American Pickers live....

[glwilson]

I just got back from seeing Mike and Frank... the American Pickers... at a local museum benefit promotion locally here in Rockford, IL.

The live about 1 1/2 hours from me; so they have been to a lot of the areas around here picking on their show. Twice they have been in Rockford, Illinois "picking"; with both episodes having been aired.

Anyway... my son is in town and we thought "what the heck"... let's go see them.

They really drew a huge crowd of thousands to see them. It was difficult to get close enough to see them; but I was able to get within about 15 feet for a couple pics with my phone. The attached photo is a bit blurry...

[pirate]

I enjoy watching their show. I like how they treat people with respect when trying to purchase items, rather than low-balling them. They seem like good guys.

[glwilson]

When the show first started the emails to the History Channel were not favorable. Many thought they were taking advantage of people.

Since then, they have made a concerted effort to portray themselves as being "fair". Apparently this has helped their image some.

[ringadingh]

I like watching the show also, but who pays some of the outrageous prices for some of the stuff they find. Im sure Ive thrown out crap that seems a lot more valuable than some of the stuff they go nuts over. And some of those old farmers with the barns full of junk think they are sitting on a goldmine.

[glwilson]

My son and I were discussing that very thing over dinner. Who knows who buys that stuff.

I know they have had a developed corporate client list that bought quite a few things from them. Places like Applebee's; Joe's Crab Shack, and a few others here in the U.S. would buy from them.

It seems that "antiques" or "old-collectibles" had their run quite a few years ago... like baseball cards. I thought it was over.

I saw them buy a bike that was so rusted there was barely any metal left. Don't remember the price now; but I remember being shocked at what they paid.

[Loafer]

American Pickers is one of my favorite shows as well. My biggest fear is that I would have a barn load of stuff and while waiting for Mike and Frank to arrive, Operation Repo shows up and takes it all away! Last thing I would want on my property is that huge blond bulldog with the tattoos bumping me with those enormous mammary glands! Wait! That might be fun! ;)

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sounds like they have a good show. I have never heard of them though. Will have to do some scouting and find out more about them.

[glwilson]

It is the #2 show on cable television Gene! They average 6 million viewers per show!!

You are going to have to get off-line a bit more and tune-in the TV buddy!!! ;)

[Loafer]

Gene, they are on the History channel here.

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I like watching the show also, but who pays some of the outrageous prices for some of the stuff they find. Im sure Ive thrown out crap that seems a lot more valuable than some of the stuff they go nuts over. And some of those old farmers with the barns full of junk think they are sitting on a goldmine.

I like their show (and pawn shop). While watching it I often think of Cracker Barrel and all the "junk" they have on the walls and overhead. Some "picker" buy all that stuff for them. I also wonder just how much all that stuff is worth and if it is carried on their books as a asset. ::)

[glwilson]

They have opened a big store in Nashville, TN that houses a lot of their stock for resale. They said they have other warehouses also.

I would think their type of business could easily hide any paper-trail; however with their popularity... I imagine they are having to keep better records than before. ;)

On another note, they started with the Mercedes van and another regular van. They now travel with the Mercedes, a large box truck (or two), a motor-home, and some additional cars and vans.

They said the show might only show them buying a few items from a place when in reality they could have bought quite a few items. It is just that the producers do not put everything in the show.

They "picked" over 250 places in the last two years for the show; but only a few made it to television.

[rflnomad]

Yes it is a great show. It isn't wrong to buy things at 50c on the dollar when you have it sitting there doing nothing, and I get it, clean it up, warehouse it, WAIT for someone to buy it. If the owners want 100% profit, they need to research it and at least present it to them in 'sellable' form. then the pickers pay more.
It is a buisiness and it is a neat one. To bring out part of our history as a country and put food on their plate is awesome. I watch it and enjoy seeing what they run into.
Danielle is ... nice ...too! ;)

[Dave]

Originally Posted by rflnomad

Danielle is ... nice ...too! ;)

She looks like something we'd drag out of the bar at closing time!

[carolinakid1]

Got a signed photograph of Mike. Former administrative assistant and family visited their shop in Iowa and brought it back to me as a gift.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by Dave

She looks like something we'd drag out of the bar at closing time!

She looks like she could drag you and your boys out of a bar!