04.10.2003

Parts of Gold
A few little tricks for buying and selling used parts.
By Ian Tocher

Used to be, if you wanted to get rid of a few used performance or specialty parts, you placed an ad in the local paper, sold them to like-minded friends or spent a day or two manning a booth at a local swap meet or flea market. These all continue as viable options, but selling online has become a very popular way to turn old car parts into new-found wealth, too. Regardless of the sales outlet you choose, though, there are several tried-and-true methods that'll help make the parts-selling experience go as smoothly and profitably as possible.

First, make sure you know what you have and how much it's worth. You don't want to be the guy who sells that ultra-rare 428 Cobra Jet intake manifold for 50 bucks, or on the other hand, be wondering why no one's interested in your sweet, sweet deal on a stock Mustang shifter unit. This is where the internet can prove invaluable, allowing you to compare prices for similar parts on sites like eBay.com, parts123.com, or mrjunkyard.com. If you're selling locally, it may also help to shop and compare at nearby swap meets, since that can give you an even better idea of what your parts are worth in your immediate area. Also, on items like heads or engine blocks, if you're in any doubt at all as to their origins, check and compare the parts' casting numbers with an official source, again just to make sure you price them accordingly.

Regarding pricing, a good rule of thumb is to ask no more than about 50 to 70 percent of what the part would cost new, depending largely on condition and rarity. But always give yourself a little bargaining room, too – let's say at least 10 to 15 percent – so both you and the buyer can leave the deal happy after a little friendly negotiating. And there will be negotiating. Be prepared for it by having your asking price and willing-to-part-with-it price firmly established in your mind ahead of time. A truly good negotiator can talk you too far down before you even realize what's happened.

Regardless of whether you're selling in person or online, always put some effort into making your parts more appealing to buyers. Make sure they're clean and clearly labeled with what they are, what year and model of car or engine they fit and how much they cost. No matter how big or small an item is, put a price tag or sticker on it because not only does it eliminate those endless, "How much are these?" questions; it proves you're not just coming up with a price off the top of your head when asked.

Your best sales tool for online auction listings is a good, sharp photo of a clean-looking part, but even if you think the part's application is obvious, include a full, detailed description of it, with emphasis given to alternate fittings. You don't want anyone to click through who may be looking for exactly what you're selling, but don't realize it because the part didn't originate from the car they're building. You don't have to rewrite the manual, just make it easy for buyers to picture your part on their car. But be honest in your description. Nothing is going to sour the whole experience faster for both buyer and seller than for a part to arrive in worse condition than advertised.



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