Anyone Contacted "American Pickers" lately?

[ericr]

I know we discuss them periodically. Has anyone lately tried to buy any Model "A" parts from them, or ever been to their two retail stores (if those locations are truly retail stores).

They seem to have a big interest and know an awful lot about old radiator shells and I have recently seen Model "A" shells hanging at their pick sites, both '29 and '31. Surely they know the resale value of such items and of certain Model "A" parts in general.

[Mike V. Florida]

From what we have read here, the picks seem to be phony anyway.

[Larry Jenkins]

The "picks" are staged.

[2manycars]

Entertaining show, but do the math. They travel thousands of miles, eat, stay in a motel or two, and "score" enough stuff to sell for a profit of a few hundred bucks. For 2 guys, the truck, and the shop to live on? I doubt it.
It's fake, just like the storage auction shows and the pawn shop shows.
"wrasslin is real!"

[ricklove]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

..........."wrasslin is real!"

I can now sleep better knowing that I really was right about it all along!

[Roadster Rich]

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I have been in the Nashville store twice. I watch this show frequently and I can tell you that much of what I saw in that store, I actually saw them picking on some of the shows. Clearly they may stage the TV "drama" but the items you are seeing them pick up are for sale in their store.

I do not remember seeing any cars or much for car parts. There seems to always be a motorcycle prominently displayed and lots of motorcycle parts.

Rich

[Fullraceflathead]

Why???

[Jacksonlll]

I understand the old leather license plate that they gave to the museum, came from the museum.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

Entertaining show, but do the math. They travel thousands of miles, eat, stay in a motel or two, and "score" enough stuff to sell for a profit of a few hundred bucks. For 2 guys, the truck, and the shop to live on? I doubt it.
It's fake, just like the storage auction shows and the pawn shop shows.
"wrasslin is real!"

Actually, someone who had them come to their place told me that in reality, they come on a large RV/Tour Bus after the "scouts" have been there and staged the script. Evidently one of the stars has some disease which necessitates a rest room close by, and they also use it for cast things also. Also, speaking of 'truck', I understand they also just received a Ford Transit Van to replace the Freightliner Van. It does seem ironic that Reality TV is not really reality, huh ☺

[Seth Swoboda]

I've had people tell me that have been to their stores that the only thing for sale are souvenirs T-shirts and other crap from the show. I went to Gold and Silver Pawn when I was in Vegas, the only thing you could afford was a coffee mug.

[chap52]

Well our society loves drama and staged events. Guess that's why its "entertainment" and not "reality TV" (which is also staged). Please don't tell me that "The Dukes of Hazard" wasn't fur real...

[2935ford]

Think about it folks..........
Wouldn't you all do a show that probably pays in the 6 figures per episode?
Who cares about reality!

The down side for them.......the show won't last forever. When the ratings drop......goodbye!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by 2935ford

Think about it folks..........
Wouldn't you all do a show that probably pays in the 6 figures per episode?
Who cares about reality!

The down side for them.......the show won't last forever. When the ratings drop......goodbye!

If I had the opportunity to make that kind of cash, I'd go buy that Model A semi

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Actually, someone who had them come to their place told me that in reality, they come on a large RV/Tour Bus after the "scouts" have been there and staged the script. Evidently one of the stars has some disease which necessitates a rest room close by, and they also use it for cast things also. Also, speaking of 'truck', I understand they also just received a Ford Transit Van to replace the Freightliner Van. It does seem ironic that Reality TV is not really reality, huh ☺

Actually I heard much the same thing about them from a friend who saw them driving in Florida several years ago and trailed them to a motorcycle collector. It appeared they have staff that drives the van to locations while Mike & Frank fly to a nearby airport and get picked up. A large amount of footage is shot at the location and pruned down to what we see on the show. The "country bumpkins" we see are actually coached on how to behave.

I often wondered if their real job was doing some kind of estate liquidation, or if the show itself is their primary job.

[old31]

Originally Posted by chap52

Well our society loves drama and staged events. Guess that's why its "entertainment" and not "reality TV" (which is also staged). Please don't tell me that "The Dukes of Hazard" wasn't fur real...

Parts of Daisy Duke were not real. I hate to be the one to tell you.

[Step-down]

I've been to the Nashville store , old building nice tee shirts .... Lots of H-D Kuncklehead stuff not for sale ...

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by chap52

Well our society loves drama and staged events. Guess that's why its "entertainment" and not "reality TV" (which is also staged). Please don't tell me that "The Dukes of Hazard" wasn't fur real...

Its when society believes there all for real is what bothers me, what evers next ?.

[Roadster Rich]

I am not surprised that this is planned and staged for the show. But they certainly have more in the stores than T-Shirts. Check it out if you are in Nashville, worth the time to see what they have for sale.

Also met Mike in Leipers Fork, TN (near Franklin where I think he has a home), he was very genuine and was at an antique/yard sale that happens once a year and was having a good time meeting people.

So I say if the entertainment is good then who cares how it comes about.

[richsfords]

I saw it on this visual machine once so it must be true!

Abe Lincoln

[rarebike]

Expensive coffee cups and other crap, shop online even.

www.antiquearchaeology.com/Vintage
www.antiquearchaeology.com/shop.php

[Jeff/Illinois]

What Brent and Seth said is 100% correct. It's all fake. They don't 'ride around' in the white van and then stumble upon a 'find' they are flown in, put in the van, go to a place that has already been 'found' the items are already 'bought' ahead of time, it's all BS. The show was sold by Mike to the TV network they make their money per show not on the junk they 'pick'. Frank and Danielle were buddies of Mike and he landed them spots on the show. Frank was a fire code inspector nothing more.I know people that went to school with those three and they all laugh about what a scam it all is, they have known them since they were kids.

You go into the LeClaire store (I live 30 miles away been there several times) and it is always the same overpriced stuff, it never sells. If somebody is stupid enough to pay the tag price, shame on them anyway.

I had an antique gas pump years ago I didn't want, a pre-visible. They aren't worth much and don't even look good restored. I thought I'd sell it for a hundred bucks just to get rid of it, hell scrap value is more than that with all the brass they have in them. That pump brings $600 any day of the week unrestored. I called them, got an answering machine they never called back. Sent the tattoo freak lady an e-mail never responded. Took pictures of the pump, mailed it to them said 'come and get it' I'm tired of looking at it, all I got was cricket-cricket-cricket NOTHING.

So, a buddy that collects petroliana told me 'I'll give you $300 for it, but I'm going to restore it and sell it for a lot more.' I told him 'I'll be home Sunday to help you load it up' and it went down the road.

Yeah, those guys and that show drive me bonkers. They are fakes and cheats, bragging about the little old ladies they rip off Besides, they have been sued and the IRS decided they haven't been paying taxes correctly they have been burned over that too.

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by old31

Parts of Daisy Duke were not real. I hate to be the one to tell you.

Oh, please don't tell me Daisy Duke wore bolt on's?

[Jeff/Illinois]

Naw he said something about her fur being real maybe I read it wrong!

[old car guy]

Guys the show probably is a stretch as reported . But all of us on this site in reality are true pickers. We look for deals on the cars we have bought, we pick every part we have bought or have tried to. We travel hundred and thousands of miles for the one part or the elusive car we got a story about. This to me make us a real group of American pickers.
In my real job I am a picker . I buy antiques ,furniture or just about anything else that we can sell to make a profit off of. And we are doing it for fun and by George making a profit along the way. The funny thing is I have the same truck as them but ford did not give it to my wife and I , and they are not cheap. Retirement has been great wished someone would set up my deals for me.

[JJASON]

I would not trust them, they are in the business for the buck

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

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"Wrasslin" is real. I think my dad believed that for a while. When I was a kid we drove 60 miles to Tacoma to watch Haystack Calhoun, who weighed in at 600 pounds. Anyone in front 6 or so rows got wet with blood and spit. My mom wasn't interested and didn't go.

[mountstimothy0]

They are indeed phones. They came to my home town " purchased" stuff from a shop by my house drove off for the show turned around came back and gave it back to them and left again. Ive never watched the show again its all b.s. for the show. Lost all respect for them

Sent from my LG-K371 using Tapatalk

[Dick Webber]

I have a friend who has bought 2 nice items featured on the show,so they do sell things. When I visted Nashville it was mostly souvenirs I saw.

[Larry Jenkins]

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln. how was (is) the play?

[31 Model A]

For those that believe reality shows are real, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you....cheap too!!!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

As the crooks in an "OLD" Western Movie, were racin' to hide behind a HUGE rock, one Guy touched it & it JIGGLED--LOL---"Maybe" it wuz FIBERGLASS STUCCO??? I've seen them manufactured for YARD DECOR!
Once saw an Old Western, with an airplane vapor trail in the distance---LOL, AGAIN!
When watchin' movies, I often tell the Dog, "THEY CAIN'T DO THAT"!!!
Bill W. & Buster T.

[Frank Miller]

Everyone stop for a minute and think. You're driving down the road and you see a house with a collection of junk so you stop in. Most likely you're greeted with a 12 gauge. Now imagine you drive up in a van with a film crew behind you. See my point. Even on This Old House you see them walking in the door from the inside which means the cameraman is inside the house already.
I sometimes watch this show for the purpose of window shopping. We all know these places exist and this may be our only opportunity to view them. The sales are real. What is not well known is the person is paid a fee for letting them film their "establishment". So when they move $10 on a part remember they could be being paid 10k for use of their property as a stage. I was at the Iowa store in 2013 and there was stuff on display but only souvenirs for sale. I reminded myself that business is owned by the History Channel. Stop and think for a minute and it becomes obvious.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

As the crooks in an "OLD" Western Movie, were racin' to hide behind a HUGE rock, one Guy touched it & it JIGGLED--LOL---"Maybe" it wuz FIBERGLASS STUCCO??? I've seen them manufactured for YARD DECOR!
Once saw an Old Western, with an airplane vapor trail in the distance---LOL, AGAIN!
When watchin' movies, I often tell the Dog, "THEY CAIN'T DO THAT"!!!
Bill W. & Buster T.

Bill, back in the late 70s I was on recruiting duty in New Orleans. I used the weekends to visit plantation homes and a few during the week travelling to and from high schools in other towns. One place I had a personal tour through was the Ashland Belle-Helen Plantation. It has been used in many movies including The Beguiled. They made the back look like the front because the front faced the highway. The prop master built two fake gate post with 2X4s and stucco. The plastic gates they used were gone. Those fake gate post were as hollow as a coons home.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashland_Plantation

In popular culture
The mansion was shown in several movies, including, Band of Angels (1957) where it also appeared on the movie poster; The Beguiled (1971), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1971), Mandingo (1975), The Long, Hot Summer (1985) and Fletch Lives (1989).

BTW, the structure had no nails in it, all built will pegs and wedges, that's not FAKE information.

[jm29henry]

What they do is the crew go to the site first and does day of pre filming and even pre determan the price that will be paid for the items purchased ,and then they act out the haggling !!!

[JDupuis]

I like seeing the "collectables" on the show. The American Pickers do a much better "job" of their "show". Try watching the Canadian Pickers. I know some of the people they've picked. And, yes, all staged. I keep flipping channels when I see the Canadian version. Jeff

[V4F]

I think to appreciate any tv show you need to accept it as it is , or why watch ? I like the show & I'm sure most is set-up . but then most tv reality shows are set-up ....... just watch & enjoy .............

[Steve Plucker]

Even if the show is staged, the items they showcase are the real things of our past for which some of the things I never knew about. Some things they might not know what they are talking about but the antiques and artifacts of the past are real. Probably the only things on the show that is real besides the homes they do go to.

I hate it when I see Mike and Frank crawl over boxes of unknown items just to see what is on top...If I were the owner of the stuf that they was crawling over, I would of had their ass out of there.

Pluck

[mshmodela]

I like the stuff they show on the show but Mike, his eyes and actions reminds me of the video below:




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUuH4TEmgLo

Then that high pitched sales screaming... well hard to watch! Just Sharks in a white van.

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Roadster Rich

I have been in the Nashville store twice. I watch this show frequently and I can tell you that much of what I saw in that store, I actually saw them picking on some of the shows. Clearly they may stage the TV "drama" but the items you are seeing them pick up are for sale in their store.

I do not remember seeing any cars or much for car parts. There seems to always be a motorcycle prominently displayed and lots of motorcycle parts.

Rich

I understand the "deals" are all made ahead of time by the producers while the on screen action is all scripted. I still enjoy the show, although it drives me crazy to see them walk right by some great model A stuff and get all excited about some old ice cream sign! Also, from the looks of it as shown by the show, model A barn finds are just everywhere down south.

[JohnB15632]

Am I the only one who is lost here? What is American Pickers anyway?

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by JohnB15632

Am I the only one who is lost here? What is American Pickers anyway?

Not lost, just fortunate...............

[Mike Peters]

We were at their original Le Claire, Iowa store last weekend as part of our spring fun run along the Mississippi River, and all that was for sale were some souvenir tee shirts, etc. The good stuff is display only, including a late 30's Harley knucklehead with a "do not touch" sign. It was a five minute stop, and then back on the Great River Road. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit any of their stores and I just take the TV show for what it's worth.

[JohninKuranda]

Originally Posted by V4F

I think to appreciate any tv show you need to accept it as it is , or why watch ? I like the show & I'm sure most is set-up . but then most tv reality shows are set-up ....... just watch & enjoy .............

Next you will be telling me the Kardashians are not a real-life typical American family!

[jimalabam]

Well now, if you believe the pickers show is not staged drama, then I have some beautiful seaside acreage in far northern Arizona, which I can let you have CHEAP...

[31 Model A]

Want something real???? Watch Antiques Roadshow...far better and far more real.

[5window]

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I'll second Antiques Roadshow. American Pickers-how could anyone believe those two (and I can't decide which one is more annoying) just happen to stumble across some great finds while accidentally having a camera crew in tow. Really???

[Synchro909]

Wow, I'm often accused of being cynical when I call shows like this fake. It's good to be amongst so many fellow "cynics". I prefer to be called a realist!

[quickchange]

Im enjoying the comments , Don,t start me on the king kong remake , Been too pawn starts shop , rip off & ricks restoration both in Vegas a bigger rip off, At least most Model A,s are real ?? Autumn here ,

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mike Peters

We were at their original Le Claire, Iowa store last weekend as part of our spring fun run along the Mississippi River, and all that was for sale were some souvenir tee shirts, etc. The good stuff is display only, including a late 30's Harley knucklehead with a "do not touch" sign. It was a five minute stop, and then back on the Great River Road. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit any of their stores and I just take the TV show for what it's worth.

I was at that shop a few years ago, and I wouldn't drive more than 5 miles out of my way to say I'd been there.

Your trip along the Mississippi sounds like a fun drive.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by JohnB15632

Am I the only one who is lost here? What is American Pickers anyway?

A crew drives around the country looking for antiques to buy and resell. They film what they do and put it on cable TV, which I don't have, so I've only seen the show a couple times while at my neighbor's house.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I was at that shop a few years ago, and I wouldn't drive more than 5 miles out of my way to say I'd been there.

Your trip along the Mississippi sounds like a fun drive.

It is!!!! Other than a few other drives, Mississippi River Road is very enjoyable...when you have the road and not the Mississippi. My house is 50 feet off that road.

[SkipShift]

I live near the Fork. Mike drives his 51 pickup and his 32 Ford. He also rides his antique motorcyclesand it's an impressive collection. Leipers Fork is a fun place and worth a stop if you are nearby. Always parked there is replicas of Jethro's truck, the General Lee and Barney's squad car. Try Puckets or Country Boy for some vittles. https://youtu.be/ckQPypxcdxs

[Slowplane]

Its pretty obvious that "pickers" is staged.

I just hope you guys aren't sittin' around watchin' those goldminin', bushflyin', truckdrivin', woodchoppin', crabfishin', gun-totin' Alaska shows. They're all pretty much BS too.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Slowplane

Its pretty obvious that "pickers" is staged.

I just hope you guys aren't sittin' around watchin' those goldminin', bushflyin', truckdrivin', woodchoppin', crabfishin', gun-totin' Alaska shows. They're all pretty much BS too.

No, don't like the Alaska shows. Now, Swamp People is something else. Troy Landry always get the biggest gator, with one shot too! They all look like they use .22 cal. rifles. . . except Liz Cavalier, she packs a 9 mil. automatic. Can't get over how they all pull those lines with their bare hands and they don't get no rope burns, even with an angry 18 foot gator on the other end.


David Serrano