seems to be a common theme here. "egay" .. can't understand why people would not like a worldwide source for vintage car stuff. guess I'm in the minority when I say I like it. so lets hear it, why do you hate ebay?
I love eBay. If you know what you are looking for and know when your getting a good deal GREAT! Maybe the ones that dislike don't know how to use it.
eBay is a great tool for buying and selling old car parts. Some people just don't want to pay the going price for shit and love to gripe about how eBay has driven up prices. It may have driven up some prices, but it also made a ton of stuff availible that wasn't availible before. The scams seem to turn people off to eBay, but really, once you know the warning signs, you're not going to get scammed on eBay. I've been using eBay for years and I've yet to fall for a scam.
Drives the price of the hobby up,i suppose its good if your into selling,but i get sick of the old timer junk guys that ive bought stuff from for a long time now tell me well i can get this much off ebay,and i say well i need it and have no intentions of selling it so give me the deal you used to give me before you got a computer.Its hurting my lo buck buildups and driving the price of the hobby up.It also makes it easier for entry level guys to obtain parts,that took years of driving and connections to find before.i acquired enough cars and parts prior to ebay to not get hurt by the prices there getting,mabe ill start selling on there and retire.
I dont mind ebay. I got ripped off once and it was just on a pair of headlights for $60 so it wasnt too bad. Ive bought lots of stuff off of ebay and had very few problems with it. Like said before you just need to know what you are willing to pay for a good deal and if it isnt for you stay away.
You mean ePay don't you? Its a love hate relationship in my book. I love the ability to swapmeet from my desk, or at home. Sure its driven up the prices, but at least it has brought a lot of parts to market that otherwise would still be gathering dust or rust somewhere. Its like the masterbation statement. "Everyone does it. If they say they don't they're lying."
'Everyone does it'...even Fiddy?...eww I find it amusing that some here bash ebay for driving prices up for the buyers, but don't seem to have a problem selling there... If it weren't for "The Largest Swapmeet" on the planet, I doubt if a lot of rods would get built in a timely fashion.
thats why i have hairy keyboards... er palms, no, i really mean keyboards...really seriously tho, ebay does suck for a few reasons, but its also more of as described above... for some parts, both NOS and repop stuff its the only place you CAN find those hard to get pieces that can make or break your car. sure, its driven prices up on a lot of items, but its also driven them DOWN in many cases. i have talked to guys who collect 50's restraunt memorabilia, and have watched a rare as hell 54 whutzitsbrand solar powered chunkastuff with the lighted thingymabob get listed on ebay, and go for INSANE fuckin money... then decide they should list one of the two chunkastuffs they have in the rafters, only to have another 12 of them listed within minutes and all 13 go for pennies on the dollar. its a crap shoot, but it IS the nature of the beast if you want parts and dont want to spend years searching for that cherry lookin chunkastuff to hang on your own wall.
I probably buy 80 percent of the items for our cars on ebay, and mostly new stuff. and i always spend more time on there than on here..................I have found dozens of items i never would have found before on ebay. in oklahoma we dont have the kool stuff you guys back east have laying around as you were more heafily populated than we were and industrialized . the indians here didnt need a tri power for a flathead.. hehe............
heres why i love ebay. i had the blue 32 ford that sold on ebay last night that everyone was making fun of. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-OLD-HOT-ROD-DEUCE-FORD-COUPE-BARN-FIND-1932-FORD-COUPE-HOT-STREET-RAT-ROD-DEUCE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6057QQihZ001QQitemZ110049822175QQrdZ1 i went to charlotte gg's for 3 days, had beautiful weather on thursday, sat in the rain on friday, and got blown away on saturday. all for the price of 600.00 with gas, hotel, swap spots ect. for the cost of 600.00 i got made fun of over the car and had to listen to insulting offers all weekend. now i came home on sunday, listed the car on ebay, and 6 days later, and for 84.00 i sold my car for what i wanted and didnt have to listen to people complain. that's why i love ebay!
I think a lot of the bashing comes from the ease at which anybody can get stuff. No more do you have to hunt, make connections, or even build something yourself, it's all right there just waiting to be bought by whoever wants it the worst. Before, to have a nice ride, it took skill and patience, now it just takes a credit card or checking account. Nik
I was going to pose this question as well. I love ebay. I bought both of my parts trucks off ebay. I just make sure they are local, make sure I can pay cash after the auction ends, and I haven't had a problem yet. I sometimes just watch auctions that end without a bid and start negotiations after the item doesn't sell. Not kosher with ebay, but it works out well for me. CHAZ
I like. I mess around with oddball shit like 322 Buicks. You aren't going to find a Weiand 2x4 intake at the local swap meet for a 322. I really don't see how it "drives prices up" either. For several years I've watched specific items on there: finned Buick drums, 322-to-Chevy 4spd trans adapters, BUICK Gran Sport finned aluminum valve covers, 409 finned aluminum Edelbrock valve covers, and many, many more things. The BUICK valve covers ALWAYS go for about the same $$, and they're on there frequently. When I've seen them at swap meets, the swap meet price is higher. The 322-to-Chevy trans adapter ALWAYS goes for about the same price. And I don't ever see those at a swap meet. I've talked to a couple different people about the 409 Edelbrock valve covers, and got the same answer each time: "Those things are rare! You'd be lucky to get a set for $600-$800." The first pair I saw on Ebay closed for a little over $300. The pair I bought on ebay two years later came to my door for $335, shipped (And they're PERFECT). Max Wedge cross ram intake--Mopar Nats price and Ebay price were about the same; $1600. And that's a price I've seen on those for a very, very long time. I really think it's sour grapes for those who bitch about it. It's the whole "Something for nothing" syndrome. I know what I can afford (and those 409 valve covers were at the very limit of it!), and bid accordingly. If someone else can afford more than I can, I don't get it. That's life. In a free market economy, the market will ALWAYS decide what the value of an item is. If I can afford it (or find an example that's under-priced), I'm good. If I can't afford it, I can't afford it! Same thing with houses, cars, boats, furniture and everything else in the world. Brad
What Do You Want Girlfriend Vs Hooker Shes At Home Waiting For You -(hooker Goes Away After$) Beer/booze In A Bar Vs Home Atmostphere And Friends Vs Being Alone Food At Resturant Vs Home Edible And Clean Vs ? Food And Doing Dishes Ebay Vs Swaps /scrounging No Need For Clothes Vs Time ,labor ,gas Lying Sobs Just Buck Up And Pay Wht You Can Or Don't Play Someone Always Will Have More Money - Time -need Than You Ain't America Great Where Else Can We Complain So Much About A Good Thing ... Paperdog
I'm about 3/4 to the roadworthy point in my coupe's build and have no ebay parts on it. I do however, have many swap meet parts and I'm VERY happy to say that I have several parts from fellow HAMBers thanks to the FOR SALE board. I have about one hard year in the building of the car so far. I think it's safe to say that I could have without e-bay. But I could not have done it without swapmeets and the HAMB. I don't go there anymore because it far too time consuming trying to find specific things. Sure going to a swap meet is time consuming, but the atmosphere is there and that part of the fun. Vance
Ebay kinda snuck up on us. It got so big so fast and we could now find anything we wanted at our fingertips. It made swap meets , antique shops and telephone networking obsolete ways of finding things. It turned out to be the perfect format for this new thing called the internet. It then tried to be ALL things to ALL people. Wholesalers were invited, Retailers were allowed to set up storefronts. Certain sellers were given priveleges, and the scammers found it as well. In a way I feel sorry for them now cause they cant control the monster they created . There is no way to catch or punish scammers. Its definitely buyer beware. Thats why we bash on em' They upset our way of buying and selling. Now you have to bid against a whole country- not just a room full of other bidders like in an auction. Really great deals are hard to find, and everyone thinks their shit is worth big money. Its that old " With the roses come the thorns" deal and we dont like that part...
I don,t think Ebay sets any prices for the items being sold on its site so I,m gonna say its the people buying that set the prices! Ebay is just a medium that gets the buyer and seller together.Ebay sure makes it easier to find those hard to get parts that we keep looking for year after year at the swap meets. I buy and I sell.....I keep the big stuff for selling at the swap meets since shipping costs are a killer and I,ll add that shipping stuff to the U.S. can be a pain. Not because of costs but because of delay. I haven,t sold anything lately because of one of my last buyers repeated threats and complaints after only 8 days when I told him 2-3 weeks minimum shipping time. Sorry I,m ranting now....
Ain't America Great Where Else Can We Complain So Much About A Good Thing ... Paperdog[/QUOTE] Rustedinpiece, Brad54, Paperdog, I think you must be excellent carpenters, for in my opinion you really "hit the nail on the head" so to say. Monday I start prepping my 47 Ford coupe to go to eBay, I've tried, seems like forever to sell or trade it on several forums, you judge....other than surface rust (not much of that in my opinion) it has 2 silver dollar size rust through holes on trunk floor, and a area approximately 6" X 2" where the paint is bubbled on the deck lid, I have found no other rust on the body. Not being a body man, I find just 2 very very small dents on the entire body, no other dents, kinks, or ripples that I can find, and it has the correct and clear title. It will be on eBay as soon as I get it in flatt black, red wheels, the lights, and some of the trim back on it. Just my 25 cents worth, and that won't even make a local call anymore.................Fred
YOUR RIGHT BUT A MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE AND MISS THE HUNT FOR PARTS AT SWAP MEETS BUT I LIVE ON THE EAST COAST A 4 HOURS OR LESS RIDE TO CARLISE, HERSEY, THE TY-RODS,AND SOME OTHER GREAT MEETS BEFORE E-BAY
EgMutha&*?!#$%?!!sactly !!! Sick of sitting all day listening to cry babies at swaps. Plus paying for the privilage to do so. eBay is fine if you just use it properly like everything else. And as far as prices being driven up why not blame the Shifters Car Club or Hot Rod Deluxe for bringin' the style back to the mainstream in the 90s (Don't even get me started about the Jesse James and TV influences). That is when I started to notice the difference because before that no one wanted out dated 97s and primer 49-54 chevys were lowriders. I used to hate when people would say ... "nice car, when you gonna finish it?" Now its .. "thats the same kinda car Jesse James' has" no matter what I seem to be driving. Alright I'll stop my O/T rant.
If you want it, it will pop up on Ebay sooner or later. It's worth what you will pay for it, if you are the top bidder. Just like at Barrett Jackson, every once in a while somebody gets a real bargain. The key is to pay attention and be that lucky one that bids and wins. Last week I bought a set of NOS 1940 ford tailights, lens and stainless, for $10.00. Should I have passed them up because someone here calls them Egay? I don't think so.
In my opinion, and I've been using it since '99 or '00, eBay rules! My '64 Ford Tudor ,daily driver F-150 and my Lincoln Mk VII were all bought on eBay and turned out to be exactly as represented. In fact, I rented a ride, drove straight from here to Okie City and drove the Lincoln home. Maybe I'm just lucky, or it's the communication with buyers/sellers I put into my deals, but I haven't been burnt on a single transaction...yet On the selling side, I've made out just as well. I Recently grabbed an Edelbrock XC-8 crossram manifold for a SBC from a friend's scrap pile that had a couple of small cracks and needed Heli-coiled. Figured somebody would buy it cheap for garage art... I listed it for a $49.99 starting price, described it honestly, the winner paid almost $300 and is happy as a clam. Jan
Sure, in the case of some items E-bay may have driven the prices up but it is all a case of supply and demand anyway. I have purchased a number of components for my 1969 Top Fuel dragster resto on the web and I have also purchased some from guys like Brendan Murry in San Jose. In both cases I sometimes feel that I have to pay more than I would like but is that not the way with anything?. Conversely my options are to fly to the West Coast on a regular basis and go to swap meets there. Even at the swap meets a lot of vendors have very inflated ideas of what their stuff is really worth. The cost of one round trip would probably cover the difference in what I have paid and what I thought the parts should have brought and who knows how many trips it would have taken to find all the parts. I have also acquired some parts via networking with like minded people as happens here and that is a good deal too. All in all the E-bay deal is probably a wash financially for me and it has definitely helped me get some of the stuff that I need for the car. Roo Man
I love ebay, but you gotta have a good understanding of how it works and be prepared to work with it the way it is...cause you sure aint' gonna change it.
That's funny. I was going to use the analogy of the slutty girl that everyone laughed about and made fun of in high school during school hours, but then went skulking around her house at night to see if she was around, looking over their shoulder to see if any of their friends happened to be driving by. I know that InDaShop has put a hit out on me in an attempt to knock out some of his Ebay competition, but luckily, he can't afford to hire assasins that can shoot straight. Nothing is more annoying than losing out on something on Ebay that you really want, but that happens at swap meets too; it's just that, many times, you don't know that you just missed something because the guy that bought it is already in the next row over. I just won a Weiand 3x2 intake for my nailhead project that I've been unsuccessful in obtaining at any of the many swap meets I've gone to over the past three years. Speaking of swap meets, I'm lucky in that I live within driving distance of several large and good swaps. I'm glad that Ebay came along to help out the unfortunates that live in other parts of the country that have very few, or no, good swap meets for them to pick up parts at.
Well it's been years since I've seen any real buys at swap meets, I've gotten tired of looking at the same old overpriced crap at them that we see year after year in this area. Much prefer ebay you just have to pay attention, not get carried away and like at a swap meet if you think it's too much walk away. Personally, I think Barret Jackson has done more to drive up prices than ebay ever did. Can't count the number of times I've heard "that'll bring alot of money on Barret Jackson" Yeah, after someone spends "alot of money" on it.
hmmmm... where's all the haters? I've been on ebay every day since April 2003. started selling using a laptop on dial up... bought a real computer and got DSL and paid for the thing the first month I had it. I am quickly approaching 2000 items shipped out. prolly bought about 125 items. I'd say the only bad thing about ebay is it sucked the life out of antique shows. used to be a bunch of good ones around, now there are just a few. as for swap meets... you got to get there early for the bargains... just like before ebay took over. I would say rather than raising the prices, it has educated sellers as to what the market will bring for an item. you just got to seek out the sellers who are not ebay savy. I like to think I buy at swap meets from those who do not have ebay, and sell on ebay to those who do not have swap meets.
i've used it since '97, scored alot of stuff cheap early on, sold some stuff too. the reasons i don't like what it has done is becuase those swapmeet sellers that say "i could sell it on ebay for....." never will or they wouldn't be there, i just say that "i have cash now and we're not on ebay". also you can look at something at the swaps, ebay you have to rely on others honesty (which is rare now days), comon sense (which is also rare now days) about packaging and not to overcharge on shipping. also to me helping out someone that could use it (like here on the hamb) is worth more to me then getting top dollar. but all that aside i will still use it and i will still call it epay.
The Jalopy Journal
