Having collected parts for 51 years wondering how to value now.

[CooperTune]

After driving a classic for 17 years and around 175,000 miles I haven't driven mine for six months. Sure I get to drive customer cars more than I want. I have never liked selling parts near as much as I like buying. Buying I tend to pay the price or walk. Selling some people like to play the game. You have to start high so they can haggle and feel they won. I have ask on several boards what value certain parts carry. With replies like "I give them away all the time." " Put it on E bay and find out" MK 1 board requires a price with any item offered for sale. I have decided to sell as much of my personal collection as I can. Two in college and 70 birthdays leads me to think I won't get around to all my projects. I don't want to cheat anyone. I recently considered selling a few items so I looked for comps. I did not find any but was looking in the wrong place. I considered selling one for $250. An interested party suggested $50 would be better. Looking on E bay I found two had recently sold, one for $675 the other $700. I guess Just do E bay and let the big dog win. Maybe one of the kids would like to run an E bay store for me. Maybe I should post a price or best offer, or reverse auction lower price each day till it sells. Any ideas? Steve (CTR)

[MiniDave]

My offer of $50 did NOT refer to the parts you were selling, I was referring to another ad  and that part was rusty and crusty - I explained this to you but either you didn't get it or just have an axe to grind - something about how many posts I had making me cheap or something - I have no idea what you were talking about but I resent the inference.

I sold a complete set of late model sintered rockers - the whole assembly, shafts, stands and all - for $25 this morning. They were worth more than that but I don't need them and it helped another Mini owner out.

I think the best place for you to receive maximum price for your items would probably be Ebay, but selling on Ebay is a lot of work. Also, if you dump a whole load of stuff on there the bidding will not approach what you're hoping to get. It's one thing to get $600 for something of which there is only one available, if you put up 10 the price will reflect that.

As you have a TON of stuff to sell - I'm not sure what the best approach would be, maybe ask Mania or 7 Ent if they'd be interested in buying it all in one deal? They have the financial clout and customer base to sell it all over time and get top dollar for each item..

Otherwise you're in for a lot of work to try and sell all this one piece at a time and get top dollar.

[94touring]

Facebook mini parts trader or ebay. 

[CooperTune]

There you go another, "I'm giving my stuff away."  Dave did you see your name anywhere in my post. Are you feeling it or something? It's clear you are the first and last poster to every thread. If I have something to say to you I'd prefer it be off this or any other board. The people here don't want to hear your crap or mine. As for axe grinding how did anything I said reflect on you? You of course can't let a thread go by without making it about you. Take a chill pill. I was looking for some thoughts not attacking anyone. Steve (CTR)

[MiniDave]

And I gave you my thoughts didn't I?

Oops, there I go, making the last post again....   ;D

[94touring]

You can also list parts in the for sale section here. 

Whee-  that won't be an issue. 

[CooperTune]

Having watched the MM board fall apart several times over the last 20 years, I'll walk before I become part of that sort of thing. I don't see where anything in my post should have upset anyone. I guess value is what some one is willing to pay. Sorry for the dust up I must be 50% at fault I was here. Steve (CTR)

To clear things up my question was about coming to a fair price for seller and buyer. I'm not looking to set new records for high prices. I pay rent and utilities on a 5500 sq ft building. Looking to reduce that by 1/2 by selling off.

[G67mcs]

Steve,

   I might be in the market for MK2 interior pieces soon. Let me know what you have please.

Thanks, Garry

[jedduh01]

Thru the month of December, Projects were slow, Work was slower.. I wanted to clean up 'Stuff' From around my place.
  I dont want to call my self a hoarder, but I keep things in plan that it will be used in the future, but when you can stand back and say I haven't touched that or needed that in 5 years.. why do i still have it around...

   Ebay has ' free listing promotions regularly.  Free to list...   SO I used December as a go list time  = Listed about 40 items.. Sold 36 items done = som ethings are now not moving = will decide if they're worth keeping up.

   The assortment was all sorts of around the house items.and  Car items too. New parts items.  all types..  Some things listed for sure suprised me that they acutally sold.

Dont forget, Forum participation is dwindling... so many other ways to host your car hobbies... one location like here or MM you're only really seeing a few hundred views...
   Not to harp on the Mini Mania discussion = but that place is cold...  I still regularly look, but dont see much value anymore... activity is SLOW...for classics.


Samples of what I sold:   Some sporting equipment = would have gone straight to donation and goodwill = 5-15$ + Plus shipping
Some car parts == ( hydrolastic rear mini arms) no pins, needed bushings rebuilt =   Auction sold for 17$ + 28$ shipping..... they WERE headed to the scrap yard.
  A vintage Restall seat = Thought i would use it in 3 years= never did = listed it = Sold via Buy it now in under 12 Hours = Buyer paid full asking price PLUS 80$ for me to ship it.
Set of Freshly powder coated wheels = Started my listing at what I Had to get for them to cover my costs == Sold for only a bit more + shipping...

All of these items went to people off of any sort of forums.. Forum people are ususally in the know about items and are looking for an exceptional deal.

To maximize views you need to list eBay /Facebook marketplace =  Facebook marketplace is much more of a pickup in person type sale arrangement. Ebay has shipping help included with their services -  Buyer wins =  the postage is calculated by the entries you place for weight and dims, and then the location its shipping. From there= its a print the Shipping label - ship it out the door = USPS took near everything directly from my house Mailbox.

Cant deny = Ebay / Paypal fees Add up .. but it is the way to hit a BROAD audience.

I used my cell phone to list everything..     Ebay App =  Takes pictures with your phone and uploads directly =  Easy to put in your description . A good phone even does speech to text to make your description easy to post.

It takes some time to list anything, but once you get the hang  of it =  5-8 minutes per item to list ==  let it sell  7 -10 days later   ---   10-15 minutes to package Label and ship....  Amazon to my house provides a great box assortment for items that fit.

Selling Options are good with Ebay too = Buy It Now -  if you have a MUST HAVE price for an item. 
    Some of the stuff I just wanted to move IT ON.  = start the auction at 1$ Dollar!!!  if you're willing to let it go == better than the dumpster one day. DOLLAR PLUS SHIPPING IS BETTER THAN TOSSING THINGS...

If you want specialist attention  like on a forum .. .. Make a list... Share it   10 - Items at a time or such.

eating an elephant can only be done one way: one bite at a time.

[CooperTune]

Barry, I have only had one MK2 over the years and a RHD pedal assembly is the only Mk2 part on hand.  I'll need to look but at one time I had some new black std front seat upholstery. Steve (CTR)

[pbraun]

Steve - sell it off but finish that Moke!
Best -
Peter

[G67mcs]

Thanks Steve.

  I'll eventually be looking for seats, back and front recliners would be great! Three clock center instrument pod, gauges & 130mph speedo. Plus various odds and ends.

I never heard back from your friend with the Inno during December.

Best,
Garry

[CooperTune]

OK, as for the Inno I have not been in touch. Being Air Force he may have deployed. I know several of my customers have. Most of my interior stuff is late car. Sorry fat fingers make Garry / Barry. Thanks Steve (CTR)

[G67mcs]

Thanks Steve,

Understandable the Inno fellow could be deployed. I decided it was too nice a car that would need to be left totally stock and picked up an early MK2.

Appreciate the follow up.

Garry

[Scargo]

Steve,

There are a couple of valid suggestions here, but I see the following problems with some of them...

For one, I don't see you opening an eBay store nor do I see you using FaceBook to market your wares. I say this because of my knowledge of your somewhat limited computer abilities and your inherent challenges in posting photos. I say this as a friend, not as an adversary.

I like the idea of floating this out to Michael, and having him come by the shop to have a serious look and discussion about it. Perhaps he and his partners at Seven would be interested in ponying up a solid mass offer for anything they have an interest in. It would certainly be a significant undertaking getting it moved out to the west coast, but probably well worth it for both parties, if you're truly serious about downsizing. Hell, now that I'm retired I'd be all over talking about a road trip on someone else's dime!

Another thought; rent a small box truck and haul a bunch of stuff to MME this July in Owensboro, KY. There are going to be three distinct time slots for swap meet vendors. You''d need to register for the Meet as an Entrant to participate in the swap meet. Granted, most Mini owners are cheap and are looking for deals, so you'd need to be prepared to make those deals in order to have much luck in moving stuff.

Another option; stage the open-house and cookout that we have talked about for many years. Open all the overhead doors and bill it as an everything-must-go, no-offer-too-low type of Spring white sale. You should be able to get more than just a few fellow Mini owners out if you stage it right. I'd be happy to help spread the word.

Just some random thought for you to kick around.