Dont forget that parts have value too...

[clovis97]

Don't forget that parts have value too...

Just a reminder that there is pretty good money to be made from selling parts from the various items you might find.

In my case, I found two incomplete food processor gizmo's last week. I've bought and sold these as complete units in the past, and had one last fall that I pieced out for parts.

As complete units, in great shape, with an original box and instructions, top money on ebay for these would be about $75 each. These food processors are seasonal sellers, and in the 'off season', they hardly bring $35 each.

I paid about $3 for the two partial units, and I knew they were incomplete when I bought them.

As of today, just one week after listing the individual parts, I've sold $104 in parts so far, and I still have the majority of the good parts left.

If you are actively buying and flipping, eventually, you are going to get stuck with an item that is incomplete. Consider parting it out, if possible. These listings are fast and easy. Those parts, in many cases, can line your pockets with cash.

Good luck, fellow pickers...even if you are "bottom feeder" like me. LOL.

 

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[GibH]

I don't know why you cal yourself a "bottom feeder". You are just willing to put a little more work into turning a buck.

 

[diggummup]

Nothing wrong with bottom feeding, lol. I'll dig through garbage for a quick buck anytime. I don't think he meant it personally, Ben's alright. Yes parts to certain things are good sellers sometimes. I've also sold single salt or peppers, lid to a jadeite cheese dish, stopper to a Blenko Decanter, stopper to a perfume bottle. Each and every one for $20 or more. I've even sold empty boxes before. Sold one for almost $60, and a lot of Swarovski boxes once for close to $100.

 

[jerseyben]

Clovis, you know me and I know you are a quality picker. No harm meant by that comment. I was only pointing out different styles of buying/selling and illustrating the point to choose a style that best suits you. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your hunts.

 

[clovis97]

Clovis, you know me and I know you are a quality picker. No harm meant by that comment. I was only pointing out different styles of buying/selling and illustrating the point to choose a style that best suits you. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your hunts.

Thank you for taking it in good stride. I was just trying to tease you a bit.

All truth be said, some of my peers in the auction circle think that I really am a bottom feeder. But at the same time, I still believe, at the end of the day, that I make more than they do.

 

[clovis97]

I just picked up a dirty, older, high-end blender yesterday in a box lot.

The wife was almost ready to trash the unit, and I asked her to look up the parts. Looks like the parts will sell for $30 or so.

The blender was in a box lot of 4 other boxes...I paid a whopping $2 for the lot.

 

[dieselram94]

Parting out something is a GREAT way to make some good money and it allows someone to find a obsolete part to fix there item. Everyone wins!

 

[diggummup]

I got some cuckoo clock parts out of the free pile at a sale last Saturday the 8th.



plus the tokens

 

[cyberdan]

I thought about your post while at a yard sale two days ago, only with a different twist. I saw this box for an old alarm clock. It looked to be from the 1930's. I picked it up and it was empty. I asked about the clock and the lady said no clock, only the box. So I offered 25¢ and she quickly accepted. I was thinking if some one had the clock and no box that they could buy the box to get more by selling as a set.

Well, yesterday I tried to find the matching clock on feeBay with no luck. But, someone was selling a box for that clock. Strange that someone else had the same idea I did. I looked closer at the photo in the closed (no sale) auction and it was my box. I looked to see where the seller was and it was the same town as the yard sale. She couldn't sell it for $2.99 I will see what I can do.

On your original idea, I noticed so many food choppers and chopper parts that I normally would not even look at. Maybe soon I will buy some. they probably won't accept 25¢

 

[clovis97]

I thought about your post while at a yard sale two days ago, only with a different twist. I saw this box for an old alarm clock. It looked to be from the 1930's. I picked it up and it was empty. I asked about the clock and the lady said no clock, only the box. So I offered 25¢ and she quickly accepted. I was thinking if some one had the clock and no box that they could buy the box to get more by selling as a set.

Well, yesterday I tried to find the matching clock on feeBay with no luck. But, someone was selling a box for that clock. Strange that someone else had the same idea I did. I looked closer at the photo in the closed (no sale) auction and it was my box. I looked to see where the seller was and it was the same town as the yard sale. She couldn't sell it for $2.99 I will see what I can do.

On your original idea, I noticed so many food choppers and chopper parts that I normally would not even look at. Maybe soon I will buy some. they probably won't accept 25¢

I don't know a thing about clocks, but original boxes are like solid gold in some hobbies.

Take Lionel trains, for example. A nice crisp postwar box can double the value of a train car. I once sold a set box...a pretty rare one...for $227. This is a box that I bought at an auction for just $2. That particular box is often called a 'pumpkin box' due to it's bright orange color.

I found a prewar Standard gauge engine box that was in rough condition, and missing flaps, and IIRC, it sold for around $90. Funny thing is that I was thrilled when the bidding hit $25 because it was in such poor condition.

I picked up another vintage box for a outdoor sports item this weekend at an auction, once again sitting in a pile that was sold as a box lot. Even though there was a big crowd, I still can't believe that I scored that box, and the whole box lot, for just $6. I think this particular empty box might fetch $40 to $50. Time will tell on this one though.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

There is a seller nhplaneparts on eBay and all he sells is tool parts, mostly Stanley plane parts. Ive been selling my vintage planes on eBay for about $50 bucks each but I believe if I tore them down and sold each individual part I would make twice as much lol. This man sells every part and every screw.

I happen to be missing a screw for a vintage Stanley plane and I will have to pay $10 for a single screw because Stanley had their own thread sizes.

Parts will sell definitely but some parts are more desirable than others.

 

[clovis97]

SCORE!!!!!!!!

This one is almost freaky.

I met my folks for lunch today, and just as we left, I got an email showing that I sold another $30 in parts from my food gizmos that I posted about in the original post.

Right after that, my dad called and told me they were going to a popular thrift store, and wanted to know if I could join them. I told him, "Keep an eye out for those food gizmos, I've sold $134 in parts from those."

Not five minutes later, he called and had found one. "It is incomplete, and missing the handle...do you still want it for $3?" he asked.

What a blessing!!!! And weird too, since these aren't found every day.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Good to know. Do you auction your parts or use Buy It Now?

 

[clovis97]

Good to know. Do you auction your parts or use Buy It Now?

BIN only.

If you are wanting to make strawberry pie, and just discovered that when your sister-in-law returned the gizmo missing both the hopper and handle, most likely, you don't want to wait another 7 days for an auction to end.

As well, many of the parts I am listing are still available from the manufacturer...but I am saving them money on the part and on shipping too. Once someone gets a real case of sticker shock for replacement parts from the manufacturer, they are most likely to hit the BIN button on one of my listings. Some of the new parts available from the manufacturer are simply outrageous...mind numbing outrageous, price wise.

On the other hand, the vintage plane parts might do well as an auction. Most of the plane collectors are willing to wait to win a part. I'd never​ list with a .99 cent start. I would start it at what you would be willing to accept for the part, and then hope that two guys are wanting it, and willing to run it up.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The plane guy sells Buy It Now and I just purchased a $10 screw. I had no choice because Home Depot doesnt have the old Stanley thread type. Can you believe Stanley created their own threads?

What is BIN?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Ah I get it, BIN = Buy It Now lol. Absolutely BIN is best for parts but you need to research to set the price.

I love selling something at auction that I have no idea what its worth only to watch it go over a hundred bucks.

Im going to start picking up broken items for parts. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I noticed some guys stripping cars at the junkyard for eBay. They were stripping electric window motors.

 

[clovis97]

I noticed some guys stripping cars at the junkyard for eBay. They were stripping electric window motors.

I wish I had more time to pick and pull junkyard parts. Some of those sellers are cashing in!!!!

One thing that I've never understood was why some sellers auction certain car parts. If a buyer needs an alternator, most likely, they have a car that won't start, and need it NOW.

A while back, I needed a switch for a power window. My window was stuck in the down position. Those switches were selling HOT at $25 to $35. Lucky for me, I found an auction for one, ending in just a few hours, in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon for $4.99, with free ship. While I got a great deal, the seller knocked themselves out of a bunch of profit with that auction.

Critical parts to the functioning of a late model vehicle should be listed as a BIN, in my opinion. The guy that needs to get to work, and the college girl that needs to drive to class, needs those parts TODAY.

A nice door for a '64 Mustang convert, or a Tri-power carb set up for a '65 Pontiac GTO, I'd most likely run those as auctions.

 

[dieselram94]

I wish I had more time to pick and pull junkyard parts. Some of those sellers are cashing in!!!!

One thing that I've never understood was why some sellers auction certain car parts. If a buyer needs an alternator, most likely, they have a car that won't start, and need it NOW.

A while back, I needed a switch for a power window. My window was stuck in the down position. Those switches were selling HOT at $25 to $35. Lucky for me, I found an auction for one, ending in just a few hours, in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon for $4.99, with free ship. While I got a great deal, the seller knocked themselves out of a bunch of profit with that auction.

Critical parts to the functioning of a late model vehicle should be listed as a BIN, in my opinion. The guy that needs to get to work, and the college girl that needs to drive to class, needs those parts TODAY.

A nice door for a '64 Mustang convert, or a Tri-power carb set up for a '65 Pontiac GTO, I'd most likely run those as auctions.

This is a good point. I once sold some nos IH Scout mirrors that I got off the free table at the dump on ebay. Started auction at .99 cents and it went to near $200 for the pair plus shipping. Boy was I smiling!

 

[clovis97]

This is a good point. I once sold some nos IH Scout mirrors that I got off the free table at the dump on ebay. Started auction at .99 cents and it went to near $200 for the pair plus shipping. Boy was I smiling!

Nice find!!!!!!!!!! That is just fantastic!!!! I never tire of hearing stories like that.