I search Ebay all the time and have purchased a lot of things for the home and for the vette. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that so many people are using it to make money and run a business now that it is next to impossible to find good deals from regular people. That is how ebay was started, but that's not what it is anymore. Many of the items on there aren't even deals anymore, just a normal markup for a business.

OK, I feel better now. Better get back to ebay and hunt for those deals!

:rant:

I gree, especially on the Vette stuff. Two or three yrs ago I got some hard to find stuff, at a really reasonable price. Now it seems like a Corvette America catalogue supplement.

Some items are going higher, that is good for the seller. Some items are getting harder to sell because more are being listed. Not good for seller, good for buyer. All in all I think it balances out.

Do you look for misspellings? Like, instead of searching for "Corvette," try "Corvett" or "Corvete" and similar. I once scored a mint condition Canon A1 camera with some really nice lenses by searching for "Cannon."



[Modified by The Dude, 10:52 AM 4/2/2004]

:iagree:

I started using ebay around 97.
Back then it was a big garage sale and was fun.
Now it is more like a huge dept store.

Deals are still there but you have to look

I agree that Ebay has driven up the price of some parts but , at the same time, you can find rare or NOS parts that you might not be able to find otherwise. It is a auction forum and a seller has the right to list a part for whatever they please and a buyer has the right to bid on it or not.

I only buy non reproduced parts . If I need something that is available new I just open up a catalogue. :thumbs:

If it weren't for Ebay, I never would have found some of the rare parts for my '68. It has been a real asset (along with CF, of course :thumbs: ). I think the effect of Ebay has been that it has helped establish the true market value on parts. I've noticed that many of the prices on the catalog stuff has come down because the stuff is so readily available now. When I go to swap meets I generally know what is a bargain and what isn't because of what I see stuff go for on Ebay. Now you can definitely tell the hucksters that are looking for a sucker from the guys that want to deal fairly.

I agree with LemansBlue68

I wanted NOS grilles for my 1973...they are a one year item and hard to find. I called vendors all over the country and had no luck at all. I found all three pieces on Ebay within two months. They weren't cheap but I feel I got what I paid for.

You guys are both referring to exactly what is great about Ebay. The individual seller who may have that hard to find item. My only beef is you have to go through 100 items with "Buy it now" prices that are as high or higher than catalogs just to find the diamond in the rough.

I still love ebay and will continue to look and buy, I just wish they had a separate ebay for businesses. It's just their cheap way of having a website and muddies up the original intent of what started ebay and made it a success. Of course, just my opinion.

:beatdeadhorse:

If it wasn't for Ebay, I would not have the Vette. Atleast, not the one that I have. Or, MANY of the upgrade/performance stuff that I bought for it. :hurray:

agreed 100% USA Shark...

I was on Ebay even before it's stock went Public and I loved those early years. It has grown so much that most of the good deals are gone.. oh well... I purchase mainly sports related items along with sports & concert tix. Also some electronic goodies...

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

:iagree:

I too have been using ebay since Dec 95. It's certainly a different beast nowdays. Ah well, the only constant is change......

:seeya

:iagree:

The concept is great, unfortunately it's like everything else that becomes extremely popular, people find ways to resurrect P.T. Barnum... :yesnod:

Don't discount the "Buy it Now" items. Most are dealers as you say, but some private sellers use the feature too. I've found some of my best deals with the "Buy it Now" feature. Some examples: I got an original AC Delco 40482 big block fuel pump that was NOS for $60 (not the cheapo replacement one). I've seen most of'em finish for $150+ in the regular auctions. A big block 5 blade fan and nearly new thermo clutch for $50. The clutch was easily worth $100, I sold the fan by itself later for $100. I snoozed for a few minutes deciding whether I wanted to hit the "Buy it Now" button on a 400 HP tri-power with aircleaner for $1200 ( I was afraid I'd **** off the wife by spending that much without talking it over with her first). When I decided to go for it, someone else already snapped it up. This tripower looked better than some that I've seen go for over $1500 without air cleaner (another $300-$400 value).