Price check threads

[SpawnyWhippet]

To all those guys who objected to my thread asking for info and pricing information, please refer to this abstract in the Posting Rules for Classified ads on this site:

"If you are unsure of the value of your part, please post an inquiry in General Info BEFORE posting your ad here"

I had my un-priced ads taken down by the moderators and was asked to follow and abide by those rules. So I posted in General Info as per the rules. Then a number of people complain about that kind of thread. As I didn't even know what many of the parts were, it was kind of difficult to identify and value the parts myself, hence I asked the people who would know. I was hoping for advice and help rather than complaints. If you don't want to read those threads, just don't click on them.

A part is only junk if you don't need it, the guy who bought my ugly old antenna really needed it to complete a 356 restoration.

[beh911]

I think folks were objecting to the fact that most of the stuff was very low value and there didn't appear to be an attempt on the seller's part to research what they had.

IMO, the thread felt kinda lazy.

The "what's my stuff worth" phenomenon is taking over the hobby is probably another way to describe the frustration.

[SpawnyWhippet]

'Low value' is relative, both in monetary terms and usefulness. In the last 3 days I have given away or sold $1,400 worth of that 'low value' stuff and I have a lot left. It has gone to help people fix cars that otherwise could remain incomplete. Even in today's high dollar Porsche and parts world, there is still a need for old cheaper parts.

The money raised is going directly towards buying the parts I need to get my car finished. All involved come out on top.

As for lazy - I spent 3 full days inventorying, photographing and trying to identify about 150 parts, around 25% of which I wanted to sell and didn't know what they were or didn't know how much they are worth. Sure, maybe I could have spent another week or 2 on Google Images trying to picture match one oily part with another one, or I could have asked the group of experts that I am a paid member of who could probably identify the parts and reply in 10 secs flat (and seem to enjoy doing so too). When my limited knowledge is of help to someone, I offer it freely.

I don't understand why people need to chip in if they don't like a thread. - just ignore it. Plenty of other people may find them useful. I don't complain when there is a 38 page long thread on SWB seatbelts or what kind of finish a bumperette rubber nut should have, even though it has no relevance to me at all.

[37yrold911]

that confused me too

[76911S]

Well, sorry,
However considering most of your parts pictured had at least some sort of description, you know enough about what they are to accurately research the value. If you don't know what they are, then list them for $20 to start, and state your not sure what they are. If you are off base someone will probably chime in and let you know. If it's way to low, most people will let you know it is worth more and offer more. This is a very friendly and helpful community, I for one have paid more than the listed price for items. If not then oh well, better to sell for cheap then throw away.

Or you can list them on the trade page with items that you still need.

I believe that if someone has a basic understanding of these cars, you can guess fairly well what something is, if it smell like old gas, it's probably for the fuel system etc, look at exploded parts pictures for something that looks familiar.

Yes, this all takes time, that is why it is called a hobby, it is not much of a profitable endeavor.

Just my 2 cents

Mark..

[blucille]

Or we rally for a sub-forum called "what's it worth?"

[Richardnew]

This isn't the only forum that's getting "price check" posts. It's happening a lot these days.

It's as off no one wants to do their homework.

Put a price on the part and if no one buys it you're priced it too high. How hard is that?

Richard Newton

[Frank Beck]

One word: Discretion.

It's one thing to post a part or two, especially when it's odd (an old VW/356 fuel pump would be considered odd in this forum). Your list was ridiculous. (A tach lense? Really? Why stop there; how about asking the value of a pop rivet as well?)

Spawn, you and I have already traded PM's on this but I'll publicly state my default answer in cases like this: What if everyone did what you did? One has to be brutally honest enough to ask the question "Why am I surveying opinions under General Info in regard to pricing a bunch of mundane parts?" I believe the top three answers are:

I'm lazy.
I'm greedy.
I'm hoping to solicit offers without actually advertising them in the parts section with a listed price.

Like it or not optics are important. When members see a list like yours we immediately go to one of these three possibilities. Again, if you would have had a couple of items, no big deal. Unfortunately you went too far. Why are you kicking against the goads? Acquiesce to status quo or post your parts lists over on Pelican where they would be more acceptable.

Now I'll get on my soapbox...

We as a culture have become so greedy that we just can't stand the thought of leaving money on the table. Back when I used to sell at the Pamona Swap Meet 6-7 times a year I would guess at prices based on what I had in the part, not what I believed top dollar was. (A very wise person once told me "You'll never go hungry making a profit".) This is a very important point as we are now in this crazy mindset that we have to extract every possible dollar out of a thing. The definition of "a good deal" is when the seller and buyer both make money.

Bottom line: I believe greed is the real problem here. And to be honest, I am not exempt from this struggle too.

[johns4949]

Well stated Frank

[stretch]

And while we are at it, why do people come on here and just put up blind links to there stuff on Ebay. Now that pisses me off big time . Rant over