I've used this tool for the last few years, and I know Al and Mike P are users. It's called ebay. I know you've all heard of it, and I'd bet a lot of you have used it.

Admittedly it's not for everyone. It takes a certain amount of faith to buy something that you can't feel and see first hand. And that you're expected to pay for, and then wait to have it shipped. That's why the smarter sellers put in good photos, allow the enlargement feature, and give a thorough description. And of course you can email for clarification or expansion of the description. You learn to ask the right questions, and ask them the right way to "test" the seller. Both for his knowledge and honesty. And then there's the rating system where previous buyers or sellers leave a critque of the person's performance in prior auctions. I've bought and sold quite a few things over the years and only had one fraudulant experience. I almost always buy with credit card so I have the protection of being able to dispute the sale and have the CC company charge it back.

One of the great things about ebay is it draws stuff out of the rafters from across the country. I'm also an inveterate swap meet goer. I see a lot of "stuff" but still, ebay holds some surprises. Either stuff you've only ever heard of, or haven't seen in eons. To items that are pretty common. It sometimes amazes me how much folks will bid up the price on things I think are pretty common and not worth that much. But then, in the buyer's part of the country they may not be that common. That's the wonderment of ebay. Quite honestly, on real popular stuff that's not real plentiful, for example, Cal Custom valve covers, you're not going to get a bargain, unless you're willing to gamble on an auction that doesn't have pictures. There's a key for bargain hunters. No picture means few people will risk bidding. If you can get a good, honest description from the seller via email, you might get a deal. Other wise, you're going to pay "market price".


This is where I think ebay is real usefull. Even if you don't think that buying the ebay way is for you, it's a great information resource. With some regularity we have people come on here and ask if something is worth some price they throw out. Or they want to know what a fair deal would be on such and so. Go to ebay! There's nothing more equitable than an auction. Sure, pricing can sometimes get distorted by "bid fever", wherein a buyer will bid any amount just to "WIN". But more often reality prevails. By checking the completed auctions for an item you're interested in, you can see what people are willing to pay. This is usefull to you whether you're a buyer or a seller. And it will tell you if your idea of a fair price is real or not. Many businesses have chosen to sell items on ebay with a "buy it now" price. Sometimes that price is below what they advertise in their catalogs for the same item. They've learned that ebay is yet another avenue of sales, one that's relatively low overhead, and expands their normal market range. For that they'll discount.

As a seller, I've quit having a booth at swap meets. I've found that on most items I get a better price. Think about it. You've got people bidding the price up, rather than trying to talk you down. The most exciting item I had was a porcelain sign a few months ago. About 5 minutes before the auction closed it was already quite a few dollars above the highest price I had hoped for, and well past my reserve. But wait............there's more. In the last 3 seconds, three guys bid hot and heavy, pushing the price up another $269.00!!!!!!! Hoooooowwweeeeeeee!!! I never had that much fun at a swap meet!! Some folks I've talked to balk at the thought of mailing out the parts, thinking it's a hassle to box them up and pack them down to USPS or UPS. Personally, I think it's a lot less hassle than the rigamorole of chugging into the swap meet to your space, unloading, arranging, pricing, sitting there for two or three days solid, haggling with the few clowns that think you should pay them to take the stuff off your hands, and then chugging back in the long line at closing to pack up whatever's left and taking it home. Only to have to unload it yet again and find cubby holes to stash it in. The one thing I do miss is the chance to BS with folks that stop by the swap meet booth. But not a problem. I still have some buddies who just can't get into "that computer crap" who have a booth. They usually have a spare chair or two to sit and shoot. And they make a handy holding area for the treasures I find. Some of which end up on ebay to help fund the current project!