Had a great laugh
PBS shows a program thats well known as "Antiques Roadshow", safe bet you've caught a show. Not a bad program, sometimes full of info, sometimes fun to watch somebodies 'treasure' be a worthless piece of crap, and shocked that something simple is uber rare.
I noted that when the roadshow was in Madison a few years back, they had experts that screened the stuff and offered cash for your 'valuables'. I tested them by taking in a rare 1895 Krag Jorgenson carbine and see what they would say. Instantly they offered me $225 for it, I declined their offer and started walking out, then they jumped it to $260, I turned and walked out the door. One guy ran out and offered me $325 saying "My boss would kill me if he knew I offered that much."
I declined politely and left.
BTW, the carbine is worth over $1800.00
Today they are doing another antiques and collectables 'appraisal' in town. I eagerly decided to test them again.
I took in two 60s vintage cases of Hot Wheels Redlines, I hand selected only the best 48 I owned and also took in 2 of my wartime photo albums, which include original photos of Georing and Hitler. Probably over 200 photos. Some of you have looked at those albums.
I walked into the Holiday Inn with my loot and to the room. I played the "hayseed" and like fanboys on free pizza, They jumped all over the Hot Wheels, the three "experts" were instantly on cell phones and booting up websites and even Ebay ( I could see the screen reflected off a picture glass).
The leader then says "I'll give you $50 for the Hot Wheels, and thats a fantastic price."
( For YOU jackass!)
I play the Hmmm hand while they look over the photos, eyes going wide, mutterings between them. I catch words like "Originals" and "rare" They then count the photos, "We'll give you $20 per album, the photos aren't worth much. Maybe 10 cents to 25 cents each."
I say "Soooooo $90 for the cars and pictures correct?"
They all nod, then one says "I'll boost it to an even $100 to take it now."
I scratch my chin.."$100 bucks huh? Wow!"
They start writing out a check for $100, then I say "cash". They look at each other and smile, "I supposed we can scrape up $100 cash."
Then I drop the bombshell on them "Let me think about it, you'll be here later correct?"
The three nod, faces sunk. I turn to leave, instantly they offer $125 if I accept a check, I decline, and they jump it to $150, I then turn around and flat out ask them why they pumped their offer $50 since I wanted cash and won't take a check. They said "We'd really want to help YOU and we know a collector who'd be interested in what you have." I nod more and said "I'll check the antique store in town, see what they will offer me, who knows..." And I walk out.
Bear in mind, the stuff they collected already for dirt cheap, judging by their offers to me, was impressive enough. But thats how those people make money, off the gullible and ignorant.
I noted that when the roadshow was in Madison a few years back, they had experts that screened the stuff and offered cash for your 'valuables'. I tested them by taking in a rare 1895 Krag Jorgenson carbine and see what they would say. Instantly they offered me $225 for it, I declined their offer and started walking out, then they jumped it to $260, I turned and walked out the door. One guy ran out and offered me $325 saying "My boss would kill me if he knew I offered that much."
I declined politely and left.
BTW, the carbine is worth over $1800.00
Today they are doing another antiques and collectables 'appraisal' in town. I eagerly decided to test them again.
I took in two 60s vintage cases of Hot Wheels Redlines, I hand selected only the best 48 I owned and also took in 2 of my wartime photo albums, which include original photos of Georing and Hitler. Probably over 200 photos. Some of you have looked at those albums.
I walked into the Holiday Inn with my loot and to the room. I played the "hayseed" and like fanboys on free pizza, They jumped all over the Hot Wheels, the three "experts" were instantly on cell phones and booting up websites and even Ebay ( I could see the screen reflected off a picture glass).
The leader then says "I'll give you $50 for the Hot Wheels, and thats a fantastic price."
( For YOU jackass!)
I play the Hmmm hand while they look over the photos, eyes going wide, mutterings between them. I catch words like "Originals" and "rare" They then count the photos, "We'll give you $20 per album, the photos aren't worth much. Maybe 10 cents to 25 cents each."
I say "Soooooo $90 for the cars and pictures correct?"
They all nod, then one says "I'll boost it to an even $100 to take it now."
I scratch my chin.."$100 bucks huh? Wow!"
They start writing out a check for $100, then I say "cash". They look at each other and smile, "I supposed we can scrape up $100 cash."
Then I drop the bombshell on them "Let me think about it, you'll be here later correct?"
The three nod, faces sunk. I turn to leave, instantly they offer $125 if I accept a check, I decline, and they jump it to $150, I then turn around and flat out ask them why they pumped their offer $50 since I wanted cash and won't take a check. They said "We'd really want to help YOU and we know a collector who'd be interested in what you have." I nod more and said "I'll check the antique store in town, see what they will offer me, who knows..." And I walk out.
Bear in mind, the stuff they collected already for dirt cheap, judging by their offers to me, was impressive enough. But thats how those people make money, off the gullible and ignorant.