Is this really worth this much?

[kelseydum]

I'm new to this and am building my first rat rod. I found this on ebay, and if this is really worth this much I really regret parting mine out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/32-3...3172335QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[donsrods]

He's dreaming IMO. If it is something like a '32 heavy axle it could be, but not from what I see in the picture.

Don

 

[Ike]

I'd say NO

He's just fishing around to see if he gets a bite. Like PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute"

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

Run - Don't Walk

Amen brother. Ebay used to be a low cost and safe way to locate hard to find parts, especially if you lived outside a major city. But in the last few years Ebay has become a home for hucksters and conmen. If its not the deceptive item descriptions, the inflated reserve or self-bidding, its the unholy shipping and handling charges.
I realize sometimes you just have to use the system, but IMHO I would steer clear of Ebay as much as possible.

 

[Willowbilly3]

I make a good part of my income selling parts on ebay and I don't have many negative experiences. I deal with good people and they appreciate finding solid metal. I hate reserves and think they are stupid.
You will find what you set out to find and there are things about ebay that I don't like too but I don't dwell on those. The worse thing I find are the misinformed fools that say stuff like "those are bringing $$$ on ebay" Yeah? well why aren't you selling it there? Or If I ask "Are you on ebay too?" then the back pedaling starts, "well my kid knows a guy who sold one for $$$
This guy is overpriced and won't ship. If it was a fair deal you wouldn't even know about it because some one would have pulled thge trigger already. Come to my house and I will sell the whole running gear, frame tranny rear end and steering box for $350
To answer your question, no. Nobody wants the manual brakes, the drums are worth $150 tops, if they are good, spindles $50 or so, axle $50, wishbone $150. Now that's after you spend the time to take it apart and inspect the parts.

 

[Old Gold]

Geez, you can get a whole dropped axle set-up from Speedway for under $500.00. Must be cause it a "traditional" axle.

 

[Thunder1]

Amen brother. Ebay used to be a low cost and safe way to locate hard to find parts, especially if you lived outside a major city. But in the last few years Ebay has become a home for hucksters and conmen. If its not the deceptive item descriptions, the inflated reserve or self-bidding, its the unholy shipping and handling charges.
I realize sometimes you just have to use the system, but IMHO I would steer clear of Ebay as much as possible.

I'm with ya on that GCG!!! E-bay is by no means the way to get what you need for your ride. I've got ripped off several times and I swore I'd NEVER use E-bay again! I hate having to compete with somebody else over things I want too. I've lost some great parts to some on this forum as a matter of fact. I don't hold it against anybody but its just a pain in the butt to lose something you really wanted over a few measly bucks. E-bay SUCKS!!!!! IMO!!!!

 

[bob w]

I've got many items on eBay, from whole car bodies to small parts. I've been lucky because everyone I've dealt with is like Willowbilly.
My bidding approach is; I bid what I'm willing to pay for an item, including shipping costs, about 1 or 2 minutes before the bidding closes. Then I shut my computer off. If I get it, fine, if I don't that's ok; I wouldn't have paid as much as it went for anyway.
Some sellers I shy away from. For instance if they tell you to look at the pictures and don't offer any description, or if they are more interested in the terms of the sale than telling you what they are selling.
I think the bigger problem is stupid bidders paying way too much for junk, because they are new to the hobby. Let's face it, with thousands of viewers, don't expect to snag too many underpriced bargains on eBay.

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

Let me restate - I have used Ebay for many years and most likely will continue to use it - but with extreme caution and my eyes open wide.
If you live in an area where old car parts either don't exist or don't last long (Gulf Coast Rust!) then Ebay may be necessary. But the bargins are far and few between and IMHO there are far more sellers looking to make a quick profit by any means than there are honest sellers like Willowbilly.

 

[Willowbilly3]

bob, GCG, You guys are both right. As mentioned, it isn't too difficult to see what auctions to stay away from. Bad or too few photos, skimpy description with 18 paragraphs of policy? No way am I buying that part. No definate shipping estimate? forget it and those always look like bargains because most people realize that and don't bid. And add to that the fact that we see things the way we want to see them and plus they almost always look better in the pictures, well, if your getting ripped off more than once it's because you are allowing it. If you want bargains, they are few and far between on ebay but the stuff is there if you need it. If in doubt about a seller, look at his feedback. Look and see what other stuff he has been selling and get a feel for the guy (gal) There's a lot more to it than just seeing something you want and pulling the trigger.
And I use a snipe service for anything I am serious about bidding on.

 

[kelseydum]

I'm not saying I've ever been ripped off on ebay and actually have had mostly good experiences on there, but you gotta know what to look for. I browse just for fun sometimes and come across stuff like this and always end up kicking myself because some of this stuff actually sells.

 

[Willowbilly3]

I have around 50 items on my watchlist most of the time, maybe 15 a day ending. I buy very few of them but it helps me keep my finger on the pulse of the market.
I went for a couple weeks trying to buy a bottom pulley for my 260. Every single time the next bid higher than my last bid ended up winning, now that's annoying but I don't blame ebay. I just figure in the greater scope of things there is a cheap one waiting for me somewhere, kind of like karma.

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

One Last Comment and Then I will Shut Up.

My last comment on the subject:

Back in the early days of Ebay, it was more like the World's largest garage sale and there were bargains to be found. Example- I owned a '59 Edsel back then, and there were not very many folks looking for Edsel parts so I found the right part at a fair price.

Today a good deal of the folks buying parts on Ebay are doing so just to turn around and sell the part again on Ebay or in their "brick & mortar" shop. They have no personal need for the part except to make a profit. So today I am bidding against not only every Edsel owner but everyone who has a wants to make a fast buck selling stuff on Ebay. Often the seller has no prior knowledge of the item or its history and usually does not even know its application!

Don't get me wrong, capitalism is what makes the World go around, so if you can make a living off Ebay - more power to ya brother. But I do miss the days when it was based more on just getting rid of parts you no longer needed and locating hard to find parts you did.

 

[harleyboy]

GCG, you don't have to shut up. We all respect your opinion and that is what this board is about. I love ebay. If you really research the sellers and know what you're buying I think it's pretty safe. I've bought a 57 Tbird, 2002 F250 diesel Lariat and an 80 Corvette off there and have got good deals on all of them. I sent $19,000 to Texas for the F250 and didn't have a title or anything when I sent the $. My wife about had a heart attack and just about gave me one fussing at me. It worked out great. The truck retailed at $28,000 and wholesaled about 23,000. WB3 gave the best advise about using Sniper. I always bid thru sniper. They can't be beat for bidding at the last second. You will still lose some, but because you bid to low. I always figure the most I'll pay and put it on sniper. When you bid thru ebay somebody will chase your bid until they know what your max is. Thru sniper they don't even know you're in the game. My wife uses some **** on her hair that she use to pay $17. for in the beauty shop and now I buy it off ebay for $7.50 shipped. Before ebay my buying area was limited pretty much locally but I have the whole world in front of me now. My golf pro use to pay me $250. for every Spaulding Cash-In putter that I could find, of course I only found 2 with my limited search area, but now I can buy one anytime for $25. off ebay. So can he. Ebay is also great for keeping up on what stuff is selling for. HB

 

[ratty 46]

Actually the phrase "A suckers born every minute" wasn't really said by PT Barnum at all.......the phrase was coined by a banker, in 1891, named David Hannum. Although he was associated with Barnum it was HE that said it.

But that's not the real subject here anyway is it?? No.

The price for the item is subject to the need of the buyer. Supply & demand.

I just sold a 1946 ford complete front & rear suspensions + a running 59 A/B engine, 3 speed trans & drive tube for $500.00 to a fellow Rat Rod Rules member.

Now that was a deal.....

Ratty46

 

[donsrods]

And I'm ready to pick it all up whenever you are Paul.

Dan gave me his RPU body so I know the direction your parts are going to go.....how do you like this idea? I'm shooting for Turkey Run.

Don

 

[Gastrick]

Well there are not any swap meets in my area and old car parts are very hard to come by around here, at least in my experience. Ebay is often my only feasible source for parts.

And Don, you are out of contol

 

[donsrods]

I'm a very, very sick man. Caught this "gotta buy every old car I can" disease from Tripper. He's a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad influence.

Gastrick, you are right about Ebay and the lack of swap meets down here. I see that on some forums (cough.......hamb) people are always bashing Ebay, but any of us who play around with these old cars can tell you we would never be able to find some of the obsolete and strange parts we use if it were not for Ebay. I have found such out of date parts as starter switchover bellhousings and oil filter block off plates for a 394 Olds. How long would you have to search through swap meets to find that kind of stuff??

The downside is that Ebay prices are pretty high usually. You are competing with people from all over who want the very same part you do, and the bidding fever kicks in. I have gotten away from Ebay a little because of the high fees they are now charging, but I still occasionally buy and sell some stuff.

Like anything else, if you want to play you have to pay.

Don

 

[Old Gold]

I've found a bunch of N.O.S. Packard stuff on Ebay for a 1/4 of the price of that Kanter sells it for.

 

[GulfCoastGasser]

I've found a bunch of N.O.S. Packard stuff on Ebay for a 1/4 of the price of that Kanter sells it for.

You get lucky from time to time!

(I have found it best to tell my wife what I won the part for and NOT include the shipping cost - which can be more than the cost of the part!)