American Pickers: Brought to You by Icy Hot

 

 {photo cribbed from History Channel; feels like I'm riding along with them, 
but I just said something like: "I need a potty break."} 

Tonight's episode was entitled "Back Breaker." I hear ya. I've had back problems for over 20+ years, and I can tell Mike there's nothing like a good chiropractic adjustment and a fistful of Icy Hot, which I swear by. Oddly enough, however, nowadays it's not the junking and hauling that's the cause of my pain, it's the pool-playing. But I ain't giving up either of them! Too bad there isn't a real "picker's union insurance" that we can buy into.... 

Now that we're a few episodes into "American Pickers", we all know the drill: drive around looking for junk, crawl into unspeakably musty spaces, haggle, then do the happy dance. We've all been there, so are thrilled to see it televised as affirmation of our innate yearnings. I'm still wondering if the editors have been cherry-picking what they show in order to counter the pre-launch attacks that appeared on the internets, mainly the History Channel forums. Each visit of late seems to have the obligatory "It's been fun!", "Y'all have fun", and "I don't want you to go home empty-handed." 

Then again, the sellers are on tape, and it's not like they forced these beloved coots to practice those lines. Bottom line: junkers like to show off, they like to make money, and they LOVE to share their stories and collections. Hell, what do you think us junking bloggers are doing?!? As Mike said, "We're just moving junk down the road." 

Two things in particular stood out for me during this episode: 

1. WHOOPS! Mike revealed (most probably inadvertantly) that they still sell at flea markets once in a while. WHOA. Don't tell me you're not kicking back in a tub o' money?!? Seriously, these dudes are hustling just as much as we are. It'd be interesting (though too revealing, methinks) if History Channel showed the vast web of connections they had to MOVE their merch. 

2. WRONG! Frank, after checking out an old typewriter, declared there's no money to be made on them. Tee hee; I can't keep them in stock and have a customer awaiting a call when I find my next one. I even sacrificed my personal vintage Underwood and brought it into the shop yesterday. With, of course, the full knowledge that I'll find another any day now. I generally clear $50+ on each, FYI. My gift to you.

BTW, the image above is the cover of my "Dreaming of Junking 2010" calendar, with nationwide listings of major shows and flea markets. I'm down to just a handful in my etsy shop, and have reduced the price to $12 (and FREE shipping). I know you blew it with the January shows; don't miss out on the next 11 months. Personally, I'm considering hitting Renninger's King of Prussia show at the end of the month (at the convention center, which is where my all-grrrrls pool team won our 5-foot trophy and $3,000 back in '08), and am solidifying my spring Warrenton/Round Top junkers' hajj, as I'm duty-bound as a junker to do! Hope to see y'all there. The TX junkers will be out in full force and it's an experience not to be missed! I'll be there April 1-4, if you want to arm-wrestle me for some chippy junk or buy me some BBQ & DDP....

P.S. Another thing I loved about tonight's episode was Mike picking that cool leather jacket (just like I did at a recent sale). Then again, mine didn't have a pocketful of '70s-era condoms. Ick.

Comments

[Jeanette]

My hubby and I both love watching that show!
Love the "potty break" reference!!! ROFL!!!
(that would be me!)

Click here to see my new give-away!

[Anne]

Oops, didn't read your latest post when I asked when y'all would be in Warrenton.

Never mind. :-)

[georgiapeachez]

Yeah, that hour spent with them just flies by too fast. I love it how they always have to call in their jukebox expert or the soda fountain expert or the scooter dude to appraise for them. What's next? The outhouse dude or maybe the x-ray machine expert. Anyway, I'm hooked on watching. xo, suzy

[Cheryl]

When Frank made his erroneous statement about typewriters, I actually commented aloud, "HA! I bet Sue wouldn't agree with that!". I'm still watching American Pickers, but I can't decide if I like the show or not. I find both Mike and Frank's personalities to be very grating, but I LOVE checking out the places they go and all the good junk they find.

[Angie]

Great post - thanks! Cannot get the show - don't have cable, but live through your adventures. :) Love your potty break reference also - you're da bomb girl! :)

[Renee]

You know the most amazing thing about this show?? My husband actually happily watches it with me!! There are about 2 shows that we can both agree on so this is pretty amazing. He keeps eyeing all the classic cars they come across.

[Judith]

I love that you used the word "hajj"!

[laurie magpie ethel]

Enjoyed this episode after missing last weeks. Ditto you thoughts on the contents of the pocket in the leather coat! eeewww!

[martina]

I felt so sorry for the old guy waiting on his tractor for the boys while they rummaged in that barn. Like Mike said, they spent too much time looking and keeping the man waiting.
Thankfully I've only found change and old Kleenex in coats at Goodwill.

[Shara]

I yelled "NOT!" when they said the typewriter wasn't worth anything. I knew better! Apparently they haven't delved into the world of Etsy and the craftiness of typewriters.

My favorite line was actually from danielle - "I love that boy like a fat kid likes cake!" ha!

[Cheryl Woodward]

My husband and I are both hooked on this show. Everything stops on Monday evenings so we can watch it. I also identified with his back problems, only mine are caused by the "real" job, not the junking.
I was disappointed to see how they left the older man sitting alone outside while they snooped through his shed. They could have at least done a tag team and checked in with him occasionally. It was pretty insensitive of them to handle it the way they did and they had to pay the price. Tough way to learn a lesson.

Cheryl, Junk Devotion

[ella]

I'm with you on the typewriters! I couldn't believe it! Even if it's in bad condition I've seen them parted out and repurposed into cool jewelry!

[Linda]

Thanks for singing the praises of "Pickers." Now I'm hooked, and so is my husband? Funny how he can find their junk so entertaining. Must be something about those "man-tiques."

[Suzanne]

hee hee....you're funny! yes it looks like the kind of look you'd get if you told them you needed a potty break!

[Beth Swanson]

My ears totally perked up with the "we still sell at flea markets" comment! Where?...was my next question.
I did like how they admitted to screwing up this time by wearing out there welcome. I have a feeling that they will make a return trip there sometime soon....it was totally chalkboard worthy!
Have a good one~
Beth

[one gal's trash]

Either you asked for a potty break OR if you could stop at Taco Bell for a Chicken Chalupa and a Crunchwrap Supreme.
xo
Pam

[Glenda]

I am with ya on the typewriter...I would have bought that in a hearbeat...you just don't see very many of the very old ones like that in Oklahoma...probably cause we didn't become a state till 1907..and then only the very financially comfortable could afford those...
I want one bad...he totally missed that one.
see ya around,
glenda@serendipity cottage.