Do you ever watch a reality show on T.V. that truly resonates, that connects with your core instincts and makes you want to jump on the bus and join the gang? There are so many goofy shows out there and then there are the ones that make me want to sign up. I’ve certainly been tempted to write to Survivor and watching Flip This (or That) House makes my husband and I both want to go buy a fixer-upper and make it shiny new for resale. On the other hand, I have to admit that American Idol , America’s Got Talent or even Dancing with the Stars aren’t a temptation for me (though fun to watch); but, we recorded a show off the History channel recently that I just love: The American Pickers. I think it almost beats Mythbusters (by a slim margin) in my book.
In the American Pickers, two gentlemen, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, go in search of treasures in other people’s junk. Sometimes people know the value of their goods, sometimes they don’t. The guys visit old barns, junkyards, attics, garages and really anywhere people have old stuff that may or may not be of value to them. Mike and Frank work with their assistant Danielle, back at the warehouse, to find new locations and to sell some of their specialty finds while they are still on the road.
Watching a recent episode, I was fascinated with the guys and their ability to quickly make someone feel at ease (which is valuable when you want to buy treasures from strangers) and the way they knew their antiques. They knew what was valuable as they would pick and poke and then they would make an offer. Sometimes owners haggled with Mike and Frank and sometimes they wouldn’t sell at all. Other times, the camera caught the fun back-and-forth interaction that happens when people take a couple of turns naming prices to come to an agreeable amount for both parties. In the show, the two guys remind the audience that they have to buy at a price that will allow them to sell these items and end with a profit that will keep them in business. Some of the people they run across want the full value and the guys have to bargain them down or walk away.
So, why does this show resonate with me? Because, I love a good treasure hunt and I love seeing old things find new life. But, what if you have stuff to get rid of? Over the years, we managed to inherit the occasional junk pile from relatives, auctions and other places — including my children’s bedrooms as they grew through various toy stages. Sometimes we’ve sold items on E-bay or Craigslist or given it all to Goodwill , taking the charitable receipt for a write-off. My point in all this is to say, know your treasures and when to part with them. And, stop junk-piling. It’s not good for your health or your home — unless you want the American Pickers to come find you. I saved Barbie dolls from my childhood only to have them fall apart from dry-rot when my kids went to play with them. If I had given them to another child as I grew out of them, they would have been appreciated much more.
If you aren’t sure what you have lying around, start with a closet or drawer today. Decide what you want to keep, toss or giveaway and then move to the next messy spot and get started. You will feel better for doing it and you may even find something valuable!
In the Phoenix, September 4, 2010
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This is a very interesting point of view. Your blog is refreshing, but I wish one could find more content, though. I am looking forward to reading more from you. Keep up the good work. thanks.