More "Winner's Curse" Ebay Prices!

[MikeA]

Does anyone think this is just an ebay thing or have you guys seen prices like this at swap meets, etc.? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I think the prices at Carlisle swap meet were about 1/2 what I've been seeing stuff go for on EBAY. Carlisle actually was better this year compared to the prior two years, not sure if vendors started coming back to sell or more stuff is being rooted out and the supply has increased a little. Either way, there was a good supply of parts, and they were reasonably priced - no more EBAY for me [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[juliosz]

I hope your correct (more vendors coming back to swap meets). My biggest fear especially after last years GM nats swap meet is that the good vendors are starting to stay home because of Ebay. I have had luck on a few items on Ebay, example: walnut wheel for my 68 Z, no cracks, no repairs, real nice for around $280.00. I think Ebay is like a lot of other things, you have to do your homework, be patient and set a limit. When somebody pays a ridiculous price for an item I chalk it up to either an uninformed "newbie" who has more money than brains or there really was never a true bid placed for that amount. One last example of the Ebay follies and I'll quit: I looked during a three month span for a set of new, stock .030 over TRW pistons for my 302 and the same boob kept buying every set that came available no matter how much it cost him. There must have been at least a dozen sets available during that time and he bought all of them (some sets more than $900.00). My point is that prices on Ebay are cyclical. If the folks who have these parts see there's someone out there who's willing to pay brain damage for a set of pistons that you can have custom made for less than $800.00 you'll se a lot more activity on that type of part (at inflated prices) for a while. FYI - after the piston guy fulfilled his 11.0:1 fetish, prices fell back to around $400.00 - $500.00 range. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif[/img]

[Salvatore]

Hey Julio, I need (1)30 over TRW 302 piston 1969. About a year or so ago GM had (7) 11:1 pistons for sale. I bought them from Bergeys Chevy in hopes I could find one for sale. Can you help? Thanks, Sam [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[juliosz]

Sam,
I bought my set from Al Maynard here in the Detroit area. Al has about any hard to find part you can think of and is reasonable. He may just have a single .030 over. I know he bought up a bunch of 302 pistons from Smokey's estate sale. I actually bought a set of NOS .020 over from him. I'll E-mail his phone number to you.

Paul Gallo

68 Z/28

[55chevy]

Speaking of Carlisle. Does anyone know if there are any annual Carlisle-type swap meets held anywhere near the Tulsa, Ok area? When I lived in PA I was a regular at Carlisle every year since 1987. My last attendance was in 1999 and early 2000 I moved to Oklahoma. Since being here I haven't been able to make it back for the Carlisle show even once, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to. If I could find something like that around here I could fill that void. When you get used to attending something like Carlisle you start to miss it. Ebay is without feeling. You may be able to find a lot of parts on Ebay but it doesn't compare to being there and rumaging through a pile and seeing all the different vendors selections. Except when it's cold and rainy. Anyone who's ever sloped through the mud at 8am on a cold/rainy day at Carlisle knows what I mean. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

Ed

[whitetop]

Marlin
I think the economy has a lot to do with the price being lower and the quantity of parts being higher at Carlisle this past year. When the economy picks back up the parts will go up and start to disappear once again.
I read a interesting report on Ebay and it said when times are tough people put stuff for sale on ebay for spending money and when times are good their buying. Ebay is always in a win/win situation.
I still like the small 30-40 vendor swaps the best because you have non - professionals just cleaning out their garages for spare spending loot.
Ford NOS prices have been dropping because Dennis Carpenter bought all the old Ford tooling and is releasing parts that have not been made in years such as the 64 1/2 mustang hood. A year ago you could not find one of those hoods now there is 1-2 used ones on ebay every week.
Maybe the same thing will happen with GM NOS.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Whitetop;
I understand the logic, but how do we explain the crazy prices for stuff on EBAY? If the economy is causing lower prices for swap meet stuff, why is it not causing lower prices on EBAY? I was hoping that when the economy comes back the EBAY prices would come down!

[Jeff H]

It's people who are desperate to get a specific part and when they finally see it on Ebay, they can't hold back. The guy who won the motor mounts has Camaros and Camaro parts for sale all the time on the various sites. If he thought they were worth that much, it must be because he couldn't find a set or needs them right now for a restoration. I watched a burgundy center console for a 91 SS454 Chevy pickup go for $165. My high bid was $125. It was a console that was basically new, the guy took it the first day he had the truck. I've slowly been looking and finally found another one for $55.

[whitetop]

Marlin
[ QUOTE ]
I understand the logic, but how do we explain the crazy prices for stuff on EBAY?

[/ QUOTE ]

To quote Dickens, "These are the best of times and these are the worst of times"... Some people are doing well in this economy and some are really hurting.

As a seller on ebay most of the prices are down at this time but you do see the occasional $3500 LS-6 distributor.