Do you guys think different times of the year are best for selling parts in the computer like here in the HAMB and other places? I have always felt living in the Midwest, winters were best because we spend more time in the house because of the cold. Seems alot of guys are too busy in the warm months to look for stuff, what do you think?
I haven't noticed a difference but I guess that is because nothing I sell ever sells locally. I would think that fall is a good time to get the guys that were going to build in the winter but you find a lot of fellas like me that always have a project of some sort going.
When I first saw your post, I thought "I'll buy the hard drive" Here in AZ, internet is 24-7, swaps are September thru May. We shut down for the heat.
I buy and search for parts, constantly..my desire is not a fair weathered event. I've sold, and have bought parts all throughout the year. If you have something that is desireable (and reasonably priced), it will sell.
I too search almost everyday. If I find something unique, or something I need, I buy it. You never know what will sell on any given day. I go to swap meets, but the internet is always accessible. I probably buy 50 items on-line for every one I buy at a swap meet now. The market has changed and it is the internet.
YEAR ROUND for internet sales, it is winter in Australia, and I'm more than happy to ship overseas, just feel bad that it adds so much to the cost of a Downunder build. Bob
hot rod parts are tough to find a local buyer unless youre in southern Cali. Web will get you a better audience, but you gotta deal with the BS of online sales and shipping. If its good stuff I dont think the time of year matters.
I usually start looking to gather parts for the winter in late summer or fall. I look all year long though, just in case something really cool shows up.
My engines sell year round but much slower in Summer and when I used to Ebay small parts Summer was slow then as well.
I have been selling auto parts since the mid 70's and always did best during the summer months because of the swap meets back then. Since the Internet I sell almost everything online and have found winter gets more hits and also Jan. thru March are strong because of income tax returns. With this economy it seems only the hard to find stuff is bringing any money and the last 5 years so many scammers and shipping and listing fees are screwing up the Internet market. I can also say personally that I have been getting screwed the last few years with dis-honest people where that never was an issue in the past. I am not going to bore you with how epay and screwpal has soured Internet sales.
Desireable stuff always does well - you just have to know your stuff. All summer guys go to the swaps to find stuff to put on eBay. I just price it the same for the swaps. Not paying shipping or tax is your "deal". The stuff I know will bring good money on eBay goes on there year round. The stuff that I know will be slow or not bring enough to be worth the trouble, goes in the swap meet crates and stays there until it sells or I s**** it. I think overall it's a wash, there's no packing and shipping and instant cash in hand at the swaps, but you have to load and unload and all that. Edit: I should add, I still do get a kick out of watching the rubes dig through the crates of carburators looking for that $20 Stromberg 97. Those always go right to eBay, bring their $100-$125 and are gone in a week - it's not even worth trying to sell them locally because no one will pay that for them.
I don't even go to swap meets or speed shops anymore, the internet gets you exactly what you want right to your door. Actually, I buy almost everything off the internet. I'd buy my groceries off the internet if I could.
winter is better ,Nothing is moving right now ,Rare odd stuff is though ,But has to be desirable.....
First or middle of the month and on Thursday's or Fridays....when people get paid. Tax time is good too.
Oct 1 to Thanksgiving is hands down the best time to sell on Ebay. April - June is next best. I find the best deals for my own projects in January and July.
Any time but don't plan to sell on the first listing, price it right leave it on till it sales,(unless it's a cheap part) ya gotta remember we are not searching all the time, most of the time a friend will see it and p*** it on
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