cobraman Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 This guy is very well known. I don't care for his prices so I just don't buy. Others are free to buy if they wish. I will simply spend my money elswhere.
ERIK88 Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 This guy should get into the automobile junkyard business, I'm sure he will be good at it.. Since he already conducts business like he has one... Lmao
Tom Geiger Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I'm with Harry on this one. You guys are just upset because you didn't think of this gig first! The buyers of these overpriced parts must be happy. His 5 negs over the past year are for other things. Click on this to see: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=pj-toys&iid=-1&de=off&items=25&which=negative&interval=365&_trkparms=negative_365 The only negative related to a model part was from a guy who thought he was buying a real car part. Duh! Think about it. This guy is doing this for a living. A service station gets what $50-75 an hour? Figure by the time he pulls out the parts, photos them, uploads the photos, writes the ad and uploads it to eBay he probably has 30-45 minutes invested. Then to wrap it and ship it, maybe another 15-30 minutes. So say he has an hour of his time invested in that one part. Would you begrudge anyone $15 an hour wages? And note that he is paying eBay fees. With about a 20-25% sell through, he is relisting items and paying more fees. Apparently he's found a market.
Guest Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 What gets me with this guy is that if he can't sell an older out of production kit for $150-$175, he parts it out and asks ridiculous prices for the parts! I honestly don't know how he has sold anything for the prices he asks. It would have to be to people who think they can't get the part or parts any other way. It's amazing to look through his feedback and see the crazy prices people have paid for his parts! A lot of times, they could have bought the whole kit for the price they paid for the parts.
Skip Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Plain and simple, if you don't like the prices don't buy from the seller. The other way to look at it is, if you need the part, he's got the part, is it worth your time and effort to chase one up elsewhere? I probably wouldn't bother with his stuff, looks like the type of seller you see at toy shows selling Hot Wheels for a bazillion bucks. The ones that feel they are offering a service by buying the stores out of the hard to find cars and selling at a premium. Every hobby has this sort of leech who preys on those who can't wait, ignore them and they'll go away sooner or later.
slusher Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 What gets me with this guy is that if he can't sell an older out of production kit for $150-$175, he parts it out and asks ridiculous prices for the parts! I honestly don't know how he has sold anything for the prices he asks. It would have to be to people who think they can't get the part or parts any other way. It's amazing to look through his feedback and see the crazy prices people have paid for his parts! A lot of times, they could have bought the whole kit for the price they paid for the parts. l agree with you Roger. many oop kits have been lost and broke down for parts and people pay way to much for the parts. l would believe the whole may have been bought on ebay and then broken down. It is a free country for him to buy but a bunch of builders are keeping him going...
Fabrux Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I really dislike the prices he sets for all of his parts, but there were times when I've considered paying his prices simply because he was the only source. Thankfully I managed to find parts kits for the bits I was looking for at a fraction of the price.
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 What gets me with this guy is that if he can't sell an older out of production kit for $150-$175, he parts it out and asks ridiculous prices for the parts! I honestly don't know how he has sold anything for the prices he asks. It would have to be to people who think they can't get the part or parts any other way. It's amazing to look through his feedback and see the crazy prices people have paid for his parts! A lot of times, they could have bought the whole kit for the price they paid for the parts. Plain and simple, if you don't like the prices don't buy from the seller. The other way to look at it is, if you need the part, he's got the part, is it worth your time and effort to chase one up elsewhere? I probably wouldn't bother with his stuff, looks like the type of seller you see at toy shows selling Hot Wheels for a bazillion bucks. The ones that feel they are offering a service by buying the stores out of the hard to find cars and selling at a premium. Every hobby has this sort of leech who preys on those who can't wait, ignore them and they'll go away sooner or later. Agreed, and I agree with Harry too. There's no law against pig-greedy sellers with no love for the hobby preying on anyone stupid enough to pay ridiculously inflated prices, and there's no law against being stupid enough to pay them. But there IS a moral darkness about someone who thinks it's really okay to intentionally exploit the uninformed, the noobs, and the just plain ignorant. Just possibly, if he had something absolutely unobtainable elsewhere...nah...never in a bazillion years. Those (many) of us who happily GIVE parts to each other FOR NOTHING other than to foster the hobby will NEVER understand what drives someone to hike prices for individual parts sky-high. Of course, he may just have no other way to make a living, being quite obviously morally handicapped, so maybe he's just doing the best he can do with the limited skillset he has.
southpier Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I restore classic cars for a living. We have a saying, "there's an a$$ for every seat" ...... doesn't appear that you have any respect for your clients. if it weren't for them, how would you pay your bills? your post secondary degree in __________ should provide you with ample opportunity for other gainful employment.
southpier Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 .... anyone stupid enough to pay ridiculously inflated prices, and there's no law against being stupid enough to pay them. But there IS a moral darkness about someone who thinks it's really okay to intentionally exploit the uninformed, the noobs, and the just plain ignorant.... you mean the Tobacco Industry?
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 you mean the Tobacco Industry? Good point, sir. Yes, them too (though I supported that particular industry for many years myself, during my blatantly self-destructive phase).
Eshaver Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Several others have posted my sentiments already . I won't continue to beat a "DEAD TOPIC ' further. Just don't buy a thing from this guy .............
David G. Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Haven't real-life automotive scrap yards been doing this for about a century already? David G.
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Haven't real-life automotive scrap yards been doing this for about a century already? David G. Yes and no. The going rate around here for used parts from current or recent production vehicles is about 50% of the 'new' cost. Rare and vintage stuff brings whatever the market will bear. I had one excited but careless client pay $6000 for a new, boxed genuine Mopar '70 Challenger fender, but I had found a perfect used one for less than a grand.
Harry P. Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I don't get why so many of you guys characterize this guy as "immoral" or "slimy" or whatever. He's not trying to fool anyone, he's not trying to con anyone, he's not trying to pretend the stuff he has for sale is anything other than what it is. He's not saying the stuff is "rare" or "hard to find" or anything. He lists his parts, he lists his price. In his descriptions he goes out of his way to make it very clear what exactly he is selling. Very open and honest. There isn't even a bit of con going on here. You as the potential buyer are completely free to either buy from him or not. But how is it that if you decide you don't want to pay his asking price, that makes him "immoral" or "slimy?" I don't know the guy, never have dealt with him, but I just don't see how you can fairly label the guy as immoral or whatever. It's called the free market. How is what he is doing in any way "immoral?"
Chuck Most Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I don't get why so many of you guys characterize this guy as "immoral" or "slimy" or whatever. He's not trying to fool anyone, he's not trying to con anyone, he's not trying to pretend the stuff he has for sale is anything other than what it is. He's not saying the stuff is "rare" or "hard to find" or anything. He lists his parts, he lists his price. In his descriptions he goes out of his way to make it very clear what exactly he is selling. Very open and honest. There isn't even a bit of con going on here. You as the potential buyer are completely free to either buy from him or not. But how is it that if you decide you don't want to pay his asking price, that makes him "immoral" or "slimy?" I don't know the guy, never have dealt with him, but I just don't see how you can fairly label the guy as immoral or whatever. It's called the free market. How is what he is doing in any way "immoral?" Neither do I. I just think he's a guy who charges ridiculous prices, and (it seems) has found enough people willing to pay those prices to keep at it. If you don't like the prices he's charging, look elsewhere. I can't judge if the guy is immoral or slimy or shady... because I never have (never will) do business with him because of his prices. Simple as that.
mikemodeler Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I don't get why so many of you guys characterize this guy as "immoral" or "slimy" or whatever. He's not trying to fool anyone, he's not trying to con anyone, he's not trying to pretend the stuff he has for sale is anything other than what it is. He's not saying the stuff is "rare" or "hard to find" or anything. He lists his parts, he lists his price. In his descriptions he goes out of his way to make it very clear what exactly he is selling. Very open and honest. There isn't even a bit of con going on here. You as the potential buyer are completely free to either buy from him or not. But how is it that if you decide you don't want to pay his asking price, that makes him "immoral" or "slimy?" I don't know the guy, never have dealt with him, but I just don't see how you can fairly label the guy as immoral or whatever. It's called the free market. How is what he is doing in any way "immoral?" My sentiments exactly Harry! He is providing a service to some and offending others, much like many businesses either on the internet or in a brick and mortar location.
Steven Zimmerman Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Sorry; I have to back Harry 100% on this one. 100 %.......'Z'
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I don't get why so many of you guys characterize this guy as "immoral" or "slimy" or whatever... ...How is what he is doing in any way "immoral?" I stand by my earlier statement that I personally think it's shady, morally-questionable, whatever you want to call it, to prey on idiots, noobs and ignorant boobs. Anyone who would pay his prices is either an idiot, a noob or an ignorant boob. QED.
David G. Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Yes and no. The going rate around here for used parts from current or recent production vehicles is about 50% of the 'new' cost. Rare and vintage stuff brings whatever the market will bear. I had one excited but careless client pay $6000 for a new, boxed genuine Mopar '70 Challenger fender, but I had found a perfect used one for less than a grand. Bill, I'm thinking more along the lines that a scrap yard owner would buy an old junker for $75 then sell the right front fender for $50, the rear bumper for $35, the hood for $40, etc. Much the way this seller seems to buy a model kit for, maybe $75, and sells a hood scoop for $16, a bumper for $10, etc. Yes, the cost for a used part vs. a new part is much lower. The point I wanted to make is, buying the parts to build an entire car or model kit would cost many times what the car or kit would cost if purchased as a whole. Regardless of whether the parts are new or used. This is something scrap yards have been doing for the last century or so. David G.
Chuck Most Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I stand by my earlier statement that I personally think it's shady, morally-questionable, whatever you want to call it, to prey on idiots, noobs and ignorant boobs. Anyone who would pay his prices is either an idiot, a noob or an ignorant boob. QED. I do have to say I can certainly understand why people would classify this guy as such, but more importantly, Bill used the magic word in this post. Alright, my inner 12-year-old is going to his room now.
Harry P. Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I stand by my earlier statement that I personally think it's shady, morally-questionable, whatever you want to call it, to prey on idiots, noobs and ignorant boobs. Anyone who would pay his prices is either an idiot, a noob or an ignorant boob. QED. I have to disagree. He's doing absolutely nothing that can be honestly defined as shady or immoral. I could agree that it would be "shady" if he was trying to pass off his stuff as "rare" or if he tried to misrepresent his stuff in any way... but he's not doing that. Like I said, he seems to go out of his way to make it very clear what he's selling, so how you see him as "preying" on anyone is a mystery to me. To deem a man "immoral" because you think the prices he charges are too high doesn't make sense to me. Is Prada "immoral" because they sell handbags with a designer label on them for $500? Is Starbucks "immoral" because they charge five bucks for a cup of coffee? Are they "preying" on boobs who don't know that a cup of coffee can be had at McDonalds for a buck? Of course not. They sell a product at whatever price they want to set, and everyone is free to buy their product or not. Morality plays no part in it. It's simple free-market capitalism. As long as you don't misrepresent what you're selling as something it's not, price alone is not a "moral" issue, it's a question of what you think the market will bear.
Erik Smith Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 If idiots payed less, they would still be idiots. This guy pops up on "oh my eBay" posts a lot. He could sell the parts for less, but why? If somebody walked up to you and offered $75 for your Revell 1990 Mustang LX, would you say "no, it's only worth $20"? I would sell it for $75.
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 Bill, I'm thinking more along the lines that a scrap yard owner would buy an old junker for $75 then sell the right front fender for $50, the rear bumper for $35, the hood for $40, etc. Much the way this seller seems to buy a model kit for, maybe $75, and sells a hood scoop for $16, a bumper for $10, etc. Yes, the cost for a used part vs. a new part is much lower. The point I wanted to make is, buying the parts to build an entire car or model kit would cost many times what the car or kit would cost if purchased as a whole. Regardless of whether the parts are new or used. This is something scrap yards have been doing for the last century or so. David G. I understand your point entirely, but to buy the parts NEW from a dealer to build a car would also be astronomically more expensive than to buy them assembled as a vehicle. The business model has existed in 1:1 for a very long time. And good business is usually defined as getting the absolute top dollar in return for the absolute least value. On the other hand, a smart buyer/seller (who had some, let's say, compassion for other hobbyists) would obviously be ahead of the game to buy a complete kit to get 1 part, and sell the rest on to somebody else who needed it, for reasonable money. I've done exactly the same thing with 1:1s...bought an entire junker to get a decent 4-bolt Chevy 350 for instance, and GIVEN the rest away to somebody who needed body parts. But then again, I'm not in the business to make money on parts, but to participate in car-related hobbies I particularly enjoy, and help some other people who share my interest.
David G. Posted September 22, 2013 Posted September 22, 2013 I understand your point entirely, but to buy the parts NEW from a dealer to build a car would also be astronomically more expensive than to buy them assembled as a vehicle. The business model has existed in 1:1 for a very long time. And good business is usually defined as getting the absolute top dollar in return for the absolute least value. On the other hand, a smart buyer/seller (who had some, let's say, compassion for other hobbyists) would obviously be ahead of the game to buy a complete kit to get 1 part, and sell the rest on to somebody else who needed it, for reasonable money. I've done exactly the same thing with 1:1s...bought an entire junker to get a decent 4-bolt Chevy 350 for instance, and GIVEN the rest away to somebody who needed body parts. But then again, I'm not in the business to make money on parts, but to participate in car-related hobbies I particularly enjoy, and help some other people who share my interest. I agree completely, just cover the cost and share the good fortune. David G.
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