola plays 33′s?
These guys are great and the show is well done. Picking is hard work and its even harder to make money at it. They are not taking advantage of people at all. Those of you who make negative comments about them are the kind of people that end up making this kind of work so hard that the stuff ends up thrown away.
heres the bottom line…nobody is taking advantage of anybody…most of these people that have all this “junk” is b/c they are hoarders most of the time….heres my point though, if it wasn’t for people like Mike & Frank most of that stuff would be destroyed when these old people die…Mike & Frank are simply buying and sell these items to try and PRESERVE HISTORY…in my opinion they are doing a great service of both finding these things and selling them……The only horrible thing is it shows what they bought it for and what its “VALUED”…I would like to know how much it actualy these things sell for…
As a part time picker for years I can say these guys seem pretty fair. Sure they sometimes pay a lot less for an item than they could have, but unlike the Pawnstars, they don’t have the luxury of calling in an expert for special finds when they aren’t sure what they can sell an item for. All pickers take risks. Sometimes we pay far too high and lose our shirts. Other times we pay too low and end up making a huge profit on an item. Mostly we pay about 40% of retail and that, at the end of the day, seems to pay the bills and leave a bit left for to buy the kids some shoes. Isn’t that what America is all abv
As a part time picker, I can say that Mike and Frank are pretty fair. They win some and lose some (remember Frank’s car?) When you factor in gas, wear on the van, the cost of the van, the muscle strains, the cost of cleaning and marketing their wares, they don’t seem to be making an overwhelming profit. Nothing like what Walmart or Wall Stre makes, I think.
Remember, these “old folks” have been around a long time and they are not fools and are not averse to pulling the wool over the eyes of the picker when they can. (Remember that bike in the shrubs?)
All these guys are doing, when you come down to it, is creating their own private yard sales. Isn’t that the American Way?
The show is indeed upsetting. People not involved in the antique/collectible arena will immediately send these two con artists to hell an burn. People involve in the business through selling/buying/collecting will love the attempt to glean a profit and have a business—the “American Way”
In either case if you embrace the American theme of independence, knowledge and power you will grasp the beauty of the program.
It is great to see the bigger picture of how business dealings are made (or lost) through enthusiasm and knowledge. If anything, this show perpetuates the importance of doing some research prior to selling an item.
I think everyone who criticizes the show needs to try to sell at a flea market/Antique Show in order to have a small perspective on the challenge an reward of selling in America.
This show brings one back to the basics of America that made us great and ugly at the same time and within the same hour. This show is not to be misse for the bigger and more important “history” lesson.
Keep this up. Great show for learning!
The show is great. Pro Picker here and yes knowledge is power. Some get a PHD in education, and there some of us who dig through garbage cans. Over the last 10 years I have sold 18 objects at Sotheby’s in New York. Total take on these 18 objects in the ballpark, $138.000.00 – “One mans trash, is greenbacks in my pocket”. Show th real picker, The guy in Ft. Lauderdale who made 2.9 millon on a French, no that is a score.
I do believe the show is pre-set up. Meaning that the items,pricesand comments from the pickers and sellers are all scripted.
They probably also buy more items from the sellers then we see. How on earth could they ever make a living driving around in a van buying just what we are seeing?
Bellieve this show will not have a long tv run.
JV IN TN
I actually got curious as to what people were saying about these guys because I thought they were paying A LOT more for some things than they should. Virtually everything they buy has been sitting outdoors for who knows how long; it’s rusted to heck and will probably take at least double what they paid to restore it to sellable condition.
If you wanna see people get taken to the cleaners, just watch Pawn Stars. I’ve seen them pay $50 for some rusted Coke machine, get it restored for another $400, and plan on selling it for $2,000.
People TAKE their items to the PAWN STARS shop. The sellers are asked if they wish to pawn, sell or trade for what they bring in. As for the amount offered? Sellers have a right to say thanks-but-no-thanks.
Rick and crew have the upkeep of a large business with employees etc also. While they probably have an outlet, off site, for many of the items they buy and refurbish — all that takes time, money and WORK.
I dislike the idea, on American Pickers, Mike and Frank are shown going to the homes of folks who are NOT expecting them (if we believe the show). Many of the people probably have some seriouos mental health issues. Why? VERY few people hoard all of the stuff these folks seem to! Who on earth digs on a hole in the ground and paints 6000 2×4′s with 2 coats of paint to make a virtual rabbit warren for his stuff? Many of the sites they go to look like fire traps … let alone zoning nightmares LOL. While I believe in life and let live, some places we see is absurb at best.
Ever wonder just how Mike and Frank can walk through snake and bug infested areas and nothing shows up? They sit in an old rusted car hulk with nary a snake in site? Pre-set up show for sure, in MHO
On both shows, as someone said, the shows are entertainment. Anyone partaking in the shows has to sign releases, authorizations etc. They might even be paid for not only the items, but their time etc.
I just LIKE the guys on PAWN STARS so much better. They never come across as phony. Chumlee makes it all hilarious too … bless his humble soul!
JV
Reading these comments make we wonder if some people live in a cave. Lighten up. These guys are putting money in people’s pockets that would never have sold this junk. Some of the crap they buy is just junk. Holding on to this stuff is a chore just waiting for the right buyer to come along. If they know where the bodies are burried so be it they did their homework. on the resale side It’s supply and demand, economics nothing else.
Something else to consider. Most of the items that these people are “hoarding” were purchased decades ago. For example, a porcelain sign bought for $5 back in 1960 and stored somewhere back in a barn collecting dust…then purchased for $75 dollars by the pickers…it may be worth $250 to someone now, when (and if ) you find that buyer. The seller made a good profit, and eventually, the dealer also may make some money after subtracting overhead, etc. It’s the way they make their living.
Watch the show and agree that the people can choose to sell or keep their antiques, but the problem I have is they are AMERICAN pickers driving a GERMAN truck….what’s that about! At least drive a CHEVY/Ford/GMC….don’t you think that would be good!
Wow…never woulda guess so many people would be so hostile to this show!!!
As far as the guys taking advantage and looking down at folks, I ‘m confused. They seem to enjoy the stories and personalities of the people they meet as much as we do. If that’s an act, so be it. They are more than respectful. The “elderly” sellers are interesting, let the boys in to look and whats more–THEY LET PEOPLE FILM IT FOLKS.
Now who is insulting WHO here?
My husband I watch it and many times shout–”why are they paying so much for that!!!”
Doesn’t look like the profit margin is that high on most stuff to call them thieves.
I’ve been buying and selling antiques, mostly antique car parts for 20 yrs. …and I think these guys are idiots, I think their low ball deals are pure luck, I would really like to see the end result of their pick (they never show it) where they actually sell the item and make the profit they claim, to me, all the claims are false. Do they even take account the taxes paid??? But I do agree with most, that if you are in the antique business, it’s all about buying low and selling high. For me, I don’t even buy something unless I know I’m going to make a 200% or more profit.
How are they taking advantage of these people if they offer a price that can be accepted or refused? These guys have put in the hours doing their homework, finding buyers and collectors who are willing to pay a price for the things they want. They are fulfilling a need and making a profit just like any other business man. If you don’t have a buyer for your things, they are only worth sentimental value. If these people really wanted to make sure they got full price for their stuff, they would have to spend a lot of time on the phone and internet tracking down buyers to get top dollar. Time is money. The Pickers have to make a profit to cover their time, gas, shop, secretary, etc. More power to them!
A. selling your own stuff on ebay sucks and is depressing.
B. if Pickers came to my door and spent the time to examine and appreciate my collection and I felt my treasures would be loved as they deserved, price would become a lesser issue. Everyone should understand that these Pickers are self-employed and this is how they earn a living and that there must be difference between purchase and re-sale in order to have a business that prospers. I don’t think that is lost on the elderly – they are old, not stupid.
C. in the end this show gives me reason to get off the couch and go to the flea market and look for my own treasures.
One of the things I like best is the lack of attitude, and their fairness. I do some picking too, and it is very easy to go out on ebay or whatever to look up prices. If both parties are happy with the price, then it was a good deal all around
Wow some people need to get a clue. They ask people if they want to sell the items they don’t steal them. It’s called business it’s obvious most here that slam these guys wouldn’t be able to do it.
Let me ask you this, do you think a person is entitled to make any profit on any item they sell? That includes houses, cars, boats, firearms etc? If you answer yes then what’s your problem? They do make quite a bit on some items and not much on others. They are taking on the risks and expenses of being a small business owner.
If I would be the person selling, I may not like seeing what it was worth at the end of the show but I also didn’t take the time needed to clean it up and research the value of it either. Keep in mind that’s the retail price or hopefully retail price at the end after the prep work is done and the business expenses are taken out.
I talk to an older gentleman where I work at. He scours garage sales and flea markets and will buy items for 25 cents as an example (dishes) and resell them a year or 2 later for $100.00. He’s told me he’s done that more than once. Every year or two when he gets enough stuff he rents space in a building and has an auction. He doesn’t run and tell the people at the yard sale hey this is an antique it’s worth this much. He just buys it and hits the road.
Many of the people on the show are HOARDERS plain and simple. My dad was that way to a point and when he died most of his stuff went to the landfill. Looking back now I wish I would’ve had a couple guys stop by to buy some things from me. I know now I threw some collectible stuff away and I’ve hung onto some junk. At least if they’d have been around I’d have gotten something for it.
I have a theory about Pawn Stars and American Pickers, that often they buy things because the camera is there and because the producers of the show “assist” indirectly in the purchase of junk to juice up the show. And add a humor factor. Some of the junk they buy really is just junk.
It would be much better if they were going around flea markets, estate sales and other venues where prices are already on items and deemed fair in the eyes if the seller.
I notice many of you talk about if the haters of AP were to find an undervalued item at a yard sale, would they offer them more than the tagged price? No – because they have a price that makes them happy on the item.
But these guys approach someone who has not really had time to research and think about a price.
I, too, do not like the way they operate. The little sidebars they toss in where they talk about the person, item or haggling technique are mean.
Did you see the show where they went around with the guy and made offers on things, then wanted to pay even less, so they went outside to discuss a strategy to get it for less, which was to put all the desired items in a pile and then make an overall price? Loved it when they went back to the guy and he whiped out a list he had made as they went along and had all the prices and a total to the penny of what they had been offering! Then the pickers were shown off to the side not believing the guy did that and knew exactly what the agreed on prices were! Jerks!
And what about the time they were so caught up in rummaging that they left the old guy baking in the hot sun for almost an hour? Proved they were only concerned about the “stuff”. Glad they did say on the show that that was wrong.
I do like the way on Pawn Stars where they get experts in and seller is aware of what something is worth and then when offered way less than that – are told Stars have to run a business and make money. Lays it all out, so when expert says something might go at auction for $5000 – $8000 and the offer is $2000, they know why. Most got item for free or way less than $2000 so they sell because they don’t want the hassle of an auction, etc. Plus some say no and leave.
Bottom line is, cut out the sidebars that let us know the pickers are aware of prices and are lowballing, leave off the cha-ching picked/valued screen and concentrate on the finding of items and telling us about them (like Pawn Stars does). Seems like many who write here enjoy learning about the history of an item the best.
I love the show. I have been hobby picking (for my own collection as well as resale) for 30 years. I envy these guys. Ebay has put to finding just about anything at an antique store, show or fleamarket. So traveling around is what you have to do to make a living. These guys are not taking advantage. Don’t believe for one minute that before the picking begins, the owners of the property are made aware of what is going on. There are legal ramifications, copyright and maybe even royalties involved. Maybe not, but I am sure that these folks know in advance of what is taking place.
Nothing is worse than going through acres of junk to dispose of when the owner passes and you happen to be the only heir.
Due to word of mouth, I just discovered the program and absolutely love it Thats exactly what I would love to do except, I don’t think I would have the courage to browse through someones old barn in the deep woods of the old South. WAY TOO MANY CRAZIES for a single woman.
As far a taking advantage of the old people, thats bull. Most of the shows I have seen so far, have shown people who didn’t even realize those things were there. Why should something sit and rot simply because they are hoarders. Most of those old people know what they have and are pretty sly themselves.
If you are not going to use something, get rid of it. The seller would have made no money on that Gas sign while it was lying under brush deteriorating. Even if it was worth $800 reatail, I would be happy with the $300. cash they offered me. No checks, money orders or Debit cards to deal with. CASH!!!
Besides which in California half those items would sell for 3 times the amount The Pickers sell it for. With that said, I as a seller, would sell it for more also.(California. Remember) Its obvious to me I need to go to the South to find some great bargains.
I’ve lived in the country (California foothills) my whole life and my father just discarded things (like all bottles, cans, oil cans, broken bicycles, toys and tractor parts) in holes as landfill covering it over once a year. Cars that were beyond help were hauled out to the same area to rust away beneath shrubery. How sad all that memorabilia lost in some time capsules until a real estate developer comes a long and digs it up for a strip mall.
I thank the American Pickers for fun ride and an introduction to some pretty colorful characters. PICK ON!
These pickers are not taking advantage of the old folks. Most of that junk is just rotting away in the elements and will be left to the heirs to dispose of eventually. Frankly, I would not have any of that junk in my house. Love the show, however, and love Mike’s easy, breezy manner.
We’ve been in the antique business on and off for 25 years. You’ve got to realize that those guys have overhead driving around the country in a truck, plus they have to pay the girl in the shop–overhead is a HUGE deal. Our rule of thumb is to average at least 5 times the money on the purchases they make (if you buy something for $10, then you have to sell it for 50). If they can’t do that, they’ll go broke. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get bit. Hopefully you get lucky more often.
It allears the “Research Department” for the American Pickers is Off It’s Game. Watched an episode in Iowa, they showed a 1957 Chevy Coupe. The hood was up and clearly showing was a standard “Straight 6 Engine”, In full display is the rectangular straight engine block with the 6 (six) spark plugs on the left side. One spark plug was partly hidden by the coil and heater hose. BUT THEN …..the description of the engine came up saying it was a “Small V8 Engine”, what a bad mistake! The reserch people were way off, and doesn’t anyone review and edit the episode commentary for accuracy?
The guys act as if they are into Americanna, motorcycles, automobiles, and advertising. Knowing the difference between a 1957 Chevy “Straight 6″ and a “V8″ Engines is as basic as it gets! Come On Boys, proof your staff’s commentary. This kind of mistake tends to make the show look a amature.
Further you really should know the values of American Jukeboxes like Seaburg, Rockola and Wurlitzer. Please!
Dont u feel bad about taking advantage of the older prople? You Should you should be ashamed. I hope when u get up n the years some one rips u off for a lot of money. See how u feel
I love the show can’t wait to get home on Mon. night & watchit. I even watch the reruns quite a bit…I only wish that it didn’t come on the same night as Top Gear on BBC.
Most of the time AP wins…and I catch rerun of Top gear through the week.
Love the show!! Take advantage of old people? you all get a life. If they are like my parents, after 2 days they don’t even remember whats gone they have so much junk! If you want to complain…talk about doctors, lawyers, realestate agents, drug companies, insurance companies, power companies, loan companies…need I go on!!
I can’t stand them. They should be ashamed of themselves. That being said, I wish these people would know what this stuff is worth before agreeing to sell it. To those who say it’s a business, they’re in it for money, they shouldn’t pay what it’s worth blah blah blah: the people they cold call aren’t in that frame of mind of selling something to a store. They try to charm themselves into a home and put on their “I’ll just throw out a price” act.
My father-in-law and husband are collectors and sellers. While it drives me nuts all the stuff everywhere, I’d still hate to see the two of them get hosed by some pushy, obnoxious salesmen. Thankfully they know what they’ve got.
i love the show. i have a house full of old stuff i’d like to get rid of
Frank and Mike are fun to watch. I’m amazed at the some of the junk they buy and what they pay. I have done much better at garage sales and flea markets. They need to hit the southern flea markets, GA, SC, AL. in the spring and fall. There are bargins galore and at much better prices then they are paying now.
If you think these guys are taking advantage of people you are an idiot. Fact is, nobody has to sell their stuff. And it seems to me that the guys are very respectful when they approach houses. A lot of the places they pick are leads where people call their business and invite them to come. I have also seen where they have taken a chance and came out on the wrong side of things. Mike bought a Booby Trap a couple episodes ago and it ended up being something totally different and not worth what he paid. I have also seen them give little old ladies more than they asked because they knew they could sell it for a good price. Those who think they rip people off probably think the guys of Pawn Stars do the same. When is the last time you went to a pawn shop and got what you would pay at an auction or some other retail venue? You don’t because that is what they sell it for so they can make a living.
About the van, I wonder how many people wrapped up in the fact that it is not American made actually only drive American vehicles. On top of that how many make 100% sure that they only put American made replacement parts to go into those American made vehicles? The fact is that there are more foreign made cars (and parts) out there on these American roads than American cars and we don’t walk up to everybody driving a Toyota or Mercedes and call them Un American.
My problem isn’t so much that they supposedly take advantage of people, but rather they just seem kinda like jerks. I don’t remember the exact episode or which one said it, but one made a comment (while buying something for a higher price than he wanted) that he’d “make up for it on something else”, which essentially translates to “I’ll screw you out of the next item”. It may be unintentional, but it is what it is. As far as “taking advantage”, keep in mind that this is TV and they edit together multiple days of buying and selling. Sure, they may have gotten something for $20 and sold it for $200, but they also may have bought something for $100 and found out its worthless. Interesting show, but kinda dishonest in a way. Pawn Stars is better by leaps and bounds.
90% of the people they visit are Hoarders and have no use for the items they buy and more times than none, the owners take very poor care of those items. Leaving something to rust in your yard for 30 years and then asking $600 bucks for it is nonsense.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW, WISH IT CAME ON EVERY NIGHT!!!!
I think before anyone opens their mouth to criticize anybody, they should make sure they can back up what they say with facts and not be so self righteous. First of all, it’s a TV show, for crying out loud. Second of all, most of this stuff would rust away in someone’s out building and end up on the junk heap. This way, at least there’s a chance someone will restore and appreciate it. I personally love the show. I can’t get enough of it. I find it not only entertaining, but very educational. And, as they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. So ease up and enjoy it for what it is. I think the people who spend so much time criticizing just need to get a life.
Now you guys have everybody thinking their junk is worth it’s weight in gold.
Yeah for the person who left comment #23!!!!!!!!!!! Im in!! And these guys are great. No one forces anyone to sell anything. All the owner has to do is say NO. And for those who say that its just junk must not have the slightest interest in history because if this show does anything it displays items that have molded our society into what it is today. And that is interesting!
I enjoy watching The Pickers and will continue to watch it.
My only comment would be that after finding the rare gravestone, it would have been nice to photograph the wording on the stone before selling it or at least document the wording. This can then be sent to a website such as http://www.findagrave.com so that a descendant looking for that person might be able to find information on their ancestor’s burial.
Frank and Mike must have read our comments LOL – they have toned down the nasty attitude from the first season … and the shows flow better with input on the sale (after sale) from the sellers.
Now I can sit and enjoy the finds. While I am not a picker, we live where folks LOVE to come and see what we locals have around in barns etc. And folks, “we taint dumb!!!” Remember that – East TN drawl and all – we got smarts in our heads
Still hold with the idea the producers etc have to have set up the show and sellers in advance. Heck, what would any of us think if 2 guys with a camera crew arrived at our front doors? Besides, the sellers seem to be ‘dressed’, as in not looking like they just been kicking back watching tv with a 6 pack!
Show has gotten better, and that is good.
I live in a small southern town called ennice NC. And right on the Va line is another small town called cana. The main hwy is full of antiques and this goes on for miles I thought you might be interested.
JUST WONDERING WHEN THEY WILL STOP BY SOMEONE OF ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS LAND OR PROPERTY? SOMEONE OF COLOR: ASIAN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, LATIN AMERICAN? WE HAVE THINGS TOO. I DO LIKE THE SHOW BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM VISIT OTHER PEOPLE…
I LIKE THE SHOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM VISIT SOMEONE OF COLORS HOUSE, SOMEONE OF A DIFFERENT RACE THAN THEMSELVES…I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS SHOW SINCE IT STARTED AND NEVER HAVE THEY EVER VISITED AN AFRICAN-AMERICANS PROPERTY…I KNOW THEY HAVE THINGS TOO…AND LOTS OF LAND…JUST GO TO SOUTH CAROLINA…CHECK OUT HOPKINS, OR EASTOVER…
I understand the guys have to make a profit, but when they only pay one tenth of the value, that’s taking advantage. Also……where did they find Danielle? Every time I see her on the show, it makes me think twice about ever watching it again. She’s just “not right”.
I think its great that they buy from a lot of elderly people. The elderly are a wealth of knowledge and most of the time very interesting to talk to. People shove their older family members off to the side and forget about them. I hope that the pickers buy a lot of items from them, so they can enjoy their money while they can. The folks that think they are taking advantage of people are the ones that are waiting for Granny to die, so they can get a fat inheritance!….Old folks, Sell your stuff now. Take that trip you have always wanted to take. Don’t worry about leaving money to your heirs. You earned it! Let your relatives earn their own money!
Hey Fayth, they did visit “a person of color”. This guy and his son had an AWESOME garage! Mike and Frank sold him two gas pumps for his collection. I’m sure if the gentleman was selling any items they would have bought from him as well. I am so tired of people bringing race into everything!
The elderly people they encounter is just as interesting if not more interesting than the items they buy from them. Mighty Billy Bob made valid points. These elderly people and their interesting collections are often shoved to the side and forgotton. I would love to spend a day with some of these elderly people to hear more about the fasinating lives they’ve lived. Everyone profits. Money is not the only commodity involved. For some elderly people, spending time with them is more valuable. I think it’s great.
i dont think they are taking advantage they first ask what would you want us to pay for this or how much are you willing to sell this for all you people who think they are taking advantage of the old people have to listen and hear what they say also the people selling the stuff know what they have and what they want for it thats why they are in the junk business to begin with if you watch some times the dont do good some times they do great i would like to get to know the sisteri like to see all her tattoos she looks lonely i would like to keep company with her
I’ve seen it all, done it all, been it all, yet, I still retain morals I won’t and cannot lower myself to step over.I believe in going with the Mainstream approach and know the elderly ARE to be protected and helped! APPARENTLY NOT!!
You can also put on your happy face and play mind games on someone’s Nan and Pop while you and your camera crew dazzle them with instant popularity!Best of all, you inform everyone how easily our elderly can be targeted and afterwards, dish it back to them on international television!
But that’s not how they recalled it. I hope no bad people think they can just bypass the first step to your lesson. NAH!
Maybe you should do a special episode to your parents, or is that how you learnt your skills?
Hope your parents are doing alright, noone praying on them? That’s good, you guys keep up the high standard of viewing that you provide us with.
Hope to meet you one day, best wishes!
I love this show! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure comes to mind. I once was bothered about the prices paid compared to the value. Then I considered that the “value” was just that- what Mike and Frank hope to make. I’d really like to know how much stuff they actually do sell.
I’m outraged by the show. Those two idiots paid way too much for the junks. I wonder how they can make a living for being “picker”. I have to assume the TV show is their real source of income.
To those who’s “outraged” by the German van, take a look at your computer that you post your stupid comments, I bet it says “Made in China”, take off your shoes to check the label, your jeans, the chair you sit on, I bet most them have the “Made in China” sign.
I’m not a junk hoarder and I like the show for giving me a slice of life of those “hoarders” and “pickers”. Some of you may better off watching “the real house wife”.
I love these guys and have been doing this for sometime…and I am only 22. Take a look at my blog!
davethedigger.wordpress.com
I never want to take advantage of people, but I am out there to make a profit. So If I ask them how much they want for it, why should I give them more? As for taking advantage of the elderly, well they are the ones with the goods most of the time and those items do not pay their bills. You may think we take advantage of them, but if we did not show up those items would go to waste anyways.
The “pickers” are as big of crooks as those jerks on Pawn Stars. If you have knowledge of who much something is generally worth, and then you start debating price with the owner who lacks that knowledge, then you are already over the moral line unless the first thing you do is disclose your estimate of the items value.
If you know a pot is worth roughly $2,000 and you except the owners price of a few hundred without informing them of its actual worth… that make you a moral crook.
If you do the above to an old farmer who most likely doesn’t even understand the concept of googling things, then you are a double-sized jerk.
Capitalism doesn’t me squeezing and swindling every dollar you can get out of people. Your allowed to make money, your not allowed to screw people over just because they aren’t as smart as you in YOUR chosen field of expertise.
Pickers, Pawn Stars, and all people who think it is acceptable to make a hundred or more percent profit off the less knowledgeable are no better then any other con-artists.
i have a lead for you guys if you ever get to tennessee,the place is called hillside salvage in madisonville tn.im 39 yrs old i have been going to this place since i was very little,he has alot of STUFF.
We watch the history channel and found this show and enjoyed it. Since the first couple of shows the language has gotten crude. We do not like the fact that they are constantly using the word, “god.” It offends many Christians just as like saying the word, “Buddha” would offend the Buddhists.
My friends and myself discussed this and we have decided not to watch shows that offend us in this way.
So we are not turning on your show again.
The portrayal of the purchase of a used cast iron gravemarker and assigning a value of $600 to it was totally inexcusable. Especially since there was no mention that most dealers will not buy or sell burial ornaments for obvious reasons. To not even mention this or the fact that it is even illegal in most states shows a complete lack of morals.
ariliz, get a grip woman it’s just t.v for god sakes
Two gay guys, “its way obvious” and there hag. Why do ALL rockabilly girls look the same, Same stupid hair glasses and of course, you cant be rockabilly without your tattoo stars all over.
The pickers pay too much for EVERYTHING!
(I bought a 37″ Toshiba Stereo TV last week for $50)
“They try to take advantage of the ignorance of the seller as to the value of the item they are interested in.”
If the sellers are ignorant, it’s their own fault. They are free to do their own research as to the potential value of their objects, no one’s stopping them. It is not the duty of the buyer to educate them.
If A Buyer Lets A Seller Name The Price Of An Object At $50.00, The Buyer Will Always Haggle And Try To Lower That Price. We All Do It In A Rumage/Garage/Flemarket Sale Setting. It’s The American Way! Should We Fault Mike And Frank For Being American? Like-wise, If The Buyer Offers A Price Of $50.00 The Seller Is Always Going To Try To Raise That Price To Increase Their Profit, That Also Is The American Way. Mike And Frank Are Not Screwing The Buyer If They Offer Less For Something Thay Think Is Priced Too High For Them To Make a Profit, THEY ARE A BUSINESS AFTER ALL!!!
my husband and i love watching the show but the curse words need to go. also please stop using the Lord’s name in vain. thank you much.
my husband and i love watching the show but the curse words need to go. also please stop using the Lord’s name in vain. thank you much.
What’s with Mike almost always saying “She was a looker” about the women “sellers” as they drive off of their property. And I think they treat Danielle like “trash.” I enjoy the show for the antiques, they really are starting to annoy me though!
As mentioned in other comments its Bs that they drive around in a foreign ride. American Pickers huh… Idiots!
The elderly people they buy from have no ambition to sell that stuff on their own. If it’s sitting in a barn being rained on for 40 years they obviously don’t care about it or it’s future. Most of these people don’t even know they have some of this stuff. Easy come easy go.
AP is a very good show….and I too am so envious of them…to be able to drive around our beautiful country on backroads and visit with nice salt of the earth people AND get to see lost of antiques and collectibles…..my dream come true…
those who don’t shope garage sales or antiques or do much on craigs list and ebay don’t realize that SELLING is not easy….you have to find the buyer, which is not always simple…there’s shipping and handling….afterall that, you never get the true value for your piece….
so going in, these farmers etc know that the pickers have to buy things at a discount….for that, they are paid cash, thanked mulitiple times, and they’re item is gone….
I have stuff that not many people would love….but I love it….and if anyone showed interest, and apprectiation for my stuff like I do…….well, its a wonderful thing to find people like that…
Just watched Season 1 from rental DVDs. I thought Mike in particular was less arrogant in the earlier shows. He also seizes every opportunity to fault Frank about his weight or being unattached. Otherwise the banter adds to the show’s appeal. As for mark-up on items? Neiman Marcus is aka Needless Mark-Up; every retailer marks up its goods several hundred percent and doesn’t have to climb through muck to discover them. A doctor, a lawyer, or any other professional who attends higher education factors his or her knowledge into the cost of services. These are professional pickers who have built up a knowledge base that has value as well as a base of contacts. They’ve collected expertise and resources as well as rusty gold. What person doesn’t know that success equals opportunity plus preparation. I do think these guys need some financial advice so they can have health care, vacations, sick days and succession planning for retirement or buy-out.
my elderly friend got scammed by some unsavory “pickers”….granted it wasn’t a tv show as it seems they can get by with it!!.,,,,,,,elderly are most vunerable as well as others in the community!…..5 bucks is still alot of money to alot of people; to offer such low prices is wrong and to put a guilt trip on them is about as low as you can go!!….these acts would be criminal if it wasn’t a tv show. ….elderly and people that don’t know the true value and worth of items and say yes because they are sometimes afraid to say no!… …can’t stand the show that glorifies this behavior ; the two guys are boring and sickening besides!!…
i think its wrong, they shouldnt show how much they made after they purchased from a seller. its wrong. they dont want to pay what seller is asking for so they try and swindle price down. and then turn around and sell for top dollar. they’re not a pawn shop ya know.so we dont wanna know what their profit was. like to see the cool stuff out there, but i cant deal with them taking advantage of people.
how would they feel if it was them??????
I want to know where these 2 guys re-sell what they buy. I can’t believe some of the prices they get. Where can I get that information? Thanks !!!!
I think most of the junk these guys buy would be sent to a land fill in years to come. These guys recognize a value in old collectable things that now go back into the minstream for collectors to buy off their site and through there business contacts. I think it’s wonderful that there is a source for finding great items that were burried in someone’s barn or shed. Keep it up guys, you’re fun to watch and learn from each week.
The purchase and resale of a used grave marker tells you all you need to know about these guys and their lack of ethics. Reputable dealers do not trade in burial ornaments or markers of any kind for obvious reasons. Shame on the History Channel for promoting the idea that profit can be made from looting cemeteries and thus promoting the loss of history and our heritage.
The grave marker was found by this old guy in a building he was cleaning out, and kept it outside with the rest of his other junk. The pickers bought it from him. There is nothing at all wrong with that. Remember, archealogist dig people, “and” their graves up all the time, and nobody complains. But some how, you found the time to do this.
08-09-2010 pickers showed a map of route 66 hwy. on the map it did’nt even have oklahoma in the route 66 , instead they had navajho, colorado, oklahoma had the most miles across the country, of one state. the history channel needs to do the history, or did they rewrite history again???hum something to think about…..
Great show, good interaction between Mike and Frank and between the people they meet. I enjoy traveling to new places and meeting new people and they have taken this to a new art form! Good job. I can’t stand the “reality” shows on MTV and A&E with whiny snot nosed irrevant arrogant trashmouthed lewd young punks that need to be taken out back to the woodshed for some “life discussions”. I happen to enjoy learning about our past and this is a very easy and entertaining way to do it. As for what constitutes “profit”…the difference between the picked price and the “value” price is not profit. The difference between the price sold with all expenses subtracted (purchase price, labor, gas, meals, lodging, insurance, etc.) is profit. I for one don’t see how they make any money doing this, not even sure how they pay themselves. Keep up the good work History Channel
Just because an item is “valued” 2 of 3 times what the guys paid for it doesn’t mean they’ll get that much when its sold. “Value” is discretionary.
The last episode is a classic example of finding an old cycle built in the early part of the 1900s and getting back into the mainstream. These guys are making some dough but more important they are saving these relics from sure destruction, rotting in some basement or barn. They have found a nich for this stuff and thanks to them we learn more about Americana, especially bikes and cycles, who knew?
Mike and Frank do a fairly good job in their offers most of the time. I like the show. Frank could be a bit more sensitive. These are folks who can say no, walk a-way at any time, both sides. This is capitalism at it’s finest.
Keep up the good work, stay out of my region!
I watch, mainly to see what neat old cr@p they’ll dig up next. But I’ve been at this kind of thing since the late 60s when I used to haunt flea markets as a kid looking for old records and books for my own use, so I’ve seen a lot myself. At any rate, I hope they enjoy it while it lasts. Folks are a lot wiser when it comes to an item’s worth than they used to be. I know I wouldn’t want to have to make a living at pickin’, that would just take the fun out of it.
first, let’s remember this is all in fun–a TV show, mostly scripted and edited.
On another “reality” show these people would be called “hoarders” and it would take a whole crew of experts (organizers, psychologists) and family members get them to clean up their act.
Would someone please tell me which van they should be driving that is “all American.”
IS IT FAIR THAT OUR BOSSES PAY US $9.00 PER HOUR INSTEAD OF THE $17.00 WE KNOW THAT WE ARE WORTH!!! THE SAME PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING THE THE PICKERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ASK FOR A BETTER DEAL AT YARD SALES, THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES SO LITTLE, THE SAME PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE ANTIQUE BUSINESS TRYING TO MAKE A PROFIT ON THINGS THAT THEY HAS TO SPEND THEIR ON MONEY ON. I HAVE SEEN OLD PEOPLE KEEP THINGS AROUND AND REFUSE TO SALE, AND AS SOON AS THEY DIE THEIR FAMILY IS THROWING THEIR SO CALLED TREASURE AWAY. THIS ANTIQUE BUSINESS IN HARD. PLEASE LEARN THE BUSINESS BEFORE MAKE SILLY COMMENTS.
HURRAH – Mike and Frank are showing a better side of themselves in the way they are reacting to and treating folks. Did they read our comments, perhaps?
Set up, scripted whatever, I just like to see what the owners have tucked away. But “saving history”, I do not think so LOLOL – whatever the trend is in decorating homes to resaurants will become passe .. and once again the finds will be JUNK! So be it … better show than it was.
I’ve been a picker for 26 years, and there is a rush when you slam dunk some poor, old slob who asks for $50 for an item I can sell for $1,000. This is a knowledge business, and you have to have a great eye for stuff. Remember, that the picker usually sells wholesale to retail dealers, so you can’t pay that much for most items. But too many old geezers watch “Antiques Roadshow” and think their junk is worth a fortune. It’s a blast to pop their balloon on that one.
If a picker does not sell an item he or she OWNS IT…forever! PIckers therefore are taking a chance too. The hoarder/collector has had the fun of collecting all the stuff we see. Seems a fair trade to me.
Old folks are NOT stupid. The hoarders are pleased to get cash, for more stuff? electric Bills? Cigarettes?
Lighten up folks. This is called TRADE. HOarders might see anitem as a luxury ‘car’, when the pickers realizes it is nothing but a standard around of the mill beat up mess. Probably pickers didn’t ask for THAT item. But you see what I am getting at?
AnnieRose
These guys are developing a following of “Picked Froms” (for lack of a better term), that invite them back, That’s cool. It’s neat that they are bringing the closet pickers out and uncovering the art of picking. I’ve done this for 35 years as a hoby and have some great stuff. I recently sold the old Black Bell Phones (rotary dial) for 75-100 dollars on eBay that I paid 3 & 4 bucks for in 1980 at garage sales. Great Show!!
Enjoy your show.
I can’t help but give you a couple of friendly jabs though.
Is it, “I seen them signs” or is it “I saw those signs”.
Hey, I know you’re pickers and not Professors, but work on your grammar skills during your driving time.
Later dudes!
As a dealer and an as-needed picker, I think the show is kinda corny and overly dramatized, but that’s tv. I don’t think these guys cheat people, in fact, in most cases they over-pay for stuff and under value or sell waaaay too cheap. The rule of thumb in antiquing is at least double your money, and most of the time I see them making $50-150 on small american folk art/vintage items. Either they’re not showing the big picks or selling for way more than they show as “valued” on the show; there’s no way they can make any money with costs involved. Whatever the case, these guys are out to make a living, and look like they’re having a good time while doing it and are successful, so who could really bash that?
My family loves what we learn from american pickers, but it dose seem like they take advantage of these folks.
Respect your elders… If it was your grandparents how would you feel?
Just love the show!!We record it and watch it every time we get another one recorded how could anyone not like it!
I like the show , I was concern in the beginning about Mike
and Frank takin’ advantage of people in general, I seen them
pay a higher price on some items, I wish that there was less
repeatin’of previous shows, it’s like the peat/ repeat joke.
Yeh ! I think Frank looks like Pluto on Popeye the cartoon .
Sorry , Frank everybody has a twin !! Just get some new
episodes
I like the show and I used to think that they kinda took advantage, but after thinking about it I dont think they do. You have to factor in their expenses and I am sure they end up sitting on some of that stuff for awhile. I dont like Mikes laugh. It sounds fake and forced
Just drove from NY to Wyoming and found the pickers by accident. Mike was there and was completely charming, taking time to talk to me and my family. He was particularly nice to my three children, son:15 and twin daughters:8. Thanks Mike for a great visit and the gift you gave my son. He carried it on his lap in the car the whole way home!
I have watched my first show and my last….this show is disgusting….they take advantage of people..mainly elderly….if these guys gave a fair antique appraisal like Antiques Road Show and then let the people make a decision to sell, it might be worth watching….the only good thing about this show getting air time, is hopefully people will recognize the two guys and tell them to get the heck off their property!!!!!!!
#1..these guys are out to make a profit.
#2..at the same time rescuing an item that otherwise will be destroyed
#3..both parties seem to be happy about the transactions.
#4..the sellers are generally treated with respect
#5..the make of the van is a non issue..many of the items that they find are foreign made.
yes the show is heavily edited..all reality shows are..but the ‘junk’ is real as well as the colorful individuals mike and frank come across….keep up the good work!
Lose Frank, he tries to hard to be something he’s not. Mike is a natural, but Frank is not.
I don’t believe the pickers are taking advantage of the elderly. Most of the items I see appear as junk, alot of times I can’t believe they would pay such a price for a collection of rust. These folks who have collected these items of interest over the years, would more than likely, never would have sold them. They would just sit there and rust until the owners passed away. Then they would be sold in some auction. At least they get to reap some monetary value from it while they can enjoy it. One should remember…an item is only worth what someone will pay for it. Lets be honest now, if you found an rare item at a garage sale and it was only a dollar or two, you would buy it and count yourself lucky. Would you lose any sleep ? I doubt it. You probably would even tell your friends, ” Look what I bought for a dollar”. And by the way, I deal with the elderly every day and they’re not dumb! As a matter of fact, most are pretty savvy !
COOL SHOW! THOSE GUYS ARE FUN TO WATCH!! AMERICAN PICKERS IS MY FAVORATE SHOW!!
Sorry, after watching a few shows I’ve come to the conclusion that this is as “real” as Operation Repro, which admits they use actors for the characters.
Yo me, the show comes across as contrived and scripted.
Most of “these people” ask to be on the show, sign releases,
and are possibly even paid for their appearance! that’s not
taking advantage or cheating them!
Most of “these people” answer ads and ask to be on the show. They sign releases, take direction and are probably paid for the appearance! How is that taking advantage or cheating them?
We drove to Chicago this summer from Orange County, CA. stopped by LeClaire, Iowa and met Mike Wolfe as he was headed out on vacation around the 4th of July. Really down to earth person, invited us into his shop, gave us a ton of autographed pictures and a tour of their shop. When you go picking and you offer someone a price for something and they sell it to you, then that is what barganing is all about. Don’t be a hater, if you could buy old porcelain signs or whatever for a low price at a garage or Estate Sale, you would buy it.
These guys are great! Mike and Frank have revived an art that has long been called junkin. As a northerner living in the deep south I love to do garage sales, flea markets and yard sales. In addition I go to junk yards, antique places and second hand stores all over the SC and GA areas. Some of the things I’ve found are incredable. These guys know their stuff and if they can get this stuff out of basements and barns so be it. It beats rotting away. These hoarders will let most of this stuff rot in barns if it weren’t for Mike and Frank. Keep up the great show guys!
Well I personally like the show because I am still trying to find out as much as I can about my 2 canners that I have. All I know is they are from Burpey Canning company and it is the types that uses the glass lids that ball canning jars used years ago.
One thing you have to remember. The people they are buying from have the option of saying no. They do, for the most part, offer at least half the possible value. Are they guaranteed to get that? I think not. For one good deal the boys may find, they eke a living out of dimes and dollars, traveling miles from home. I think the show is informative and entertaining. What more can we ask? Sure, some people give away valued items, but they too have the option of saying no and getting it appraised. These boys work for what they make, and often it’s less than $500 for a trip from Iowa to Missouri, or even Florida. Good gracious.. leave them alone and let me be entertained!!
The folks on here who think the 2 pickers should go around wasting their gas money giving free appraisals and paying every cent something is worth so they can sell it for zero prophet are clueless. Does Wal-Mart sell at cost?
Are they taking advantage of people? No! They get bargains sometimes, I’ve bought things at auctions with a hundred people standing there watching, paid $2 and sold for $150, should I return my money? Should I give it all to Obama so he he can redistribute it?!?. If you want to complain about someone complain about the 100,000′s of folks who are sitting there waiting for their welfare check! Times are hard now, but they were sitting there when times weren’t hard. At least these 2 are working, and it is work trust me, fun work, but work.
WATCH THE SHOW IF NOTHING IS ELSE ON WOULD WATCH AGAIN BEING A PICKER OR DEALER MYSELF ITS NOTHING NEW BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS PEOPLE BUYING AND SELLING STUFF DOING IT MYSELF LONGER THAN THEM THEY MUST OF NEW SOMEONE AT THE HISTORY CHANNEL FOR THIS TO BE ON THERE , COME ON, THEY ARE BEING PAID GOOD MONEY FOR IT SO REALLY THEY SHOULD GIVE THE PEOPLE BETTER MONEY FOR ITEMS THEY ARE GETTING PAID TO DO IT HISTORY IS HISTORY I SEE NOTHING THERE ABOUT IT JUST SOMETHING TO WATCH AND MAKE THEM ALL RICH
I have seen the show a few times. I think they do take advantage of people. What pisses me off is that buying up Americana and putting it in a foriegn made van.
most of the stuff the pickers buy are sitting outside and has been sitting out for a while so its not as if the elderly person had the sign etc…for sale in a store it was in the rain,snow, most of what they pick we call stuff or junk and the elderly could say NO to an item .
I feel they do take advantage of these individuals, First of all, they are being paid for the show, do they pay the sellers?
Without the sellers there would be no show.
It’s interesting that everyone who thinks these guys are taking advantage of people never consider the people they bought the stuff from may have paid almost nothing for the stuff when they got it.
To everyone saying they are taking advantage of people- R U CRAZY??!!!! I think they are more than fair – they have a business with overhead gas, hotel, food, employee, taxes insurance ect. , and then they have to find a buyer who is willing to pay primium crazy prices- would you pay those prices for rusty pieces of junk?!? Not me! They have a very valuable rolodex. Everything they bought would have otherise been hauled away to the town dump-they ARE saving and perserving pieces of history. Watching the show I am surprised they can make a living at this though because with the travel the profits must get eaten up. I think the elderly are not so gullible- if anything I think the two men need to be protected from them- they drive very hard bargins!
Also- they drive a Damlier-Chrysler built in American manufacturing plants- that same van is also badged as a Dodge sprinter – same van -Rams head on it. Everyone complaining about the truck they drive or the profits they make is IMHO functionally retarded.
Love the Show!!!
Some of the people putting negative comments need to understand that being a “picker” is a business and as such, they need to get the lowest price possible.
Also it is often difficult to know what the value of some items are worth. Often times it is what a purchaser will pay and that is a risk that they take.
This show is helping to educate people on what the value is on things that they may have laying around their house.
Also these guys are reselling items to people who will enjoy them instead of having them sitting in an old barn or worse sitting outside in the elements and deteriorating.
i love the show, but i think those guys take advantage of elderly people ..isnt it just great when a sweet old guy just wont sell, or wants more than they want to pay..just brilliant ..loved the episode where they pay good money for a rusty old bike..he really regretted it when it fell apart and was only good for spare parts..i can understand the thrill of finding something rare and exciting, but they really should give the owners an inkling what it could really be worth..the gloating and smugness at the end is just irritates me so much !!!!! still love to watch though..especially when they dont get the deal they were hoping for !. xxx b
I like the show and think they are fair. I have seen many episodes where they give more than what the seller was asking. I also think its nice that this awesome history is salvaged and put back into circulation for someone else to admire and learn from. I will continue to watch the show.
Enough with the comments that Mike and Frank are taking advantage of people or the elderly!
99% of the stuff they are seen purchasing on the show is either rotting on someone’s property, or is stuff that person didn’t even remembered having.
So what’s wrong with them buying these items from them if they probably would have never seen the light of day again?
I am tired of people saying that these two are fleecing the elderly. Look at the things we buy every day? How many of us have purchased a cell phone cover for $9.99? Did you know that the cover had a wholesale price of 48 cents? My husband ran a cell phone store and I helped him stock. The mark-up over the invoice cost was crazy. I managed a convenience store, as well. All those cool little nick-knacks, like refrigerator magnets, collector spoons, shot glasses, incense, etc, are marked up a whopping 250% by your local convenience store. Then they are marketed in a way that appeals to the compulsive buyer. These guys are doing the same thing. The only difference is that the “wholesalers” they are getting their stock from are just old collectors, with junk lying around. If you think that they are ripping off elderly people, you should probably move to a different country, where everything is provided to you for free. Oh, wait, there is no such country.
If anything, I think these guys pay too much for what they are buying. They are more than fair to the sellers. And guess what….the sellers don’t have guns to their heads. I’ve never seen them pressure someone to sell something. They ask & tell them to think about it if they are unsure but I never see them “force” the person to sell them an item. The seller has the choice to say no so I don’t see why everyone keeps saying they take advantage of people. It’s like a yard sale. I purchased a refridgerator for $500 but I don’t expect to get that back considering it’s been used & it’s years old. I mean, half these people haven’t even seen the item they are selling to them for years or probably forgot they even had it & then all of a sudden it “mean a lot to them”….whatever!
Love the show…Look they go to places that have so much stuff they guy will never unload all of it! Someday his kids will throw it out. American Pickers meet American Hoarders is more like the truth. BUT many of them invite Mike and Frank back… So my guess is they didn’t feel like thye got a raw deal. Many of the kids beg Mike and Frank to come buy the junk…
My husband and I love the show. I would love to go on a pick, I don’t have any real knowledge except the Kovel books I’ve read and a friend! It’s just really cool too see all that stuff and what’s worth something and what’s not!
Cool subject matter, but the hosts leave everything to be desired. They are condescending to the rural people they come in contact with. They speak of the South like it is the most backwards place in the world. Keeping in mind, they hail from the center of culture and diversity known as Iowa. Oh, and whatever the guy’s name is that usually drives their Mercedes-Benz van is not funny. Stop trying to be and maybe the show will be better.
LOVE THIS SHOW!…I used to like Antiques Roadshow, but then started watching Pawn Stars instead…now I watch American Pickers…the problem with ARS, is that the prices the dealers are quoting are best case scenarios at auction, where you have at least 3-4 people really interested in the piece…this is not reality…Pickers and Pawn Stars show that the real value for any item is not retail best case, but wholesale, in most cases…and that is why people who buy from dealers rarely make money, unless they really know what they are doing…And as far as taking advantage? That is the most laughable claim ever…yeah, like that stuff would do anything but collect dust and rust…in fact, if there were 100 pickers coming and buying these rotting people’s stuff, they would be doing them huge favor…actually, they would be doing their kids a huge favor, because their kids are going to have to sort through all that junk when they die, anyhow…I would rather my parents leave me a few thousand G’s, than 2 barns full of junk,that will take an entire summer to sort through…If you think about it, its actually VERY selfish of these hoarders to leave mess for their estate…I guess that is why they are called WHITE TRASH!
I love the show. I feel Mike and Frank are both courteous and entertaining. They go into places that I would not go into, but they are pickers. I also love the scenery that is shown as they travel. Plus Danielle is also interesting.
So I hope there are more shows in the future.
These guys continually brag about how long they have been picking, collecting, and selling antiques. However when it comes to a quality item (ie, the nearly mint condition juke box comes to mind) they profess as to having no idea of the approximate value of the item and then they proceed to offer the guy several hundred dollars less than he was asking and his price was more than fair to begin with. Then there are all the signs for which they are willing to pay nothing for. They are ruining it for anybody else out there searching for goods. Just as the Barrett-Jackson auto auctions have ruined the market for old used cars these guys are doing the same for collectors. People see the values attached to the items after the buys then think that’s what they have to have or they won’t sell you anything.
I wonder if anybody has gone to their shop to see if they have really priced the items as to what they claim they are worth. I doubt they price them as low as they value them.
Personally I love the neat stuff they find but I wish the show would go away.
this is a great show.they are reasonable on there prices.they are much more reasonable than pawn stars are.i mean one episode the bald man was told this item was worth 20,000 and the seller was right there.he ofered the seller 2,000.um now thats a ripoff.he didnt even have to go pay gass or anything to get it.american pickers pay better for that and they pay for gas and stuff.i love them.besides both the guys are pretty hot.
Hi, Love the show, just wished they would show up in Waldo Alabama. Now would be great.
I like your show. People are going crazy about that show pawn stars, but I’m not. People bring stuff in and there’s NO negotiating with them. Either take the cheep ass price that they say or get out of the store. I like how with you it’s the opposite. You travel around and negotiate with people to buy their stuff (and that’s the way it should be). I like how you put the power in the sellers hands. With them I think they’re ripping people off.
Im not a knowlagable picker, but others are. Have you thought of having a pickers team? that way you could add another facet to the show and swtch off between the teams in different states. It may work. Think about it. Put out the request for interview on your show and see what happens.
Hi to Mike and Frank….love the show, but couldn’t resist sending this comment along to you today. I have watched and listened carefully to each episode, and have heard Mike make the same comment several times, and had to laugh to myself. If he finds a “decorative, or artistic” piece, he always calls it “Articulate” The actual definition of “articulate” is being able to express oneself clearly or effectively. Just thought I would pass that along….Love the show…and Happy Picking !
theres alot of mention of folk being ripped off.. now lets be logical, if the guys were to offer close to the valuation they would hardly make a profit. it wouldnt be worth their while.. i would do exactly the same thing. alot of them old folk aint bothered ,, they,ve just hoarded stuff over the years……
I have been ripped off …. but when you need money to pay your bills you sell your prize heirlooms and then cry yourself to sleep knowing how badly these people have treated you it is an expensive education it happened to me once from an ebay seller he said the merry go round musical & enameled that he was offered a price without the auction and gave me a very small sum of money the other things antique musical instruments ,games, china he said did not sell he was going to relist them and this is going to cost more money to relist it went on like that and then he was gone with all my stuff another couple…. I believe in Karma and I feel that they will get back what they have put out there but little comfort ….These shows are the way to educate your self so you will not get burnt I love any shows like these including Antiques Roadshow, Pawn Stars, Looking forward to Auction Kings and Auction Hunters also
Living in Peoria,IL I’ve been a picker and at the other end of the deal the saler,I’ve picked for antique shops as well for private collectors,anyone out there can junk,or drive by a street an see something laying outside a garbage can and pick it up.it could be junk….or it could be worth alot of money….now if the person that threw it away,,,didn’t know its value…is it your fault that you made money off of it….some would say,,you should tell the person that threw it away,its worth something,o.k.I junk at night until early morning,should I wake people up,an say hey this artical may be worth something,they didn’t want it anymore thats why they threw it away,,,so if someone sales something to someone,thats between the buyer and the saler,the world is full of nuts out there.find something else to bitch about.
Of course it is fake.
How can these 2 even begin to call themselves pickers when they hardly buy more than a few things at every place they stop at, their website shows hardly any antiques at all as well as his shop.
I accumulated more this past year than he has in his entire shop and his website has so little for sale I see no evidence of him selling antiques at all compared to real dealers; he has been picking since 4???
Since I only seen 3 or 4 shows unwillingly here are a couple eg’s:
Why would someone buy a car first, then call his expert for the value after, losing out. FAKE.
A shed that hasn’t been opened in 30 years filled with colonial period crocks? Shoudn’t there be alot more dust and cobwebs? FAKE.
Do you really think these farm folks have no idea what things are worth??? The best crocks, bottles, tin adverts, cars, etc. was all picked out in the last 40 years. True collectors that wanted them for their historic value and not monetary.
These clowns don’t even know the real places to go and buy antiques by the vanload cuz it sure isn’t by means of bothering the good people that live in the country.
This show only appeals to people that have no idea what antique dealing is all about.
This “reality” show is just another tool by the elite governing our society, attempting to get us use to strangers trespassing on our private land, taking advantage of the elderly(but remember, it’s fake), just like that retarded REPO show is getting society used to people giving up their rights to others with NO authority at all.
What’s worse is that people believe this crap just because it has “reality” in the name. No, not reality, just cheaper actors that never ask for raises and have no artistry.
Well, I started to watch the show a few weeks ago.
Pretty cool. I happen to be a CANADIAN PICKER, have been for years.
I attend auctions, fleamarkets, yard sales, estate sales, sometimes If something catches my eye when we are on the road, I will stop in and chat with the owners.
I collect Mainly Dukes of Hazazrd items, since I own many full size cars.
Faceboook has helped with the network aspect.
Evereyone is out to make a buck.
The sellers DO NOT have to sell it they don’t want to.
Have a great week.
you might be further ahead if you could get the 40 year old guy to stop using teenage slang like “let me bust this out for you” or “awesome” (a word way over-used) or “I’ll pop on this” etc. and maybe back off a bit trying to make picking a sophisticated science with strategies and so on because it begins to sound phony or contrived.
It’s a very cool TV show. The guys are funny and people they meet are unique. Further, they always find gorgeous stuff. It’s great to watch this show!
Show sucks… if I want to watch a couple of slovenly bums pick through garbage I’ll go downtown.
These guys are great and i love watching the show i never miss an episode, when they go in to an old barn or shed or outbuilding ime right there with them i love this kinda stuff especially when its motorcycles or old corgi & dinky stuff or WW2 items, i would love to go with these guys and experience the buzz of finding stuff that’s been squirreled away for years at first hand, i loved rooting around for stuff when i was a kid and still do, Frank & mike are great guys and Danielle`s a fox. I dont agree with those of you that think these guys take liberties as to what they pay for there picks if the sellers felt they were being ripped off they wouldn’t sell in the first place or invite them back for another look around. Mike and Frank are making a living and working for it and i say good luck to them, i think its a fairly safe bet that 7 out of 10 people that are making accusations towards these guys of ripping folk off are more than jealous of what has been found and purchased/picked…..Good luck to ya guys and may the force be with you
You people who say these guys are taking advantage and ripping off old people are a bunch of complete and utter MORONS!!!! i actually had the pleasure of meeting Frank at a motorcycle rally in Iowa this year and he was a very decent person. Here is the deal, like so many have mentioned before, if these two do not buy then no one will and this stuff will sit and go to waste anyhow, many of you could chalk this show up as a lesson in way to make money in an otherwise crap economy. Most of the people who have these items in the first place remind me of another show that is on tv right now called HOARDERS!! AND last but not least….. IF ANY ONE OF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY AN ITEM FOR $50 AND SELL IT FOR $650 YOU WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT!!! FURTHERMORE, AFTER YOU DID IT ONCE, YOU WOULD TRY TRY AGAIN SO STOP SQUEEZING THE CHARMIN MR WHIPPLE AND SHUT YOUR CRYING PIEHOLES!!! Someone else said that most of these people look like they could use a buck or two anyhow and have you ever seen anyone when Mike and Frank left say “You bastards ripped me off!”? no, you haven’t, you always see them waving goodbye and thanking them. What a bunch of jackasses to think these guys are robbing anyone. Have you ever paid taxes in your life or paid for medical insurance??? talk about a rip off!!
I’m skeptical that the pickers can get the resale prices they claim for most items for two reasons: (1) a lot of what they pick is in mediocre to poor shape and will need lots of work, and (2) I see no indication that they have a marketing operation, except that sometimes they know someone who will immediately buy from them.
I used to think that they kind of riped some people off, but the more I think about it, that stuff has been and may be there for 20 more years, and alot of those peole are quite old…. i think at least they( the people who own the stuff) that they are getting some money now, that they might not have ever got, so I think it is ok .. also, I am so surprised how people hold on to things that has been there forever, and won’t part with it… i never had a problem getting rid of “stuff”, but i understand some people it is very hard to part with it…….excellant show, i love it…… both those guys are very personable and seem to respect the people they are buying from….thanks ……
OMG, you people are CRAZY!!! The minute a potential seller’s door opens, Mike or Frank hands them the paper listing what they’re interested in buying, namely items in out buildings and items in PILES OF TRASH!!!! I have only ever seen them go into someone’s home WHEN INVITED, and they always ask “Is this something you’d be interested in selling?” I watched last night’s (12/06/10) NEW episode filmed in Bushkill, PA, about the old carnival canvas advertising pieces. Mike bought one for $200.00 and one for $500.00. They both sold for $5,000.00 each, and Mike promptly made his way back to the seller and GAVE HIM HALF OF THE PROFITS!!!! I’ve seen both young and old folks sell to Mike and Frank, and if the seller doesn’t want to part with anything, all they have to do is say “NO”!
I think they take advantage of elderly people to a certain extent. In some instances they are going to peoples houses unannounced and asking for prices on items that an elderly person would have no idea what a fair price is. I do not expect them to offer full price as they are a business, but when they are buying things for less than 20% of what they would actually sell it for and know this they are just being unfair. Now if they go back and give some of the profits back on items they buy on the cheap I take this back, but otherwise they are knowingly ripping off the elderly by putting them on the spot.
Ok,,first of all that think these guys are taking advantage of these people are out of their minds! I am from a family of what we then called “junkers” going “junking” was so much fun and could always get a bargain if one looked hard enough! These guys ARE NOT, I MEAN NOT SCAMMING ANYONE! They are simply offering people money for old trash lying around, that for some reason or another someone wants! You will NEVER SEE them twisting anyone’s arms to make the sale, only a simple offer and in most cases to assist them in cleaning up which is ususally is an insightly mess that often leads to them having problems with the county! These guys are a perfect pair, like a Laurel and Hardy the two of them are, entertaining, respectful and funny! For those of you who have commented on Pawn Stars..well let me begin with I think Rick Harrison, is a know it all PUKE BUCKET..that everytime he opens his mouth to chuckle, makes my skin crawl..that ass should not even be on the show period..back to Pickers..I so hope that show continues season after season! I do so love them and they have a lot of heart, the both of them and I see them always trying to do the “right” thing by people! So to those who accuse them of stealing, scamming or taking advange of people..GET A LIFE..YOU ARE JUST JEALOUS that you lazy behinds cannot do the same! Rock on American Pickers!! Keep on Junking!!
They are dishonest con men.
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I hope they rip off one of your relatives.
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They are twisting people’s arms, have you watched the show.
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They deserve to be kicked in the nuts.
Best show ever, these are the two nicest people ever. they are more than fair for what they are doing.
Amazing that people call these guys “con artist, crooks,perdators.” The business in which they are in is advertised as such and true to the point. They are in it to make a profit! that is what the business and 100% of businesses are about. When its not charity they are in it for an income. If these people that they approach dont want them there they say no thanks…they move along. But ironically people want money in the same way these guys are trying to make a buck. And 90% of the people they approach consider the stuff in question “Junk.” Typical of people to be hypocritical in this scenerio. The people complaining are just out of touch with the bartering system in America…EVERYTHING has a price in this country. if someone offered you 10 million dollars for something you value at 10 dollars would you not sell it to them?
And even if you say that isnt for sale…if someone laid a price that was so astronomical on you, you will sell it regardless of history,heirloom, sentimental value ect, if not then who is the foolish one?
love the show, i’m a local picker, if i had the bank roll, i’d be on the road. My problem is I can’t part with anything
This show is great. I see nothing wrong with them finding an item they want and know will make them money, this is called bartering. Everyone does it, and it’s the oldest trade in the world.
Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and it’s value is only what you think it is or AGREE it is.
Essentially, they are just going from location to location buying things, just like people do when you see a garage sale and hope that you might find a treasure of your own at that garage sale.
Another way to hunt for treasure, which I have done myself and made a lot of money by reselling them, is checking out the second hand, good will, salvation army, and thrift stores in my home town. These are donated items that are being resold to people whom need them. What I do is buy the old electronic items, like video game consoles, video games, LP Records, CDs, DVDs, and antique-looking pieces, such as paintings and vases (small items). Then I take these and sell them to hock shops for double, triple, and quadruple the prices I paid for them. There’s nothing wrong with doing this, it’s actually supporting the economy buy purchasing the things that people would never buy that were donated to a secondhand store. They I can make bigger cash donations to the Salvation Army kettle pots at Christmas time, or drop off the things I no longer need to the Salvation Army. It’s a win win situation.
i thought us english were moaning gits,you lot take the biscuit.its a tv show.if the old farts didnt want to sell im shaw they wouldnt.who cares if they drive amerc sprinter,what would you have em drive abloody sherman tank.they dont go to pick from non whites bull s###..sounds like your countrys going limp wristed just like mine..anyway keep on picking and have anice day..
For the people whining about how these guys rip-off people:
The people on the show have tons of junk. They do not have to sell that junk, for any price.
Simple…
I hope someone rips off you parents or grandparents who need money by offering pennies on the dollar for what they have.
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You’re an idiot.
This show, like Pawn Stars, Auction Hunters and Storage Wars are complete fakes. I’ve been buying OPJ (Other Peoples Junk) for 30 years and I can tell you that NOBODY buys as little as these guys and expects to make a living. You can’t spend all day in someones barn after driving 200 miles and buy 4 things for $350. and expect a profit of only $400.! You have to buy everything you can. These guys buy 2 oil cans, a bike frame, an old paper window sign and a box of door knobs and think they’ve had a great pick while leaving tons of better stuff behind. I love the way these guys buy vehicles and nobody mentions the cost of flat bedding the car 250 miles to their shop. On Pawn Stars, many of those rare items are owned by collectors who have been “invited” to bring in their items and pretend to want to sell them. No “REAL” buyer brings in appraiser with the seller standing there listening to the appraisal. Most storage lockers are abandoned because the stuff in them was just not worth paying to store. Your more likely to win the lottery than finding slot machines, extremely rare guns, coin collections and rare artworks at a storage auction. Isn’t it amazing how those bozo’s from Auction Hunters buy three loaded 10′ X 10′ storage lockers and fit it ALL into their medium size step van?
American pickers is a interesting show , That will, I think become a huge hit with a big following,( just based on feedback I’ve hear at toy shows and flea markets, theres a buzz ” did you see pickers “, etc. BIGG question are these two pickers Mike & Frank being PAID to pick ??Is this gona turn into a “john and kate plus 8 ??” are they going to split??.. and will we see Frank Fritz? on Dancing with the stars?
Too much success will ruin this show , They will start payin too much for junk, cause word will get out and folks wont part with there junk without high dollar, so in order to keep high rating,they will pony up more to get footage of sales ?/ ( like that 67 Ford ?? 11grand ??). If these guys are on the level
( I doubt it ) I think the show has a great following, but folks are not stupid, If word gets out these guys are spoon fed these picks, all for TV ?? rating?? We will get sick of it , and move on to the next (so called ) reality show,
they take advantage ?And dont ask me about recent shows with “Danny DEE” the pair shaped former? belly dancer ? with the chesty-tats ..(that I hardly ever notice? )Sending her on a Pick in the hot basement of some musty southern bar , where the 300 plus size owners are sweating 5lbs a min starin at her,Forget about Frank, that chick on that pick was illegal ?
Terrible show, those guys are both tools, the chick is unattractive, and the content is a snorefest. History Channel is really running low on ideas these days.
I agree the show sucks. Also, the girl is ugly. I can’t believe there are guys blowing their nutsack over that dog.
Girls with that many tattoos are hiding the fact they are freakin ugly.
I love the show! Who cares what they pay for things. Its great entertainment.
The wife and I have watched probably every episode so far (some twice) – and love it. As to the question whether they’re ripping elderly people off – no. Much of it is old junk half these people aren’t even aware they possess. Many times I’ve seen Mike & Frank make offers that were higher than I’d think to make myself. Yes, both guys are knowledgeable about their antique values – but not always (the old saddle, for instance).
I think the show offers a good view of historical Americana. I’d love the opportunity just to ride along with my camera and take photos of the unique and quirky places they get to visit (especially the guy with the underground tunnels and rooms – that was wicked).
The guys really love what they do – the enthusiasm shows in every episode…and they present it in an entertaining way. I loved the snippet where the guy they just met offered them a shot of tequila on the front porch – just an example of rural American hospitality.
These people they meet can easily say no to any offer Mike and Frank make. No one’s forcing them to sell. Many others have already said…this stuff would end up in an estate sale after they’re dead and go for a fraction of the prices – plus the people get the money NOW while they can still make use of it.
I’m not much of a ‘reality TV’ watcher – but I find American Pickers captivating and very enjoyable to watch.
Keep it up guys – it beats a lot of the other drivel and tedium out there today.
I read a sampling of these comments before watching the show, and after watching it, I can’t understand how anyone thinks these guys are taking advantage of anyone. I love the pair and I don’t think the negative comments made about them personally are constructive. The folks they visit appreciate someone listening to their stories and they like the fact that the pickers appreciate the “junk” they have collected. By far my favorite show in this genre because of this approach. I never see them push someone to sell. Most of the stuff will otherwise go to landfill and the sellers know that they aren’t being paid retail but it saves them the trouble of getting rid of it. Love the show, love the guys, keep it up.
look up porcelain license plate on ebay sometime….they got about 5 of them and a stack of others for 50 and valued them at 100? What a load of BS that is. The old vet with the saddle though was really sad. These people are alone and have nobody around to get a second opinion or a younger realative in most cases. If they did this in Canada they would be arrested like any other criminal. Really makes the business look pathetic. I hope it is just scripted like all the other so called reality shows.
They are both rude and greedy, and yes, I think they take advantage of the elderly. I think both Mike and Frank are idiots and I can see why they aren’t married – who would put up with their crap?
Look I’m all for finding cool stuff and antiques
and such but my boyfriend watches ur shows
over and over no matter How many times he’s
seen them! The same goes for Pawn Stars as
well! It’s the same thin over and over and over
again! Come on! All we do now is FIGHT about
ur shows! We never watch anything together!
We r a young fun-loving motorcycle riding couple
now it’s the same thing every damn day: he gets
home from work after I’ve made supper, hits the
couch and promptly delves into ur shows!!! I know
u didn’t do this on purpose, bit it’s the truth.
It seems that the people who love the show have no idea of the antique business just like the 2 bozo personalities that host the show. A good show about antiques should educate, this show never gets into detail about objects and what to look for, but what is most revealing that it is BS, is the small amount of antiques in his, er..showroom? I get more stuff in one weekend than he has in his shop. This show only promotes trespassing and lowballing older people, making them look like “hoarders” if they don’t sell, which is conveniently aired before or right after American dicklickers. The frightening aspect of this terrible show is that it is falely introducing a trade to people that have no interest in antiques but are willing to go into the country and harrass seniors. I would be warning family and friends about this trend, since it is the gateway to breaking and entering into homes belonging to helpless old people. After all, if you have the sand to rip off a veteran , senior or anyone for that matter, you are not far off from being a common criminal yourself. Thankyou History Channel for teaching Gestapo tactics to the ignorant.
I am dying of laughter here reading the posts from the people who love this show. “The people don’t have to sell it to them”… OMG, do people actually think this is real? I can’t imagine so many people thinking television is real. WE are officially a dumbed down society. LOL.
collecting, antiquing. buying ans selling, it is all the same game. some times we get things really cheap and others we wont even break even. it is a gamble. i think mike and frank do a great job. are fair and very curtious. I would love to have a job like that we my husband and I retire. I have collected foe about 15 years and have already had three auctions to get rid of all and start over, It has helped us tremdiously financially. not taking big money but everything helps.love mike and frank. love you to danille.
These guys remind me of carpet baggers who roamed the earth looking for people to RIP OFF. They’d convince grandma or grandpa to part with their valuable possessions for a few bucks and then giggle about their robbery on the way out.
_
Mike uses psychology on would be victims. He even says this in the show “how can I get this person to sell me that heirloom or antique for 1 or 2 dollars.” He then tries to act like “darn, shucks I’m going to have a hard time selling that… or it needs work… or whatever CON they can think up.
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My hope is that they both reap what they sow.. that is I hope they get ill with some disease or something that makes them repentant of their crime.
For you folks out their who think this show is okay, here is why it is NOT okay.
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Mike and fart butt on the show have KNOWLEDGE. They use this to take advantage of situations.
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When you KNOW how much something is worth and offer 1 or 2 bucks for it, putting on an act like they do, while trying to act like you are doing a favor is morally wrong.
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To you folks out their who don’t understand this…it’s not capitalism. It’s called RIPPING SOMEONE OFF.
I recently watched an episode, where they purchased 2 old advertising canvases, and they did not pay a lot of money for them. They sold them for 5000 dollars each. They went back to the guy they bought them from and gave him 1/2 the money they made. So, I don’t think they are taking advantage of anyone. Those people get some $$ and get rid of some stuff. Go American Pickers!
These guys are doing what they love and making a living. Its the american dream. They buy low and sale it for as much as they can get, same as any other person in the business or any business. The difference is its on TV for the world to see. Just look at car salesmen, you trade in your car they give you bottom dollar for your trade, charge you top dollar for the car your buying then take your car to the auction sale it and make a proffit. Salesman buys your car puts it on his lot and yea sales it for top dollar, the cycle continues. I love the show and if i could afford to quit my job and do what there doing. I’d be as happy a pig in s*!^#.
I heard it through the grapevine, A. Pickers work for Christy’s Auction House….
I really love the show at one time. Very disappointed with how they spoke and really disrespected Georgia. I work in customer service and deal with people all over the country. In dealing with people it is best to treat people the way you would like to be treated. I just wonder how you would feel for someone to take advantage of your family. Yes, you are in the profession to make money but what goes around comes around.
Disappointed (WAS) Viewer
i am a small time picker my self . i go to yard sales ,flea markets . one time i brought a zippo lighter for a $1.00 at a yard sale i found out is was a 1945 ww II zippo i sold it on ebay for $102.50 i took a chance an ended well .just like these guys .there’s nothing wrong with what they do . I’m behind you guys a 100%. i realy like the show i never miss it . michael from ‘nc’
The first season is available on DVD. I wish a camera crew would follow me to yard sales and flea markets. I’m a hoarder at heart, so I’d keep the cool stuff that I find and spend my DVD profits. This is the best show on TV. As the kids say, “don’t picker hate…
congratulate!” nice work if you can get it.
Actually they don’t rip anyone off. Why? I know someone that worked on the set for the 1st season. All the clients you see on the show are merely just people making a buck by letting them in and pretending to buy stuff from them, who are usually collectors in one way or another and do own a fair amount of antiques. The producers of the show do try to push certain agendas. They constantly attempt to ridicule Southerners, calling them hoarders, and basically cut them down to size because of political reasons right from the top, such as being gun nuts.
They are basically assisting areas of the government who want to one day seize private land from Southerners.
By reading the comments, I can see they are somewhat successful in changing thought processes of the masses. They want everyone to think these people don’t need their valuables and have to let go of them.
And btw, Mike is 100% homosexual.
There both a couple of poo packers, butt smellers, butt raiders, or pitch and catchers.
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The chubby one is probably the female. The skinny one probably forgets to give the reach around.
Holy cow-people..I would love it if these two would come buy my stuff! They are not ripping people off..they can always say no. Heck-tonight they paid 5 grand for something that looked like it was worth 10 bucks. Besides-stuff is just that-stuff.
I am a fan of Pickers as this is exactly how I make my living for the last 15 years. Yes, its more than a full time job going to auctions, driving 100′s of miles per week to attend garage & estate sales, finding parts & repairs for broken items, crawling in attics with rodents & damp basements with mold, bringing items to live auctions, lifting heavy items, selling on line, loosing money at times, talking to sellers who believe that everything they have is worthy of the Antique Road Show, & finally realizing that what was worth $200 a few months ago may only be worth $50 today. We all look for the big score & rarely we find one. I enjoy hitting singles every week making 25 – 40% on my purchases. It was a lot more fun a few years ago but with the economy tight, its really tough to find the buyers with disposable income that will pay a fair price for all of the labor I put in it. Would I give it up…. NEVER….. Its like Christmas every week. but some weeks its like April Fool.
I like aspects of the show but feel the pickers take advantage of the sellers. The bundling that Frank does and the all I have comments that Mike uses are false, I find myself hoping the people hold onto their treasures. Mike has gotten too exaggerated, too Hollywood for me. The show has turned me off lately, they’re getting too full of themselves.
“They are basically assisting areas of the government who want to one day seize private land from Southerners.”
That, sir, is a paranoid thought.
This show is good for a watch or two. I have no strong feelings about Mike or Frank, besides finding Mike annoying at times. I’m sure the show is partially scripted and it would be very interesting to see a ‘making of’ showing the camera crew and all their equipment. I do wonder if they still have the actual business running for a profit right now.
My mom is a hoarder and I’ve been trying to get her hooked on this show to subliminally show her how ridiculous having all that junk is.
I think it is one of the best shows on TV. My husband and I watch it all the time. Even the reruns. My husband sometimes can’t sleep at night so he watches American Pickers and Pawn Stars all night. If they are on all day on the weekends I can’t get away from the TV. We recommend the show to all our friends. And everywhere we go they are often the topic of conversation. We love them!!!!!!
I get it. These two are in business. They’re looking to buy inventory for as low as possible, and re-sell it to make a profit. Simple enough.
The thing I don’t like is they seem like opportunistic weasels in the process.
One episode, they left a poor guy waiting for them on his rider lawn-mower – for over an hour and a half, while they rifled through his barn. By the time they were done, the owner was in no mood to sell anything.
I’m sure there are others out there who deal with owners of these types of things in a nicer way. These two have no class, no tact, and little respect.
I hate the show,period!! I have “picked” as well myself. I agree with other posts, when you buy something for a small amount then make megabucks that is just wrong. I don’t want to hear the crap of expenses because all businesses have expenses. A few times they have bought something from some elderly person and then turned around and made 5 to 10 times what they paid, to me that is taking advantage of them. When someone asks say 30 and they try to get it for less knowing they will make a good profit even at 30 that is wrong to me. I was raised to not take advantage of the elderly and that to me is what it seems. This is one of the reasons I went from watching History channel almost 100% of my TV time to now I rarely watch it.
They are using their knowledge to rip people off.
I hope they get shot by some irate person they’ve ripped off.
I love this show. It is great family fun. Informative and entertaining. I think that the guys are very fair and I have seen them even tell the person that they’re picking from that they can get double what they’re offering. What people need to realize is, in a real world situation, pickers like this have to pay for gas, transportation, room, meals, etc. Further, they have to pay for appraisals, pay for restorations, and actually go through the process of finding a buyer. If someone came to me and offered me half of what something is worth to save me a year of work, the aggravation of placing an ad and having to show the item to potential buyers (who don’t show up, show up and offer nothing, etc.) You have to way the options. But I think that they’re very fair in their pricing. The dude in a field with a garage full of stuff really isn’t going to get to the big city or have the connections to get their item to a real interested buyer. Great show. Love it!!!!! Me and my wife watch it all the time. They’re like old friends.
HEy anyone taht thanks frank or mike take advantage of anyone is stupid. First off these people aht are selling arent at a auction or selling to a collector there selling to resellers. Second no ones putting a gun to anyones head. And not to mention if you watch the show at all they invest alot of money into restoring items and they actually are always talking about how they need to sell cuz there not making alot of profit. and I will pound anyones face that talks smack about my boyz!!
Learn to spell. Grammar is your friend, dummy.
These guys are con men. They play psychology on people because they know how much something is worth and pay pennies on the dollar for it.
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I’d keep a couple of small animal traps in a barn and let them go picking in there. Then when you hear the yelps go see what is the matter. That’ll serve them for ripping off granny and grandpa!
In general, I enjoy the program. I hope they are fair in their assesments. Most of the people they deal with tend to be older. The only thing I find anything to complain about is their use of a Mercedes-Benz truck to carry their purchases. So much for buying American, while buying “Americana”.
These guys are a couple clowns!! Everytime that little fat guy says “we need to make some money” when someone wants more than they want too pay I feel like reaching through the TV and ringing his friggin fat neck!! Why would ANYBODY sell to these 2 quacks after seeing how they rip people off on every show!!??
I’d like to see someone lay a few animal traps in their barn and then let these two dishonest con men in there to look around.
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When you hear the yelping and screaming then you can sit back and sip an ice tea.
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Someone should dump a bucket of feces on these two con men. that would teach them.
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The nerve they have whining about fifty dollars in price when they are already making double and triple that price.
Hey my name is Edgar an I was waching your sow and I tod you guys will love to see this peas. You guy need to see this I live in Torrington CT 06790 this is my # 8604592994
love the show!!! and as the author points out, there is alot of editing done before we the viewer sees the show.
as for mike and frank ripping people off…i’ve yet to see an episode where they hold a gun to someone’s head and force them to sell…some of that stuff has been sitting around for decades. and they do give back…one of my favorite episodes is where they buy the carnival canvases and end up giving the guy who sold them 1/2 of the money they made. more importantly, ya gotta remember this is TV…some of this is most certainly staged.
Doesn’t anyone remember the episode that showed Mike and Frank returning to a pickee to give him some of the profit made because they retailed it for so much more than they anticipated?
You live in America, pick in America, make your living in America, so why don’t you drive an American van???
Why is it when the guys visit someone with alot of junk they will ‘pop’ on several small items, but when they go to someone who has alot of good picks “usually priced to high, or at market value.” They dont pop on those same smaller items that will still bring in profit?
If someone shows up at my house out of the blue and wants me to sell something. Don’t ask me for a price, you make an offer and I will decide if I want to sell.
I don’t care if you have to pay wholesale, you showed up at my place !!!!
If $100.00 is the first offer and I say $150.00, then the counter offer stays at $100.00, I wouldn’t deal with that person.
Douchebags. End of story.
I thing the American pickers are a blessing to the people they buy from. First they make them famous and give them free advertisement through their show. Second many of these people collect and seldom to never actually sell. They are doing a great job helping these people out. Just because they buy a saddle for 75.00 and sell it for 5000 doesn’t mean this person would of ever sold the saddle. The American pickers have more avenues to sell products than any of these people do. The saddle story, the American pickers took a chance on the saddle they did not know what they had. They take chances and do not make on every chance they take.
I love the show and hope selfish people do no drive the show off. They are in the business to make a profit and we should let them to this.
My Dad left me with a box of the Wheat Pennies. At this time I have no idea what years they are. Who or where should I go to get a price value on these pennies I have. I may have up to 200 – 300 of these wheat pennies.
Please advise,
Thank you
Tina
Tina,
Go on eBay and see what similar coins are selling for. There are a few “key” dates that can be valuable. Also, purchase a coin pricing magazine/book and a coin grading book. Good luck.
I have been picking for 40 years. I do not buy from challenged people. I never make offers, I will only buy if they give me a price. No price, I move on. If they are happy with what they ask and and I think I can make anything on it I will buy. Worth a $1000 but they only ask $50, not my problem. I have an 40 year education buying and selling things. The seller could also be educated if they so desired.
By the way folks, this show is entertainment. It is staged.
I do like the show as I like seeing the stuff.
I think AP is a bunch of edited BS. Like most reality shows it’s edited to not show a lot of stuff, and I’m sure these people get paid on top of the money they get for on their items for being on tv. Most shows of this type are bologna. I stopped watching this show Pawn Stars and the others after a few episodes. Same old same old.
You want to see some idiots? Co to carsinbarns.com and you’ll see old farts who would ratrher see a classic car rust into the ground than sell it at a very fair price. Matter of fact they won’t sell at any price. They would rather see the car rust away. Morons.
Initially enjoyed the show however not so much any more. Too much inane chit chat and other nonsense such as Mike complaining about his back, going to the chiropactor, and such. Great show concept, just getting to be too much “other”.
LOVE LOVE LOVE all the episodes. Just don’t like the
cursing . Don’t enjoy trying to tell my small grand children
why they can’t use some of the words Frand and Mike use.
Other than the language LOVE all the programs. Frank
and Mike both have great personalities.
the show…is so very staged…..the prices they pay for junk is stupid..way too high…!….the follow up appraisals by ‘experts’ are insanely high….the values/profit that the two guys assign to items they buy is crazy and uber optimistic….where they sell the stuff for they buy, for the prices they claim they are worth, i would like to know.!…and they both have irritating personalities…
this show sux…..Yeah..William Shatner needs these 2 bozos to find him a pie safe…..used to be a good show…NOW it’s just mindless trash television…laugh all the way to the bank
American Pickers is entertaining, but I don’t see how it can be a viable business that supports at least three people. They travel long distances and don’t pick much. A lot of what they pick is not in good condition. Their resale price estimates seem unrealistically high in many cases. Their headquarters seems off the beaten track and not well set-up for resale (for a lot of their bulky stuff, someone would have to come to them to get it). There has never been any mention that Danielle is selling on eBay.
This is in contrast to Pawn Stars, where there is much more realistic emphasis on resale and condition of items
Tonites show was the worse one I have ever seen I watch all of them tonite was bad sorry picking is picking who cares about actor
We love American Pickers, they are funny, educational and shows different styles of people. BUT tonights show was the worst we have seen. We waited all week for the show because it was a new episode. They were more interested in impressing the star trek guy,than showing were they got the items from. If thats the way the show is going, count use out. Stick to the way you started, don’t get above your raising!!!! People love the show the way it started.
Wait a minute.. you mean there’s actually people out there opposing these guys making a living by selling other people’s crap that they have laying around collecting dust and falling apart because these owners don’t either remember what they have, don’t care about it anymore or don’t have the means to get rid of it? Excuse me? Barns and sheds and basements full of junk that’s actually worth money, these owners treat it like crap and let it get dusty and dirty and broken – and Mike and Frank are giving them money (sometimes cash) for ALL OF IT, and people have the nerve to actually WATCH IT and be offended? Then A- don’t watch it, or B-if they come knocking on your door, don’t let them in!
I sure liked the latest show with Shatner and wife involved in the episode. I sure hope the decorator or wife can cook a pie like berry or apricot as my grandmother did. Has being politically correct and a feminane world taken away that special, loving quality of cooking a simple pie for a family. God, i hope not!
These guys are hardcore flippers, not collectors! Same can be said about the Meteorite Men. They just want the money flipping rocks!
The Pickers only care about how much they can flip the stuff to a retailer with a buyer waiting. They sweet talk the sellers out of their valuables! They basically prey on old people in the country side that don’t know what the internet is and have never heard of EBay.
These people could sell their stuff for ten times as much on EBay if somebody could hook them up to a computer/internet/digital camera.
It is VERY sad to see these picker crooks take advantage of this countries older naive citizens.
If they had a heart, they would tell these people to go down to their library, open a gmail account, buy a old digital camera, and use the computer/internet in the library to get a good$$$ retail price for their stuff on EBay.
To be fair, I’m sure the History Channel pays these people a few hundred bucks to be on the show, but these two jokers are making millions on this show ripping old folks off!!!
Maybe they should make a new show called Rags to Riches. Poor people selling their old stuff on EBay for big bucks after they tell these maggots to fock off!
So, Chris
Are you going to provide the equipement and training for these people? Great ideas, but if you want results put your money where your mouth is. These old people are collectors, most of their stuff will be there when they die. And then it’s going to go to auction of trash dump. Do you really think they’re going to learn a to use a computer and ebay…what dream world are you living in. They’re lucky that have a touch-tone phone. My in-law has all kinds of stuff like some of these people and he wouldn’t part with it why? I’ve no idea, at least the pickers are a face to face contact and maybe that why some of these people sell because it’s the human contact they enjoy and not just some cold touch of a computer.
When I watch the show I have to wonder how these guys supply themselves with money to keep buying stuff and I really wonder how they can make a viable profit off of it. Having done some picking myself and re-selling on ebay I have found that once gas, travel, ebay, and paypal fees are paid I don’t get much for my time, even when my stuff sells for 3-4 times what I paid for it. Oh, yeah dealing with old folks with barns can be one of the most tedious frustrating things you will ever experience. I could go on an on….try begging somebody who is 70+ years old to sell you something that they have owned for 50+ years, have not touched for 49+ years only to have them say no when you are offering them what you would pay for the same item on ebay. Finally 10 years later you come by and the item has deteriorated even more and somehow the owner is still alive and still won’t sell but has not come to grips with the fact that they can’t take it with them!
I enjoy the show I myself with my business do also pick but people pay me to take there stuff the only problem I got with these guys is they call themselves “AMERICAN PICKERS” but they drive german van i guess they are not proud americans. I am a proud canadian and will only buy domestic cars.
The seller never has to say ‘yes’ to a price offered. Often the sellers have contacted the store and asked the pickers to come by because they want sell their stuff. Many of the ‘elderly’ on the show now their time on earth is limited and want to sell their items to people who appreciate their collections. Yes, the pickers want to make a profit. That is no secret. They haggle for the best deal. Everybody knows it. Where do you think these people heard of American Pickers anway—-watching the TV show!
Watched the show last night where they bought 2 old painted banners from the guy at Killbush amusement park. They bought both for $700.00, sold them for $10,000 and went back and gave the guy at Killbush Park $5,000.00 to help with renovations. My husband and I both had tears in our eyes.
Now that’s good t.v.!!
Thanks for posting that. I knew there was an episode where they went back, but never saw it. And missed it last night too.
i love the show and look forward to watching it….i have been a collector also and enjoy the hunt…
i have one complaint….EVERY TIME DURING THE WEEK THEY ADVERTISE THAT IT’S A NEW SEGMENT…WHEN I GO AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OUT TO BE A REPEAT…WHAT’S UP WITH THAT…..
I EXPECT TO BE WATCHING A NEW EPISODE ON MONDAY NIGHT AT 9PM…IT’S A GREAT DISAPOINTMENT….
I love the show. Any one you buys items at retail pays 2 to 3 times of what the seller paid for it. That is the cost of doing business.
I have ben a part time picker for about 50 years and it’s my opinion that these “experts” may know bicycles, motorcycles and oil cans but don’t know squat about most things.. I’ve seen them call barn / utility lanterns, that aren’t worth much, railroad lanterns and the best was when they pulled up to a place in, I believe, Alabama and exclaim “WOW ! ! Look at all the things in the yard.. He even has a boxcar”. AND IT WAS A SOUTHERN RWY CABOOSE ! ! ! ! I wish I kept track of all the things they’ve mis identified..
This is to Chris – the bold one above. Who is getting rich on ebay nowadays? Who? The American Pickers are quite fair with what they pay out to people willing to sell their stuff. If someone wants more money for something, Mike & Frank do not force them to sell. Let’s remember folks, this is a TV show about Mike & Frank’s PROFESSION. This is their JOB. What is wrong with alot of you?
Enjoy the show as I’m into Old Mechanical stuff like gas pumps , vehicles , signage and such . Think Franks a Great guy but often wonder how he doesn’t back hand Mike now and then . Leaves me to think Mike was a bit of a pampered , spoiled momma’s boy . Little too mouthy MIKE . . you and that mouth would have to walk around very carefully around me and my crew . Like to hear your brothers opinion .
Watch your appisode of when your truck broke down . . mouth and acting like a little suck ! Frank your patience . . very admirable !!!!!! Take a pill Mike .
Treat Daniel with respect also . She does yous .
You mentioned the episode where the van broke down???. Do you not realize there was a camera crew filming this (Pretend Breakdown )? They were not out somewhere all alone and stranded . ….. My God! I just give up .
I absolutely love watching American Pickers in fact it’s alomost an addiction! Seeing Mike and Frank actually give someone a better price and donating items to museums is proof enough to me they care about the items they buy and the people.
Pawn Stars on the otherhand is infuriating! Watching Pawn Stars automatically offer well below fifty percent of what they know an item is worth is tough. Knowing something is worth 2500 and offering 400 everytime is awful. After watching pawn stars a few times it’s easy to pick up their routine. A person asks a fair price and the say NO. Then they offer WELL below the worth and may come up a bit but not much. I know they do make mistakes but what they have made profit-wise over the years compounded with the popularity of the program those guys are not hurting no matter what anyone may try to tell you.
Just my two billion!
I like the show, yes i think that they underpay for some of the items but nobody twists the sellers arm to sell to them. My husband and I go to auctions in our local area and resale the items in Junk Jaunt, a 200 mile yard sale during the last weekend of September in central Nebraska. I would like to contact them on a etching that I saw they picked on show that aired on March 28 around 11:30 pm but I have not been able to get to their website I have the same etching and mine is signed by the artist. And I would like to know what its worth.
American Pickers is a GREAT show. All you people who are complaining,Just wish it could be you buying or selling….You complain these 2 guys make to much money on these finds..If you really want to complain–start with gas-oil and your local super market. Think about this-I buy my meat direct from the farmer. He takes it into the locker and in 1 week i have fresh meat (it doesn’t have color added to it so it looks fresh) its not been hanging around for months before its sold for food. AND the good thing is i pay 1/3 of the cost for the meat-than you so called smart people who buy in the store…you people bitch-moan and groan about these 2 guys making a little money…well folks your barking up the wrong tree..you need to wake up and bitch about the people who really ripping you off..its not the American Picker..
I love watching any kind of shows that have to do with auctions, rummage sales, yard sales, etc. I’ve thought many a time that the pickers actually paid too much for alot of the junk they find. If they’ve gotten a real good deal, then I don’t think they’re taking advantage. I’ve even seen Mike and Frank offer more on some things if the seller priced it too low. Look at those Carnival/Circus fabric posters….they sold for much more than they thought it was worth and they went back and shocked the seller because they split the profit with him. In fact, I think it’s a shame when the sellers hold back on stuff that’s been sitting around uncovered and just getting rustier as each day goes by. Why not try and salvage it and offer it to others out there who want to restore so much history? I think it’s a great idea. I have been to probably more than a thousand yard sales, rummange sales, garage sales, and auctions in the past 30years.I love “the hunt” and I absolutely love doing it and in fact, in the past, have even used my vacation time to go to ones that run through more than one state. I think “yard saling” is a way to revive and restore historical objects. We have become a disposable society….edie
probably the worst case of ripping somebody off ive ever seen . they bug people, pick the best items give the owners nothing without even telling them what the piece is worth (but they know exactly what the piece is and worth)
hopefully the price of these items increase and they bercome victums of there own greed
the worst case of blatent scaming ever. these crooks bug innicent people – usually seniors – and offer pennies on the dollar for items they know the value of
worst of all after scoring they show the 4000% increase in profit they make on the screen
i hope they finally suffer from the increased price they will cause
I think the american pickers are very honest ,and that is just awesome.Love watching them!!
I am waiting fore the day ( if the actually allow it on the show) when they go back to “pick” a previous older person, and some good o’boys are there to discuss the huge profit they made of their parents.
For ANYONE who thinks these guys are greedy, out to taking advantage of the sellers ignorance, or trying to rip people off, YouTube the episode where they purchased the amusement park rides. They bought the rides for a few hundred bucks, made ten thousand dollars from them, then WENT BACK and gave the guy FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!
I agree, There was also an episode where a person was willing to sell a vintage Coke clock that he knew nothing about, for $10.00. Mike quikly educated him on what he had, told the person that he would turn it over for around $150 and offered him $75. That’s honost if you ask me. They lways tell the sellers that they can’t pay retail and often tell them what they think they can resell for. They are stand up guys.
They’re not ripping anyone off and if you went to a yard sale and found something you really wanted, tell me you wouldn’t pay the 50 cents to the homeowner and quietly walk away knowing what it was really worth. Please learn to spell before leaving comments.
That Girl Danielle is very pretty. It’s just real sad that she is so imature as to have ruined her body with those trashy tattoos-WOW almost unbeliable what people will do to themselves. Much less to say your body is the temple of GOD-and they deface it-They know not what they do!!
The world is upside down !!! Find Christ now !!!
Just wanted to say how much I enjoy ‘American Pickers’ and love the hosts. Im a Canaidian and was excited to watch ‘Canaidian Pickers’. When I saw a few episodes Ive decided Id rather watch the American version because the hosts/pickers were much more likeable, and were not rude to the people they visited unlike the Candian hosts. The Canadian hosts suck. I enjoy American pickers much more!
I watched the show for a while, but never again. When they left that old man in a wheelchair waiting outside one of his barns for more than an hour was absolutely disrespectful. Plus, they act like a couple of douches anyways.
LOVE THE SHOW!
I enjoy the humor, the people, and the great friendship between Frank and Mike. KEEP ON PICKIN!!
The best hour on television!! We wait all week to watch it and can’t believe how quickly that hour passes, wish it was 2 hours!! Thanks for the show~
SERIOUSLY…people please….these guys are doing a great job…not only are they helping these people, they are also keeping themselves afloat financially, just like we all are trying to do in this economy….most of the people they visit have no other way to clean out some of the excess stuff they have and they make a good amount of money from cleaning out what some people may look at as junk. the guys are very fair with their offers and very personable and friendly and RESPECTFUL…most of us wouldn’t give some of these people the time of day because we look upon them as hoarders or messy or maybe a little crazy for piling their yards and homes up with (junk)…shame on any of u out there who see these guys as anything other than good old american folk who love what they do and the people they get to meet along the way…SHAME SHAME SHAME…(and don’t even try and pretend u don’t kinda envy them for being able to do what they love and make a living at it)
Have watched a little but haven’t watched an entire episode yet; don’t like watching or listening to either of them, especially the one who does almost all the talking [at least on what I have seen].
I *do* get a kick out of Pawn Stars
I liked American Pickers alot I wish it was still on.
Canadian pickers I can’t stand it’s an aweful show I canceled my subscription to that tv channel I won’t be watching it any longer.
Whats next are they going to censor and remake movies into Canadian versions?
always loved to watch this show ,as a mater of fact me and mine watched regularly until tonight when yo decided to put her as the sex facter into the show.i must say im done now. you used to be a real show that didnt have that facter but as with all the good shows …you had to bring that crap in.we are done…will miss the old way you were but wont watch again…..lucks to ya. hate yall had to become like most the rest of this sick world
was not impressed with the episode when they went to the factory and they blamed danielle for a bad pick she is not the one who knows the value she can only go by what they person on the other end of the phone tells her she is not a mind reader
you guys are all dumb. its a freakin tv show where 90% of everything going on is fake and staged. they want to make money just like history channel wants to make money and so and so on in this greedy world. ya i said that didn’t want to make you feel greedy but thats what you are. good luck frank you are the bearded charmer forever!
i was watching your show 6-6-11 when you found a (cs belt buckle with a 58cal. round in it). Well while watching Pawn Stars a guy came in with the same piece on the same day as your pick . You were in tenn. at the time ! Are you real ?
Did anyone see the American Picker episode where they sold the circus banners for a lot more than they paid and then they took back half of what they got to the guy for him to help fix up his theme park. How about also when a lady said she didn’t know how much to charge him, so Mike could have it free, he said ‘no’ I’ll give you $20 for it. Or the older person quoted a price like $25 and Frank said ‘no, I’ll give you $50′
The guys are fair, yeah sometimes they get more than what they planned, but even though they are good they can’t know everything. I’m addicted; too bad the t-shirts do not come in 4X:(
I hate this show it’s soooooo staged. The skinny geeky guy really gets on my nerves, he’s a dweeb. They try to appear knowledgeable but no mention is ever made of the profits from their purchases. And that Rick the Pawn Star would ask thses goons to find him a car is soooooo unbeleivable. They are just sooo dorky I can’t stand them. I think they pay too much for their stuff, too. Just sayin’…
are you kidding I love this show! But I do agree that they pay too much though.
To those that don’t like the Pickers..Change the station, why watch if your just complaining about the show. Sounds like envey to me. To those that think there ripping of people…think about your last yard sale, Did you not have prices in mind and maybe haggled a bit on the price? Is this not the same…No one is twisting the sellers arms. The Pickers that’s there job, show or no show they’d still be doing it. It’s who they are. To those that think there stealing from the elderly, if they have all this stuff that’s sitting on their property for 50 to 60 years, don’t you think some money is better than having an old sign, or a rat trap sitting collecting dust, money for food and utilities, besides these old people were once young pickers themselves..don’t let there age fool you they’ve been doing the buy and sell game longer than the two guys on the show. And to those that think it’s easy get off your butts and do something with your life, these two are out there seeing America from the ground up, not sitting on there couch eating potatoe chips complaining how they hate this show there watching. I don’t understand when people see other people doing well they feel the need to bring others down to make themselves feel better and more important. I enjoy the show, I think there fair, and I’ve seen them make good and bad deals and that’s life. You can either sit on the bench and watch life or get off the bench and live life…Question is which one are you?
Last episode began with a false display of sympathy on hearing the news that this woman’s husband had died, then right on to the pillaging. Eventually these creeps will go from reading the obituaries to just hanging around funeral homes. The assertion that they are preserving American History is nonsense, they only do this for the profit, period. It could just as easily be any other commodity, only with this one it is easy to rip off lonely old people, who are flattered by the cameras and the attention. The show is periodically interrupted by shots of these dweebs gloating over how well they have ripped people off. Perhaps they could help these people at some point, advising on how to go to auction, selling on consignment, or informing them of the true value of their collections. The on-air chemistry is creepy, false, and disturbing. Also, the estimates of value are wholly unreliable. They just throw up a number and then another hypothetical number and claim that as profit. This emphasis on ‘bundling’ as if it were some innovation in commerce is disgusting. At least with Pawn stars, people are coming to the shop, wanting to sell, they aren’t lonely old shut ins being preyed upon by Mutt and Jeff and their ridiculous flyers. When they showed them with Rick Harrison, I thought Rick wanted to just bust out laughing. Mike and Frank huddling together and scheming to ask more than they were willing to settle on. What a joke, do they really think this is a novel idea? Horrible show.
Love the show….. I’ve been a collector of classic cars, juke boxes, radios, and everything else for over 40 years.
The only issue that rubs me a little funny is the fact that they are driving a MERCEDES VAN on THE AMERICAN PICKER
show. We (Americans) build some very nice Fords and Chevys that could do the job.
I love the first season where it looked real, but then it tured lame. Danny’s pic show was good for sure, but…. The show went from rust and dust to bling and bling… I collect things, and I understand the business, but……… I’m dissappointed how the season progressed.
I have been watching from the start. I loved the show until I saw the latest comerical. Mike and Frank are not dancers or singers they are pickers. Please tell Hollywood to take a hike or you will jump the shark within a year. I hate it when I find a show I like and Hollywood gets thier claws into it and screws things up.
two pieces of dirt. they are low life con artists preying on the uninformed.what they did to leland with the saddle is a crime. they are lying avaracious scammers with no sense of decency or dignity . i hope they meet with a horrible end.
They really are bad people.
On the Show, …they seem to never (or rarely) wear gloves when they hunt throught all the barns and attics with dusty boxes, or piles of ancient junk. >My question; do they ever encounter Black widow or Brown widow (reclusive) spiders?
Maybe the markets better where you people are from, but from my perspecive they geerally pay too much. They probably have good outlets to sell, but cheating anyone, NO. I wouldnt pay what they pay.Sounds to me that people do not understand the way it really is.
Will someone please help me out? I want to know what kind of car exactly was in the old womans shed that her husband had bought for her. I fell in love. Anyone?
Stephanie.. Not 100% sure of the episode, but I asked over on FB and the answer was a Metropolitan Nash. Was it a small squarish car? That’s what a Nash is..
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1950-1959/1957-Nash-Metropolitan.jpg
The American Pickers does not take advantage of the people. This is what sailing trading and buying is all about. Also the Pickers do not always get what they think they will get and they need the extra money to make up for gas. It is much more fair than what they pay you on hard core pawn.
I started watching the show a few years ago. Iliked it then, but now, I feel that Mike Should get rid of Frank he is a ripoff king. yes they are in it to make money but Frank “the king of bundling” takes advantage of people. he should be ashmed of hiself. he seems proud of what he does also. MIKE PLEASE DROP FRANK.
The new commercial with them dancing around is BULL.
Also the stuff they do in the van while driving to another setup pick is also BULL. The show was much better when it first started.
Just pick and show more of the items picked.
Can’t understand the negative comments posted here. These guys not only find neat stuff but explain what they found and why it’s collectable. The people who sell the items to them don’t have a gun to their head and they get to be on National TV. As a seasoned picker myself (over 30 years) I think they overpay for most of the junk they find. The people who take the cash are thrilled with getting rid of stuff that’s rotting in their dilapidated barns, garages and basements. The others who want to hold on are going to die with the stuff. Maybe you morons who want them to keep the junk could start a series that shows the funeral director dumping it in the hole with them when they’re buried.
I have looked at their ebay site. The items that are up for sale are a few paintings, postcards, and a few other items. The rest of the 4 pages on ebay are signed photos of them and t-shirts. I look around for particular items but not interested in postcards paintings or t-shirts. I say a show of them one time and they were down south. The guy they were picking from had a lot of military stuff. Well one item caught my eye but there was only 10 to 13 seconds of film footage. So I watched the repeat and the same item caught my eye again. I contacted the pickers via email to see if there was a way to contact the guy they were picking from, they never contacted me back. What I saw was an old M1 Garand Rifle. Yes I’m still looking for one at a fair price.
they dont rip people off pawn shops do. the pawnstars are the ripoff merchants. mike and frank buy junk at fair prices and take big risks that items may sell using their knowledge of the value of items. the pawnos buy peoples treasured items at extremely low prices even after the item is valued by independent valuer how come no one complains about them? i like both shows as this is what any business is all about buying low selling high.
just watched an episode tonight 9/711 and once again Frank took advantage of a kid. the 13 yr old boy was trying to make his grandpa proud by selling the band hat for $13. of course frank had to be the greedy person he is and eventually got it for at a “steal” for $10 after attempting the shameful $5 trick on the boy…give me a break! the boy boy is 13 years old and his grampa is like 80…? Mike seems to know when frank is going overboard but blows it off which is sad. if I had the little boys address I would mail him what he originally wanted for it, $20 I think….the point is frank needs to stop taking advantage of the seniors and children or find a real job and earn money like his victims do. shame on the History channel!
just watched an episode tonight 9/711 and once again Frank took advantage of a kid. the 13 yr old boy was trying to make his grandpa proud by selling the band hat for $13. of course frank had to be the greedy person he is and eventually got it for at a “steal” for $10 after attempting the shameful $5 trick on the boy…give me a break! of course frank bragged later about he is going to make a $25 profit off the juvenile, wow… the boy is 13 years old and his grampa is like 80…? Mike seems to know when frank is going overboard but blows it off which is sad. if I had the little boys address I would mail him what he originally wanted for it, $20 I think….the point is frank needs to stop taking advantage of the seniors and children or find a real job and earn money like his victims do/did. shame on the History channel!
The one thing I didn’t like was when they bought all that Gilley’s memorabilia for rock bottom prices. They bought that piano for $1,500 and it was appraised for $10,000. For something as well known as Gilley’s memorabilia, the owner doesn’t need a picker to get cash for the items. They could have sold them at auction for much more than they received.
As much as our personal interest would benefit from high prices for Gilley’s memorabilia I couldn’t disagree with you more. Especially the prices they paid for the Gilley’s poster and Gilley’s Beer neon sign. I can tell you from personal experience that we have never paid anywhere near what they paid, and they expect to resell at a profit!!! I think their knowledge and negotiating skills regarding Gilley’s items left a LOT to be desired. But we only own about a thousand different pieces of Gilley’s memorabilia, including many very rare and one-of-a-kind items, so you can make your own decision as to who knows what. As for the piano, besides not including the high cost of transportation, beware of “appraised” values. That is only one person’s opinion, and unless he’s willing to put his money where his mouth is, it means close to nothing in the real world. The time and money it would take to find that one buyer might be better spent elsewhere.
Bubba — GilleysMuseum.com
These shows illustrate just how downscale our society has become. “Pickin’” is what you do when your career implodes. A few decades ago a picker and a bum were synonymous. I have done it for a couple of stretches and was so relieved when it stopped. A knowledge of collectibles isn’t enough. Like any profession, a network is critical. If you pay attention to Danielle, she is their full time professional networking specialist. If Mike and Frank were doing this for a living instead of a TV show, they would be in poverty. My experience from resale has yielded about $1,500 per month while you work your butt off. It’s only slightly better than a minimum wage job in that you can refuse to deal with people you don’t like.
what is the g.p.s of the volvo lot,those 60′s very hard to find
I love the show, it’s the best on tv. My only complaint is the lack of new shows. History seems to not care about new episodes whatsoever. I mean you get replays of Pawn Stars all day long and I can’t even catch a replay of American Pickers ever. Of course replays seem to be the way it is these days so I shouldn’t complain about any particular show.
They aren’t smart enough to take advantage of any elderly person, let alone my grandson. I have seen these fools walk by or set down thousands in great items only to walk over and purchase a $10 oil can or a $20 rusted out bike. The signs are the biggest joke and they really should concider calling the show, “the old rusted out gas sign show” The show is a lot like they pick… nothing.
well the skiny guy is the one who is not sharp at all ., last night he mentioned he has been collecting for 20 years yet he did not know what a ships gyro was some of the prices he claims are for tv only as antiques are very cheap at least where i am from SF.
I have collected and sold antiques for 30 years,and most serious collectors know what a picker is.For at least the last 82 years the name “picker” is a derogatory term for thief. A picker is someone who preys on the poor and un-informed owners of antiques. What a picker can’t buy for nothing, they would usualy steal after dark, not saying all picker’s steal. I have watched the show “american pickers”reg. trade mark. And have seen many many deals I don’t agree with
I grew up in an Antiquing home as my mother was a dealer all my life. She passed away when I was 20 in 1990. I spent my youth stopping at antique shops and hanging out at Coles Flea Market in Pearland Texas where she had a booth and then a shop. I spent many weekends loading her in and out of Antique shows at malls in the area. She eventually opened a standalone shop in League City, TX. Her expertise was furniture and Victorian women’s clothing. She was also good, really good having sold pieces of furniture for over $10K in the 1980s and I remember an Irish Crochet wedding dress she bought in England sold for over $10K too. So, I saw her buy and sell many, many items and learned how to be a “horse trader” as she put it. What happens on American Pickers is the way it is done and anyone who has even been in the trade knows that. My mom always told a story of when I was very small and saw that she was selling a item for good money that I saw her buy. I said “but mom, you only paid $5 (or whatever it was) for that” and quickly received a good swat in the butt and later an education on keeping purchase prices secret.
I miss my mom and love watching the show. I too have many items I have bought cheap and sold for good money. I was trained well.
I wouldnt let them pick the corn outta my chit
I think it’s funny that people think Frank is more of a sleaze than Mike. It’s just your prejudice against swarthy grubby chubby little gypsy-types, because the fact is Frank and Mike are equally sleazeball. If you watch closely they both rip people off and haggle over pennies equally. For some reason people think Mike is ‘good looking’, well maybe compared to Frank, but that doesn’t make him more likable. Check out his weasley girl-giggle when he gets excited. I swear a little squirt of pee enters his undies when that happens… that casanova’s all yours, ladies!
Lets all grow up and admit this is one of the greatest Shows on TV today….Frank & Mike are people-just like us-not perfect.Personally I admire how they approach people and how they treat them.Also I don’t know how others feel about this program but i feel slighted now that it is not on.Daneleel is on top of the business and whats more…Frank & Mike give her the rains and trusts her all the time….This is a good girl.
Now time to get off my soap box and let somebody else speak their mind. ………..Richard
Dear Mike and Frank,
Speaking in behalf of a group of people here in Oregon, we thoroughly enjoy those segments with you and Frank and usually watch every week ! However there is a rather large consensus of those who view American Pickers, in this part of our state.that your home contact /office person etc. which we call the Tatooed Lady is definitely a distraction to your telecast and we would suggest that she
practice Good Taste in her manner of dress, because it definitely does not compliment your program. She needs to be
aware that she stands out, but unfortunately not in a positive
way ! No doubt she may be quite capable of handling responsibilites re business. Otherwise she is a hindrance as to her appearance. Our suggestion is : ” Cover the tatoos ” ! and dress in a more complimentary manner.
Thank you !
Bottom line is this. I don’t think these guys could make a dime without the show….How the heck could you drive ALL over the United States like to find junk and turns prod fit at three dollars a gallon, and they are driving a diesel van, and diesel is over $4.00 most places in the US. No way, you would be so I the red just because of the fuel prices! This show is nothing but fantasy make believe!
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I have generally really liked this show, as I enjoy seeing some of the stuff they find and learning more info about it. However, I’m tired of drama! I don’t give a rat’s ass about the petty rivalries, the mini cliffhangers as they negotiate prices with the sellers, etc. Just find stuff, buy it, and move on. No more drama, please!
I have always generally enjoyed this show. I like seeing the things they find and learning more about it. But I’m really tired of the drama! I don’t give a rat’s ass about the petty rivalries and the mini cliffhangers as they negotiate prices with the sellers. Just find stuff, tell us about it, buy it, and move on. No more drama, please!
I am sooo fricken hooked on this show!! Absolutely LOVE it!!! Wish they would come to Nor.Cal.!
What I most object to on the show is that they arrive in a truck labeled “American Archeology”. Archeologists PRESERVE history, for all mankind to see. The pickers proceed to tell people who have saved their treasures for years, that their items will get “good homes”. People get very attached to classic motorcycles, cars, bicycles, etc. And I know you can’t take it with you. But I’m sure some of the sellers think that their item will be preserved in a museum. However, these pickers have no way of knowing if the item will be in good hands, because all they care about is the profit they make. For all they know, the item will wind up in another damp, dark old barn.
I just think it is dishonest. I also think it’s bad when they talk a guy who doesn’t know what he’s got down from $1800 to $1750, only to sell it for $7000. It’s greedy.
well here it is….The pickers are nothing but 2 big ole’ babies who can dish it out, but certainly cannot take it. Example: Watching a show now where they are blaming Danniell for sending them to a home that does’nt have anything that is up to their standards, so they blame her for a bad pick. What do you want her to do? If the people say “This is what i have”, then that is what she has to go by. If you do not like her picks, then get off of your high horses and go find one for yourself. Oh, and by the way, I am so glad that you would rather have your “APPENDIX” out than go to a potential customers home. I really hope she had all kinds of stuff that you may have really wanted !!! Those little digs might not mean crap to you, but your rude comments do effect your viewers. So Grow up & quit placing the blame on others!
I am just totally sick of hearing MIKE say; oh my god look at this place,, oh my god, check this out, oh my god frankie , oh my god this is awesome, ;;every line in the show that he says is ‘ohOH MY GOD;’
this is not a cultrual statement like , groovy, or ‘cool dude’ IT IS A SIN……… DEUTERONOMY 5;11,,THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE LORD
THY GODS NAME IN VAIN”
i suggest for his show and his soul he stop this…..or he WILL BE SORRY……………………….///////
YOU ARE REDUNDANT STUPID AND SICK MICK AND NEED HELP,
START PRAYING
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Seriously.. for you people who think they are “ripping” people off, that is life. It happens every day. If you go to the movies, you’ve just been ripped off. When you bought that beer for 5 dollars a bottle, you just got ripped off. When you picked up that bottle of water at the store before you went to work, guess what, you just got ripped off. That is capitalism. That is how it works. If someone didn’t know the value of the item they had and sold it for dirt cheap, then it wasn’t worth it to that person anyway. They don’t force any one to buy anything, THATS BUSINESS. This is what its worth to me to buy it, take it or leave it. At the end of the day they run a business, if you can find something valuable at a cheap rate and resell it for a lot more, then you are a good business person. They have to pay their own salaries, the assistant’s salary, gas, lodging, overhead, etc… So for you haters out there, keep your day job, because entering the marketplace is not going to be for you.
Yes…..I believe they do take advantage of people.
And it is NOT ignorance on behalf of the seller to not know
the value of the items being sold.
These characters show up out of the blue (no time to make
an inventory and do research of prices). And these guys
know it! They don’t do business with anyone that knows what
their stuff is worth. They whine to those who hold out for a
better price saying “C’mon, there’s no meat left on the bone”
(meaning I think I should make no less than 100% profit).
Most of the elderly think today’s prices are unrealistic anyway.
So essencially they are living in the past and the “pickers”
know that also! There are also the one’s that have amassed
a fortune in stuff. They are so old, they can no longer care
what’s going on in their life, much less the price of their stuff.
I would recommend that younger family members be consulted
before letting grandma or grandpa give their valuables away
for pennys.
And stop whining about your overhead!! Sheesh…..if you
pay rent…..pay for listings……those are YOUR problems and
not the sellers! You knew what it would cost before you got
into it. Stop trying to justify it to the seller. Your costs are
not their concerns!
Sell your items for what they are worth! Don’t let pickers
cheat you for half price!
I think they miss the mark real antiques are not in the midwest or west they are in New England. There downfall is that New Englanders now the value
First I love your show…
One item caught my eye “the Sea Bee pillow”
Not a true story, I was in Japan from 1975 to 1980 stationed with Sea bees and got to know them pretty well
one of the items they sold to help their coffee mess money was to sell these same pillows and other items
I saw many of these same pillow and I think they were made in the phillipeans
thank you for your time
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Although I think they’re slimeballs, I’ve always at least had a little bit of sympathy due to the fact that they are so useless they probably have no skills to do anything else to earn a living, and lets face it, they could be ripping old people off in much more nefarious ways (ie by being telemarketers).
BUT, up here in Canada we have a canadian version of American Pickers called Canadian Pickers, and I recently discovered that one of the guys on that show is a Calgary lawyer! In other words, when he haggles over dimes and nickles with old people, he isn’t doing it because he has to in order to make a living, he’s doing it because he truely enjoys being a scumbag! And I guess lawyering may keep him financially afloat, it doesn’t provide him with enough opportunity to be a scumbag, so he has to moonlight as a ‘picker’…
Maybe. American pickers should change that big mercedes Benz van to a reg van.then people mite go down on their. Prices wen they come by.just saying.
I’d love to meet them in a barn before they screw someone out family keepsakes and have a nice LONG talk with them…. I think after my talk, Frank would finally need to repair his snaggle tooth or try looking for it ….
Mike with his California slang talk needs to be JAP SLAPPED about 10 times…
These two guys are total idiots and jerks
Thet are very intusive ,I would not let them within a mile of my house, They never look people in the eye, they are always looking past them at what they can get there hands on.The skinny guy laughs like a girl.
Like the show(s), but the grammar on AP and Pawn Stars makes me cringe! “Me and Frankie”, “Me and the ol’ man”. Egad, didn’t these jokers attend school?
Yeah american pickers are disgusting douchebags who take advantage of old people. They also have no charisma or TV appeal. I
n the same category of shows I like pawn stars a lot better. The characters (yes its probably scripted) are much nicer and a lot more likeable. And they are fair to the sellers, at least on camera.
You are saying that they are cheats and rip people off. CMON!! think about todays world, go to the store and think about how much 90% of the items u are paying double, triple, quadruple the amount it actually costs to make the product. think about when a man goes to buy his wife a piece of jewlery at a jewlery store, those diamonds are marked up more than 1000%, i would know, my grandmother worked in a jewlery shop and seen the prices they were bought and sold for. HOW about this one. go to Gamestop and try to sell them your used games, u will get $8 for a game that they will in turn sell for $35, now if you want cash u 20% less for it. They have an overhead to cover, not to mention the gas and time it takes between picks. just because they are doing something they love for a living and you may not be doesnt mean that they are crooks. another example, go to a pro sports game and spend $6-$10 on a hotdog.
Coming from a person with a collector for a mother. I would love for these guys to show up at my moms house, If people like this do not show up and buy from what you guys are calling older people. Then after they have past the family will have to go out and find buyers. Maybe even sell through auction. Trust me, I have see this more times that I care to remember. They family will take to auction and get pennies on the dollars. Something else you guys are not thinking about. Over half of these people are contacting the pickers and asking them to come out.
I belive that if you (they) are going to sell an item of vintage at a lower than retail or collecting price, you probably didnt want it, need it, or just plain forgot about it. If someone else is going to appreciate the picked item and not let it rust or rot away to dust than its a great deal for all partys involved. Keeping the history alive of American manufactured items from the days of pre-silicone valley plastics and pressed wood throw away goods; these guys are if anything saving history one piece at a time.
Those of you who claim that the Pukers are somehow rescuing items from dusty old shelves and barns are exhibiting ageist prejudice. As if gramps the WWII vet can’t appreciate his vintage knick-nacks due to his cataracts the way Bill the yuppy can. Bill the yuppy drools at the chance to get his hands on gramps the vet’s stuff, but Bill is busy making money in real estate or something to be going around looking for the stuff himself, so when Bill the Yuppy wants something that was treasured by Gramps the War Vet, Bill the Yuppy just has to stop in and see Frank and Mike the Scumbags to see what they’ve pilfered and swindled to sell to Bill the Yuppy.
And how exactly would it be better if, when gramps kicks the bucket, his kids don’t send his stuff to goodwill where charity will benefit, rather than having sold it to Frank and Mike where only scumbags and yuppies will benefit?
Everytime i watch the show american pickers they remind me of the characters on the cartoon Ren And Stimpy,you think theres any resemblance.Anyways check there ebay listings they have reserves on just about everything they sell they sure dont want to take a loss,but dont have a problem passing those losses on to the sellers haggling over 5 or 10 bucks when they know its worth hundreds more than they are paying.I think All Pickers Are”Chiselers”with a capitol C sorry guys.
You people are all idiots. It is business. They are not forcing anyone to sell their stuff and they pay fair. They have to at least double or triple their investment. They have rent, insurance, and employees to pay. You people are all ignorant.
The two slimeball tricks they use that bother me the most are “I’m a _blank_ guy” (blank = car, can, bicycle, buttplug, etc) and “It’ll go to a good home.” First of all, who cares if you’re a “bicycle guy”? They say it so often it must work well for them, which just goes to show that the average hoarder is easily manipulated. And when they say something will go to a good home they are flat out lying, since they have no idea what kind of ‘home’ the item will go to when they re-sell it.
love the show,my neighbor has a 1970 model Pinzgauer 710m I think all of the info is right but she is asking 12,000 and or best offer.Needs the carbs rebuilt,this thing will climb anything and alot of fun.If this is not the right place for this please contact me and put me in the right direction.THANK YOU!!!!
Hey Mike remember the Excelsior bike Danielle took pictures of while you were on your way to Hawaii?
When you landed you e-mailed her back and said 250.00 and then counter offered 350.00?
Mike you know that bike was in excellent condition and I recently sold it for 1750.00 …no haggeling…the man paid me the price I was asking for it and you knew the bike was worth it.
350.00?
Sure… which tire and rim did you want, the front or the back?
John, what you don’t realize is that Mike knows that lots of people would accept the $350 just to be able to “deal with the pickers”, like they’re movie stars or something… so he doesn’t really care if you’re not dazzled enough by his stardom to basically give him $1300, because he knows the next guy he deals with probably will.
why do all the cast use the word “awsome” a million times ??? surely there is another word in the english language that would suffice—vg amazing, beautiful, cool, fabulous, exceptional, dazzling, staggering, overwhelming, magnificent etc etc etc.. and there are at least 35 more– but you get my drift !!! lets not be so lazy, busy and insecure—
why do all the cast use the word “awsome” a million times ??? surely there is another word in the english language that would suffice—vg amazing, beautiful, cool, fabulous, exceptional, dazzling, staggering, overwhelming, magnificent etc etc etc.. and there are at least 35 more– but you get my drift !!! lets not be so lazy, busy and insecure—
why do the cast use the word “awsome ” a million times there are so many
words to use instead of this most overused word in the english language vg amazing, astonishing, beautiful, breathtaking, brilliant, dazzling, fabulous, fantastic, spectacular, wonderful just to mention a few there are about 35 more lets not be so stupid, lazy busy and insecure !!!
Antiques Road show is the real criminal. The show provides false High values for item….
Good luck getting that amount from anyone.
They are morons that rip people off and like to hear themselves talk
One thing to remember, they’re not putting a gun to anyone’s head to sell, and everyone has the right of refusal. Baseless complaints in a free market system.
One thing I would really like to see is a “behind the scenes” episode, where we get to see what goes between them leaving the home base and their arrival at the driveways. How can two adults spend 24-hours a day together and make it work? How many miles do they travel? Hours on the road? Crazy stuff they’ve seen over the years, etc.
One note: Barb, please stop this insipid trend of asking yourself questions and then answering them. Just state your point. Very annoying. kthxbye