MovieChat Forums > American Pickers (2010) Discussion > Like the show BUT

Like the show BUT

posted 9 years ago by petepi3
5 replies | jump to latest

Mike and Frank keep making me change my opinion. They are greedy, unfair and pushy. But they also have to pay wages, expenses etc.

The 2 pickers come across as sneaky and devious. They remind me of gentleman thieves.
What I really don't like about them is when they get something cheap and have haggled for the price, almost bullied the poor, often unwilling, seller. THEN they go and make thousands of dollars in profit because they knew the item was valuable.

[–] Syn84 9 years ago

Poor unwilling seller? Seriously? All the seller has to do is to say "I don't want to sell anything, leave my property".

And for some reason you keep thinking that everything on this show is real ...

================
When I die, bury me upside-down, so the world can kiss my ass.

[–] petepi3 9 years ago

I see what you mean and they could be knocking on a killers door if it was random and real.
You'd be surprised how many people, especially isolated people, would be completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the camera's and all the people. They'd be open to suggestion and easily talked into agreeing to things.

[–] xdayton 9 years ago

Are you seriously that gullible? I suppose you think Danielle is actually talking on the phone while she's being filmed? That those conversations aren't staged? That the cameraman just happens to be in those barns and attics to capture the pickers coming in?

[–] seany-79367 9 years ago

You are talking rubbish. I have seen countless times when the customer has put a price on something and Mike has said something like 'You asked $100 but it is worth more than that so I will give you 2 bills'.

'Bullying'? I think you will find that is called 'Haggling'.

It is such a feel good show and makes me smile but people on IMDB are just nasty and bitter about life.

[–] Cydnee9999 9 years ago

I have seen countless times when the customer has put a price on something and Mike has said something like 'You asked $100 but it is worth more than that so I will give you 2 bills'.

Given your response, please tell me why the History Channel would release this statement after the premiere of the FIRST EPISODE?

“HISTORY would like to allay any concerns viewers may have in regards to the premiere episode of American Pickers. Regrettably, while taping a television series there is always footage that does not make it into the program. Leland, the WWII veteran who was one of the sellers on the premiere episode of American Pickers invited Mike and Frank into his home. His neighbor and the neighbor's son were both present although they are not seen on camera. Leland's family has even invited the pickers back to buy more items. The idea that Leland was vulnerable because he is 88 years old is not the case. Leland is a savvy collector, a tough negotiator and an intelligent man. He, in fact, withheld items from Mike and Frank because he understood they had greater value. HISTORY apologizes to our viewers for contributing in any way to misperceptions that resulted from the editing of this episode.” ~ History Channel

Again, if you would, please tell me why the History Channel would release this statement after the airing of a Season Two episode?

“This is the background story to the white grave marker cross that was picked on the American Pickers episode "Getting the Boot" that premiered July 5, 2010. The cross was salvaged from a 120-year old company that made headstones and gravemarkers in Kansas. Our seller was hired to demolish the company's building when it went out of business. Many of the headstones and markers at the building were in storage as they were ordered but never paid for, and never used. The white cross marker on the American Pickers episode "Getting the Boot" and many other headstones were salvaged from this storage area. Please note that while it is illegal in many states to damage, deface or destroy any tomb, marker or grave in a cemetery, the marker in our episode was not taken from a cemetery. Please also note that History strives to fact-check and vet all the artifacts that are shown on “American Pickers”.
We appreciate the concerns and comments of our viewers regarding the show.” ~ History Channel

But then there is this:

In Leiper's Fork, my good friend Alex Cirimelli has a store called Serenite Maison. It's really beautiful in there. She sells furniture and accessories that she finds when she goes junking in France. And she has some things I've found for her on display, like a big iron cross grave marker from the 1880s that came from an old convent. ~ Mike Wolfe

So which is it Mr. Wolfe, "never used" or "unpaid for" salvage from a 120-year old company making gravemarkers and headstones or a big iron cross grave marker... from an old convent"?

The History Channel, the producers, and Wolfe got burned by the perceptions of many viewers that Wolfe was taking advantage of sellers and dealing with grave robbers.

And if you think Wolfe isn’t keenly aware of the viewers’ perception of him:

When we first started the show, people were like, "Oh my God, those people are kicking everybody in the nuts. They're not giving them enough money." Now, it's the complete opposite: "Oh my God, they're paying way too much money for stuff right now." ~ Mike Wolfe

How do solve a problem like Mike?

First, the network issues the obligatory statements blaming it on editing or whatever seems to explain away sleazy behavior. Second, the producers make d@mn sure that in future episodes Wolfe is portrayed as a magnanimous fellow.

Problem solved.

The same had to be done for Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars. Albeit not to the level of Wolfe's fiascoes, but they end up showing Harrison offering a seller more money for her brooch than she thought it was worth. BTW, that “sale” was a total farce - it wasn’t Fabergé nor was it worth $16,000.

I call it karmic rehabilitation.