Is it Just Me? Or are Parts prices getting Ridiculous?

[jorgensensc]

I have been trying to source used parts from this board for my project truck. I like to think that I have been here long enough to be able to speak intelligently about parts prices. I have noticed lately (within about the last 4 months) that used parts are getting outragous in price. It almost feels like we have a mini evilbay here. I don't want to offend anyone, and this is not directed at anyone, but it feels like the prices of items we could get for relatively cheap last year are twice the price now. I could buy a nice short fleet bed with tailgate that needed paint for 500.00 from this board last year, now they are being offered for 1000.00 plus. It seems like the members who have been on here for awhile still offer what I consider fair prices for items, but it feels like newer members are offering items up for substantially high prices. It seems like there are also people becoming members just to sell items. When did clean rust free fenders go from 50.00 to nearly 100.00, and hoods from 100.00 to 200.00? Lets not even talk about tailgates. I recently sold another member what I consider to be a clean relativily rest free tailgate for 125.00 plus shipping. True that was a friend, but I still would consider 175.00 to be fair. How have they gotten in the 700.00-800.00 range? Maybe I'm way behind the times, but these trucks aren't that scarce yet. And most of the repro sheet metal parts are pretty darn good from what I'm hearing (except for repro tailgates). Am I way behind the times or what? Like I said,this is not directed at anyone in particular, just something I have noticed since being on this board. I don't want anyone to be offended, or upset, just trying to understand what is going on, because the inflation here seems to be higher than the real world.. What are your thoughts?
Shawn

[SCOTI]

That's the way this stuff goes sometimes. Personally, I try & get parts in 'bulk' to get a better price & then sell off items I don't want/need to off-set the cost.

I bought a steel-floor, short fleet bed from a board member, but I only wanted the floor. I got a better price as a pkg & then offered the other pieces for sale. I priced the items so that I would end up w/the floor for minimal cash outlay.

The tailgate would easily have brought $300; but I sold it to a buddy for the same price as a re-pop tailgate he just sold. He wound up buying the bedsides & front panel from me too @ cheaper prices than what I was asking. So in the end, I paid a little more for the floor but still came out ok. My friend got decent stuff @ a decent price (could have been better stuff but it wasn't crap) & I got my floor.

What are you trying to get?

[Primered_69]

Well if people would look at the prices that are being offered and see that some for sale post last one to two weeks with basically the same stuff and nothing but nibbles they would know their prices are too high.

But you have alot of people who are using this place like ebay and are trying to turn a profit. In the past there were people who were off loading things they were not going to use and just wanted a decent price back to put back into their truck. The whole mentality is different. We have a lot of profiteers instead of hobbist now trying to sale.

Likewise the good people had to deal with so much hassle from people on the board they just do not put stuff up for sale because as a hobbist it is too much hassle.

I for one would rather give a ten dollar part away to someone instead of selling it and all. But for profiteer it is about every dollar you can get out of it.

Like my dad said about one guy I bought some doors from "I wasn't too impressed with that guy for him it is about making a dollar, not because he loves these trucks."

[chip46wis]

I have noticed the prices here and EVERYWHERE going up-however the 67-72s seem to be going way up in price along with it.I hit a few shows this year and what I thought should be a $4-5000 truck people werent shy about asking $10.000 plus for what sold a couple years ago for 1/3 1/2 that.Guess that means my 69 stepside will be worth a lot more than what I hoped for someday.

[Ackattack]

Part of it may be that people just don't know what stuff is worth. I mean if I had a old rusty tow hook, I'd probably toss it out cause it's not worth anything to me, but then to some of the 4x4 guys on here they're worth more than gold. So then you have, for example, a front fender....is it worthless or worth gold....go for the gold!

But the selling price is determined just as much by the buyer as the seller.

My stance: I haven't boughten or sold anything on here, generally cause it too expensive to ship things (most are large). I've sold a lot on craigslist though, and have even met some fellow truck enthusiast by doing that (though not board members).

[timcos]

Asking Price is one thing. Purchasing is another.

I find that folks just adjust till it sells. So the asking price may not be what it actually sold for.

Heck...anyone can ask any price for anything.

I had a garage sale one day...not one price on anything. No tags no stickers..nothing. When someone asked me what I wanted for something I said make me an offer. It was usually more than I would have priced it.

I made a little over $1,700 that day.

[Down south truckin]

I think the prices vary depending on location the prices in the south have been outrageous for years! I'm actually selling stuff nowadays for less than what it used to bring. DST

[bighead]

I'd have to disagree. I see parts prices dropping for almost everything but a few unusual options and parts that a quality repop is unavailable for. Lots of stuff is worth more for scrap than you can sell it for on this board or ebay. Last week I got $47 scrap for a rolling lwb chassis because there was no market for it or any part of it. The $3 gas has pushed TONS of these trucks off the road and more are parked every day. Next step for them is parting out which is flooding the market.

[cstanley]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Part of it may be that people just don't know what stuff is worth.

this one applies to me more often than not. it's pretty easy to determine a price for something new, but some of this stuff (especially if a person hasn't seen anything like it for sale before) is tough to nail down. I also think folks are maybe being a little shy about making an offer. I had some stuff for sale, didn't really know if it was high or not, but no one even shot me an offer on it, which makes it pretty difficult to gauge.

[ChevLoRay]

I quit trying to fool with old cars about 25 years ago because I couldn't compete with the moneybagged people I knew. When I got my truck in Oct. of '99, my wife asked me how much it would cost to get it like I want it. I told her "about the same as a new truck". So far, I'm still on target.

Pricing is based on supply and demand. That makes NOS parts expensive. Repop parts are cheaper and available. Some parts that our trucks use are still available from GM. I bought new hood hinges and springs from my local Chevy dealer. You have to shop around. Money talks in the parts game. If you see something you want and the money is in your pocket, you can deal. It's the way things are done.

[bcanini]

I think it's like anything else... if ya want to buy it make an offer and dont be shy about it.

B

[xshadow]

I've passed on a few items on here because of the price. Then add shipping and it's even higher. There are some on here that is out to make a buck and thats the only reason there here.
I think others see there prices, and price the stuff they have higher "if that guy is selling his for $xx.xx i should be able to get that."
Also, If somone on here wants to just sell a part or two that they have around the house there prob. not going to pay the $25.00 to support the site just to post two parts that they would sell cheap. (i don't disagree on the site supporter fee) it may be to big of a hassle for the guy that just wants to unload some parts cheap.

[BB72CHEVKT]

I can stay online during the day at work. I have noticed that several parts dealers also do and as soon as a good deal on a rare part comes along it is gone. What can you say though thats America. Although I here ya!!!

[72highlander]

i think the prices of obsolete stuff has always been high, just more seems to be popping up lately. i know you've been looking for a bed. nowadays, you can get repro sides, probably $500 a piece to get one to you. i see the floors are now available from some places, probably gonna be around $850 to get one to you. a gate is gonna be around $350 to get to you. head gate a couple hundred. so total for a new bed you would spend roughly $2500 and still be aftermarket, so i'd gladly give $1000 or more for a nice short fleet original bed. there are people on the board selling parts as a way to make a living, but i'm not gonna venture out and say they aren't enthiusiasts. i like nice stuff, and give big money for it when i buy it. therefore when i sell i try to get what i got in it out of it. the prices of our trucks are going up considerably, which stands to reason it is costing more to build them. just my .02

[alschevy]

Hello Shawn im Allen well i am geting in to try to sell used parts&trucks,cars
and i do towing and i want to buy sell trade i am trying to go to the shows
and i am trying to get a web site made to i am very good at finding parts and
cars and trucks

1967 chevy one ton wrecker truck 1968 chevy one ton long horn carhauler

[krue]

You'll have to subscribe to sell occasional parts. If all you're doing is buying/selling you'll need to become a vendor.

[SCOTI]

I had short fleet bedsides I was selling for $250 ea. w/original paint, no bondo, & no large damage/rust-through. So someone could have had both original steel bedsides for the price of one new re-pop bedside (re-pop bedsides require bodywork too).

People thought they were priced too high....

[timcos]

It would be easier and cheaper to buy as 2 year old loaded Honda Accord.

But where is the therapy in that?

[72 Cheyenne402]

everything is going up in price. although I do agree some thing are out of control and building my truck as a hobby is getting financially harder every year.

[HeavyD]

Interesting thread. Many times I have seen people post on here that they are hoping the value of these trucks skyrocket like the musclecars have. I personally don't wish for this to occur since I feel it takes the fun out of the hobby, but it seems to be happening. If things keep going up good luck finding a father/son/daughter project that's doable on an average salary.

[wibilly]

when selling a part you also need to look at ehat will it cost you to replace it. i hate to sell any solid body panel . there hard to find aeound here.if someone comes buy wanting a body panel i always price them high hoping they won't buy them. other small parts i'm happy to give to somone going to make good use of them for their own truck and not to profit from

[teeitup]

I've been parting and selling parts off and on since 2000. Most used parts have actually gone down in price. Option parts have gone up, hard to find parts, NOS parts have all gone up.
I also set up at a couple swap meets a year too, people are not buying parts like they used too a couple years ago.
IMO, Whats really hurting selling on here and ebay is shipping prices are higher now.
More guys are parting them out too!!!
Its slowed down quite a bit in the last 2 years around here it seems.
I like to part them out, I enjoy it, it keeps me out of trouble with the wife. But it does take time away from the family, thats mostly why I've slowed down on it. Randy

[jamie72]

besides shipping prices the cost of fuel has gone up in the last couple years, that just adds to the parts price.

[72BlckButy]

Location and availability of the parts factor into the price as well.

Everyone's trying to make a quick buck these days, but I'm with jorgensensc parts prices have been going up. I guess that I just figured it was due to the economy.

[Fastfun]

The price of machining, casting and just the general price of metals have really affected the prices. I think that also the popularity of our hobby has also affected pricing.