Comment on Parts Flippers' love fest

[Drdogface]

I guess Wayne has a rule to not post anything negative in the 'Positive Feedback Thread' which he started...so I will just post this on the Parts Forum.

All this love fest over parts flippers is amazing to me. You guys can all flame me if you want but that's just what most of these guys are...flippers. They pounce on parts on this forum (and some others), clean 'em up a bit, mark up the price and peddle them to you for much more money. But, hey...it's your money. It's legal..sure..but if they weren't here you could buy these parts from the original seller for much less. I've seen it happen too many times.

Flame away...

[rvanderpyl]

Suggestion:

Pounce on the parts when they come up yourself.

Knowing what you want, and how much it is worth so you don't engage a seller in a round of ?"will it fit xyz", "I don't know if I want to pay that much" while some one else just says, I'll take it would make it so much easier for you to get those great deals.

[skruggs]

Drdogface....I hope you got a chance to read my reply earlier. I think you're somewhat out of line. I've been hosed on eBay before...getting stuff that was clearly misrepresented or poorly packaged and damaged when it arrived. I've purchased 4 used items on Pelican so far....and I have to admit, I've been impressed.

I've checked out my prices thoroughly before I decided to buy good used parts from the Pelican board. If someone can make a bit of scratch and still be cheap enough to save me money...hell.....more power to them!

[skruggs]

rvanderpyl.....dude, Priddis, eh? I'm like 5 miles from you in Sundance!

Small world!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I agree with rvanderpyl, if you want the parts first, pounce on them first. But what you fail to understand is that flipping parts is much more than buying one thing really cheap and making a killing on it the next day.

1. If you are getting a great deal, you are almost certainly getting something worth the "great deal." Most cheap parts are just that, cheap used up parts. "Internet pictures are a parts best friend."

2. See 1. A cleaning? or do you mean having to put an entire new latch mechanism in targa top to make the "great deal" sellable.

but really, why so bitter at a time we should be thankful that we have a place like Pelican to buy/sell parts, get great tech advice, and learn anything you want in OT.

[CarreraCab]

Guys,
I think Mark is just tired of all the New Pelicans that only appear on the used parts for sale, and nothing else. I have noticed quite an increase of new folks whose only contributions are to buy and sell items, only for them to re-appear at a higher price. I have been fortunate buying items from the used parts section, from straight shooters. but there appears to be a change going on with the appearance of "flippers"
Hope we don't have to change the name to "Sea World" with all the new flippers that are appearing here!.......Doug

[Drdogface]

Skruggs,
Yes, I did read your previous post. I just had to move this one cuz I read Wayne's sticky on the subject.

I would say you can surely 'disagree' with me but to say I'm "out of line" implies that I've offended someone. I just stated an opinion..but then again I did say 'flame away' and I guess you just wanted to.

Ebay, sure that is caveat emptor all the way....you take your chances no matter what you buy. I've been screwed by ebay and by flippers. For my money I'll stand with reputable parts sellers, new or used, who stand behind their product and their deal...which not all of these guys do.

Like I said...just my take on the subject. I just got sick to death of this Jason love fest going on....so I won't read it anymore.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Gotta love capitalism, don't ya?


Like Shaun mentions, I'm just glad this place exists. I've already gotten a few parts from fellow Pelican members, and I greatly appreciate it. I saved some money buying some good used parts.

I also have a car I'm parting out. I hope I can sell off some stuff, for one, to make some money back on it, and two, to help some other enthusiasts out if I can.

[skruggs]

Drdogface.....maybe "you're out of line" was a bit over the top....but I know that Jason Cullen has been taking it in the chops lately, and I personally don't think that's fair. From what I've witnessed, most people are very happy with his dealings, and I am too with what I bought from him recently.

Anyway....I don't mean to make a federal case out of all this....I was also just expressing my opinion.

Cheers.....and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Drdogface]

Matt/Shaun,

Read my lips..or better yet reread my original post. I am NOT bitter and I never commented on anything but these parts flippers, whom, BTW, you will seldom if ever see posting/contributing on any other Pelican forum. Don't attribute to me things I didn't say or even imply.

I am very thankful for this BBS, read it, and learn something every day.

[pwd72s]

My personal bottom line? When I'm looking for something, I check here before searching ebay. I post a WTB here before bidding on something on ebay. Maybe I'm lucky...haven't been burned yet. Maybe I've paid a bit more than I should...but like I said, haven't been burned yet.

[Jeff Alton]

hmmmmmm, I pounce on stuff that I need. A couple of times I ended up not needing the parts and sold them for a net loss. I also sell all my parts at what some consider foolishly low prices.

Here is a comparison. Pelican Parts, and all parts companies for that matter, are parts flippers too. They buy parts and then mark them up and sell them to you and me............

I do business with both types if they have what I need at a reasonable price that I am willing to pay.

Cheers

[FenderGuy]

catca I need parts

[Joe Bob]

Caveat Emptor....

[widebody911]

Originally posted by mikez
Caveat Emptor....

Amen.

I just took a gander thru there - there isn't an 'eek' icon big enough for some of the prices I saw!. I saw a couple parts that would be cheaper to buy new than used thru the classifieds.

[dhoward]

Originally posted by widebody911
Amen.

I just took a gander thru there - there isn't an 'eek' icon big enough for some of the prices I saw!. I saw a couple parts that would be cheaper to buy new than used thru the classifieds.

Dude, they're rare parts for porshes...sheesh!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good points all around. On one hand I see nothing wrong with a person who's first in line reaping the benefits of so being. On the other, I think past a certain point it gets unfair to other members. The right thing here is that it's okay to be an OCCASIONAL reseller - not someone who's either making their livelihood off it or running a second business by doing it.

So the big question is, "what's occasional?"

Certain dollar value of parts and/or cars per month? Certain number of parts? Both? Something else? If someone violates the policy, what stops them from simply re-registering under a different name? What stops them from saying "okay fine, I'll only resell 'X' worth of parts here", then continue to snap 'em up and dump 'em on ebay or elsewhere?

Yes it's capitalism and it's okay to a point - however undermining the resource of good networks of used parts for inexpensive prices is one of the perks of being here and to jeopardize that puts the whole existance of this board in jeopardy. If not for the resource of information and parts, why have the board?

Just like "flippers" have ruined the housing market, too many of them will ruin Pelican. It's also money out of Wayne's pocket and I think he's shown amazing restraint in letting it go on unchecked as-is. As such, I'd say you guys doing it (you know who you are) - don't push your luck. Cut the crap. Do it once in a while, make a few bucks here and there, and let others get their shots too.

[Shuie]

I come here to support a habit. A LOT of times that involves selling parts that I previously couldnt live without. Sometimes I get a really good deal on something and make 10% when I sell it, but most of the time I lose 50% of what I paid for it. I dont deal with or respond to anyone that seems a little unstable, anyone who is real needy or real dramatic, anyone that has pissed me off, or anyone who wasted my time in the past. Not the smartest business model, but I dont do this for a living.

I doubt very seriously that there are many people here who are making money by flipping parts. If they do, then good for them, I dont give a ****, Im too busy trying to find stuff I cant live without. Who do you guys think is making money by flipping parts here? How much do you honestly think they are making?

[jester911]

Here is your solution. You post a WTB ad for the things you want. Many times you will get multiple offerings to sell you the item, with many prices. Some of those may be flippers but if the price and item are what you want you come out ahead.

I did it last week for a part I needed. I posted a need and within a few days I had 5 or 6 different offers.

Guys were actually underbidding each other to sell it. Got it for great price that included shipping.

Give it a try.

[juanbenae]

doc, hope this reply finds you well. how is that beautiful yellow sc of yours? still have that offer for a poster size print of a photo of your choice. just email me a pic with mailing address thru pelican and i will have it headed your way.

happy holiday doc and thanks again for the disk of pictures from thunder hill.