So I love to look through the value section, and get a laugh at the $10-15 valuations on vintage signs.

So here's my proposition to the low-ballers.

Start listing YOUR $10-15 vintage signs you know aren't worth the metal and porcelain on them. Put them in the for sale section and let them go PLEASE.

You know they're aren't worth keeping, and maybe you'll start throwing in some of those condition 8s/9s for $25-30 while you're at it.

I guess the 10 dollar value that someone put on the firestone,spured this post. I agree to low,but if you catch me paying 100.00 for it please seek help for me.
I hardly ever place value on others items,but I don't place much value on a sign with both ends missing either.
JM2C.

The sign is a filler sign or barn hanger. Very few people would cherish that sign as a longterm keeper. As a vendor i wouldnt pay more than $25 for it because i have no intention of keeping it. As a vendor at a few of the largerswap meets, i have found that sort of sign very difficult to sell. I feel a realistic value on todays barn hangers are $60-$80. Common signs can be less and rare signs can be more? I wish i knew people that would pony up for signs like that. My closest friend has sold very few signs in his life, he wouldnt take that firestone sign if it was free. Everyone has a different opinion, thats makes the hobby fun.

In my neck of the woods....
alot of people won't spend 300 or more for a sign
but
they will pay 100.00 for a barn hanger and I can sell a Firestone with the ends cut off for 100.00 all day long!

When you are driving by on the highway at 60mph non oldgassers won't even notice the ends are gone! and thats the price range of signs people can afford.

one of my favorite signs is a rusty piece of junk Champion Sparkplug sign I bought for 30 at Ia Gas and cleaned it up.
It is definately the worst condition sign I own....but it is one of my favorites!

Yes....that is what makes this hobby cool.....
there's something for every collector....
not everybody has a million dollars...

IMO

The way I see it is,If you buy 4 or 5 of those hundred dollar beat up signs, you could be buying one really nice one and have something that is still worth the money down the road.

Good point Porcelain Neon.

I guess it's just a matter of what you like though.

There is a market and a buyer for everything. Valuations are very subjective and are nothing more than opinions. Everyone has one and they differ based on ones own experience, taste, personal bias and preferences. Ignore the ones you don't like and accept the ones you agree with. Only time values really matter is when a buyer and seller are negoitiating a sale.

Who is anyone, to judge what another person wants to collect or pay? To each his own. Do what turns your crank.

Their money, their wall, their collection. What is so hard to grasp about that?

Your wall, your money, your collection buy what you want. Simple as that.

Have to agree Dave,

I have sold signs to non-collectors and collectors alike.

I just sold a very nice Atlantic pump plate to a regular buyer for an average value that anyone on oldgas would pay. In the same fashion I've sold pieces for 3 times as much to non-collectors who want to throw it up on the wall for decor and not value.

As for saving one's money to buy the best, that's for the niche collector who may be right or wrong in that decision. That's talking about waiting perhaps years on the perfect example bought at market value because they have to have the best. Then 4 years down the road when they have to sell because of some financial need they take near what they paid for the sign. On the other hand, if you buy 5 $100 signs and sell 3-4 for 20-40% above what you paid and still have 1-2 left you're ahead of the game and still have signs.

Dealing in vintage toys I run into maybe 1 out of 100 buyers who have to have the boxed mint toy and they will shell out the money for one. But I run into 99 others who will buy the played with toy because they know it was used, loved, and cherished by a child and that has more meaning to them than a sealed version of the toy.

I just would like the low-ball valuators to put those "junk" $10-20 pieces out there to prove their valuations.

Well said Dave!