When is it OK to be "that guy"

"Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer" (dash-doorhandle-and-bondo) 01/15/2019 at 11:38 • Filed to: None

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I still have half of this truck.

I’ve got a large car part for sale. For $500 dollars. I worded the ad pretty snarky and was clear that the price is firm. But I get a lot of opinions on what it’s worth and what it would cost someone to do it themselves (About $500 bucks, I built it myself) . It’s a custom stepside box for an old Toyota Truck (you know the one.) It’s no museum piece, I used it to truck a half ton of stuff around. But I do declare that it’s exactly $500 nicer than any of the other choices. (flat deck or wrong generation box)

It’s time to put the ad back up, just to get it out of my garage. Is it worth my while to State “I will burn it to the ground for $499.50 and charge a dollar to sweep it up.” or am I wasting my time and should put a yard of dirt in it and have a garden box. ?

vicali > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 11:59

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What not list it for $500 and take what you get?

The market for any box for a 84-89 Toyota pickup gets smaller every day.. The spot for a custom stepside is even smaller. I’m not saying this is a rare and valuable market..

It is cool, and I appreciate that you built it yourself and it cost $500. I bought a clean solid box for my 86 for $200 twenty years ago. I just don’t think there are a ton of people searching for these today.

benjrblant > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:03

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Either you want it sold, or you don’t.

DipodomysDeserti > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:05

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Market it as a garden box and place the ad in the furniture/home decor section and you can probably get $500 easy.

MUSASHI66 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:05

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I don’t get it. You’ve built it for $500, used it, and you want to sell it for $500? Zero depreciation car item? Maybe on a 250GTO, but on a used truck bed, there has to be depreciation. I’d sell it for the best offer and get rid of an unused pile of crap from my yard, but that’s just me.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > vicali 01/15/2019 at 12:08

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I searched for years for a box, they just don’t exist anymore, t his is the first time I’ve ever said “price is firm piss off”. truck is long gone and I got what I wanted for it. A minty squarebody chev box can ask $2000,(I have no idea what they sell for i n the end).   I got a zillion calls before I let the ad expired,  mostly wanting to know if it fits on top of 33" tires.  I wonder If I should price it at $750,  or $500 if buyer does not want to talk about it.   I’ve been on the tools for a long time but am a bit of a tool at doing business. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > MUSASHI66 01/15/2019 at 12:10

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I did sell it at one point, that’s why it got seperated from the chassis, then the guy didn’t show up. I’m punishing the next guy I guess.   

Chariotoflove > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:11

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First rule of capitalism: it’s not worth what you put into it, it’s worth what someone will pay for it. It’s only valuable to a very small number of people who have a use for it. Find one of them and offload it to them.

Or, a garden box does sound really nice.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Chariotoflove 01/15/2019 at 12:17

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It may end up as a homemade trailer, And I see truck box trailers for sale for more. We’ve all bought something from a pre-internet old man whose idea of dickering is knocking off $25. That’s kind of the approach I’m taking. I don’t need the money, It’s just what I think a us able toyota box is worth. 

E92M3 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:20

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I’m talking out my ass, I don’t know anything about what a bed like this would be worth.

But in my mind I'm imagining the kind of toyota truck owner that would need this bed, is driving a $500 truck and probably doesn't want to put $500 into it. I think you'd be lucky to get $300 for it. 

Chuckles > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:21

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If you are using something like Craigslist, there is always an assumption that there is some wiggle room in the price, just like at a flea market. That's the game. Not everybody likes it that way, which is understandable. If you must get $500 for it and wouldn't take $495, you need to list it higher. Maybe $550, maybe $750. I don't know. But anybody that sees a listing at $500 is assuming that there is some wiggle room. Also, as others have mentioned, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > E92M3 01/15/2019 at 12:27

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I had the last original 85 in circulation, they are now project cars. Guys drive trucks that look like $500 units. With a $500 tire at each corner. But body is expensive. And I might be being a dick about it, but I’ll release it into the universe for $500. (which  is the new $100)  I asked $100 dollars for a 65 mustang grille and horse combo.  (a solid deal in my opinion, and the guy got furious with me, I just don’t get it)   Does one need to ask more than what it’s worth expecting to dicker?  I just don’t have that in me. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:27

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The proof is in the pudding: it’s not worth 500 if no one will pay you 500

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 12:28

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I know it’s not a one off ferrari,  but what can you get for $500 really, it’s half a car.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/15/2019 at 12:31

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it is worth what someone will pay, I wouldn’t mind getting another shorty to put under it.  But what is a truck box worth?   It’s not even about the price or worth.  It’s my poor reaction to dealing with internet people.  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/15/2019 at 12:35

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You prefer whole trucks with engines and such, but objectively, what’s a box worth. (what will probably happen is I will give it to a wrecker friend who runs T oyotas and has very seldom charged me money for parts because I’ve been good to him over the years)   I would donate it to a worthy project for free, rather than deal with the chiselers

punkgoose17 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:48

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Don’t put sass into the add. Some people will just pass on something because the seller seems like a jerk from the add.

Chariotoflove > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:51

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Well have at it then.  And if you get any entertaining replies, be sure to share them.

shop-teacher > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:56

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“Is it worth my while to State “I will burn it to the ground for $499.50 and charge a dollar to sweep it up.”

No, it’s not.  

You can either start lowering the price until you get it sold, you can ask $750 and let guys “ talk you down” to $500, or you can keep it.

Chuckles > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:58

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I’m not saying that your price is off of the mark, just that you seem to be very inflexible on the price but you’re trying to sell it on a platform where traditionally all prices are negotiable.

Al so , there are far, far fewer people in the market for "half a car" than there are for a whole car. You have a very small target audience. To 99.9% of people browsing Craigslist, you are selling something that they don't need. You need to appeal to that 0.1% that really want what you're selling, and everyone enjoys feeling like they got a good deal. If you'd be happy with $500, you should still be happy at $475. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 12:59

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An ounce of really good weed?

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > punkgoose17 01/15/2019 at 12:59

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It’s kind of how I operate,  I will do Rust repair on classic cars, but I will guarantee My services cost more that they’re worth, and I’m not giving deals on anything ill advised or just stupid.  Add that to my “cash up front, I don’t want your car” policy, and the leftover people will taken seriously.  but I don’t buy and sell things.  One must have a firm hand with “car people”.    I’ve told my friends to stop mentioning that I do bodywork.  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > shop-teacher 01/15/2019 at 13:01

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It’s not about car parts or money,  my internal old man drew a line in the sand.  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 13:02

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I’d give it away for free if asked nicely

whatisthatsound > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:03

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Whenever I sell things that I don't need, I always ask would I rather have this or money? Then I sell it for money because hanging on to things I don't use is a waste. 

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/15/2019 at 13:03

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Government weed or proper “dealer” weed?

Chuckles > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:13

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Sadly, Craigslist isn't exactly known for people asking nicely for things.

Chuckles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/15/2019 at 13:16

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It might be worth it at $500 to somebody, but if it's listed at $500 we'll never know since even that person wants to negotiate a better price. If it had been listed at $600 it might have sold at $500 by now.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 13:16

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People ARE a bunch of bastards. I’ve consigned good used cars to lot because I just can’t,  and sold beaters for dirt cheap because that’s what decency calls for. I’ve also pointed out that “plymouth” is a french word for “yes it leaks, it’s a fucking plymouth”.    Mind you, selling a car that is worth something is easier.

Chuckles > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:23

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Think about buying a new car at a dealer. Would you just walk in and pay the window sticker price on any new car, or would you try to negotiate? This is the system that we have in place. I don’t like it personally, but it’s the widely accepted business model. Craigslist is the same. It’s a catch-22 though. Everybody expects a deal, so sellers list things at prices higher than what they’d take. And buyers  know this, so they continually offer a lesser amount. The more sellers list things high and sell below list, the more it reinforces the narrative that prices are flexible. Sadly, you can’t change this narrative by yourself or you just come off as a “no lowballers, I know what I have” jerk. Don’t be that guy.

osucycler > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:25

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If it fit a 79-83 we’d be talking. These second generation trucks will have their time it just isn’t quite in demand, yet.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:25

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Dunno. Can’t get gov’t weed in my state. Yet.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 01/15/2019 at 13:27

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Canadians never thought we’d live to see the day, and we REALLY never thought that when the day came, it would be “thanks but no thanks”  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 13:30

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I’m just pretty black and white, would never ask $650 for something I thought was worth $500.  maybe I should. 

Chuckles > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:38

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That's the nature of the beast. Everything that gets sold on Craigslist gets sold for less than listed value. Negotiations are implied. It's like looking at a Musician's Friend catalog and every single item is marked 35% below list price, or that furniture store that is always having a sale. You are helping people feel like they got a good deal. 

shop-teacher > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:48

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Well, your inte rnal old man can pick one of those three options.  Or, you mentioned turning into a utility trailer in another comment.  That’s not a bad idea at all.  

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > shop-teacher 01/15/2019 at 13:51

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Good with my hands, bad taste in cars, not a businessman.

shop-teacher > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 13:57

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Understood :)

I sell a lot of stuff on Craigslist and FB Marketplace. There is virtually no such thing as not haggling.  I can count on one hand the amount of times people have simply paid me my asking price . That’s just the way it works, aggravating as it might be.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Chuckles 01/15/2019 at 14:08

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This just reminded me of the last guitar I bought from MF a few years ago. I was interested in a used Squier Tele Deluxe advertised but they f-ed up and sent me a Strat instead. Ended up getting a new one for cost. Yay, incompe tence!

Die-Trying > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 14:29

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you could always make a nice usable trailer out of it......

Die-Trying > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 14:31

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SO.......... i understand you do bodywork.........

NojustNo > punkgoose17 01/15/2019 at 14:49

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Good advice! Advertisement =ad not add though.

E92M3 > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 01/15/2019 at 14:53

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Maybe...ask $700 and someone may offer $500. In the world of craigslist, almost no one will pay asking price for anything.