Ebay Parts Prices, Sometimes Wow, Sometimes Really?

[Curtis]

I'm sure most all of us cruise Ebay for parts. I am fascinated to see the wide range of prices being asked. I always check the vendor prices against what I see so I can decide where I am going to buy. Just got a NOS headlight relay for $64 off Ebay.

I looked this morning and here are used soft top latches for $300. Hmm, I can buy new stainless ones from Brian for $180. Yes they are a different style but who cares. I get the impression stuff gets listed without knowing what the real market price is.

And don't get me started on all the crappy old wiring being offered.

[Linda]

Some people hate to shop so they pay full retail. Others look around extensively and have a larger resource base. Thanks to the internet it is so much easier than it used to be though, that is for sure.
Linda

[greydog]

For me, its not so much pricing, I can always not buy it.
Its the ripoff artist who sells the mirror with the cracked base that doesnt show in the pics or the grille thats rusty in two lower corners but the pics are taken so as ro not show.
Seems like if you are asking top dollar it ought to be a top dollar part.
Dan

[notoptoy]

RE: The latches, the early style used to go for $300 prior to Brian's versions being available. They probably looked at similar auctions and saw what they went for and assumed they could get the same. Once upon a time I would have gladly paid $300 for the used version in decent condition. Not anymore as Brian changed the landscape.

[Curtis]

RE: The latches, the early style used to go for $300 prior to Brian's versions being available. They probably looked at similar auctions and saw what they went for and assumed they could get the same. Once upon a time I would have gladly paid $300 for the used version in decent condition. Not anymore as Brian changed the landscape.

Ya,it's funny to me. On some parts I have no frame of reference since I don't need them or don't care. But even so I often watch just to see.

I have paid more than I should have for a couple of things. And of course my favorite is you find an NOS part, buy it and then somebody makes it for a much better price.

I was lucky on grills. One of our local people had a 1600 grill and a 1500 grill he sold me for good prices. The 1600 is outstanding, like new.

[mraitch]

So often 'planning/foresight' dictates the price you pay.

I used to have a 1949 Bentley. If I needed parts NOW, I paid the NOW price.

If there was something that would improve, etc. then I scanned, checked etc. and saved money.

Case in point - 5 years ago, I bought a 5-speed transmission - already had one installed, but price was attractive.

Cut to present - transmission went bad and old transmission was cannabalised to create new one at way below NOW pricing.

Vendors, have to charge, what vendors have to charge. And they take the risk.

And entrepreneurs within the community find a niche because they have the skill/resources to fulfill expectations. Just like the newly advertised cockpit mats, and perhaps more egregiously Linda's lower ball-joint project.

I have spares of major components, alternators, pumps, starters - they break, I swap them in and get the other fixed.

And, I am looking for a spare 5-speed, 2 litre crank/conrods/pistons. Don't need them NOW, but handy to have for later.

Don't really need ANYTHING NOW, but handy to keep on looking.

Just planning and watching!

[Curtis]

I just keep buying stuff for spares or bargaining chips when the price is right.

[cktrap]

I’ll admit it “I am a hoarder “. Now I can move on,lol

[Linda]

Have to give credit to Steve for this website and it's wealth of information such as on the Parts Interchange page, and the how-to pages for EI dizzy , 510 master swap, gear reduction starters, aluminum radiators, 4 blade fans, replacement harnesses, carb needles, floats, H20 parts etc.
So many ways to make the Roadster road-worthy! Keeping them on the road benefits
everyone.
Linda

[Curtis]

Without Steve where would we all be and where else can we waste time at work or whatever?

[Linda]

Without Steve where would we all be and where else can we waste time at work or whatever?

And you thought Halloween was scary...yikes
Linda

[Curtis]

When I had my first roadster, a 1500, Datsun still sold ALL the parts since it was only 10 years old. I also got the wholesale price since my dad had a body shop. 40 years later I still get the wholesale price on what little parts are left and one of the parts people at Younker Nissan worked at Delridge Datsun where I bought parts. The other one from there wound up at Auburn Nissan and I bought parts there from him a few years ago. So funny.

[ericstammer]

Which reminds me , i have a ton of parts ( like the most of us ) i need to thin out . have the pictures just have to list them . not interested in top dollar or making money , just that decent parts go to a good home and don't go to the trash .
Guess i should try and post them on here first .

[Curtis]

Thread revival. I have to wonder if some of these people listing parts bother to see what the going price is? Teardrop deck clips listed at S160 when you can buy stainless for $80. There seems to be a gap in knowledge when it comes to soft top parts and other stuff that has been repopped.

[notoptoy]

They list prices like that because people pay it. Not every roadster owner out there knows about this amazing 311s resource or about the vendors that there are out there. How many times have you seen people post "where do I find..." or I understand that parts for the Roadster are incredibly hard to find", they don't know so when they see something on e-bay they blindly jump on it thinking there are no more of that widget available anywhere. As far as the people selling at those prices, they either truly don't know, or are simply greedy, and either get the price they list or don't sell the part and have to end up reducing the price to get rid of it. My $.02 (Which, if they do away with pennies like is being proposed, won't be worth anything!)