Ditto what Jarvis said

I noticed the site seemed to change once the "values Forum" was started. I thought it was a bad idea from the start.

Once you bring the subject of money into anything it will ultimatly turn sour. 90% of the locked threads are probably over this reason ($$).

There is no way to stop the "is it for sale" inquires once someone brings a item up for possible value since most times it's being asked for the RESALE value.

Asking the group the possible value/price BEFORE a purchase is a bit different as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe it's time for the "pickers & flippers" to create there own forum instead of using our groups knowledge to ultimatley bring this GREAT site down....

If you're a picker shouldn't you know the values on stuff before you become a picker? Lol! Maybe there should be a 5 dollar old gas donation required on any post to the value forum? I mean thats the least they could do for turning a profit off another persons knowledge and that would help the site keep going for the people who are here cause they love the hobby without trying to fatten a wallet.

Hi Guys: I will step up and say I am the one who locked the forum. And no, Doug, (Insert laugh here) I don't have too much time on my hands. I have been working 14 hour days. I don't think anyone intended to turn the Marine Oil Can discussion into a buy sell, it was just a comment. But, as Jim stated, the offer to buy and sell in this section is not allowed. A simple PM to each other is the best way to go.

I also agree with some of the above statements that people are using this venue as a price guide for pickers. Personally, I don't care becuase I have learned a great deal on possible values for a variety of items that I probably would not have known otherwise. If they do end up on eBay, that's Ok too. Bid through Oldgas and it helps Jim to keep the lights on....Heck, I hope he makes so much money from eBay that he can go buy a 60 foot yacht. LOL

I hope everyone continues to contribute to the values section. As I said, it has been very helpful to me...In fact I am going to post an item in the values section for a Texaco item I have never seen for a lady I work with. She isn't selling, but was curious as she know I am a Texaco fan.

I try to have "thick skin" in moderating this section. I try to be like a baseball umpire and just call the balls and strikes. Anyway, jump in when you want to and ignore those that bug you. Have a good day everyone. Hope you all find that item you have always looked for this weekend.

I don't comment the values of stuff very often because there are just too many variables involved;trying to grade it from a picture,regional scarcity,current comparisons on something I bought a long time ago come to mind.

What I have done in the past,for people I think are COLLECTORS,is to PM them my thoughts and tell them exactly what I paid for an item,and at times why I paid it.

I do agree with Alex in that sometimes any of us would appreciate a "best guess" on pieces that don't come up often enough to have a track record.I have several pieces in my collection that would easily fall into that category and the more "experienced eyes" looking at the better IMO.I haven't done it yet,but if I ever decide to I would love to hear from guys guessing just like I am.LOL,

...now THERE'S an idea...but you'd have to keep people from registering under multiple user ID's...

In the topic in question, I removed an offer to sell that was posted after Alex posted a warning that offers to sell are not allowed. Getting people to comply with a simple rule sometimes takes action that is more than normal, like locking a topic. It appears that featuring the rule in bold print and posting or emailing warnings is not enough.

Lots of things have changed over the years. We now deal with more and more people who are in this hobby for the money or other self-serving reasons. This trend has been fertilized by TV shows that glorify picking and flipping for the money, not really for the pure enjoyment of collecting and history.

We have always had questions about values on Oldgas.com. When they reached a significant volume, they got their own forum along with a couple simple rules. Even in recent days we have had value questions posted by experienced and knowledgeable veteran members. If the whole value thing is irritating to you, please pass by this forum category without looking at it.

If certain members are over-using or abusing the Value forum, I encourage those who are irritated to just ignore their future topics. If a particular post is a problem, click on the "Notify" button in that post to tell a moderator about it.

Im new to collecting,so i know very little about value of most things!

I started with a couple globes that i found in a customers garage collecting dust! Had no clue to value, found this wounderful site and alot of very nice and knowlegable collecters (old gas)!
Still don't know much about value but i read most every post on a daily bases! Collected a few more things, with none of them comeing up for sale!and have asked for value of many! I have appreciated all input!
With the things that have been said on with this post, am i doing something wrong trying to learn from the people on this web site? In these times money does mean alot to most people!

http://m1050.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/red1176/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_6719.jpg.html?newest=1
http://m1050.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/red1176/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9660.jpg.html?newest=1

Your not doing anything wrong. Start a new thread in the Showcase or if you want to know value, in the Value forum. Just stay out of this one.... LOL

Red,

I certainly can't speak for all who may complain, but I feel that the Value forum works best as an educational tool for new and veteran collectors who are building their collection and sell an item occasionally along the way, learning from other people's questions as well as their own.

The forum was never intended to be a price setting service for resellers who are just buying items to flip for a quick profit. That irritates experienced collectors who willingly help other collectors to recognize values and authenticity.

We do have an expectation that members use all resources available to research values, such as live auction results, eBay auctions, swap meet pricing and print price guides. The folks who voluntarily share their knowledge and time by answering questions here can get tired of the same person posting a constant stream of questions or when the answers are readily available elsewhere.

So the answer to your question may be as simple as there's nothing wrong with asking the value questions as long as someone doesn't wear out his welcome by posting too many questions without doing their own homework or by using us as a pricing service for their reselling business.

Well i hope i haven't and never wear out my welcome hear b/c i realy like this web site!

I am glad Jim set up the Value forum. It allowed the ever growing number of value questions to be seperated from the General Discussion.

And to possibly get some additional eye-candy in the process.