SWAP MEET TRICKS!!

[The_Monster]

All of us go to swap meets, more than likely. And a good deal of us have booths, or stalls that they sell from.

I think it would be cool, and educational to share your swap meet tricks with all the HAMBers so that we all have an upper hand, whether we are the seller or the buyer.

Heres a trick I use when about to buy something from a seller.

I know how much theyre asking for it, say its a part at the meet for $40. I see it and walk away, just far enough to re-arrange my wallet. I only want to pay $30 lets say, so the rest goes in my pocket. I'll get talkin and laughin with the guy, then ask how much, he says $40, I open up my wallet and count it... its only $30, I offer him 'everything in my wallet', he takes it almost everytime.

Now, if its something I want real bad and I'm willing to pay full price in case he wont budge,(lets say the $40 part again) I may tell my brother or a friend before what I want to do. I'll give them the $10 to put in their pocket. When the seller wont budge with the 'everything in my wallet', I'll ask to 'borrow' $10 from my friend.

These paticular tricks may be old hat. They are to me cause I've been doing it for so many years now. But I'm sure you have some tricks, methods, schemes, angles or ways you like to go about selling or buying at the meets. Lets share! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Unkl Ian]

If I see a car part I want,I always ask "What does that fit?" If they don't know what it is,the price will be lower.Never tip your hand and ask "Is that for a '27 Chevy ?" Chances are they will say Yes,even if they have no idea.

[abomber30]

I always try to insult people on there prices offer at least half of what there asking it works at least 80% of the time. others act all insulted but at the end of the day they are usually selling me the part a lil money is better than no money going home to the ol lady they say. hahahaha also always try to make a package deal if you find a bunch of good stuff they gotta give you a break. and don't be that swap meeter waiting for the stuff to come out of the box dig through that sumbitch. later swap meet dirtball drew

[Bugman]

I always whack at least 1/3 off the price with my "I'll give ya...for it"

[hotrodladycrusr]

Take a girl with you. If you spot something you want give her money and give her room (you need to disappear) to "sweet talk" the guy down. I can laugh, joke, giggle, bat my eyes, make small talk (guys dig car small talk with a female, it breaks up their day). I've "helped" out many a buddy doing this. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Bruce Lancaster]

Agreed--my wife becomes a terrifying monster at the swaps. Her combination of female guile and actually knowing a bit about '32 parts seems to unhinge people. Sometimes i feel a twinge of guilt as we walk away with the goodies...
Often, if she sees me flinch and walk away from something after inquiring for price, she will sneak back and return with the part, a new friend, and a good story.

[The_Monster]

[ QUOTE ]
Take a girl with you. If you spot something you want give her money and give her room (you need to disappear) to "sweet talk" the guy down. I can laugh, joke, giggle, bat my eyes, make small talk (guys dig small car talk with a female, it breaks up their day). I've "helped" out many a buddy doing this.

[/ QUOTE ]

thats a very good idea! that is.. if she knows cars, like yourself, I'm sure.

But I took my gf a few years back. Never will take a 'non-car' girl again.

We were walking one of the isles outside and she said to me, kinda loud too, " Is that a 350 hard block?" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I almost swallowed my gum! I told her it was sweet to try and impress me, but if she didnt for sure know what she was talking about, either dont say anything or just whisper to me.

Its been a joke with my friends ever since. I tell em Im going out to tune my hard block, lol!!

Ok, back to the tricks and tips sharing! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hotrodladycrusr]

Bruce, sound like me and your wife would make a good tag team at a swap meet. I always end up knowing what the swapper drives, whats in it, where he lives, his name, the name of his kids, how many grandkids he has, etc, etc, etc, and when I call him by name the next time I see him somewhere, he's just thrilled. Yep, usually made another friend for life. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Monster, that's FUNNY! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Paul]

I offer what I'm willing to pay.

I ask what I think it's worth.

I don't sell to people I think are trying to use "tricks, methods, schemes or angles"

life's too short for that crap.

Paul

[k9racer]

When I set up at swap meets I set my prices low to sell with a small amount of room to be talked down. But I always think of what a local merchant (Saul Silverstine) once told me. 10% of nothing is nothing!!The exception is if some one pi%%es me off I tell them its not for sale any more.

[Scott B]

Danny mentioned that he got all his good deals on Friday - at the last swap. Set up day, before the public shows up. I heard three other guys saying the same thing.

For the cost of going to a swap, getting a space seems pretty smart. Admission is covered, there is a place to leave the heavy stuff - you could even sell things.

Beat the crowds, get a booth.

[just steve]

If I'm selling something cheap, and the guy offers even less, I'll offer to arm wrestle him for the difference -- as long as it's left-handed.

Did that with a Really Big Guy once, and as we headed for the tailgate to armwrestle, he says, "You left-handed? Good, me too." It was a kinda "oh shit" moment for me.

But I made him work hard for that buck -- took him at least 2 minutes to pin me!

Steve.

[modernbeat]

You guys are BAD! BAD!

I can’t ever buy anything because I’m usually there AFTER Brian Bass.

SO, I’ve resorted to selling. My selling tips are:

Never put anything directly on the ground. Never, never never. Put it on a table, put it on a trailer bed, or put it on a packing blanket on the ground, but never directly on the dirt and rocks. Also, don’t put out anything in a box. Put it on top or in front of its box.

Don’t put up an easy-up unless you are selling paper goods. Deal with the sun. Buy a hat.

Next, small, single parts should be clean. Not reconditioned, or painted or polished, but just clean. Some guys (like me) want that distressed condition to match their other distressed parts and others value used original finish over restored.

Assemblies like carbs and manifolds with linkage, or a rear axle, are sold with NO cleanup. That lets the buyer know it worked at one time, and that they can do with it whatever they want. Buyer beware, it also hides any missing or broken parts.

Whenever possible, break assemblies down to components and sell them separately for more money. If someone wants to buy all the parts, then offer a discount.

Label it as specifically as you can. “Removed from ’70 Ford T-Bird, fits all Ford 460 engines” if a great label. You’d be surprised at how many guys NEED something, but can’t identify it without the cue cards. Or how many don’t realize that parts can interchange from one model to another. Do a little research at home and you’ll have more buyers (and hopefully one that will pay your higher price) at the swaps. Plus, if it’s special, put WHY it’s special.

Shop the other dealers before you set up. I don’t think I’ve ever lost a “retail” sell because I wasn’t in my booth at the crack of dawn. I usually don’t buy and sell the item at the same meet unless the meet is HUGE. It usually gets saved for a later swap.

Be able to load or move big stuff. Or deliver it within reason. If a potential buyer came to the swap in his hotrod instead of his truck, he won’t be making a good offer on your two 409s.

Any time I replace components because they are the wrong size, or don’t look right, or whatever, as long as they aren’t junk, I’ll sell them. Someone is looking for it. Your old carb jets? Your old LH lug nuts? The appliance wheels and white letter tires that came on the ’55 Truck? Someone else needs it BAD and you can sell it.

Although I often believe there is a foot for every shoe, don’t bring broken, out of spec, or worn out parts. You don’t want them and nobody else does either. The only way you’ll be able to sell them is to trick someone into paying for them, and that’s bad karma. Plus, it’s a small world.

I do have one buying tip:

When buying assemblies, like motors, axles, carbs, etc….look to see if there are parts removed, and if those are the parts that a NEW assembly doesn’t come with, chances are you will be buying a core. On the other hand, if the engine has all the brackets and accessories, it was a take out. If the transmission comes with the shifter, yoke and clutch parts, then it was a take out, but if all those parts are missing, look out, it was probably bad and was replaced.

[modernbeat]

I haven't sold much Ford stuff in the last couple years, but I'm AMAZED at how much I can sell old Ford fastners for. I never throw away any brackets, bolts, bent and beatup Model A stuff, nuts, washers, u-bolt etc... They will all get cleaned and spread out at a swap.

And on the buy-to-resell tip. Buy assemblies, break them down to components and then sell the components. Or, keep the piece you need and pass on the rest. I bought a complete rolling '46 Ford frame just to get the two shock brackets off the rear. The rest of it went to two different hotrod projects (my pals).

[The_Monster]

I've been going to the portland april swap meet for 20 years straight, never missed one. out of those, I've had a booth for 15 years, off and on.

We started out outside in the "swamp". You had to have a table or milk crates to keep your stuff off the ground, there was a solid 1-2 inches of water, deeper in other spots! Had to wear rubber boots... and they actually sold stalls there! It was stalls for the rookies. You started in the swamp, and slowly moved to the pavement and then inside over the years progressively.

Making rain ponchos out of black glad bags, eating a soggy french bread P/J sandwich, raining so hard that your stuff gets moved around on the table from the rain. wearing laminated sandwich board ads and looking over mountains of rusty wet parts where the prices have run so much from the rain you have to ask.

And did i mention absolutely loving every damn bit of it?!

The personal tricks I have learned over the years if you have your own booth. Wear comfy walking shoes that dont leak. Wear layers. Bring a lunch and plenty of drinking water. Bring some headache medicine. Make sure you have a brother or friend with you so you can take turns walking the meet, so you wont be stuck at your booth all weekend. ride the shuttle bus and listen to all the old timers talkin, and bull shit with people and have a blast! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ModernBeat, the last tip of your first post was cool. never thought of it that way about brackets and accesories being on the motor or missing. Although he might of pieced it apart to sell the brackets and stuff seperate, but its a good tip http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[DrJ]

When I was a swapmeet "beginner" I bought a pair of Ford spindles that looked alright, although they were a bit grimy with caked on dirt. The price was right so I bought them.
I got them home and started working at the caked on dirt and to my surprise it came off fairly easily.
The reason is, under the caked on dirt was some fairly fresh axle grease smeared on over the Magnafluxer mark circling the cracks in both of the spindles!
I got ripped off!
I looked for the asshole at the next few Long Beach swapmeets because I was going to remove his thumbs but I never saw him again.
I wrote it off the "the price of learning and beat the shit out of the spindles with my 8 pound persuader so they couldn't possibly be used and hurt someone and tossed them.

Look under the dirt before you buy!

[mytlo56]

Man, you guys are tough. I just ask straight up "what will you take for it?" If the price is reasonable I bight. If not I say thank you and walk away.

If something is set at a price I believe is reasonable I won't even try to christian the seller down. I'll just buy it.

I guess for some folks it's a game. For me swap meets are an opportunity to find rare things I can't find elsewhere. If I can get them cheap it's cool. If I can get them reasonable, that's cool too.

I've got a pretty wife though so I might try that route next go-around

[John B]

[/ QUOTE ]We were walking one of the isles outside and she said to me, kinda loud too, " Is that a 350 hard block?" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif


[/ QUOTE ]



Should we feel bad for you? Seeing that your girl friend equates hard with small.

[The_Monster]

DrJ... theres NOTHING cool about selling straight up shit at the swapmeet. I hate that and have never done that because I know how much it sucks to be taken.

I was at an outside booth one year. Across the isle was a dude that was selling crap, and a table piled with used carbs.

The guy was the trashiest white trash at best, didnt belong at a meet.

On sunday when everyone was packin up, I over heard one of the idoits say, "well I guess we didnt sell this piece of shit again!"

As I turned around to see what he was talking about, I caught him in mid-motion as he raised the carb above his head and with a baseball pitch to the ground, slammed it into the asphalt.

My stomach sank, just knowing that he was selling complete shit carbs from the beginning and he knew it.

Man that pissed me off.

And Mytlo56, I understand your reasons for not chewing down the price of an item. However, thats almost 50% of the fun for most meeters, buyers and sellers alike. The both look forward to it.

Its not to put anyone down or degrade the parts or person. Its a chance for a seller to get to talkin to a buyer about BS and have a few laughs, and then you joke about the price and get to talkin and tradin and swapin.

End the end you decide on a price or deal and both are happy, or you walk away without the part, but had some good conversation.

Sellers love to go back and forth on the price, its part of the fun. At least I do, and while Im a buyer not at my booth, I've found over the years that more than most are just like me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Kilroy]

Here in CA, you are almost definately getting screwed if you pay the asking price. Prices are so inflated here, you have to fight for the "right" price on everything. The funny thing is that regardless if everyone knows the prices are nuts, very few people are willing to budge.

Knowing that, any "tricks" you can employ are very helpful. Almost all of the sellers/buyers here are "tricking" you in some way, so you better step up and play the game if you intend to buy at swaps.

I have purchased very few things at swaps because of this. I figure if they're willing to pay the price for the swap spot, they're there to get top dollar for there parts. I have much better luck in the classifieds.

Last swap I was at (the LA Roadster swap, it was by far the best swap in SoCal for traditional Hot rods), I passed some regulars coming out on my way in. They were commenting that "there's just no deals here anymore. This used to be the best swap but these people are nuts." That's the sad fact. And they aren't just nuts in a small way either.

Case in point. I passed by a guys spot and noticed he had some model A dropped axles for sale. He had two. They were both really rough. The king-pin holes looked out of round, one axle was clearly bent and the other looked like it was uneven from side to side. I walked away and thought "well these might be saved and I bet I can get them cheap." So on my return trip out the door I stopped by, (it was just about closing time) I asked him how much he wanted for the dropped axles? He said $300!!!! I said "but they're bent!" He said, "Hey those are rare, they're Dago's." The axles weren't identifiable in any way as Dago axles. I just stood there and stared at him...

Keep posting your "tricks!" We NEED them!

[sawzall]

[ QUOTE ]
Take a girl with you. If you spot something you want give her money and give her room (you need to disappear) to "sweet talk" the guy down. I can laugh, joke, giggle, bat my eyes, make small talk (guys dig car small talk with a female, it breaks up their day). I've "helped" out many a buddy doing this. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

sounds like DENISE is comin with me to the next swap!

sawzall

[The_Monster]

Hey I heard the swap meets did kinda suck like that in CA.

I had a booth outside a few years ago and my nieghbors booth next to me wasnt selling anything. he had parked a little trailer there. It was a cool ass bunch of mexican dudes that came up from cali.

The had their lunches in the trailer, and stopped off to the trailer to drop off finds they had scored.

i thought that was pretty smart of them. Rent a space, dont sell anything, use it as a point to load your stuff, relax have lunch.

Our prices are reasonable and its the biggest sawp meet on the west side of the nation. Those guys bought a ton of shit! Packed that trailer!

The Portland swap meet will be moving to the fair grounds up in washington tho, so all my past years of being familure with it there will all go to shit.

Its suppose to be even bigger with awesome parking, but I almost feel home sick every time I think of it moving to anywhere other than where I grew up at the swap meet.

[sawzall]

Oh and my trick.. and that of most of the other so what gang.. get there before clark..

[leadsled]

Bring a bucket of bolts, sell the bolts for two bucks a piece and get a beer with the purchase of each bolt. tim

[DrJ]

Keep your ones in one pocket, fives in another, and so on.
And remember where they are!
That way you can pull the "This is all I have" routine without pulling out a roll of twenties wrapped around the five and three ones you just said was all you had for the ten dollar part...

[hotrodladycrusr]

[ QUOTE ]

sounds like DENISE is comin with me to the next swap!

sawzall

[/ QUOTE ]

If we lived in the same state I would feel honored to be able to hang with you guys at a swap meet and of course, help out with purchases http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[The_Monster]

[ QUOTE ]
Keep your ones in one pocket, fives in another, and so on.
And remember where they are!
That way you can pull the "This is all I have" routine without pulling out a roll of twenties wrapped around the five and three ones you just said was all you had for the ten dollar part...

[/ QUOTE ]

There you go! See, at least one HAMBer thinks like me at the meets, hahaha!

Thats why I do the wallet routine. So that when he asks $40, and I say $30 and he says ok... that I wont open my wallet and show 6 $20's and some tens and so on. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

However, this method only works best at the end of the day. As if you've reached the end of your money. I mean really, who would come to the swap meet, only bring $30 and buy something in the morning that blew all his money for the whole day?!

No money left over to by a swap meet burger?? not realistic, he wont buy it!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[38Chevy454]

Some good ideas here, mostly logical.

To really get the good deals, I like to wait until the end of the day when people are near packing up. They are tired and chances are if they have realistic prices have already made a decent wad of cash. So they do not want to pack up that stuff to take it home, they already have enough cash, so yours is just gravy to them. Just offer a lowball price and joke about them not wanting to take it back home. More often than not I get the part cheap. Both seller and buyer (me) are happy. This assumes the part is not especially rare or real desireable, as the real good stuff will sell early and for a fair price.

Best advice I have is to know what something is really worth, and if you really want/need it, be prepared to pay the fair price. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The prices get lower as the day gets longer.

[Bumpstick]

I bring alot $1 dollar bills it's amazing what you can get for a buck.
I'm bulding on a budget so last week I rounded up all the change I could find (the pennies even the bank wont take) and I mean all, the drawer that you put junk in, under the seat in my truck, etc. And I took it all to the Coinstar Machine (The Ghetto ATM) at Food-4-less. I walked away with 75.00. The next day I picked up a model A rear spring w/reversed eyes-20.00 split wishbones w/threaded bungs -20.00 late 40's Cadillac valve cover to match the one I already have-10.00 f-150 steering colum tube w/drop-3.00 at pomona no less! What I'm trying to say is it's all legal tender. Want to save dough on parking? Bring a bike and park in the neigborhood. I love the swaps even when I don't find anything.-stick

[jdubbya]

I love to go to swap-meets. When I am buying I will use the traditional tricks on the seller. If the price isn't marked and the seller wants you to make an offer, or tell him what its worth, I make it a point to insult him. I figure if you shoot him a rediculous price, he will more than likely lower his initial price in his head. If it is a part that I would be willing to spend $100.00 on, I will start the offer at $20.00. It may make the seller mad, but if you explain that you want to know what he has in mind dollar wise, he will understand your standpoint... I guess that is why I get parts so cheap, or I am refered to as the "asshole" by vendors. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Fat Hack]

Ha Ha...I've learned and experienced alot in my time...as both a seller and a buyer!

Selling Tips:

1. Make your table/swap space neat and attractive. You don't want some oaf stepping on your hood to get to the box of carbs behind it! Arrange your table with some of your best ey-catching "goodies" right out there as the focal point. Don't just pile a bunch of stuff up on the table and have people dig through it, make it orderly and presentable. People will linger around a nicely set-up swap space longer and many will avoid one that looks like it was set up using a dump truck!

2. Have some old car magazines in plain view and within easy reach of passers by. You'd be surprised at how many folks will stop and flip through them. It often leads to idle conversation and I've had it produce sales...even if it was just for the magazine!

3. Have a girl working with you! My ex wife was good for that! She was outgoing and guys like talking to and dealing with attractive chicks! She was also tough as nails on price, but most guys will pay more for a part if it's from a gal! I took the same parts to two meets...one with her, and one without. Made more and sold for higher where she was involved! (The drawback being that if it's your wife, you ain't gonna get that money for your car project!)

4. Attitude. Don't race up to hover over every lurker...let them look around and see what ya got. Keep a friendly, casual attitude and answer any questions they may have...but let them ask before you start your sales pitch!

5. Bring change (small bills) with you. You don't want to have someone ask if you can break a big bill and then have to send him walking to ask for change. Be able to break a $100 before the meet opens!

Buying tips:

1. Know what you are looking at. If you need to ask what something fits, that's fine...but don't tell them what you have in the process! You'd be surprised at how many parts will fit your car according to some unscrupulous "expert" vendors! I once asked a guy what bolt pattern his Cragar wheels were. He asked what kind of car I had...so I figured I'd have some fun with him. I said "An old Ford", to which he replied "Oh! Yeah, those came off my brother's Torino...they're for a Ford.". I came back with, "But mine has a Chevy axle in it..." and he jumped in with "No! Wait...I think they came off my old Chevelle!". I was enjoying the game, so I added "...but I had the axles re-drilled for the Ford pattern!". At this point, he knew he'd been played, and I got the wheels (Ford pattern!) for $10!! Fun for me...but he looked like a dope!

2. Take small bills with you. Keep your money organized and placed in different pockets. Lots of vendors aren't smart enough to bring change, and it's easier to dicker over price when you have exact change...vs offering a guy $4 for a part that he had up for $10 and then handing him a $20! Easier and better to have four singles handy!

3. Bring a wagon to haul parts back to your vehicle, but don't be in a rush to get them there. Many times I've sold a part for quite a profit when somebody spotted it in my wagon...if it's something I don't need right away, but that I got a good buy on, I'll off it for more money to spend on more stuff!

4. Don't panic when a bee flies up in your face and jump around swatting at it...or you may end up buying that 68 Dart grille you stomped in the process...ask me how I know!!!

(No, I never owned a 68 Dart...but I bought a nicely folded grille for one many years ago!)

[four-thirteen]

When buying, make frequent trips to your car to drop off your parts. If a vendor sees you've got some expensive or hard to find part in your hands he wont come down on price as easily. On the other hand, carrying around some cheap part identifies you as someone there to buy stuff, not just poke around and waste their time.

I can play the stupid kid routine because I'm pretty young. I can low ball people pretty bad 'cause I'm a kid who doesn't know any better, and they believe it.

When a good deal on an important part comes along, don't waste time dickering on price or playing games. bust out your wallet and buy that sumbitch, and get the hell out of there before the guy realises what he did. And you are guilt free because you paid the asking price. Learned that one after I bought what was easily a $300 part for $7, when the asking price was $10. I should have given the guy a $20 and told him to keep the change.

Don't ever buy a part that someone else is dealing on. Should be self explanitory, but you'd be surpirised.

Get there early. I missed out on plenty of good deals becasue I was 2 minutes to late. Dave

[Anderson]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't ever buy a part that someone else is dealing on. Should be self explanitory, but you'd be surpirised.


[/ QUOTE ]

Also pay attention to other people dealing. They get the seller to go low, but not low enough to make the buyer happy. But it might sound like a good deal to you, so once they pass on the part its yours.

Guy had a set of no-name finned SBC valve covers with a PCV hole drilled in one side....some guy got them down to $20 but didn't buy them, i got em for $21...

[Travis]

Lots of good stuff here. I usually go to look, sometimes I buy, and sometimes I sell. I find that the venue makes a difference. When I sell at the local little swaps (mostly 59/60 Chevrolet car parts, naturally) I usually bring home about $300 to $500 selling little stuff like sheetmetal and trim and gauges etc... But I went to Reno for Hot August Nights selling pretty much the same shit and I brought home over $1,000. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

When I buy shit, I try to pay attention. Last Sunday I saw a Mallory dual-point distributor mixed up with some 59/60 Chevy shit (lucky I didn't go to sell!) and I asked him what it was for and he said "348 or 409... $100". I was like... OK... and it was clean and complete with wires and all that stuff. So I'm walking around and a few rows later I find another one... exactly the same but looking like it was left outside and it had no wires. The vendor looked like a veteran and knew what he had. It had a tag on it that said "348/409 $300". I walked back and bought the $100 one.

One other thing I learned is when I can be a cheapskate penny pinching sorry assed dude and when I have to bite the bullet and pay. The difference is... sometimes you're looking for that part and you keep passing it up because it's too expensive or whatever even though you NEED it. I've found out now that when I NEED something (not WANT!) then I'm like... fuck it... buy it and be done with it. I don't know if I am making sense about this one. This past Sunday... I bought stuff I NEED: new windshield gasket for the 60 El Camino I am putting together, new convertible top-to-windsheld seal (mine's bad and it's getting a new top next week), headlight adjusters for my 59, the distributor (the one in the 59 is starting to get screwy). Stuff like this that I need I just forked over the $$ without arguing. Oh yeah and then afterwards I went to Atwater and got a running 283 for $75 for the 60 El Camino.

So I think I did pretty good...

Travis

[modernbeat]

Along those lines of "Don't deal on parts someone else is dealing on".

If you are a buyer dickering on a price, either hold the part, or place your hand on top of the part.

If any other potential buyer comes along, they'll have to hold their water, or outbid you and won't be able to snatch up the part you are dickering over and throw some money at he seller for it.

[SKR8PN]

[ QUOTE ]
Take a girl with you. If you spot something you want give her money and give her room (you need to disappear) to "sweet talk" the guy down. I can laugh, joke, giggle, bat my eyes, make small talk (guys dig car small talk with a female, it breaks up their day). I've "helped" out many a buddy doing this. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I just LOVE that idea........and I KNOW Denise would be VERY good at THAT http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for buying.......If I NEED it BAD,I pay the price(if it is within reason) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
As for selling,I almost ALWAYS give a guy a break.....If he is DECENT about asking,or is willing to bullshit a little bit. BUT.....if the guy is an ASSHOLE.....and offers 1/10th what I'm asking.......the price goes UP http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Elrusto]

Simple selling tip:
When they ask "whats your bottom dollar?"
reply with "whats your top dollar?"

(Thanks Pat Barnhart)

[BigJim394]

Ask the vendor what the price is for an item. I know a lot of vendors who HATE IT when someone picks up some part and says "I'll give you $5.00 (or whatever amount) for this". Some vendors might say OK, but most will tell you what they want for it (which most always will be higher than that $5.00). What I have then usually seen is the potential buyer slamming the part down and walking away muttering things about the vendor an his prices, which is NOT going to help if the guy comes back later to try and buy the part.


If you have been to a few swaps over a number of months looking for some rare part and you finally find a nice one, but you feel the price is a little too high and you walk away to think about it for a while, what almost ALWAYS happens is that when you go back to buy it, you find that it just got sold. If you figure in all the hours and miles and gasoline costs and meals you have paid for looking for some rare part and you find one but let it slip away for a relatively small amount of money, you will be kicking yourself for a long time.


If the weather gets bad at a swap and the rain begins, I always ask for a "packing up to leave/it's raining" deal price from vendors. More than a few vendors want to get rid of some of their stuff and would rather not take it home and realize that once the rain gets going there will be less and less buyers.

[manyolcars]

The best deals are before the swap meet and after the swapmeet. Before is good cuz you can buy stuff b4 someone else gets it. After or toward the end, the seller wants to sell it bad so he wont have to pack it home. I've had folks begging me to buy stuff at absurdly low prices. Also at the end of the swap, a lot of parts are abandoned cuz they REALLY dont want to take it home. Watch the Saturday morning arrival vendors too. Usually they are not 'professional' swap sellers and they dont ask top dollar. I dont have any advice about selling stuff cuz I always buy. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[hatch]

Be the first one at the swap meet and check every vehicle arriving. Go after the "garage clean out" seller and save him the work of setting up....I have scored things like a complete basket case sportster with title for $250 doing this.

[A-Bomb]

I LOVE swap meets. I have been selling(and buying) at the charlotte autofair for many years. The MOST IMPORTANT thing for a seller to do is PUT A VISIBLE PRICE ON ALL YOUR STUFF! You would not believe the number of people that wont ask the price of unmarked items even though they are interested in them! Also, If a buddy is babysitting your stuff while you go "shop" he wont have to reply..DUH.this aint my stuff..DUH...He will be back in a couple of hours..DUHHHHHH. I always price my stuff fairly with a little of "haggleing" room. I always seem to have a succesful meet even when others complain about not "doing much" this time. Be friendly and smile..I goto swap meets to have FUN, Not to sit around and piss and moan. I always have a sigh at the front of my space that says"Prices Adjusted Accordin To Attitude". By the way.. I just got My Charlotte space info.. They are going up to 65.00 now..Wow..Oh well..It is still "the best show in town". Dale

[Deuce Roadster]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Also.......if you have more than 1 item that is just alike......(EXAMPLE ... 2 aluminum intakes exactly the same) or the like......JUST put 1 out...not both. If the buyer thinks you have two or more of the same item...

1) He walks away thinking he can come back later.....(and may spent his $$$ before doing so)

2) You have 2 so you can be talked down (need to sell one)

3) Makes you a "dealer".......not good.

4) if you have two.....must NOT be that hard to find ..might better shop around for a better price.

5) People get confused easily......I have them NOT be able to select the one they want and WALK OFF..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[chromedRAT]

i don't mind paying full price for stuff (if it's reasonable) if the seller is not a total asshole, but for some reason, ohio is the next california yet again, because i have seen way too many pricks at swaps. dude selling moon timing chain covers for 75% new price and they're all muffed up and likely bent, and treated me like shit for politely saying no thanks, another guy said he wanted 80 or 85 for an edelbrock intake for an SBC. i came back and asked if he'd take 75 and the dude says it's 90 or 95, somethng like that. the damn things cost 115 new. fucker wasn't even cleaned up, had no box and coulda been roached for all i knew. i'm no good at dickering, but this summer i got a guy into affordable range and blew my whole wad on a pair of just-rebuilt double hump SBC heads for 285. i had a friend of mine talk to the guy and gave him my wad and spread the cash around to everybody. i think i might actually have had to borrow some from my pals to do it, so it wasn't total bullshit, but he was happy to work with us and was a good guy the whole time. yippee. i don't know, man, it would just be easier if people that wanted to give other people money for stuff could do so without being treated like they are walking piles of shit- not just at swapmeets, but everywhere from the local muffler shop (pissed me off today) to any other place that you can't go unless you are a card carrying member of their assholes club.

[Hot Rod To Hell]

[ QUOTE ]
I offer what I'm willing to pay.

I ask what I think it's worth.

I don't sell to people I think are trying to use "tricks, methods, schemes or angles"

life's too short for that crap.


[/ QUOTE ]
Oh come on.... Don't you remember the beard buying scene in Monty Pythons "Life of Brian"?


[ QUOTE ]
I guess that is why I get parts so cheap, or I am refered to as the "asshole" by vendors.


[/ QUOTE ]
Don't worry Jdubbya, it ain't just the vendors!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I always take a Jegs or Summit catalog with me if I'm buyin speed parts, that way I can point out the fact that the guy wants more for a part that's beat to shit than I can buy it for new...

[BigJim394]

I used to set up selling at swaps with a few other friends. We'd get couple of spots right next to each other and set up our stuff and sit behind it. A few times each day, some guy would ask about some part and one of us would tell him the price (Say $50.00). The guy would then say: "Well there's a guy two rows over selling one for $30.00", and all of us sellers would say in unison: "Well go buy it from him then"


It was funny when they came back later and wanted to buy the part. We'd all be asking: "What happened to the one the guy 2 rows over had?"


Here's another tip, if the seller quotes some outrageously high prices, just walk away. There's no need to make some comment like "Jeez, I thought this was a swap meet, I didn't know it was an exhibtion of rare, really over-valued parts".

[Rix2Six]

Big Jim reminded me of when I worked in an auto parts store... people would come in and ask for something. Then they'd ask the price. I'd tell them and they'd say "Well ABC Auto Parts down the street has it for $XX (cheaper than our price) but he's out of stock. Without missing a beat I'd say "Well, when I don't have them, I sell them for (cheaper price than he gave me.) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ray]

some of the best deals are at "personal swap meets"...garage sales! i watch the thrifty 5c for garage ales that mention car parts, etc. i went to one a couple of weeks ago. harder than hell to find, street was spelled wrong in the ad, could not get thru to the phone number, did a reverse number lookup, bingo...get to the place, not even any signs saying there is a sale! its like noon on friday and i'm the first customer or something! and stuff was typically half the going rates...i spent every penny i had, was flat broke for 3 days after! but got plenty of crap to make a buck on...

i think when buying, or selling, the right attitude makes a differance. if you are buying for example, if you bitch about the price, you give the impression that you must not really need the part much, or you are just an asshole...but if you're nice about it, and offer 1/4 of the asking price, but display that you are absolutely serious about spending money, the seller will work with you.

a pet peeve of mine is the swap meet vendors who are loud and obnoxious, with some stupid schtick that is mildly entertaining the first time, but gets really old to every other vendor within 60 feet.

[zibo]

as a buyer,
I may haggle,

but if the price is reasonable,
i will try to add 1 0r 2 cheaper items
and basically get more for the same money.

tp

[Harrison]

Always get there early and get a swap space. Even if you have nothing to sell, it makes a "base camp" and gets you in the door early. Most of the "good stuff" goes early and brings good $ but some of those swappers don't always know what they have - then the early bird may catch the worm.

If you find something you want or need - buy it. It won't be there when you come back.

Wanna make $$ at this game? Buy at the swap but sell on Ebay. Sad but true.

JH

I'm just a buyer (it's an addiction)But I have noticed for seller's it's good to have something that grabs your attention out front or highly visible Like a blower motor,set of cool wheels or what ever it takes to grab the buyers attention. They see that cool item then look around at what else you have.
I stay away from the proffesional sellers and go for the Joe Schmoe selling his unwanted items.
Clark

[autocol]

[ QUOTE ]
I know how much theyre asking for it, say its a part at the meet for $40. I see it and walk away, just far enough to re-arrange my wallet. I only want to pay $30 lets say, so the rest goes in my pocket. I'll get talkin and laughin with the guy, then ask how much, he says $40, I open up my wallet and count it... its only $30, I offer him 'everything in my wallet', he takes it almost everytime.



[/ QUOTE ]

that's generally not a problem for me...


i'm lucky to be carrying thirty bucks!



seriously though, i'm not much of a swapmeet scavenger i must admit, but when it comes to buying things i ALWAYS offer a LOOOOOOW price first because hey, pretty often they just say "yup" and take it! i've saved literally thousands of dollars over the last couple of years by offering what i thought were insultingly low prices...

i earnt that money, i want it to go as far as possible...

[Fat Hack]

Sometimes if you get there real early, or if you're a vendor...it's fun to "follow" a part through the meet! It starts when some other vendor comes by as you're setting up, and buys a part from you that he thinks he can sell for more.

An hour later, on your way to take a leak or grab a soda, you see the part sitting on HIS table for more money. After a while, you see it on ANOTHER guy's table for more still!

Then, the last guy either takes it home with him...or you see some dude walking by with it and ask him how much he paid!

(I had that happen with an old Ford intake. Sold it as I was unloading for $75, then saw it parked on the dude's table for $100....then elsewhere for $120...then some dude walks by with it at the end of the day and I say "Cool intake...how much did it cost ya?" and he says "I talked some guy into taking $115 for it...what a deal!" Ha Ha...it pays to get there early, Folks!!)

[48_HEMI]

Swapping is just a game!
If I'm selling I load up all the things that I've decided that I'll never use. so I've all ready decided "I don't want this part!" BUT I also bring some grabbers like a polished intake or some Hemi Valve covers Or some rare parts that I don't want to sell and I price them high and hold my price (and Hate it when some stupid ass pays double for one of my treasures) but with all the cool grabbers out people stop long enough to look thru all my stuff that I'm offing at any price to clean a spot in my shop. I set prices just to dicker I've all ready dicided that I don't need it and I'll drop the price on some thing and play hard on others its "JUST A GAME!" I don't care I once sold 3960.00 in small parts at a one day meet and when I got home my truck was as full as when I left and to this day I couldn't tell you what I sold except for a couple of my grabbers like the Baldor buffer I sold for $100.00 over list to some gal that wanted to polish her rings she made her husband buy it and I wouldn't drop a dime because it was one of my grabbers that wasn't really forsale dammit

Now if I'm buying its a bigger game because I haggle over any part that catches my eye. I usually buy stuff for one of my projects (had over 25 at one time) but I've bought parts and then had to buy a car to go with them or just for wall hangers for future swaps. What can I say I'm a "Parts Whorder" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[tokyo]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh and my trick.. and that of most of the other so what gang.. get there before clark..



[/ QUOTE ]

Your right...as for tricks, i really don't have any...though i did find it helpful to bring my wife along to a swap meet. Not because i charmed a seller into getting something for less...but she then understood the prices for some of the items we need, for example. i took her to carlisle, and though it was cold and rainy, we really had a good time..we wandered to a swap site that had a 49 merc speedo and clock...prized items i knew.. She asked the guy how much he wanted for them..he gave a price, then she said thanks anyway..as we were walking away she said "we should have gotten that whole dash we saw last year for less than that"..so we did.. that isnt' much of a trick, but it kicked butt anyway..cuz now i got a dash behind the couch, for less than the asking price of the speedo.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[The_Monster]

HEY! Nothin beats a swap meet burger on a good day!

One funny thing my friends and I joke about is how many slot mags are at the meets every blessed year. If you EVER need slot mags, come to the meet right here, you'll have a healthy pick.

One year we didnt have alot to sell, didnt have anything we wanted to part with. So I took down a bunch of 68-72 nova stuff, and dumb mismatched tires and junk. Plus a lot of crap that came with motors/cars that we hadnt thrown away yet. We didnt plan on selling anything, so we just had fun with our stall, and would strike up conversations for sure!!

We had "eye catchers"!! Our prices were so ridiculuos everyone knew it was just a joke, they love seeing people with a sense of humor at the meets, its part of the fun!

One was a battery cable. One end was hogged out bad, and the other end was ripped off it completely and the wires had been bent in a 'J' to loop around a bolt on the starter! greasy as a muther, had it priced for $40!

Chevy oil pan, greasy as hell, looked like it had jumped the San Fran hills in a low rider. it was beat bad. It said, "chevy oil pan, ready for the circle track or drag strip!" it was going for $50

We had a can of spray paint. I know, this is an old one, but we had a sign that said, "Krylon rebuild solution! Restores as it dries!" $20 a can.

And the real kicker was a 5 gallon tub of roofing tar. Half was used, a rusty roofing spatula was still jammed into the tar. The sign said, "ACME engine rebuild kit. Make rings perform like new!" $100

Man some people were laughin real good, and others would read the signs, look into the tar tub for example, give us a discused look and stomp off, witch made us laugh even harder. jesus it was fun! Alot of folks had a blast, they even came back with friends to show them our jokes too, hahahaha! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Its really all just about havin a great time!

[Travis]

Oh Yeah....

That thing about getting people's attention. Whenever I go to swaps, I try to take my 59 Impala convertible and I cram my stuff in there to sell. Take it to the swap... everybody sees the Impala and they're like "How much?" and I go "Not for sale but check out my shit!" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Travis

[dondanno]

dusty sssshhhhhh dont be sharing this info now I have to eliminate YOU. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif..Ok not really but you just gotta hunt, I found parts at the bottom of peoples trucks before its even uncovered. So just keep your eyes open. Thats all I will say on this subject....Danny

[jdubbya]

When I set up to sell, I usually have alot of fun messing with people that have their names on their coats/shirts or have something on refering to the make of their car. I have found that the majority of the guys have no clue how you know them or what they drive. When selling, have the "bling-bling" stuff front and center. I am one that usually has set prices on a few items, but if you are in or near the ballpark on all the other stuff, it most likely will become yours. I have scored some early buys, and then resold at a large profit, and I have traded stuff that turned into a better deal than the original part. I am a swap meet junkie, so more than likely I will run into some of you around them. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[cleatus]

OK, I'll cut loose and let you guys in on my own top-secret swap meet tricks. These have worked swell for me over the past years and I hope will help you all out:

First off, only attend swaps that are being held on really cold and rainy days, OR very hot ones.

If it's cold and rainy, wear something thin and absorbant.
If it's hot and sunny, wear something black.

If you see something you really like, take some time to ponder wether it is really "right" for your car, then go back just in time to see another dude walking away with that special part you have recently decided is "exactly right" for your car.

Now...having learned your lesson, when you see the next part that might be "right" for your car, immediately jump on it so those other dudes won't get it this time. Then walk 10 more spaces to find the same part for half as much AND in better condition.

When you do make that BIG purchase of the day, make sure it is something really awkward and heavy and at the furthest possible point away from where you are parked AND be sure to spend your very last dollar on it so that you can't even afford to pay the kid with the radio flyer wagon to haul it out to your car for you or to even afford a burger on the long drive home.

Then after you have damaged nerves in your neck from carrying that sumbitch out to the truck, get it home to find that it is not EVEN close to fitting like you thought it would. NEVER measure anything - this is key!

Then add all those newly aquired parts that you now know will not work on your car to your OWN pile of stuff to take to the swaps and try to sell to someone dumber than you.

Well, there you go. See you at the swaps!

[hotrodladycrusr]

Very funny, Cleatus, VERY FUNNY indeed! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif and so true http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[TV]

I am mostley a buyer,and I have found,know what you are looking at,don't take the sellers word for it.I think everbody has stuff in their shop they wish they hadn't bought.Look at what you are buying very carefully,you don't want to get home and say I didn't notice that.I always offer a little less than they are asking, it never hurts--TV http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Rix2Six]

Hey, what about dealing with guys that are selling "new" stuff at the swap meet? Any good tips??

[Travis]

With the 'new' shit, I find they usually dont budge on their prices (like CarShop, Bow Tie Classics, etc). But I usually buy the shit I need from them at the swaps because Im not paying for shipping and they usually drop the price a few bucks anyway. The Car Shop is really good about that.

Travis

[Luke Jivetalker]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, what about dealing with guys that are selling "new" stuff at the swap meet? Any good tips??

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, don't buy from 'em unless they're a reputable business in real life ( CW Moss, etc )