Joe-in-Mesa let me know that Mike from History Channel’s American Pickers bought a 1950s wagon during an episode titled The Joy of Sax (this link may or may not work for people — it didn’t for me). He bought for $6000. Mike figured shipping it would be $1000, repairs would be $1000, bringing his total expected investment to $8000. He hoped to sell it for $10,500. Overall it looked to be a solid wagon. However, given it didn’t run and the tires needed replacing, I think he was underestimating the amount for repairs. Did anyone else see the show and have thoughts about it?
Seems a little optimistic. Perhaps he could get a bit more depending on how clean it is.
Would love to see the episode, but when I click on the link, I have to sign in with my cable provider, who airs the shows anyway. It won’t let me just watch it on my computer.
I have said to the wife many times…how can they go through so many barns and I never see jeep parts. Glad the found a whole one.
Colin: I searched in multiple ways for a clip of the episode online, but all I could get was the link I provided (which I couldn’t view either). I had to DVR it and then watch it on cable.
The show is pretty staged even though it isn’t supposed to be. I’ve been around the picker community for years and spending a whole day at a place and buying three things won’t cut it. Either they walk away with a ton of stuff or it wouldn’t be worth the time, money and gas.
If you subscribe to some of the antique papers, you’ll see advertisements for the show looking for specific things, which will end-up on their show. The Jeep was probably a set-up and the price already set before the show was shot. Based upon what I have seen on the show, I don’t know how they could stay in business.
American Pickers are coming to Oregon.
http://www.pamplinmedia.com/mop/157-news/317192-196525-american-pickers-heading-for-oregon
I guess some folks believe that professional wrestling isn’t staged either! There is no way that they could generate all those “leads” by themselves or make a living through their picking alone. I love it because it is about the joy of the collectors and pickers. I saw the Jeep Wagon episode when it aired. Bought fairly or even a little low IMO. Last year he bought, fixed abd flipped an early VW. split window and the car was represented fairly and resold at a decent price (ref. Barnfinds.com). There are many worse reality shows on cable than this one. Again, just my opinion.
It was noted on the show that the wagon had some repairs made earlier with Bando. The pictures they flashed were f core the rear fender quarters. There were no interior details. As you can see in the picture you posted there is an antique wooden boat. The man also had an antique Flexible bus that he had converted to a motorhome.
I always assumed they made their money off the show rather than from picking. I think it is funny when they (true of lots of ‘reality’ shows) are meeting someone for the first time, yet somehow a camera is on the inside of a house filming from the inside, yet supposedly everyone is meeting for the first time.
I figure kudos to them for building a successful show around their hobby and turning it into a very good living, even if it is staged. And, they seem like good guys as well.
Someone who knew some reality producers suggested I could something similar with eWillys. But, most of the time what I do revolves around the computer and that isn’t all that interesting. Just a lot of work.
All reality shows are entertainment , the producers put up vast sums of money so nobody looses . I agree that this show is more real than most , but in the end , it’s just TV .
I agree with Marc, how they “Freestyle” pick then Danni calls with a lead is beyond me. And no, they would not stay in business spending 4 hours and buying three things. I wonder what they don’t show you? That being said, I still like the show. I like the guys too but they can be kinda annoying.
Did you ever see that show with the treasure hunters who search battlefields and farms and such with metal detectors? Every time they find something they were doing cartwheels and jumping around like idiots.
I meant to get back to you Dave since I agree this Willys Wagon deal didn’t leave a lot of “meat on the bone”, as the Pickers say.
But this is one of my favorite shows… and not just because I grew up in Iowa and enjoy seeing it portrayed with interesting straight shooters who represent it so well. They’re likeable, fun, VERY interesting, and viewers can’t help but learn something. That being said, of course it’s a “show” and it needs to be produced. I’m not convinced it’s “staged” but there are definitely re-takes and work in the background to ensure their “fame” doesn’t totally taint the visits/picks and their ability to continue their picking business. And I’m pretty sure the show’s popularity has raised the price they can sell their wares for, so between that bump, the larger volume they actually get at each stop, and the salaries they get from the network, they’re no doubt doing OK.