First time selling at Van Nuys Spring Fling- advice

[valiantsurf]

I bought a '68 barracuda notchback parts car for my formula S car. I plan to sell the parts and panels I don't need at the spring fling event. Anyone with prior experience selling at the swap meet have any advice for a rookie?!

 

[Demonracer]

Search the "net" for pricing of what you are selling, or post a "what's it worth" thread here. Just don't try to make deals selling parts in the what's it worth thread, that's against the rules.

 

[valiantsurf]

Thanks Demonracer for the advice! I've been trying to do my research on pricing on the parts I have using past for sale/ sold ads. Now I got my head spinning on how to display, prop small parts, heavy parts, do and don't etiquette of swap meet selling etc.

 

[crackedback]

WHat's up Serf?

 

[Kern Dog]

I'm no veteran but I have sold at a few swap meets.
Be organized. Use tables or set your stuff out in rows wide enough to walk around. Don't dump everything into a pile and expect buyers to pick through.
I put labels on as many parts as possible with prices that are often below market rate. I still get the broke dick cheapskates that think I should settle for 1989 era prices for my stuff in 2025. Stay firm on your prices if you think they are fair....but if others are selling and you are not, maybe you can take that as a hint that your prices may be too high.
Have cash on hand to give change.
If someone looks to buy more than one thing, make a package deal with some discounting to encourage them to buy more. The goal for you is to leave with an empty trunk and a wallet with some money in it.
Do NOT hold something for someone unless they put a non refundable deposit on it. They often never return and you may miss out on a sale because you're holding it for a guy.
Good luck!

 

[junkyardhero]

bring sunscreen, lots of hydration and a positive attitude for when people low ball you.

all kidding aside, it can be feast or famine. i usually price out my stuff pretty fair and i've certainly come home busted out plenty of times.

try and be organized or have some method to the madness. such as putting like parts with each other. i use folding tables for the smaller stuff and generally have the smaller bits in bins or bags with labels. i try and mark everything with as much info as i can and a price. big stuff just goes on top of crates or in the grass. last time i didn't even take the rearends out of the truck i just scooted them up to the edge (it's a flat bed).

don't sell anything for less than $5, make it 2-for-5 (three for) or throw it in with sale. try and make package deals, the more you buy the better deal i'll give ya kinda vibe.

if you think your price is fair stick to your guns on it.

i cannot stress this enough: do not under any circumstances "hold" anything for anybody without a sizeable deposit that is non-refundable. like at least half. 9 times out of 10 they won't come back for it because they're price shopping it or are just tire kickers.

bring a helper to unload, handle crowd control, help buyers if they need to carry something heavy.

be prepared to talk A LOT and to A LOT of people.

see ya there, i'll be in the big orange D300 flat bed

 

[autoxcuda]

Bring harbor freight tarps to put your stuff under. It presents your parts much better and make them easier for buyers to spot.

Bring small dollars to make change.

Like was said before, price and label your parts ahead of time.

Get in the swap line by 6:30am Saturday too.

 

[crackedback]

Don't hold. The famous hold it for me, then the buyer (dickhead/clown) goes around the swap looking for the same part and hammers someone else on price because there is another here for $***. Don't do it.

First with the cash gets it. Only caveat, if it is someone that you know and trust will come back.

Expect to get "gas monkeyed".... whatever price you put on something, you'll get the 50% or less offer. Ignore them or tell them give a a reasonable offer and I'll talk, that isn't reasonable with a hearty laugh after. (really want to tell them F off, but that isn't good either... LOL)
I've had guys do that and I'll ask what price was on it, oh, my mistake suppose to be double the price at $***... see where I'm going with that one.

 

[valiantsurf]

WHat's up Serf

Don't hold. The famous hold it for me, then the buyer (dickhead/clown) goes around the swap looking for the same part and hammers someone else on price because there is another here for $***. Don't do it.

First with the cash gets it. Only caveat, if it is someone that you know and trust will come back.

Expect to get "gas monkeyed".... whatever price you put on something, you'll get the 50% or less offer. Ignore them or tell them give a a reasonable offer and I'll talk, that isn't reasonable with a hearty laugh after. (really want to tell them F off, but that isn't good either... LOL)
I've had guys do that and I'll ask what price was on it, oh, my mistake suppose to be double the price at $***... see where I'm going with that one.

Rob! Good advice thank you. I bet I get to hear at least every hour I'm there how " I could buy that from xx for half this price!" Or the famous " that part is for a 1970s whatcha Macal it and never came from Said car" but for every 100 of those guys if I meet one like yourself, I'll count my self blessed! Hope you are doing well Mr!

 

[valiantsurf]

Bring harbor freight tarps to put your stuff under. It presents your parts much better and make them easier for buyers to spot.

Bring small dollars to make change.

Like was said before, price and label your parts ahead of time.

Get in the swap line by 6:30am Saturday too.

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Thank you

I'm no veteran but I have sold at a few swap meets.
Be organized. Use tables or set your stuff out in rows wide enough to walk around. Don't dump everything into a pile and expect buyers to pick through.
I put labels on as many parts as possible with prices that are often below market rate. I still get the broke dick cheapskates that think I should settle for 1989 era prices for my stuff in 2025. Stay firm on your prices if you think they are fair....but if others are selling and you are not, maybe you can take that as a hint that your prices may be too high.
Have cash on hand to give change.
If someone looks to buy more than one thing, make a package deal with some discounting to encourage them to buy more. The goal for you is to leave with an empty trunk and a wallet with some money in it.
Do NOT hold something for someone unless they put a non refundable deposit on it. They often never return and you may miss out on a sale because you're holding it for a guy.
Good luck!

Thanks

I'm no veteran but I have sold at a few swap meets.
Be organized. Use tables or set your stuff out in rows wide enough to walk around. Don't dump everything into a pile and expect buyers to pick through.
I put labels on as many parts as possible with prices that are often below market rate. I still get the broke dick cheapskates that think I should settle for 1989 era prices for my stuff in 2025. Stay firm on your prices if you think they are fair....but if others are selling and you are not, maybe you can take that as a hint that your prices may be too high.
Have cash on hand to give change.
If someone looks to buy more than one thing, make a package deal with some discounting to encourage them to buy more. The goal for you is to leave with an empty trunk and a wallet with some money in it.
Do NOT hold something for someone unless they put a non refundable deposit on it. They often never return and you may miss out on a sale because you're holding it for a guy.
Good luck!

Good advice kern dog, thank you! I like the "package deal" idea and I'm getting the memo not to fall for the "can you hold" guys unless they are willing to put the cash down!

 

[valiantsurf]

bring sunscreen, lots of hydration and a positive attitude for when people low ball you.

all kidding aside, it can be feast or famine. i usually price out my stuff pretty fair and i've certainly come home busted out plenty of times.

try and be organized or have some method to the madness. such as putting like parts with each other. i use folding tables for the smaller stuff and generally have the smaller bits in bins or bags with labels. i try and mark everything with as much info as i can and a price. big stuff just goes on top of crates or in the grass. last time i didn't even take the rearends out of the truck i just scooted them up to the edge (it's a flat bed).

don't sell anything for less than $5, make it 2-for-5 (three for) or throw it in with sale. try and make package deals, the more you buy the better deal i'll give ya kinda vibe.

if you think your price is fair stick to your guns on it.

i cannot stress this enough: do not under any circumstances "hold" anything for anybody without a sizeable deposit that is non-refundable. like at least half. 9 times out of 10 they won't come back for it because they're price shopping it or are just tire kickers.

bring a helper to unload, handle crowd control, help buyers if they need to carry something heavy.

be prepared to talk A LOT and to A LOT of people.

see ya there, i'll be in the big orange D300 flat bed

Junkyard hero, I'll keep an eye out for you! I'll be in my white 01 ram 4x4 looking overwhelmed (and probably sunburned snce I ALWAYS forget sunblock) lots of good tips here thank you

 

[valiantsurf]

Bring harbor freight tarps to put your stuff under. It presents your parts much better and make them easier for buyers to spot.

Bring small dollars to make change.

Like was said before, price and label your parts ahead of time.

Get in the swap line by 6:30am Saturday too.

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Thanks Autoxcuda, tarps will be great for the bulky ground items, and I'll get some tables for the rest of the stuff. The photos are very helpful. It's funny how I've bought at many swap meets but forget all these details until mentioned- i have absolutely walk past vendors that have everything just piled up!

 

[gunbunny]

First with the cash gets it.

Great advice.
You're not running a museum, cash talks.
My standard answer is "I'll hold it until someone comes along with cash and wants it more than you."
My answer to "that guy has one down there cheaper" is "Then you better go buy that one, cause this one is $"
It's okay to haggle, but it's also not okay to do something you don't want to do.

 

[junkyardhero]

Great advice.
You're not running a museum, cash talks.
My standard answer is "I'll hold it until someone comes along with cash and wants it more than you."
My answer to "that guy has one down there cheaper" is "Then you better go buy that one, cause this one is $"
It's okay to haggle, but it's also not okay to do something you don't want to do.

i have so many favorites:

"well, this guy over there has it for $50 cheaper!" oh wow, that's a really good deal. you should go buy it.

"i can get it cheaper online" cool, go ahead and buy it from some guy nobody knows and pay the shipping. hopefully you'll get the part and hopefully it won't be crap.

"how much do you want for that 8.75/833/special part" yeah, i'm looking for x on that. "okay cool, i have 10 of them at home".

"will this fit.... " or the "is this correct for" and "can i use this with" are all fun variations on a theme

and my absolute favorite: "i can get that at the junkyard cheaper!"

 

[junkyardhero]

Junkyard hero, I'll keep an eye out for you! I'll be in my white 01 ram 4x4 looking overwhelmed (and probably sunburned snce I ALWAYS forget sunblock) lots of good tips here thank you

word.

if you need suncreen and refreshments come find me. can't miss the big orange D and three raccoons in a dickies uniform!

 

[crackedback]

i have so many favorites:

"well, this guy over there has it for $50 cheaper!" oh wow, that's a really good deal. you should go buy it.

Had a guy do that on a part, told my friend to go see if he could find it and buy it, smoking deal. I sort of knew who had it and pointed the right direction. Mine was nicer and worth more than what I was asking, so was the other one. He found it, bought it, brought it back and put it in the truck.

Dude walks off after being a d... (you're overpriced, blah blah blah) I'll get the other one. Sure you will. He comes back looking for the one I had for sale, another guy I knew was holding it. Supply/demand in action. If you did enough selling at these swaps, you hear it all.

On a really bad day, end of day, had an A body 8.75, wanted 450 for it, didn't want to take it home. Guy does the well guy down there has one for 400, was really priced 500, so he's playing both of us. He walks up and says the 400 number, I look at him and yell to the other 8.75 guy... I'm firm at 550.... yeah I'd had enough that day. He walks to the other dude and seller yells at him "**** off liar".

Biggest thing, as always, treat people decent until they don't deserve it. First impression has no second chance. Bees with honey deal. If they are a wiener, roast them a bit.

It's part of the fun.

I can get it at the junkyard... time is money and this one is already off and cleaned up. Knock yourself out!

 

[barbee6043]

If you notice parts missing, "walking off set your sawed off 12 ga. right up front and when people ask why....... just say, " I havn't killed any parts thieves but I scared the chit out of a couple".

 

[TT5.9mag]

Make sure to have fun. That’s what this hobby is all about. If you ain’t having fun it ain’t worth it. If anyone forgets sunscreen, look me up my girl owns a skin care business and NEVER is without sunscreen. Just be prepared to learn all about it. We’re bringing the D this year.

 

[MoGumbo]

God, I’d love for a swap meet like that to pop up in New England. The best I ever see around here is a “Collector and Classic Car Part Swap Meet” in the parking lot of our local track.

You see a hundred booths with a hundred things from Temu on tables completely unrelated to cars, Jugs of laundry detergent and packs of diapers, million of ½” wrenches and hammers some dude picked up after going to a hundred garage sales, new stuff in boxes from Harbor Freight marked higher than Harbor Freight’s price, jars of honey, homemade necklaces, record albums, etc.

You guys are incredibly lucky.

 

[barbee6043]

^^^ There is "back East" and then there is "back East"!!!! But you guys have a lot of old cars and lots of people!

 

[autoxcuda]

@valiantsurf How did you do at Spring Fling?

My buddy bought I bunch of manifolds a few weeks prior to add to his normal pile. Sold every one of them and most of his other stuff. $8K day for him !!

 

[JDMopar]

I'm gonna fly out just to go to Spring Fling someday before I kick over. I'm gonna predict that if @crackedback and @junkyardhero have spots next to each other......that will be as far as I make it! Just watching the show would be worth the trip to get there...lol.

 

[Mtrhead]

That's on my bucket list too Jackie..also mopars in the park

 

[junkyardhero]

I'm gonna fly out just to go to Spring Fling someday before I kick over. I'm gonna predict that if @crackedback and @junkyardhero have spots next to each other......that will be as far as I make it! Just watching the show would be worth the trip to get there...lol.

admission pays for the whole seat-- but you'll only use the edge!

c'mon out man, i'm sure we could coordinate!

 

[valiantsurf]

@valiantsurf How did you do at Spring Fling?

My buddy bought I bunch of manifolds a few weeks prior to add to his normal pile. Sold every one of them and most of his other stuff. $8K day for him !!

That is awesome! I didn't do as good as your buddy, but I was very happy how I did for my first time as a seller. All the advice and support from here really helped- thank you and everyone that had great suggestions! I got to meet Junkyardhero and he was kind enough to buy some parts end of day Saturday. I only did the one day. An amazing experience all around. Next year I hope to put more faces to FABO names. With any luck ill be there showing my Barracuda and buying things- not selling!