04.10.2003

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

- Page 2

When you're selling in person, try to make your space enticing and inviting to passers by. Keep it clean and tidy – and that includes your language and T-shirt! Smile, try to look like you actually want to talk to people; make them feel comfortable and welcome to look around. Organize your parts in some sort of logical manner, too, maybe putting all your old Mustang parts in one corner, while your F-150 collection is relegated to another. Or perhaps split up the parts by type (manifolds here, gears there), year (pre- '70 vs. post-'70), or application (race vs. street). It also pays to have a complete inventory list on hand to help you keep track of what you've sold and how much you've taken in, as well as provide potential purchasers a quick and easy way to find out if you're selling what they're buying.

Don't overlook the opportunity to barter your parts, either, especially if you're only selling to trade up or build another project. That spare set of original Mustang front fenders you've got on display may go a long way toward securing those new wheels you've been coveting ever since the guy across the way set up this morning. If he's a vintage Mustang buff, you may have a mutually satisfying deal in the works without either of you having to spend a penny.

Shipping is not really an issue for in-person sales, as buyers are usually expected to cart off their trophies on their own. But online parts sales are another matter altogether. Typically, the buyer pays for shipping costs above and beyond the sale price of the parts, but it may be up to you as the seller to actually arrange the shipping. The part may be shipped via an overnight delivery service like FedEx or UPS, or it may make more sense to ship via a trucking company for large or heavy items like body panels or assembled engines. There's actually a Freight Resource Center on eBay that makes it easy to calculate costs and arrange shipping from either end of an online transaction.

You're usually going to get paid at swap meets or flea markets by cash or check, but may be obliged to fork over state or local sales tax as a condition of your booth rental agreement. Internet-based sellers usually are not obliged to collect sales tax for the state, however, since their items often are destined for interstate delivery. Online sales typically are paid by check, money order or through secure payment services such as PayPal, the current eBay payment method of choice.

Selling unwanted – but still valuable – car parts can be a very rewarding experience, both practically and monetarily. It can open up space in a crowded garage (maybe even getting your wife to ease up on the "It' s too cluttered in here" complaints), help you get the parts you really need to finish a project car, or simply add to the bottom line of your bank account.

Online Auction Tips
For Sellers:
• Check for similar parts being sold online before posting your own. It may pay off to wait if the market is currently saturated.
• Don't set a reserve price. This can scare off some bidders and usually costs you a reserve fee.
• Be patient. Don't panic if bidding appears slow at first. Most auctions do not heat up until the last day, hours, or even minutes before expiring.
• If available, review buyers' feedback ratings.
• Always include a clear, in-focus photo of the actual part being sold.
• Be as honest and accurate as possible in your descriptions. Include the buyer-paid shipping cost in the description.

For Buyers:
• Buyer beware! Always check the seller's feedback rating for negative comments.
• Do your homework. Know exactly what part you need before bidding.
• Never buy a part without first seeing a photo of it.
• E-mail the seller with questions about the parts for sale.
• Make sure you receive what you pay for. If there's any discrepancy, contact the seller immediately and return the item if you don't get satisfaction.
• Don't be afraid to post negative feedback about a seller if you are not satisfied.
• Pay through secure payment programs with a "Satisfaction Guaranteed" option.
• Complain directly to the online auction service if you're ever ripped off.




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