I'll be honest with everyone, I think it's real big turn off for me & especially to those who collect as opposed to those who sell. Like Jarvis said, the real ? is why people are overpaying?.... if you're new or old to the hobby and looking to add maybe a newer piece you've been searching for... good luck finding whatever that may be for a reasonable price!!! It's hard to add to your collection when prices are crazy! for example... This particular sign sold for $18K + premium yesterday afternoon... just 2 years prior the same auction house sold it for $7K .... I understand supply n demand and all but really.... in 2 years who have thought it would command that type of money to acquire such an item. I understand the value of the quality, you can't deny that it's a beautiful sign & well preserved for it's age.... $7K for a beautiful sign such as that I would see as something expensive, but not ridiculously out of line......... but at $18K... most of the average people in the hobby will never get to even think about owning such overpaid items... I recently bought a 5' Mobilgas DSP sign and I paid a fair amount for it, more then I wanted but I didn't get dragged over the coals for it. I didn't buy it for resale, but because I like it & watching over the past 4 years how inflated things are getting I thought the time is now before the pricing is too far out of my reach in the near future.... almost felt pressured a bit, that's not right!!!
I have mixed feelings at time about how much time I'm going to continue to actively pursue collecting new / more items to what I already own. I may just go back to doing things the old fashion way and keep an eye out on the roads for new opportunities.. Garage / barn / estate sales.. perhaps a local non internet sanctioned auction... or searching for older abandoned buildings or ones with Advertising.... I always enjoy the searching, it's a fun option, not always promising, but can be rewarding at times.... definitely going to be a way of keeping more money in my wallet.
