I Investigated Vintage Picking in the Deep South

[@aidanmouellic5919]

Instagram influencers aren’t supposed to make engaging and solid long form KZbin content, how dare you stray from your lane. This is great stuff.

[@brandon_russell]

Love how this almost turned into a mini documentary and not just a typical vlog

[@smokeyschacht2030]

I love the long form content so much

[@edgyalbert]

I love you

[@olivia93_]

this isnt long form content, that would be live streaming, this is still technically medium form

[@spicyjazzhands]

@@olivia93_ very true, but if your attention span is destroyed by watching shorts & reels all day, then I bet 17m sure feels like long form.

[@Khak1]

idk if this is quite long form lol

[@legallyjohn]

Feels like a pilot for a show I would watch the hell out of… keep it up, Bert and co!

[@agomodern]

They could call it American Pickers. lol jk

[@nickkim583]

It's nice seeing this side of appreciation for vintage clothing. Very authentic. Feel like there's a lot people who pursue and sell these types of clothes without much appreciation for the history and instead are purely focused on the value.

[@tatuml2168]

Randomly found this video and I must say the amount of respect you show the people who you interview and interact with is heartwarming. It reminds me of channel 5 news! I’m definitely gonna keep watching your videos. Great work!

[@dadybad08]

Sorry but some of the pretentiousness that comes from some of these vintage sellers is so off putting. I love picking, I love antiques, but you’re not the next Issey Miyake because you find something in a barn.

[@edgyalbert]

Pushing back on this, because I didn't meet a single pretentious seller on my trip down here. These people are the real deal and know so much. There are plenty resellers that are obnoxious and pretentious, I could probably name like 5 in LA off the top of my head, but that's not relevant to this video at all.

[@bekaha9530]

I don’t get how they’re casually talking about breaking and entering to steal their stock. Just because the building is old doesn’t mean it isn’t owned by anyone. Crazy entitled to think you can do that AND THEN publish stories about it on the internet.

[@reagankohler1181]

Yea, it's wild af to shot over a pair of jeans or sum shit

[@Schmodin]

@@bekaha9530 or even resell the contraband

[@AM711]

They remind me of antique sellers - yr selling something special, yr going to talk the crap out of it, I don't mind it

[@scottcheely7553]

Funny thing in the early Ninties when I was picking in Oklahoma, no matter how remote I went, the Japanese had already been there!

[@nickb863]

Are there any documentaries about this?

[@scottcheely7553]

@nickb863 Not as far as I know. No cell phones back then. Just my own recounting of picking!

[@edgyalbert]

@@nickb863 there’s a book called Ametora about this

[@myshirtsaretrash8477]

The Japanese have been hunting before it was even a thing. They knew long before anyone can fathom to document any of this shit that someone would monetarily put prices on stuff that was worth going out of their way for. They started with footwear, it transpired into other sectors as they came here for that. I remember being a little ass kid (4-5 years old) with my mother or brother whoever you were with getting fly shit and there was either a Japanese or Korean person buying the same shit you were engulfed by. They were infatuated with western culture while we just lived it. Hence this thing you call vintage. I’m 34. My mother who passed told me when she was a kid? Same thing. Nothing new under the sun

[@im.konner3206]

Because they understood the market of quality textiles better than anyone else.

[@danielbotero6869]

Love how respectful you are to the people as well as the merchandise.

[@scottcheely7553]

@@danielbotero6869 Gotta be! If you just walk in and start grabbing and going through stuff, you freak em out! There's a skill to deadstock/NOS shopping!

[@meggysplace1675]

I am new into this vintage stuff. This content is really great. Made me value more what I buy and wear, especially those pieces who travelled all the way here in the Philippines. Thank you for this brother! Keep it up1

[@pkzenk2158]

13:15 …for 2.2 million he’ll sell it all. Sounds like you did the legwork for some VERY well-off investor who wants a corner on this exponentially expanding niche business/ hobby. Someone like a Japanese entrepreneur, or Chris or Tech. Corner the market. And the rest of us out here are left with our crumbs.. feeling very insignificant in the light of this literally unbelievable discovery, J.R.’s… Liked, subbed, commented.

[@matthewmaclellan_]

seems like folks haven't caught on yet, but your knowledge really shines with long form!! thanks for the video

[@pushinprems5647]

Going into abandoned places taking items without the owners permission is fucked up...

[@tracyjohnson5023]

Exactly that's why it's called theft

[@experienceofchris1108]

Yeah that’s the reason those dudes were acting so sketchy, simply knocking on a door and asking a question isn’t sketchy

[@rengokusfox]

it’s literally abandoned.

[@frogsandflowerss]

this entire vintage market feels fucked up to me! he's talking about how hard it is, sounding so pretentious, and talking about how he wants to get his hands on everyone's clothes.... it just sounds SO greedy! If anything this stuff belongs in a MUSEUM not on the vintage market.

[@mptypockets344]

@@frogsandflowerss I bet you cry about how boomers have all the houses and land for pennys and don’t sell…same thing here. Just old greedy folks dying with their inventory…lot of ways to look at it

[@vitsdj]

these documentaries are 🔥. You should definitely make this a series. Gives me american pickers vibes in the best way possible..

[@pkzenk2158]

They’ve definitely ‘picked’ up the torch left by Mike, Frank, & Danielle, etc…

[@averyelizabeth1070]

this is really really interesting and such a great video. i sell vintage clothes and i grew up in Greensboro NC, which is where cone mills made all the denim for Levi’s and where Wrangler Jeans started out…. my grandparents worked for wrangler and at the mills in the 60s-80s. it made me start thinking about all the extremely high quality jeans that are probably all over town. might have to do some digging when im home… i can’t believe i’ve never thought of this before when we have such a legacy in american denim. anyways, this video was a great watch!!

[@kelreneegranger]

make this a series!!!!! its so great

[@martinsobbing]

I really liked how informative this was, paired with your appreciation for vintage wear, it really made this video quite engaging. My only advice would be to fix the ISO on the camera as a majority of the shots in the car were quite over exposed. Keep it up!

[@krakatoa4747]

it’s giving american pickers in the best way possible love the vids as always albert

[@alexwhiteman2628]

7:55 - Put a person born on a beach on a mountain side road and they'll say, "how is this possible!? I'm having a panic attack!" but the man born on the mountain just factors everything in naturally and isn't worrying about how steep the hill is. To me, nothing about these conversations or interactions was intense. That's how the sausage is made around here. A lot of people in the south think they are sitting on a gold mine but have no real way of selling it. Its why you see rusting out cars from the 60's in peoples yards all around the rural south. They still refuse to sell, but if you know the people and the city you might have a shot. Its a good idea to get to know them. Good video.

[@allenstephens4234]

This is very cool content. I like the passion you have for picking and the interest you show in the people who own the apparel. I also appreciate your recognition of the VERY serious nature of what could be viewed as a trespass in rural Alabama. You will always be treated right if you behave yourself, and your showing of respect was recognized by the people you approached. It ain't all bad down here. Like you mentioned, it's complicated. Keep doing your thing, Al.

[@tracyjohnson5023]

Lol most of the rural south is the same. I'm in the Tennessee mountains where sadly some areas have been suburbanized. Back in the hollers, it used to be that you pulled into a driveway, gave horn a honk and sat in your vehicle until somebody came out. Pretty much with everyone but your parents. Nobody? Either not home or not interested in seeing you right now, so drive away. The only difference was when you were expected. Then the person would usually be outside waiting on you and if not still honk horn. That lets them know you're there and they can put the pack of dogs up lol.

[@allenstephens4234]

Lol spot on. I can hear my PawPaw's voice as the engine cut, "go on and get out!". Translation: "how you been, come here and give me a hug!"

[@redmond9653]

Reminds me of a small western store I found in a tiny town in the Nebraska panhandle once. The place was full of '70s western wear still on the racks. I bought a bunch of shirts including an amazing pearl snap flannel that I wore a good 10 years until it got a few holes.

[@pkzenk2158]

Now with the holes, that natural patina makes it worth 10xxx Lol

[@TheAMP711]

This is really fascinating because it sounds like the sellers care about preserving and in the same boat they’re selling products for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, but the products are stolen ( breaking into abandoned but owned buildings to take stuff is stealing) or getting things for cheap from rural lower income areas?? The people are just as important as the product! Also it’s kinda dehumanizing to assume everyone in the south is going to attack and shoot people. My assumption is some of them were put off by people snooping around instead of just chatting with people. I’m not from the rural Deep South, and I’ve lived in the south and the north, there’s good folks everywhere!! Fascinating video and we’ve gotta work to break down stereotypes and assumptions . Even in the vintage world if folks are approached with kindness and equity instead of fear/judgment and trying to make the most money more things can be saved and preserved over time.

[@bobneptune]

Great video - JR seems like a nice fella

[@viggsteriopipi9104]

MOOOOOOORRREE OF THIS!!!

[@rachelwhitfield2007]

I could drop bands at JRs. This was a really cool video, I never knew that there was that side of vintage buying and selling. I thought they just lived at the goodwill bins or something. So it's cool that they try and create a new life for clothing and items that would normally just fizzle out

[@convocourt]

as someone who grew up in rural southern Alabama this is so interesting and funny at the same time

[@tom4787]

This is the exact content fashion has been missing for a long time. Glad you're leading the charge

[@sacrefrenchie2132]

whoa ok i came over here from your instagram and didn't expect an eye opening documentary. This was excellent!

[@kbVACArestatecarsnrvs]

Newbie Sub here! Never thought I'd find a vintage clothes picking channel! My 2nd vlog and find it interesting. I knew I should have never gotten rid of my old clothes from the 60's, 70's and even 80's. Glad you share the finds. I do have a pair of Dingo Western Boots I bought in Hollywood/West LA in 1980 and another pair of black cowboy boots I bought in Costa Mesa Mall, 1981!

[@brandongrissett]

At around 5:30 you did a little edit that I loved. Showing the item the person was talking about on screen for those of us who might not know about vintage clothing, wanted to let you know small things like that make a big difference when viewing a video

[@Yasunii]

Great video, really shows what it’s like sourcing down here in the south. Story telling 10/10. Aye shoutout Julian tho! Love his videos

[@velvet_kierstaff386]

You should continue to make videos like this! It’s so well done! It feels like something that would be on A&E

[@zachary_attackery]

I dont understand who is actually paying these insane prices for these clothes. People can't afford rent but they'll pay $1200 for a pair of pants from the 80s?

[@theroyalunicorn8596]

I appreciate your style content so much and seeing the origin of so much I’d love to wear is fantastic, keep it up please

[@LuisZurita41]

love these videos, was so excited when you announced it

[@longdatedoptionsleaps6112]

SOOOOOO much cool stuff in that guys store!!!! what a great job / passion / way to make a living!!!!!

[@goncalo1410]

I love this channel so much, its so unique, there is nothing like it

[@mgeesmith]

I could definitely SMELL the huge old stock! what a time capsule !! - and... so many stories in the goods, you could spend are there a lifetime tracking the stories of those companies and where all the materials and traditions came from…

[@fintanmathewes5587]

Been waiting for this for three months.

[@domeskeetz]

I don't even see how these people are getting these numbers besides their own arbitrary valuation. Seems like a ridiculous concept.

[@agomodern]

Said he priced it at a "don't want to sell it" price. It's his so he can do whatever he wants with it.

[@panamerican0]

Love the format, and hope to see more!

[@JordanReeve]

Id always seen your Tiktoks and enjoyed them. Really impressed by this long form content too!

[@jamesallison4875]

You are such a nice guy. I love vintage (I’m vintage myself) and your respectful attitude is much appreciated!

[@JamieAmos]

Loving this long form content from you - so fkin good

[@siimocreates]

absolutely loved this. new to huntsville and new to vintage. so this was perfect. thank you!

[@FernandoChaves]

Love the vintage stuff. I regularly wear a 1980's Schott jacket, and 1992 Georgia Boots engineer boots. I found the jacket at a flea market for$8 about ten years ago, and the boots were a gift from a friend, the original owner, about 10 years ago. I have a lot of other stuff, but that's a sample. I am always on the hunt, but the coolest stuff is what I have owned myself for decades. I love telling my daughter that my belt is much older than she is, by a lot. Follow your dreams but stay in school for plan B? LOL! I dreamed of being a doctor. Made it. Plan B? The Idiocracy is upon us. Dunning Kruger is real.

[@agomodern]

Japanese were buying tons up back in the early 2000s as well. I sold vintage clothing and mid century modern furniture and decor and they'd stop by with a car load of clothing traveling Texas and Oklahoma. One guy came from Japan buying up lamps to take back. I was a little confused about you guys wanting to see the backstock like there was nothing worth picking up in the store section. I don't think he didn't bring it out because he isn't capable, it's because he's a hoarder and it's a disease.

[@jacobvonloh69]

Such a great video man, keep this type of content coming!

[@FSNJPS]

So good! I went to greenspans after the last video. They said they will be doing an official sale but aren’t selling vintage at this time. Hopefully this guy continues selling all that cool stuff

[@mallstar5340]

The entire idea of building a relationship to make for a better living for those who haven’t sold or aren’t willing to sell backstock makes for better future videos where you can link others in certain areas to help out those local businesses and gain you access to getting rid (respectfully) of old items that they might not be able to sell because it’s unseen by the common customer but will make all the difference in the pockets of the owners. Since i know you won’t actively clean people out because of their large inventory, i know you can help them and their families out while also creating a sense of pride in made in usa workwear that let’s people know their gear won’t fail or fall out on them in times of need. Even when most times it’s used for long strenuous trips to the grocery or coffee shop. Soon enough these people won’t be with us and if their kids weren’t raised with the knowledge then vultures start flying around places like this…and i know albert aint no vulture. People are like cats, lift them up when they seem like they need it, let them go when they won’t let you into their abandoned gas station/surplus store.

[@mallstar5340]

I also understand that it might be in the form of family heirlooms where he gives up the store to his perceived children for them to run…but i’ve seen too many movies where they just liquidate or create a lump sum to get rid of things just how he was asking for 2.2 mil to clean it out. Not saying that’s wrong. But then comes the risk of the wrong reseller coming in to make a killing off of the stock. (In all honesty the mid80s backlog is not going to satisfy the wants or needs of most modern buyers) but whatever they do pick out of there are going to be some amazing untouched gems. Knowing how stores go in general, it’s hard for them to stay in business. No matter how long they’ve been there or how long they intend to be there…somethings always knocking at the door. I just hope everybody wins in the end.

[@electrical2000]

i live in nashville and i usually drive an hour out to go thrifting, it’s the first time i’ve been able to consistently find women’s plus size vintage clothing and that’s been huge for me. up north had some finds but living in the south almost is untapped outside of major cities.

[@th1107]

There was a popular phrase in Northern England a couple of generations ago (it may be popular elsewhere too, but I don't know): "Make do and mend". A nice 4 word sentence to sum up a low waste, frugal culture that we should all take a note from.

[@Lomie32]

It’s a Wartime motto throughout Britain.

[@pkzenk2158]

Now it’s”Buy Temu and Shein”.

[@dylansomewhere]

dude I follow u on instagram and never knew you did long form content! I love this!!!!

[@lepetit84]

You are a great video journalist, Albert! Loved this; super informative, fun, and engaging :)

[@lepetit84]

LOL "How would you explain it..." and then cuts to a shot of Albert crawling atop a mountainous pile of vintage haha

[@tonyfroccaro939]

Great, great content. I envision you as the Tony Bourdain of clothing. You should travel the world and explore the different styles of each culture. Also, do you have any content about how you style your hair? If not, the product you use would suffice 😅

[@bayoubabe6698]

I drove up to an old hardware store in LA. I bought tons of New with tags dead stock. The store was open and a little old lady was the lone worker. She was generous and kind. My friend and I bought pounds of clothes, shoes and seamed stockings! I wore those things for years. Unfortunately, I gradually either sold or loaned out the treasures!! I can’t remember where it was!!!

[@Chlo0808]

You ate this fr real meaning behind these pieces. Great story telling #journalism

[@macswizzyy]

Had no idea you made longform content until today. I can’t wait to binge all of this😎

[@doctorwhofan6340]

This is neat im an "old soul" and have been trying to get into collecting vintage clothes like this and ive got a few things here and there from like my dad or estate sales or thrift stores and like its just awesome

[@alexanderstark9142]

Love the FDR sweater Ricky is wearing at 2:25

[@Abigail-tc7js]

I'm from Alabama, and even though I'm not going through abandoned buildings, I haven't found any thrift stores as good as the ones here! The region I grew up in hasn't been monopolized by Goodwill as much as other states I've moved to.

[@jimlewo4693]

Jr saw there would be value in made in usa when production lines started moving overseas

[@maireadheffernan9943]

Fantastic video, please, please, pretty please make more long form video and share them on KZbin. ❤ from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@BullittHilts]

Definitely one of my fav videos! I'm wondering anyone knows of any good vintage places to check out in North Carolina. I live in Raleigh and would love to check some places out when I find the time. It would be so fun to explore a place like JR's.

[@sarahsanchez4552]

As an Alabamanian I wanted to share my favorite vintage junk shops for anyone visiting: - J&J Junk Sale in Sterret - Son of a Junkman in Sylacauga - Earthly Treasures Thrift in Columbiana - Loveland Thrift Store in Irondale - Brass Bear Antiques in Hoover - Sammy's Antiques in Wilsonville - Highway Pickers Antique Mall I'm Cullman

[@samparr9899]

This is great stuff. You're like Mike Wolfe from American Pickers.

[@julissax5142]

My parents lost their house bc they couldn’t afford it anymore the amount of Y2K gold that was my room ……. :,((( I hope whoever ended up with our stuff is appreciating it

[@jairusmartinez1209]

deadass feels like a show

[@Kodesterrr]

I loved this video. Fingers crossed for a series!

[@JamesLeung]

This was great!

[@LianaJamie]

I love seeing behind the scenes of vintage sourcing! I'd be happy to see more

[@R.RefNotes]

More interviews with older gen on YT please - vintage clothing is cool because of the potential stories they hold but lets actually hear the stories from the people

[@MrStreetninja007]

As someone who lives in the Carolinas it's pretty funny to watch people not from the south come down to the South

[@simonmorgan9965]

Great video dude! Came from Tik Tok after seeing the preview 👍

[@biascd]

If you are back in Florence try Sonny's Army Navy. Worth the 15-20 min drive if you'll be back for Shindig

[@edgyalbert]

@@biascd I’ve actually been before!!

[@mcarp2271]

Apparently being a vintage clothing expert means you must wear a vintage jean jacket? Is this like the secret handshake for the vintage clothing market?

[@vert3025]

Never seen these type of videos very unique. Can’t wait for the next

[@aaronlouis710]

About time! More episodes of stuff like this please

[@lainey6474]

Next time, you should come to Eastbrook Flea Market in Montgomery. It’s based in this old minimall, and the owners are passionate as hell about what they do.

[@masongagliardi4191]

This was so well done. More stuff like this, Albert!

[@vihodanyet]

Go to Japan and everytime is worth double. When I was in Japan last summer I bought a really cool British Air Force jacket from the 90s. It cost me $240 but I bought it because the fit was so good and looked amazing. When I got back to the UK I started looking online for the same type of jacket also from the 90s and I ended up buying 2 more (in better condition!) for literally less than $40 each …

[@AleksandarPanic-u2j]

Go ahead vintage culture 💪

[@jakerussellfilm]

Been following you for a couple years now on instagram, didn’t know I would get a crossover with my hometown! Love JR’s, need to stop by next time im back

[@matthiascampedelli4321]

Dude this is amazing keep those vids coming man !

[@chrisw.4318]

Cool video but all the fake drama about getting shot was unnecessary. The south is known for hospitality, not sudden outbursts of unwarranted violence.

[@edgyalbert]

child left behind

[@agomodern]

Was pure assumption on their part, but they had to milk it.

[@Aldodelara]

Your channel is going to blow up very soon mark my words

[@veronica_annmeier]

not sure how I got here but I’m sure glad I’m here!

[@AustinMSantana2244]

Great video man, solid stuff here. Keep it coming!

[@janinasimbillo]

I hope not other wealthy investor will get ahold of Jr’s, but someone who values vintage... I would also like to visit Jr’s Western World while Jr is still there!

[@jackmabie5]

Goat has uploaded

[@allenschmitz9644]

They saw the Yankees coming and put out the best sting op.😅

[@mmmbiscuits1211]

I am from New Market, Alabama. I have driven past JRs 100s of times. I love the video. But it's not dangerous to knock on doors around there.

[@experienceofchris1108]

Yeah those dudes were only acting sketch because they do literal trespassing, breaking and entering, and theft. Simply knocking on doors and asking questions is nothing sketchy or anything to worry about

[@mmmbiscuits1211]

@@experienceofchris1108 trespassing is popular in Alabama. We all do it. There is very little public land. But B & E is a shoot on sight thing.

[@azrailyne]

Damn I love vintage, and this video is enlightening

[@fuzztortuga]

glad to see another great video my handsome mustached friend. please upload more long form content when you can. i don’t use tik tok or other social media and we need our edgyalbert fix lol

[@jasonkopp5641]

I could see Post Malone swooping in and buying J.R.s....and then just running it as-is and chilling with J.R. in the store.

[@holdthatblaow]

Please do more long form content. You come off much doper and chiller on here than tiktok.

[@cgoiq19]

Folks need to keep that attitude about their clothing-“this is my shirt”-regardless of their means. Every article of clothing I purchase has been made, sold, and/or packed by human hands. If I don’t treat it like it means something and patch my holes, replace my buttons, wear it through, then cut it apart and use it to patch other clothes; it’s an affront to the time, labor, and money invested in the item. And it means that my clothes will never tell a story, and there won’t be any interesting vintage to find in 2065 (if there’s a 2065 to be had). This is good stuff-I’m always wary to see the spotlight pointed on these little hidden gems, but you were respectful & seem to be aware of the delicate balance that needs to be struck.

[@jasongentile9069]

Great video, first time seeing u definitely keep going

[@dirtysokk]

I wouldn't be going into random buildings in laceys sping if I were you

[@fashwabi]

What an awesome video. Too bad I lost all my money on hawk tuah coin, otherwise I’d buy JR’s place.

[@cn7578]

It's hard to imagine a baby named Albert.