Yes, you can still get good deals on parts at ebay. I just picked up a differential pumpkin (3.23 peg leg) for my 1963 Pontiac last week, but it just chaps my hide when idiots bid on parts like the stupid things are gold plated.

As for the cup holders, you have to pay extra for the patina, I guess.

 

Like someone else said, it's the new people that usually go crazy with the bid now button. I became an ebay user a few years ago but never really did anything with it till the past year. I live far enough away from everything that, more often then not, deals I find on ebay are impossible to find with in a 3 hour drive so shipping is no big deal for me (with in reason, of course).

The biggest draw is those random purchases that I would never find anywhere near me. I am currently bidding on 4 obsolete motorola vhf radios that haven't been made in awhile but match the 3 I have right now. I can't even imagine where I would look for them in my area.

The bottom line is: you can usually get what you want for the amount you want. It's all about patience and research.

 

Agreed, except it's a 24-30 hour drive from here, not 3.

 

I buy most of automobile parts on Ebay...do your home work and buy using "buy it now ' price, I have saved an average of 35-40% on every item...

 

I have seen that happen quite frequently. People bid the stuff up higher than the price in the store. I got a new cup holder like that, cause mine kept pulling out of the dash every time you opened it. It was around $48 over the counter, and in stock, at my local Ford dealer.

 

I sell on eBay too, and I've noticed that when something goes for a high price, the buyer is either "out in the sticks" or some other reason that makes it attractive to them. High local sales tax makes shipping costs a wash. The convenience of "shipped to my door" is a big thing for some people - gas ain't cheap

Who knows? It's just possible a Ford dealer told the bidders that the part/color was no longer available - while it IS available if you really push the guy. I've found that certain parts depts will not get a part because it has to be a certain color - they already went through it with other people getting the wrong color and having to return a special order item (or let it sit on a shelf) because they got it wrong is costly.

I recently sold a pair of stock V10 exhaust manifolds (replaced with headers) with only 27K miles on them, for $400, even though I set it up for Best Offer and would have easily taken $200 for them.

The buyer was in a remote location, no junkyards around I suspect, and for $17 I shipped them to his door, all 31 lbs. Were the manifolds rare? Maybe - Were they expensive from Ford? Outrageous, at over $1000 (list) for just one side, which means even on the on-line parts depts, that one side was $800.

 

You just gave me an idea of what to do with my old V10 logs after I get my set of Thorleys on.

I guess I'll sand blast them and put on some header paint. That may up the price a little.

There are things on e-bay you just can't find just anywhere.


The bidder is what runs the price up. However some sellers have very high starting prices and jack up s&h. You have to be an educated consumer and know what your buying.

Someone recently hacked into my Ebay account and it was a PITA to get things straightened out. Change your password often.

 

I can't belive somebody out bid my $100 ($102.50 + $9.25 shipping). Oh well I guess I'll have to burn a gallon and go to the local auto recycler and pay 20 or 30 busks.

 

Did you actually bid on that auction?

And did you actually want the part?

 

NO but I might give $111.75 for the name and phone # of the person who did.
I've got some swamp land in Azizona I bought a few years ago and would really make him a deal

 

I had them in my "store" on eBay for about 3-4 months before someone bought them. It was not an auction