A few of the problem sellers have lots of stuff on FB even though they can't be bothered to respond. I have met both of them. I typically don't bother with 'is this available' inquiries as they rarely pan out and are often scammers. I look at their profiles. It has taken a couple of years or more to sell some items. Yesterday I sold a couple of used exhaust tips for $20 to a guy with a Charger. They have been on and off FB for 3 years. Sometimes there just isn't a buyer out there.
Is it harder to buy used parts these days or is it just me?
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I certainly agree with you there, in your last statement.
Facebook MP.
Most parts or cars are overpriced for what they are.
Projects that are nothing more than partially parted out parts cars priced as if a decent project car.
Non runners are always hard to sell, Cars in boxes are harder. How many people want to actually BUILD a classic today or have the place to work, the tools, the knowledge??
Cars/parts listed by NON car guys. Grand dad passed and he drug in that old whatever out of the back 40. Then he prices it like the other POS on there over priced.
\The list is long.
Most parts or cars are overpriced for what they are.
Projects that are nothing more than partially parted out parts cars priced as if a decent project car.
Non runners are always hard to sell, Cars in boxes are harder. How many people want to actually BUILD a classic today or have the place to work, the tools, the knowledge??
Cars/parts listed by NON car guys. Grand dad passed and he drug in that old whatever out of the back 40. Then he prices it like the other POS on there over priced.
\The list is long.
340sFastback
Well-Known Member
Anything decent on Facebook market place will be scooped up by flipper, marked up, and relisted. So a casual browse of those pages you are not seeing the stuff that got scooped up by flippers near immediately.
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Find pictures of a car just like yours and circle the trim parts you need and post a wanted ad on this forum. I'll bet you will have offers in no time.I think I am pretty easy to get along with and I usually don't even barter on local parts but this year has been frustrating finding used parts from the local Mopar crowd. This is a bit of an old man rantbut I've had 3 local guys offer to look in their stash for parts that I need to finish my car (just Dart trim mostly) and none of them could bother to do it after offering to. One guy even told me he would look 'that night' multiple times over a 2 month period. I've given him money before. If you're too busy how about not offering the parts? Even the long distance guys take a couple of weeks to have a look and send a pic. Perhaps a couple hundred bucks isn't enough to motivate people these days. I did manage to get a couple vendors 2000 miles away to take my money in the end. The last part I need is from Jegs....should have just bought it direct from the mfg. So far I'm looking at 3 weeks to get the part they supposedly had in stock.
Sir, this next comment is NOT directed to you. It is a general comment directed to the entire forum. When you find the part you need at a price you are comfortable with, don't complain about the shipping cost. The seller cannot control that.
That being said, if a seller is quoting a shipping price that is an absolute rape job. Feel free to complain. For instance. When I am interested in a part, I ask for a shipping quote to my zip and ask where it is coming from. If I am buying a carb, I know about how big the box will be and how heavy it will be. Then I go to FedEx to get a quote. If the quote from the seller is close to that, I am happy. However, if the FedEx quote is $25, and the seller is quoting $50, something is fishy. At that point it is fine to politely question the seller about the shipping quote.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
I agree on that even a "roller" to make into a race car is getting hard to find at a desirable price why would I pay 7500 for a shell with no title?
Unfortunately, where I am at, it appears the craigslist guys are pricing their stuff based on Facebook prices. 318, ran when pulled, sat in shed for 20 years, $600. Big blocks - I guarantee any rusty field find big block for sale near me is listed at $1000+ Rust bucket, partially cut up or wrecked 72-76 Dusters are going for $3500+ Pricing does seem crazy in some places.
Yes, follow-through seems to be a big issue across the board. It's not just old car parts. I've seen this on other stuff I've sold or been looking for. Boat parts, house parts, furniture, even some services have buyers and sellers who can't be bothered to diligently follow through. This is also hand in hand with the mono-syllable answer types when trying to get additional info from people and those who have lives are so busy then can never arrange a time to actually meet up.
Timing is also a big part of it. A $100 big lock radiator in TX...I would have been all over that, but I wasn't looking when it was listed. A box full of E and B body trim, also sounds interesting but as mentioned sorting through things, if they weren't labelled when removed, is a ton of work to try to identify and there may be a lot of guessing in the process.
I am saddened to see that some members are so disgusted with the process that they would rather throw things away than deal with even low dollar or pay the shipping sales. But of course that brings us back to the lack of follow up issue. Unfortunately there are buyer out there who will still find a way to booger up a freebie.
Yes, follow-through seems to be a big issue across the board. It's not just old car parts. I've seen this on other stuff I've sold or been looking for. Boat parts, house parts, furniture, even some services have buyers and sellers who can't be bothered to diligently follow through. This is also hand in hand with the mono-syllable answer types when trying to get additional info from people and those who have lives are so busy then can never arrange a time to actually meet up.
Timing is also a big part of it. A $100 big lock radiator in TX...I would have been all over that, but I wasn't looking when it was listed. A box full of E and B body trim, also sounds interesting but as mentioned sorting through things, if they weren't labelled when removed, is a ton of work to try to identify and there may be a lot of guessing in the process.
I am saddened to see that some members are so disgusted with the process that they would rather throw things away than deal with even low dollar or pay the shipping sales. But of course that brings us back to the lack of follow up issue. Unfortunately there are buyer out there who will still find a way to booger up a freebie.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
I've kind of had my fill with Craigslist a while back prob pre covid. I call a guy back then about an engine he doesn't call back etc. and it was about a 2 hour drive so I'm thinking "this guy is unreliable I don't know if I want to spend the time driving out there even if he does call a month later " etc. one thing for sure these days is people are flakes.
Ant
Well-Known Member
My issue is bad sellers. You can always tell when you know more than them when every detail they explain is wrong. Sometimes they lie about stuff and think the buyer is stupid enough to believe it. For example, one seller told me "The tires have cracks because they're over inflated". We know that's not the truth, those tires were old and were over inflated BECAUSE THEY ******* LEAK FROM THE DRY ROT CRACKS. Can't trust anyone these days. If they tell you BS, walk away.
Anyway, back to hard, but not really that hard to buy junk for Mopars. I bought a new Edelbrock performer intake because most of the used examples for sale that I can find were just bad value. Ebay was worse, because of the shipping and fees. I'm not doing hours work reconditioning and spending money on cleaning supplies to end up not saving a dime and still have an ugly stained intake manifold.
Anyway, back to hard, but not really that hard to buy junk for Mopars. I bought a new Edelbrock performer intake because most of the used examples for sale that I can find were just bad value. Ebay was worse, because of the shipping and fees. I'm not doing hours work reconditioning and spending money on cleaning supplies to end up not saving a dime and still have an ugly stained intake manifold.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
Another thing too is guys who think all Mopar parts are gold. I had a "Chevy guy" say he had some "Mopar Ralleys" he wanted me to look at. I get there and look and they are off a 1980 dodge omni. I said "those are kind of like Ralleys but no... the 4 lugs kind a give it away..." 
Here in Tx there is FB Market Place, CL has been dead here for years now.
There are so many people that are just plain ignorant(stupid) about so much, there there are the liers!
Like on Marketplace, you can "bookmark" a car for sale, and come back later days, weeks, months and see if it was ever marked sold, yea it does not tell the selling price per say, but so many overpriced cars a year later have never sold. Then message them ask ask IF the price ever came down, and all you here is NO!!!!!
I wonder if "Bring a Trailer" is any better!???
Way back in the late 80s, early 90s, I would find old classic Mopars for sale when they first started being an "item". The ones overpriced I would simply say, "maybe you are way over optimistic!?" Then I would there "make an offer!"
Funny how Marketpolace prices are so much less in Ok La MO KS etc ,,,anywhere but Texas!
There are so many people that are just plain ignorant(stupid) about so much, there there are the liers!
Like on Marketplace, you can "bookmark" a car for sale, and come back later days, weeks, months and see if it was ever marked sold, yea it does not tell the selling price per say, but so many overpriced cars a year later have never sold. Then message them ask ask IF the price ever came down, and all you here is NO!!!!!
I wonder if "Bring a Trailer" is any better!???
Way back in the late 80s, early 90s, I would find old classic Mopars for sale when they first started being an "item". The ones overpriced I would simply say, "maybe you are way over optimistic!?" Then I would there "make an offer!"
Funny how Marketpolace prices are so much less in Ok La MO KS etc ,,,anywhere but Texas!
I have a friend that has a large classic car boneyard in N Tx. cars from the 40s up to about 70s, a few in the 80s maybe. One of a few left in America I bet. Rows and rows of them. He has people drive in from as far as 6-8 states away. He hauls in more boners every week, sometimes every day, mostly out of Ok. His prices are what I call "fair" for a man trying to make a living with such. Why does he do a good business???? One, he is a professional, an honest one, and knowledgable. Could a guy "maybe" find the parts he needs off Marketplace?? Maybe. Would they be cheaper, maybe but probably not.
But, most people will still hunt their parts off Marketplace. I will drive 10 hours round trip to go there. Most people do good to drive across town, (99% live in "town"!)
But, most people will still hunt their parts off Marketplace. I will drive 10 hours round trip to go there. Most people do good to drive across town, (99% live in "town"!)
I'm going to come out and say I've been guilty of being "that guy" in the past. I'm not proud of it and when I do notice that I'm not following through, I know it's time to pause some things and fulfill my obligations with people.
I'm a workaloholic and have the tendency to overfill my plate. I'm trying to get better, though.
I say these things simply because maybe that's the position of the guys you've had trouble with? Maybe they're just not good at managing their time? Devil's advocate here....
thats true in at least one case. Coincidentally he wanted a part I had and we could have traded had he made the time
That's too bad. A missed opportunity for two people.
IF a person does not LOVE the process of selling off old cars parts,,, then it is a real PIA for such. A guy needs to get a sense of satisfaction selling someone a needed old car parts. The little bit of good has to out weigh all the bad!
Only bad experieces I have had, with the one exception of that scammer off FB, is with the young guy that has a wife that hates him ever spending a $ on his old car project, that is the guy that will sell you a bill of goods (pass on his pile pf chit).
Only bad experieces I have had, with the one exception of that scammer off FB, is with the young guy that has a wife that hates him ever spending a $ on his old car project, that is the guy that will sell you a bill of goods (pass on his pile pf chit).
Well said. Most of the parts I sell are local deals. And since I'm still a "young buck" in the old car game, I see it as a chance to meet other local Mopar guys. Then there's the added bonus of knowing the parts are kept out of the landfill and being driven down the road.
My shortfall is when it comes to selling tools and machines. Thinking about what you said, I don't really care much about the sale of the tool, so it's less of a priority. Not saying it's okay, but I think your insight has helped me understand the root of the problem.
I recently purchased an item on ebay . For starters the guy didn't provide a tracking number but it did arrive . it was the wrong item. He agreed and apologized . I started a return through ebay and ebay gives people plenty of time for the various stages . Approve a return. Accept the return . Refund buyer etc.
The guy drug his butt on every step and I had to remind him that if he didn't push those buttons ebay was gonna do it for him when his time ran out on every step.
I bought the item on the 5th and on the 26th he says he has my item ready to list and I can buy it now. I told him I think i need to get my refund back first for the wrong item. he says " Let me check " Why would I buy the item again without getting a refund for the wrong item ?
I Received my refund, l tell him and he says he'll relist the item the next day which didn't happen .
Fotunately for me I found a different one from someone else and purchased it . He messages me and says he's ready to list it so I can buy it. I tell him I purchased elsewhere -
"Hi I didn't hear from you yesterday so I purchased some elesewhere. It seems like I had to babysit you through this whole process and you didn't really seem to care about doing your part to make this easier. Thanks. "
He responds- " Sorry I've done everything I could on my end i dont know how I could have did this any different i followed every step that was in order im sorry about this whole mix up "
I respond-
" 6 days ago you received my return. You could have given me a refund, relisted and I could have purchased that same day. Look also on how much time you took on other steps instead of doing your part as soon as you could. "
He responds -
" I apologize at out salvage yard we get busy with orders and walk inside customers im the only one who handles the old stuff because my yard guts dont know the interchange of stuff yes your return arrived but I was following ebay protocall on returns im sorry yes I agree it could of went better my mistake im apologize this kind of stuff doesn't happen usually if there is something I can personally do for you please let me know thanks pat "
Also during the process I noticed he relisted the item I bought that he said he was holding for me . I did get him to take the listing down.
The guy drug his butt on every step and I had to remind him that if he didn't push those buttons ebay was gonna do it for him when his time ran out on every step.
I bought the item on the 5th and on the 26th he says he has my item ready to list and I can buy it now. I told him I think i need to get my refund back first for the wrong item. he says " Let me check " Why would I buy the item again without getting a refund for the wrong item ?
I Received my refund, l tell him and he says he'll relist the item the next day which didn't happen .
Fotunately for me I found a different one from someone else and purchased it . He messages me and says he's ready to list it so I can buy it. I tell him I purchased elsewhere -
"Hi I didn't hear from you yesterday so I purchased some elesewhere. It seems like I had to babysit you through this whole process and you didn't really seem to care about doing your part to make this easier. Thanks. "
He responds- " Sorry I've done everything I could on my end i dont know how I could have did this any different i followed every step that was in order im sorry about this whole mix up "
I respond-
" 6 days ago you received my return. You could have given me a refund, relisted and I could have purchased that same day. Look also on how much time you took on other steps instead of doing your part as soon as you could. "
He responds -
" I apologize at out salvage yard we get busy with orders and walk inside customers im the only one who handles the old stuff because my yard guts dont know the interchange of stuff yes your return arrived but I was following ebay protocall on returns im sorry yes I agree it could of went better my mistake im apologize this kind of stuff doesn't happen usually if there is something I can personally do for you please let me know thanks pat "
Also during the process I noticed he relisted the item I bought that he said he was holding for me . I did get him to take the listing down.
fueliedart
Well-Known Member
Here's how i see it. As time marches on there is less interest in our hobby. The chance of selling diminishes with each passing year. Large or cumbersome parts are harder to ship and a PITA to haul around. Sure would I love to sell all my extras and parts that someone could use? Yeah I don't want to toss usable parts that I know someone out there has a need for. I would love for someone to come by my house and buy a hood or engine or whatever (yes I have tried selling local, with limited success). I still ship parts but don't do much of that just because right now I'm pretty busy and have had to waste time because of flakes. If you can't sell parts anyway because of flaky people or no interest or even high shipping cost, what's the difference if you throw the the stuff away or hang onto it in the hopes that someday you may sell it? I have come to the realization that it is time to think about what is and isn't realistic. Will I ever do the selling at swap meets again hauling stuff hundreds of miles for a dollar? Will my wife be burdened by my lost dreams if I pass away before her? The stuff will most likely get tossed anyway, so why hang onto it? If you can't find someone who is interested in your parts then what's the difference where they go and how they get there? Not trying to be a downer but I know that I need to get rid of stuff and think about what I want to accomplish without having a horde of parts that I will never need and don't have the time or energy to deal with. So if you are a guy with lots of parts and only need 10% of them, better start thinking about what will happen to the other 90% anyway no matter what they might be worth to you because it's inevitable that someday they will be worthless!
Holy smokes! That guy has no business selling on eBay or anywhere else. Sorry to hear about that mess.
fueliedart
Well-Known Member
I have noticed ebay is becoming less and less buyer friendly. I have had a similar experience and ebay drags there feet while making the buyer do all the work. Ebay does not hold sellers accountable and expects the purchaser to do all the legwork when they know something is not going right. I bought a part that seller had not shipped after 4 days so I go to cancel the order. Ebay contacts seller and informs me seller says it is too late to cancel order. Fine, so that means it's on the way but after 7 days still no tracking number. I email seller 3 times to provide tracking number. No response. Does ebay step in and demand seller provide tracking number? No. Actually they should have made seller provide a tracking number as soon as he said it was too late to cancel order to prove it had been shipped. Ebay is just another money machine that doesn't care about anything but the the bottom line and buyers are on there own when it comes to problems until things go off the rails! Try to communicate with ebay. Hope you love AI.
Greyhound hasn't allowed shipping since September 30, 2022
Between the hassle and the security concerns they disbanded it.
Tom
fueliedart
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the confirmation. Without Greyhound and Fastenal shipping large parts is pretty much impossible without paying a shipping company or paying mega bucks.
I've been selling on ebay for many years and I think ebay caters to the buyer. It is very hard to get ripped off if you buy something from ebay.
The problem is that people don't follow the rules and take it seriously. Ebay will step in if people do not do something in the timeline that they are suppose to do. It's just a pain when the seller drags *** and makes ebay do something the seller could do quickly .
I have 100 % positive feedback and I take care of it if a problem arises.
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