TV Got America Picker, But who the best cue picker on AZBilliards???

[billiardshot]

TV Got America Picker, But who the best cue picker on AZBilliards???

If I was to travel across USA to pick items from AZBilliards Members.. Who should I Checkout?

 

[straightline]

I am. F. O.

 

[Rickhem]

I used to like American Pickers a lot more than I do now. Don't get me wrong, it's still interesting, but it's not the same for me.
I met a friend here in Upstate NY that had the American Pickers show send out some people to her friend's place. Not sure how that part happened, but she said that they got there and found a really nice old car in her barn, and wanted to use it for the show, but there wasn't enough other "good stuff" for that to be a segment on the show. They bought the car, and had it trailered away. Some time later, on the show, that very same car was "discovered" in someone else's barn while they were picking that other location.
Since nothing is actually claimed about the true authenticity of the discovery process, and with the facts and details about each item being what makes up the majority of the time on each episode, maybe that part doesn't matter. But it feels like I'm being conned. Actually, most of the "reality" shows have this same aspect in one way or another if you look close.

Aside from that, I know Garczar seems to have a very vast depth of knowledge on older cues, so I'd put him on that list.

 

[boogieman]

I used to like American Pickers a lot more than I do now. Don't get me wrong, it's still interesting, but it's not the same for me.
I met a friend here in Upstate NY that had the American Pickers show send out some people to her friend's place. Not sure how that part happened, but she said that they got there and found a really nice old car in her barn, and wanted to use it for the show, but there wasn't enough other "good stuff" for that to be a segment on the show. They bought the car, and had it trailered away. Some time later, on the show, that very same car was "discovered" in someone else's barn while they were picking that other location.
Since nothing is actually claimed about the true authenticity of the discovery process, and with the facts and details about each item being what makes up the majority of the time on each episode, maybe that part doesn't matter. But it feels like I'm being conned. Actually, most of the "reality" shows have this same aspect in one way or another if you look close.

Aside from that, I know Garczar seems to have a very vast depth of knowledge on older cues, so I'd put him on that list.

It's entertainment. You get to see interesting stuff. It still has to be good tv with a good flow. It is kind of odd to find out that there's trickery involved. I guess it makes sense though. Imagine how much fakery is involved in those storage auction shows!

I'll forever have respect for Mike on the show. My mom and dad were big fans of the show and made their way to LeClaire to visit the shop. It was about a 2 hour drive so it was just kind of a weekend trip. Mike had just taken delivery for a new Indian motorcycle, one of the first ones in the country when they started making them. Well the Indian had tipped over inside of the enclosed trailer and had wiped out the mirror and a handlebar as well as some small cosmetic damage. The driver had no clue how to secure a motorcycle. I forget the price of the Indians then, but it was significant and a top of the line model.

So here Mike is with a damaged brand new Indian, imagine how that would feel! Mom and Dad showed up just then. They loved the show and talked with him for about an hour. They saw the damaged motorcycle and didn't want to bother him, just a quick hello. He was having none of that! You would have had to know my dad, he never met a stranger, and Mike gave them an hour of his time even at a stressful/annoying time. Anyway after even having something happen like that he still took the time to have a real conversation with "the fans" and even put off the insurance work until later.

Mom still talks about the little daytrip to this day and I know that Dad remembered it fondly and talked about it often.

If you're ever in a position to be a celebrity even little things really mean a lot to fans.

 

[jason]

I used to like American Pickers a lot more than I do now. Don't get me wrong, it's still interesting, but it's not the same for me.
I met a friend here in Upstate NY that had the American Pickers show send out some people to her friend's place. Not sure how that part happened, but she said that they got there and found a really nice old car in her barn, and wanted to use it for the show, but there wasn't enough other "good stuff" for that to be a segment on the show. They bought the car, and had it trailered away. Some time later, on the show, that very same car was "discovered" in someone else's barn while they were picking that other location.
Since nothing is actually claimed about the true authenticity of the discovery process, and with the facts and details about each item being what makes up the majority of the time on each episode, maybe that part doesn't matter. But it feels like I'm being conned. Actually, most of the "reality" shows have this same aspect in one way or another if you look close.

Aside from that, I know Garczar seems to have a very vast depth of knowledge on older cues, so I'd put him on that list.

Sad world we live in really. Where is the humanity anymore? What happened to the architecture? What happened to the communities? Much of it is fake, even your friends. That's why when you find a good one hold them dear. I've been to Vegas many times and it is as fake as Hollywood. I like to describe it as a big pile of warm, heaping dog poo covered in glitter. Everybody everywhere is out to get your money. That's all they want. Buildings are built out of crappy material that won't last. Fake wood decking, fake siding, fake brick, fake stone. What happened to the beautiful churches made out of limestone and marble and earthly materials? It's all an illusion now, isn't it?

 

[mikemosconi]

In my spare time for over 30 years I have sought out vintage and non vintage items of all types via yard sales, thrifts, auctions, estate sales, antique shops, pawns, etc Billiard related items are just one aspect of my picking/ collecting hobby.
In terms of billiard items I would claim to have found everything of significant value well under market price from cues to balls to cases, billiard room furniture and including a full ivory elephant tusk - I sold to a very well known cue maker
I would estimate at least 150 billiard related finds - my profit just on billiard stuff( not really a big % of my overall picking finds ) - somewhere around $50,000 - and a whole lot of fun over 30 years! Still going

 

[Kobachi]

Same as above post by mosconi. Most recent an Adam Lufthansa with two shafts original case for 5 bucks at a flea market. Soon to be sent to proficient. I love the hunt and using our knowledge to save some of the vintage pieces.

 

[JolietJames]

I think I read on here that a member bought a pool cue case at a yard sale for cheap and "found" a Black Boar cue inside.
That guy wins.

 

[mikemosconi]

I've had some individual "finds" that really stand out- in1999- down the street from my home in CT. - a yard sale- divorce situation- husband already out of the house- wife sold me a Palmer custom cue, $500 retail high back upholstered billiard room chair and a very. nice oak wall mounted cue rack- $30 for ALL- she knew nothing about pool!

Another "find" was in 2002- a. Meucci 95-17 Bushka cue in mint condition AND a black leather It's George case - also mint -$30 for both- bought from the sister of "Indian" Robert Apuzzo in Yonkers NY after his demise- some from way back may know this player.

How about my "find" in a Lake Worth Fl. antique shop - back in 2003- Meucci original - like new, It's George case, AND an SP that was evaluated as one of the early cues made by Frank Paradise - ebony Brunswick one piece made into an SP - I'm still sick that I sold the Paradise- it was so rare- and I was able to trace this entire cue package to a guy known as "the Mailman" who was also originally from Westchester County NY.

Starting in the 2000s Fl. thrifts were loaded with a lot of really nice cues from the 60s and 70s that guys who moved from the NE and Mid- West in retirement brought down there to play until many of them started to pass -on

 

[fjk]

I go to a lot of flea markets and thrift stores too. In the past three years or so I've found 4 or 5 $200-500 cues. Man that feels good finding those deals. Last year I found a coffee table that cost over 4K at a thrift store. I think I paid $30 for it. Still can't figure out what to do with it because it doesn't match anything in my house and the old lady hates it. It's mine though. She be stupid.

 

[GoldCrown]

Not anything I own. Slight roll. Uneven points. Fake ivory. Hits like a dick not a monster

 

[hang-the-9]

Gots to be Justin B. He is certainly the highest level of pool cue nosing around in the country, even though the knowledge is exact opposite of that.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Where is the humanity anymore?

The Evangelicals now hold up as their leader; a 3× married, 2× impeached, 4× indicted, lying, coward as their savior
And
The internet now means you have a virtual communities where you never have to listen to a viewpoint you would disagree with

What happened to the architecture?

It became too expensive

What happened to the communities?

War on drugs
The militarization of the Police

What happened to the beautiful churches made out of limestone and marble and earthly materials? It's all an illusion now, isn't it?

They take 300 years to construct.

 

[jasonlaus]

The Evangelicals now hold up as their leader; a 3× married, 2× impeached, 4× indicted, lying, coward as their savior
And
The internet now means you have a virtual communities where you never have to listen to a viewpoint you would disagree with

It became too expensive

War on drugs
The militarization of the Police

They take 300 years to construct.

Would ya look at that, only 13 posts for the deranged to bring up Trump.

 

[billiardshot]

I don't care what is post in this Thread/post! But the Original Question Stand! Been a Retired Navy Chief ... some of my Buys were from the Military Recreation Center/ Military Housing.... Is it the story behind the find or actually making profit, or both? When I watch Pawn Star TV Show.. I noticed a Cuetec Cue on display behind the counter!

 

[jasonlaus]

Bought a 11,000 Szamboti for 1,700 years ago.