Swap Meet Etiquette

[whayden2003]

Going to my first car show with a swap meet this weekend.
Don't want to look like the noob I am. Is it proper etiquette to bring stuff to trade. Or is that frowned on.

 

[Towner73]

if it has a swap meet then that’s what they do is swap buy sell trade! Have fun!

 

[rlem1977]

Remember, the people at the swap meet paid to have a spot/booth/whatever. Don't bring a wagon full stuff and haul it around looking to unload it, that's kind of cheating the event. However, it's perfectly okay to bring things to trade/barter with.

 

[kiwigtx]

Be prepared to haggle over prices....but also be prepared to be disappointed in the prices asked.

Have fun and don't spend all your car money on HotDogs.

 

[whayden2003]

That's where i was going with it. When I got my car it came with a gaggle of parts in the trunk. I have threes of stuff. Like couple sets of hood hinges,three or four instrutment clusters,carb tags,wiper motors etc. I'll keep it in the buick till I find something I want. To fat to drag a wagon of stuff around.

 

[kiwigtx]

To fat to drag a wagon of stuff around.

...sorry, had to do it.

 

[whayden2003]

Mutha f$&?........ok that was funny.

 

[gkent]

Why not just pay for a swap spot if you have that much stuff. The object is to get rid of stuff, not drag it show to show. You can say "swap meet" all you want but after many, many years at many, many swap meets I can honestly tell you that not much swapping takes place - other than swapping cash for parts of course !!

 

[tonysrt]

Most of the people that sell at the swap meet are looking to get rid of stuff they no longer have use for. I had accumulated a lot of RB engine parts and after I put a gen 2 Hemi in my car I got rid of 90% of it, and held on to some because the Hemi uses a few B parts.

 

[kiwigtx]

Why not just pay for a swap spot if you have that much stuff. The object is to get rid of stuff, not drag it show to show. You can say "swap meet" all you want but after many, many years at many, many swap meets I can honestly tell you that not much swapping takes place - other than swapping cash for parts of course !!

And if you do take a swap spot....take along a chair or two.

 

[69a100]

if it has a swap meet then that’s what they do is swap buy sell trade! Have fun!

I will add haggle, finagle, wheel & deal, and whatnot. Have fun!

 

[gkent]

And reasoning with people doesn't hurt either. At Indy I was looking for a bunch of old bumper jacks *cheap*. I came across a fellow who had four at $35 each. I said I'd pay $10. each and take them all. Well we went back and forth a bit and I finally said "look, how many guys do you think are here looking for a jack? Best case scenario, you'll sell one and have to drag the others home again or throw them out. $50 for all four - final offer". He saw the logic and took the money.

And if someone is asking ridiculous money for something, either ask what's special about it or just say "thanks" and move on.

If I ask for a price on something and I get "make me an offer" I tell them to throw out a number or I'm moving on OR I lowball them to put the ball in their court.

 

[JB400]

Don't dilly dally around about getting the parts you want, by dragging parts around to trade. Someone else could cut in and buy it out from under you, while you're running back to get parts.

 

[gkent]

Don't dilly dally around about getting the parts you want, by dragging parts around to trade. Someone else could cut in and buy it out from under you, while you're running back to get parts.

I agree. Money trumps trades unless you're getting screwed on the deal.

Have all your stuff priced or listed with prices (I like seeing prices on the stuff rather than having to ask). Bring a buddy with you that can keep an eye on your stuff if you want to go shop for a while. Bring phones so any negotiating can be done in your absence.

 

[hoover]

The best part about having a space is having s spot to bring the stuff that you buy, a nice nice place to go back to.

The people-watching is entertaining as well

 

[mopar 3 B]

Its hilarious what some think junk is worth.