CORONA, Calif.—Like an eagle gliding over the open plains, Cynthia “The Picker Chick” Eastwood has sharp eyes and can find unique, one-of-a-kind treasures in a field of junk. And when she’s done “picking,” she uses U-Haul trucks and trailers to cart her scores back home.
Eastwood travels all over the western U.S. finding antique petroliana, cars, carnival glass and anything else that is unique or has historical significance. When she finds more items than her own truck and trailer can carry, she rents U-Haul trucks and trailers.
U-Haul Moving and Storage of Corona is Eastwood’s preferred location to rent equipment, and the team there treats her like gold.
“I’ve rented quite a bit from U-Haul,” Eastwood expressed. “Sometimes I rent as often as 20 days a month and other times it’s less frequent. If I’m going on the road, I’ll have the trailer for several days. And the team there always works to get me the equipment I need.”
“Picking” a lifestyle
Eastwood inherited the picking genes from her father and has been on the hunt for interesting items as a full-time profession for the past seven years.
“My dad never had a son,” Eastwood volunteered. “He was a big hot rod guy … collected gas pumps and windmills and stuff. So I’ve been doing this for my whole life really. My dad taught me everything I know about picking.”
With her keen eye and extensive knowledge of the industry, Eastwood picks quality, high-end products and brings them home to her eager clientele.
“I have a lot of collectors who live in the U.S., Canada and abroad in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom,” Eastwood explained. “They are mainly high-end collectors because the stuff I’m finding is high end. It’s stuff that’s been stored in barns and garages for 30-40 years and kept really nice.”
Expert recommendations
The last thing that Eastwood wants is to find an amazing item, only to have it damaged or broken on the way back home—or worse, having to leave it behind. That’s where U-Haul comes in. The versatility of U-Haul equipment is beyond measure and Eastwood can attest to the value of our open utility trailers.
“One trip I found the ‘mother load.’ I found some of the most sought-after visible gas pumps—the pumps with the glass tops,” Eastwood recalled. “U-Haul trailers are the only trailers that I can use to haul visibles, because of the high sides. I can tie anything down in those trailers and nothing will come out because of the rails and the height of the sides.”
When hauling precious cargo, Eastwood wants the best tool for the job. Without quality equipment, Eastwood’s business would suffer. She also recommends U-Haul equipment to people who are looking to start out in the picking industry.
“There are so many people out there who want to pick and don’t own trailers, and U-Haul is the perfect option for them,” Eastwood declared. “They might think it’s too expensive or a hassle, but it’s so easy. You call or go online to make a reservation. Then you just show up, fill out a tiny bit of paperwork, they hook it up and you’re on your way. I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
To learn more about Cynthia “The Picker Chick” Eastwood, visit thepickerchick.com.
Have you hauled anything interesting in U-Haul trailers? Tell us your story in the comment section below!
