After 15 years as an auctioneer, I watched the market flood with cheap, low-quality copies while hammer prices on even the most beat-up original porcelain and neon signs began to skyrocket. What used to be attainable for collectors suddenly became out of reach for the average person.

A few big buyers consistently ended up with all the best signs — a mix of deep pockets, competitiveness, and inside connections.

It’s great for sellers and those who’ve already built massive collections. Prices were on a meteoric rise.

But for anyone looking to buy a specific sign for nostalgic value, or anyone hoping to start a collection? It became almost impossible.