This Gilbarco calco-meter has been listed on CL for numerous months and now it's on eBay (390795991480). The asking price has always been $1450 or $1550. Am I missing something - this seems like a $600 - $800 pump at absolute best. Frustrating because I'm having so much trouble finding unrestored pumps at reasonable prices.

You have to stop buying w/ your Eyes OPEN!
Tell him ya don't want it Restored.

Yeah, some people think they have a rare pump when they don't and ask ridiculous prices. Keep looking.

way to much for that pump. must have some precious metals in it or something???

The funny thing is that I'm seeing restored, common pumps (MS/Wayne 80s) at the same price as unrestored ones.

I don't know - seems like I'm just way too late to the party. I should have been collecting these things 10 years ago. All I want to do is build up an array of pumps so that I can slowly restore them when I retire in 10 years or so.

Don't get me wrong, it is way above the going prices for a common pump

---------- BUT ----------

CL and ebay are free to list

You don't get the big bucks unless you ask the big bucks if you hook the big fish

With all the Flea Market and Picker and restoration shows,
it has now become common practice to offer people 50% of their asking price which is a big pet peeve of mine).
Might as well double your asking price for plenty of negotiation room then.

That says a lot. Supply and demand.
As there becomes fewer pumps in the wild, the prices are going up, and they are.

You are not missing anything. He has been trying to sell this pump & 2 others for almost a year now. And he hasn't lowered his asking price yet. It is getting harder to find unrestored pumps at reasonable prices. Everyone thinks because it is old, it is worth beaucoup $$$. I regularly see gasboys for $400 and up, although haven't seen one sell yet.

Look at Completed Auctions on ebay & you'll see fairly priced pumps are selling & Sucker Fishing sellers are RE-listing their Over Priced pumps, SEVERAL TIMES.

If you are not going to even start restoring your future stock of pumps for ten more years don't get in a rush to buy them right now. It's true that pumps in general (and everything else for that matter) were cheaper ten years ago. But, you can still find the occasional good buy if you just keep your eyes open. Rarely does one come up on feebay that sells worth the money unless it is a pickup only in a remote location. I learned early on that patience is truly a virtue in this hobby as the best finds don't always come along when you expect them too. It's amazing how many things will surface of you just be attentive and not get in a rush.

I bought the Aquasystems pump from him last year. It took me about five months to get him down to what it was worth, basically the price of the visi and 8" veedor root. After I got it home I found that the veedor root was pretty damaged internally, so I probably still overpaid. There was lots of items for sale, and a large amount of automobiles, but nothing in my price range. Nice older guy, but you see his prices. The guy that is listing his items on Ebay and the owner took plenty of time to show me around. Plenty of real jewels mixed in with some old rust. Brady

Try this one.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/atq/4366944069.html

I think it is in the Richmond area.

Guys, I spent an hour talking to DB last night, and I promised him I would not do any responding after I have been out all night shooting darts and drinking.

But...I cannot let his one go by.

How many of you responding above have been to CTO swap meet in Columbus in June, how many of you have been to Iowa Gas in August?

Ebay, Craig's list is not where you purchase a pump. Go to a petroliana swap meet. This is where you will find a pump priced fairly. You might also want to bring along a large trailer, because you will find the pumps priced at or near where they are worth.

Jack Sim

Many years ago at the CTO show when it was at the other hotel. Dan had an auction and the nicely restored common pumps were going for a song. I wish I had a trailer with me that day. I guess everyone was tired and no one wanted to move the things.

Hi Jack - I did go to the Mason Dixon swap meet a few weeks ago in Frederick, MD, but there were only about 10 pumps there at most. The ones I looked at seemed priced a bit high to me, but I also didn't haggle on them because they did not interest me.

Getting out to Iowa from Virginia may not be a possibility for me, but I can certainly swing a drive out to Columbus. You're confident that there will be a wide selection of pumps at that meet based upon past years?

Thanks again for your comments, Jeff

Manassas, VA to Des Moines, IA = 1,026
Santa Paula, CA to Des Moines, IA = 1,718 [1x was 2,900 going]
[I've done it 18x in the last 20yrs & 11x w/o a rider]
It's all about Priorities.

Sometimes it's not all that bad paying the extra money locally. When compared to the added expenses of traveling, meals and time. Comfort and convenience usually comes at a price.

DB did you trade your Dodge Ram in on a RamCharger? Here's DB putting 50,000 miles of wear on his truck in less then 4 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unwujSVpZwA

Your correct Dave, $1500 in Fuel + Motel $$$ & 7-10 days on the road will buy a NICE pump close to home or have 1 shipped in.
At least Rob does return home w/ a Full Trailer Load @ 50 mph!
Years ago I passed Jack Mendenhall doing 35mph on the freeway w/ a Full load of stuff!

if you watched the video Dave posted, you may ask, why do that?

they are genious, take a $500 truck, make a good video, post on youtube with google adsense enabled... 27million views = $$$$$

I have a video with adsense enabled on youtube that has like 50k views and google has already sent me over $100

Take a look at some of the pictures I took at Iowa and Columbus:

http://petrolianacollectibles.com/picture%20album.htm

Click on the pics for larger view.

Jack Sim

I'm guessing you don't have school age children?

Not that he knows of,anyway!

LOL!

Hey Jeff, when I get in the rare mood to sell a pump, you will be the first person I call.

I was outside at Mason Dixon when the truck pulled in with the Wayne 60 & 70 on it, they sold in less than 45 seconds. Brady

Thanks Brady. I saw those pumps show up. By the time I got outside, it was too late.

My father, brother and I usually bring 30 to 40 pumps to Iowa gas each year by ourselves not counting all the other vendors so there are plenty to pick from at IG. I also believe they are priced right as not many go back home each year.

That was Your Priority years ago, not mine.
[Population is over 7 BILLION & 2 1/2 BILLION More by 2100]

JeffS--About two months before Iowa Gas, guys start announcing what they are bringing. That is the time to pick your pumps especially the guys like you who are heading West since you live in the East. That way, you don't have to worry about being in Des Moines for the show.

Great Burn out but check out my buddy Justin York with the Double Burn Out. He is one of my good friends from High School back here in Maine and he lets it rip all the way around!

Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOmJ47oCCUM

P.S. don't forget to check out the air guitar solo at the end of the video.

Jeff's,
I think I found your local Hoarder! & he wants to RETIRE off selling a few.
171276437134

I don't know. With prices so low, I don't think I have a big enough trailer to buy them all at once.

Jeff's, Check out the car shows. There are generally several pumps that show up in the ruff and restored.

April 3-6 Charlotte NC. Auto Fair, I'll have a Bennett 541 for sale in the Orange field. I have bought several pumps at this show. {many pumps}

Carlisle Pa. spring car swap meet, April 23-27 {many pumps}

Also Dixie Gas and Oil show April 10-12 in Sevierville Tenn. {lots of pumps}

Liberty NC. Antique show April 26-27 {not too many pumps but some}

Four great shows coming up next month.all within eight hours of you. If you look you will find.

Thanks. I'll definitely make it to Carlisle and should be able to squeeze in Charlotte as well.

BTW - I've noticed at times some pumps and signs listed on Craigslist for Lynchburg. That wouldn't happen to be you?

Most likely. I have a few Texaco globes on there now under antiques and some signs.

I live a few minutes from Winchester and work there. I didn't know pumps were that expensive here. I do have a Wayne 505 double that I could probably be talked out of if you want to come by and see it. It's torn apart now, but they aren't hard to put back together. If you bring me some wings from Hooter's, your chances of buying will be greatly increased! Brady

Be More fun to eat the wings & Beer at Hooters!

Boy how things have changed. We used to pickup A-38's, 36-B's, Bennett 76's, etc. for $25.00. Mae West's & Volumeters for $100.00. We wouldn't even give those a look.
In that condition I would say no more than $500.00 TOPS
Keep looking and find what you REALLY want.

Being the generous guy that I am, I'll triple your money on those A-38's, 36-B's, etc. Heck, I'll go all out and give you $100/each.

The first 100 pumps I purchased from one seller cost me $700 for all of them, and you wouldn't believe the all the other items that came from the same bulk plant that was included.

Jack Sim