Parts Classified Comments

[Funracer]

I’ve only been here three years. Many of you have been here 10 years or more and can offer historical perspective.

I love the Pelican classifieds and buy from it regularly. Never been burned and had all good transactions with sellers thus far.

Comments:

First, if you are selling used parts, please check the price of unused, brand new, never installed parts first before posting a price. Sellers will claim the part was installed for “only one year” or “only 100 miles”. That means it is used. Please don’t expect to recoup your entire cost after something has been installed, torqued down, heated up, or had fuel, oil or electricity run through it. Even for 10 minutes or 10 miles. After that its used and should be priced that way. Worst examples I have seen recently are wheels and suspension parts used for a short time and priced equal to or above new parts.

Second, what exactly is the protocol for who gets the chance to complete the purchase after the item is posted in the Classifieds? Seen three instances recently where parts were sold to someone that did not ever appear in the sellers thread. Has the tradition here been to sell to whoever answers the post first (assuming they pay asking price), then second and third etc? This seems transparent and fair. Or whoever PMs first which has no transparency?

Lastly, why should the buyer pay the 3% PP fee if not using F&F? We both benefit from PP Business protections and the instant transfer of dollars from my account to yours. No one wants to go back to putting checks in the mail. Once the money is sent the buyer is taking the risk that the part is as described and will be packaged and shipped properly and timely. If you don’t feel you can absorb 3% then at least offer to split the fee with the buyer.

Thoughts?

[reclino]

I think all your comments are valid
However, attempting to regulate or codify the used parts market is going to end in disappointment, frustration, or both. Some people here refuse to follow the simple rule of list a price, and refuse to when reminded that this is a rule. I have also missed out on some items here, and wondered who the heck responded faster...
In my view the seller has the part, and can decide who they want to sell to, and for how much, and for what reason, maybe a local buyer wasn't first to respond, but did offer to swing by and pick the item up, making the sale easier for the seller.
Buying and selling stuff can be stressful, I keep coming back here to reduce my level of stress, not add to it. Sometimes I score some really useful parts here at a good price.

[targa72e]

I for one do not post in the for sale thread that I have sent a PM. I only PM the seller. Knowing that someone has replied in the thread with PM has been used to scam people.

Details of scam:
3.2L Twin plugged heads w/cam towers

I also figure seller can sell to whoever they prefer, I go with first to respond and pay.

john

[7783911]

Valid comments, i personally embed the PP cost in the price and only the shipping is variable. I also tend to research through the classified to determine what is a fair price though with some rare parts that is not easy..

[stownsen914]

It's not worth arguing about who posts first gets it. Some respond via PM or email. I see opinions all over the place about this. I'm not sure there's a problem to solve, and agree with reclino that it's not worth trying to police a large community about it. If a local buyer approaches a seller, not even from the forum, with an offer to purchase, the seller should require them to post in the Pelican thread?

As for parts prices, while I generally agree with the OPs comments, it's really on the buyer to determine what something is worth to them.

[High Life]

Many of us have replied both in an ad and in a PM. PM are often full - so its a trap shoot (or crap shoot) when trying that route.

I have been "burnt" a couple of times as I always respond to the ad so others can see who responded first - its transparent - then there are no issues with PMs. That seems to be a common custom on other car forums - but not so much here.

I can guarantee you, there are many on this board that see an ad for a part they want and see someone respond ahead of them on the thread - so they will PM and offer higher than asking price to snatch it away. (I have pms to confirm this practice). Unfortunately the thread respondent never gets a chance to re-"bid" because the seller snatches up the deal without any respect to the normal custom of classified ads selling. So as mentioned above - you'd have to police the ethics (and it would be too difficult).

Prices higher than market? most likely because of the high net value of the owners (and the number of them). If they want it bad enough - they can afford to go above market value. This is also the reason why prices for ***** is sometimes disengaged from reality.. Sellers understand who is on this forum and some sellers get their over market price..

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by High Life

Prices higher than market? most likely because of the high net value of the owners (and the number of them). If they want it bad enough - they can afford to go above market value. This is also the reason why prices for ***** is sometimes disengaged from reality.. Sellers understand who is on this forum and some sellers get their over market price..

Agree with this. The OP may not understand market value. If it is priced and purchased at a given number, that helps establish market value.

[Funracer]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Agree with this. The OP may not understand market value. If it is priced and purchased at a given number, that helps establish market value.

Of course I understand market value. There is always the person who does not check prices elsewhere. He sees a price here, is ok with it, and buys it without concern. Exactly what the seller is hoping for. I have seen some buyers inform a seller that his item can be purchased elsewhere for less and post a link to prove it. Sometimes the seller lowers the price to match, sometimes he doesn’t.

Price is the least of issues here though. If you don’t like the listed price you can make an offer.

[Showdown]

Classifieds are the Wild West- no rules, no guarantees… it’s mayhem and chaos and sometimes that’s frustrating and other times it’s amazing and rewarding. I’ve bought things way under value and sold things for less that I could have… oh well.

The only thing that bugs me is listings without prices AND when prices are deleted after the sale which deprives the community from the ability to fairly price the next like item.