Ep 8. Keep Out!

In American Pickers season 3 episode 8, titled "Keep Out!", the beloved team of pickers, Mike and Frank, continue their journey to find hidden antique treasures across the United States. In this episode, the duo heads out to meet a collector who has a very interesting collection of vintage cars, signs, and relics.

The episode kicks off with Mike and Frank on their way to meet the collector, who resides in the heart of rural Illinois. As they drive down the winding roads to get to the location, they talk about their expectations, hopeful that they would find some rare and unique items among the collector's stash.

When they finally reach their destination, Mike and Frank are greeted by a massive property with a big sign that reads 'Keep Out!'. The sign alone is an indication that the collector may not be the most welcoming of people, but that does not stop the determined pickers.

After carefully trying to reason their way in, the collector finally shows up. He is a middle-aged man with a gruff exterior who is skeptical of their intentions. Mike and Frank quickly try to put him at ease and explain that they are only interested in buying some of his antiques, but the collector is still hesitant.

The property of the collector turns out to be a classic car showroom full of rusted, broken-down vehicles with flat tires and engines that haven't run in years. However, the true gems are hidden close by – behind piles of junk and rusted metal.

Mike and Frank start digging through the piles, scanning for anything that catches their eye. Much to their surprise, they end up finding some rare items that they have never seen before. Antique gas pumps, vintage license plates, and old gas station signs all caught their attention.

The pickers become more enthusiastic as they continue searching through the piles. However, the collector's mood starts to shift, and he becomes more protective of his collection, constantly saying, "It's not for sale, It's not for sale!" Despite his behavior, the duo carries on with their hunt, delving deeper into the piles to find anything worth buying.

As the day comes to an end, Mike and Frank conclude their search and offer to buy the items they found. However, the collector continues to refuse the deal. Disappointed but not defeated, the two return to their van, ready to hit the road again.

The episode ends with Mike and Frank discussing the few items they were able to acquire. Though they were unable to obtain the rarest items from the collector, the duo maintains positivity with the mindset that no pick is a wasted pick. Despite the ups and downs of the day, they continued their journey, eager to uncover more hidden gems.

Overall, "Keep Out!" is a classic American Pickers episode, showcasing the true grit and determination that it takes to be a successful antique collector. Even when met with obstacles such as skeptical collectors, the duo never gives up, and their passion for the hunt is contagious.