The Used Parts Market & Resellers

[dizzariot]

We've been having a talk about the YAJ thread and some recent happenings within the used-parts market. In an effort to not be the one that posts the direct link, I'll summarize it:

Someone goes to get some parts for their car, is pissed at the reseller's price (and his rejected offer) , and then posts a full article listing all of the known ways to get parts from Japan in an effort to 'eliminate the middleman' and bring balance to the used parts market.

Points to be made:

1.) If the price is too high, what do you think is going to happen when the bids are driven up due to more bidders being present?

2.) The reseller obviously knows about one of the listed avenues, how many more resell pages will be created by this article?

3.) If you don't want 'fly-by-night-fuckboys' to have an easy leg-up, then (again) what is the point of this article?

I thought we'd move the talk here. How do you feel about this shit?

I used to just think 'fuck it, man...it is what it is' but now I'm starting to think that as a collective we can stem the tide a little. Personal attacks are always expected, but it would be cool if we could just have a heated debate about this shit instead of devolving into the whole 'it's just business' or 'don't knock the hustle' or 'you're obviously threatened' lines that normally accompany this argument.

[dizzariot]

The way I think it breaks down is kind of simple. I'll list them in order from least to most money made:

1.) People that have access to YAJ and buy stuff at a fixed commission (like Jesse) for their immediate acquaintances.

2.) People that buy stuff they intend to use, and then sell it for a markup when they decide not to use it.

3.) People that start resale pages to charge more than a few times what they paid for an item.

[Almighty So]

That article is so dumb. I’m more upset about the flawed logic than the “secret” getting out.

Like you mentioned before, people with brains already knew all of this info so it’s not like we never had competition to begin with. (Although more first-timers who just want some IG cred are going to follow the article step by step :facepalm: )

As far as the 1, 2, 3 you have listed there, I draw the line at 2. I have purchased items that I want to use and generally when it comes time to sell, the goal is to make your money back. If you don’t lose on shipping, it’s a win. Any extra on top, it’s a win.

My main issue would be people who buy items strictly with the intentions of mark-up and profit. That isn’t cool imo. If you have no intentions of using the item, send the link to a friend who might be interested. Don’t buy it and offer it to them for double.

[Almighty So]

On the other hand I do believe there is a silver lining and genuine people on the market providing a true service.
Someone like Yokoworks. It’s hard to see sometimes with certain sellers, but I feel yokoworks is legitimately attempting to bring cool product to American consumers who would otherwise not have the chance to buy said items.
Barely scraping any profit just to bring cool/rare parts to the community is a pretty awesome/time consuming service with no real benefits.
It’s a shame that scummy resellers will wear the same mask of “helping” you on their mark-up item pages.

[deolio]

just buy shit new. keep the industry alive. /thread

[Almighty So]

I can agree with that. Bought my ings skirts brand new. Support where you can ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But a lot of parts I enjoy are also old and discontinued. No options other than second-hand purchases.

[tuzzio]

I'm all for the people bringing containers of cool shit over or stocking cool parts (garageattack, wolfreign motors, etc.)

but the fuckin mhubeny's are what irritates me.

Half of me dislikes the fact that I don't have instagram cause I see people posting cool stuff there for sale all the time, the other half of me still hates instagram. I already spend too much money on my car.

I'm not gonna name names, but theres some shit that gets posted on here that is mind blowing. Seriously, $1,000 for s13 light up louvers? LMAO.

[yunglinguine]

@zer0dimes is a scum YAJ reseller, I want to see his head on a pike.


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[Almighty So]

Boy if u don’t get yo

[tb13]

Its hilarious to think that dude wanted to "Get rid of the middle man", you still need a middle man to get parts from Japan most of the time. That proxy service website is a middle man, your buddy in Japan is a middle man, Streeter is a middle man. That guy just made a post whining about the shit he was promoting at the same time...

The pricing increase on parts isn't because there is a middle man anyway, its all of the hype around specific shit that was only ever originally sold in Japan. Fan boys get hardons for the stuff and the price jumps 5x seemingly overnight. Capitalism at its finest ladies and gentlemen!

I figured out how to do it on my own years ago because I wanted something I could not buy in the states, period. I've brought a lot of shit over and sold some of it, but I've never been in it for making money. Recently I just use my setup accounts to help friends get parts they want and don't charge them anything. I don't deserve a cut for having an account on xxxxx.jp.co, I just like cool parts and seeing others happy to be able to own them.

[Almighty So]

That guy just made a post whining about the shit he was promoting at the same time...

Thank god other people can see this. I pointed this out to him and he deleted my comment lol.

. I don't deserve a cut for having an account on xxxxx.jp.co, I just like cool parts and seeing others happy to be able to own them.

Good man

[dizzariot]

The biggest problem with all of this shit is how people adopt the attitude that they can't make a change in all of this. It's so defeatist and it really just perpetuates the problem.

People like to say that this is the 'future' and we either need to 'stop bitching' or just get on board with it. How fucking stupid is that? If enough people actually do something about it (like Hiroshi/runningfree86's IG post) then maybe this shit can AT LEAST be slowed down.

There aren't any super rare parts I want when I think about it. Old Nismo logo stuff is alright, old OEM stuff is pretty cool, and discontinued parts are fun to hunt for...but there's nothing I can think of that I really want at this moment. So if I'm essentially at my personal finish line, why would I just sit back and watch things get shittier and shittier for the people that are just starting?

I always see these reseller dudes masquerading as heroes: self-proclaimed saviors of the used-parts market because they bring a 'valuable service' to 'those in need'. So they buy parts for cheap and sell them for 2-3 times what they paid and make people think they're getting a good deal. Win-win, right? Happy customers, guy is making stupid money, all good? Now what happens when someone goes to get the same part later on? All of these fucking cocksuckers say their prices are warranted due to supply and demand. They honestly don't realize that by poaching the fucking supply the demand is rising and the demand DIRECTLY correlates to the market price.

So who the fuck are they helping? If their buy-in was once cheap , now it's super fucking high. At that point (since these are just young dudes that fancy themselves 'entrepreneurs' and not legitimate businessmen) they cut themselves off from the market because either their profit markets shrink or they raise the prices to levels that even the dumbest motherfucker won't pay.

The other thing they frequently try to use as a scapegoat is the fact that they think they're 'teaching a younger generation' how to do it right. What are you teaching them? That you can throw a fuckton of money at some cunt's marked-up parts and gain scene points? Why not suggest some magazines or old Option videos? They can join a forum, ask what part this is they saw in whatever video, and start a rapport with their community. Zilvia is quick to weed out assholes that want to be spoon-fed or are too impatient to post these questions in the right thread but whenever someone gets it right and asks for help in the right place, people help. If we're truly the 'shittiest forum' then why can we get it right sometimes?

The dude that wrote the article is so fucking pretentious it makes me sick. Reading his personal biography as well as the website's fucking 'mission statement' is a God damn joke.

Mission statement:

"----- is the intersection of car life and knowledge. We see ourselves as automotive stewards, historians, enthusiasts, teachers and learners all at the same time. We’ve been involved with Japanese cars for a significant part of our lives and feel that there has always been a void in the representation of cars that hail from NYC and the surrounding areas."


The author's biography:


"---- comes from a background in academia and consistently pursues the development of a community both with his work in academia and his interest in all things motor. It is this community which he believes will help preserve automotive history and knowledge, priming a future generation of enthusiasts to expand and improvise on previous builds. Through his lens, he captures fleeting moments as car enthusiasts build, break and rebuild their creations as a means to preserve and express what the enthusiast originally intended. He finds his daily inspiration from the merging of cultures, mainly the transfer of street culture to the front stage of art, food and design. Consequently, nothing is more relevant to this merging than automotive builds meant for the street."


These are all my opinions. You're welcome to share yours and I hope you do regardless of what side you fall on.

[Reece]

That article gave me fucking cancer.
I can't wait to see the new wave of Hubeny dipshits nown that the "secret" is out. Can't wait for the day where parts on YAJ cost more than stateside parts. Also can't wait to see the super fucking ridiculous "if it's Japanese it's obviously cool" builds.

[!Zar!]

Humans are parasites. This isn't news.

86 dude was crying about some used ass Levin headlights being shipped to America.

Too bad he missed the mark since Toyota still sells them BRAND NEW at the dealership.

[Almighty So]

Can't wait for the day where parts on YAJ cost more than stateside parts.

Too late lol!
I see lots of shift knobs, horn buttons, nismo items, etc for what I would consider average stateside, if not more!
$100 prompt-decision for a grex knob?
Japanese see resellers prices and don’t want to be left out on that money.

86 dude was crying about some used ass Levin headlights being shipped to America.

Too bad he missed the mark since Toyota still sells them BRAND NEW at the dealership.

I don’t think his beef is specifically over a few pairs of headlights. I know that’s what the original post was but the way he speaks of the 86 market and used parts in general lead me to believe he’s looking at the bigger picture.
Also, if perfectly fine used headlights are available, dealership prices aren’t always everyone’s first thought. I understand supporting Toyota and buying new but there are plenty of scenarios where brand new headlights for a 30 year old car that was probably less than a months salary isn’t usually a priority.

[Reece]

Too late lol!
I see lots of shift knobs, horn buttons, nismo items, etc for what I would consider average stateside, if not more!
$100 prompt-decision for a grex knob?
Japanese see resellers prices and don’t want to be left out on that money.

Literally made a Facebook post about this a week ago, in 2014 I bought a BNIB Grex knob for $30, used it for a few months, and sold it to hotrodjoseph for $30.
Last week I saw a used, scratched up Grex sell for 95. Nice ones for over 100. What the fuck.
There is literally NO reason for that. The only reason why it's happening is because of these new dumbasses coming in and inflating the price.
I've seen this happen so many times with so many things.

[ZenkiKid]

Literally made a Facebook post about this a week ago, in 2014 I bought a BNIB Grex knob for $30, used it for a few months, and sold it to hotrodjoseph for $30.
Last week I saw a used, scratched up Grex sell for 95. Nice ones for over 100. What the fuck.




SAME. I bought a brand new grex knob for around the same price in like 2010 and seeing how much they go for now makes my head spin.

I bought a few things off of YAJ and to be honest I never really thought I got that good a deal on stuff after commission fees and shipping.

Whenever local car guys brought up possibly buying stuff on YAJ I always tell them my personal rule of thumb that after everything prepare to pay about double what you won the item for.

[Jo_Galezo]

Whats happening now with these parts is basically whats happening with sneakers or supreme or clothes in general. Something limited/rare comes out and then people come in and buy out the whole supply & sell them for 4x the price because they know others want it and will pay the price & sadly with these parts. Alot of people don't care enough to spend how ever many days/weeks looking everywhere themselves to find a part & the second they see it pop up. No matter the price they'll buy it. And yeah the only way to stop it is to stop paying those prices but sadly that's something that will never be in our control :/ because the normal person is way to impulsive and impatient and does no research on what something should cost.


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[tuzzio]

This thread immediately brings one user on here to mind. Dudes prices are real irritating.

Anyways, I have no issues with the people that are buying stuff cheaper than market value and selling it for market value. Its the people charging 5-600 for ganadors.

[Jake12]

That article gave me fucking cancer.
I can't wait to see the new wave of Hubeny dipshits nown that the "secret" is out. Can't wait for the day where parts on YAJ cost more than stateside parts. Also can't wait to see the super fucking ridiculous "if it's Japanese it's obviously cool" builds.

Read that article.... scrolled down to your comment and nearly died.
I got some carbon blue Lens s14 ganadors in 2013 from gtr garage for 325 or 350 bucks. I sold them last year for about the same given it was kind of a package deal with my pal Kam (boostaddict).
I looked at it this way.
1) I pretty much made my money back.
2) I helped a good friend out
3) they went to a cool car

Win win for both parties.

[Y0SH]

If we're truly the 'shittiest forum'

JZXPronect holds that title. You can’t take that away from use.

[souljaseth33]

I have always enjoyed going to YAJ for parts, but over the past year or so I've noticed the prices creeping up. If I sell an item purchased from over there, its sold at or below what I paid. Most recent thing was a Do-Luck grill that I sold less than paid for.

I even go there for Harley parts since my bike is discontinued & more popular in Japan lol

[CamryOnBronze]

Anyways, I have no issues with the people that are buying stuff cheaper than market value and selling it for market value. Its the people charging 5-600 for ganadors.

If I can post a pair of Ganador mirrors I have decided not to use for sale on Instagram for $550 shipped and sell them within 20 minutes, I am going to do it. There are plenty of other ways I can help the community, like posting useful part numbers when I find them and answering every PM I receive from someone asking me a question about these cars. Taking a loss on parts or selling things for under the market value to help people out is not something that fits into my budget right now, as nice as that would be.

However, I don't disagree with you. It sucks S13 Ganador mirrors go for $450+ all day when they used to be $200 a few years back. I don't really have a good explanation for why this shift has taken place, but it's the reality we live in I guess.

I do kind of feel the whole sense of the community and what is going on is blown a bit out of proportion though. The S chassis community is a small one in the grand scheme of things, and the people that want these old "2001 Golden Era" parts are a very small portion of that already small community. Sometimes it feels like we all get so bent out of shape about things that impact such a small number of people because we are so consumed by/obsessed with this hobby. Maybe it's the fact that I have a family now and my priorities have shifted (but don't mistake this for a lack of motivation and interest in these cars), but it's not something I really find myself getting upset/worked up about.

[sidewaysil80]

Hell, I can't get over how much bricks are going for. I remember when mint sets were like $200-$300 through various importers. It's 3x that now..


Anyways, I have no issues with the people that are buying stuff cheaper than market value and selling it for market value. Its the people charging 5-600 for ganadors.

It is what it is, that's the beauty of capitalism. If someone is willing to pay that amount, someone will charge that amount. If not and the product sits idle, they will have to adjust their price.

[Almighty So]

. Taking a loss on parts or selling things for under the market value to help people out is not something that fits into my budget right now, as nice as that would be.
.

the people that want these old "2001 Golden Era" parts are a very small portion of that already small community. .

I agree with these statements.
Selling ganadors for a loss wouldn’t be logical. I’m just not with actively hunting all cheap pairs of ganadors for profit when I already have mirrors if that makes sense.

Second part is surprisingly true. I usually don’t post items until they’re in my possession and lots of people still end up asking me where I got it. I usually assume they would have seen the auction. But stepping back to think about it, I don’t spend everyday on the auctions either so I miss a ton of good stuff too.

[gbaby2089]

That article gave me fucking cancer.
I can't wait to see the new wave of Hubeny dipshits nown that the "secret" is out. Can't wait for the day where parts on YAJ cost more than stateside parts. Also can't wait to see the super fucking ridiculous "if it's Japanese it's obviously cool" builds.

The ironing.

http://www.jdmchicago.com/forums/showthread.php?32560-*insert-creative-title-here*

On-topic, it is amazing how many parts people are paying more than new prices for....on things that are still available brand new.

[Reece]

The ironing.

http://www.jdmchicago.com/forums/showthread.php?32560-*insert-creative-title-here*

On-topic, it is amazing how many parts people are paying more than new prices for....on things that are still available brand new.

So a car that I put together when I was 16 years old is somehow relevant to anything in this thread? I fail to see what this comment is supposed to mean lmao.

[tb13]

Oh man, I imported 2 pair of Ganadors for friends recently. Like I said before I don't charge friends anything when I import them things, this is just to show how inflated prices are and how the US resellers are inflating those prices even further.

The first was a carbon pair with blue lenses for the Z32, these are really rare and hard to find. On YAJ they were 59k yen for the pair plus some tax and shipping of course. There is someone trying to sell the same pair for $950 USD + shipping...

The second pair was for an MK4 Supra, these were paint matched for his vehicle and had blue lenses. These were 89k yen + shipping, insanely expensive, but when I talked to him about what they sell for in the states he said this was a really good deal for him.

I don't think much will change going forward, prices will continue to rise, people will continue to pay. Sucks for all of the guys just now getting into japanese cars...

[dizzariot]

JZXPronect holds that title. You can’t take that away from use.

It was given to us by all the people that got roasted on this forum lol.



1.) Taking a loss on parts or selling things for under the market value to help people out is not something that fits into my budget right now, as nice as that would be.

2.) I do kind of feel the whole sense of the community and what is going on is blown a bit out of proportion though.

3.) Maybe it's the fact I have a family now...

1.) Yeah that's a weird thing to do (posted by souljaseth33) and I think he's the only one saying people should do that lol. I'm either making my money back or studying price trends and still pricing them competitively. I got fucked on my silver LMGT4s and that's why (when they were briefly listed) I asked the price I asked, but it was STILL fucking better than some dude with beat bronze LMGT4s on a ZN6 asking the same price *cough*.

2.) With all due respect, I feel like this sort of thinking has led us here. The lack of community values makes it easy for us to say 'oh that will never happen to me so I don't care about anyone else' so we don't speak out or blacklist greedy fuckers...but can you imagine if we did? What if we (as Zilvia) decided not to promote this shit and boycott it on this forum? I don't have an answer to that question but I really want people to think about, you know?

3.) Yes to this x457,678,689.

On-topic, it is amazing how many parts people are paying more than new prices for....on things that are still available brand new.

That's a matter of preference. I won't buy something used if I can get it new for marginally more. I honestly blame that (paying more for used than new) on laziness. Someone will buy a used Kakimoto exhaust on Zilvia instead of checking the new price on YAJ.



Here's another couple things to ponder:

These cats are buying (let's just say) 5 sets of Ganadors for super cheap and then selling them at a huge markup. Wouldn't it be funny as fuck if that seller couldn't move their product? How long until you guys think they'd be forced to lower their profit margin from ridiculously fucking greedy to reasonable?

What about the guys ordering multiple sets of BNIB wheels and then still selling them at US market prices? If you've ever priced out BNIB Rays wheels from Japan you'll see how fucking ludicrous the markup is. Businesses have to pay for their containers and (probably) follow a price listed by the manufacturer for overseas sales. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about dudes on IG that pretend they have an actual 'supplier' when they're really using YAJ or some other provider to ship these wheels 'normally'. Why the fuck are y'all still paying these cunts as much as a respectable local shop? Their prices are NEVER better than FRSport and shops like that...so why?

[vdubkidd]

My gripe is these guys that say they can "source" from Japan and use pictures that have UPGarage and Croooober watermarks in them. Please acquire the parts first before trying to hustle someone for something they can purchase themselves.

[!Zar!]

The price is only as dumb as the buyer.

No point being salty at the sellers.

If there is a market for it, people will sell it.

Why would anyone not try to get top dollar for something theh are selling?

[mechanicalmoron]

That article is so dumb. I’m more upset about the flawed logic than the “secret” getting out.

Like you mentioned before, people with brains already knew all of this info so it’s not like we never had competition to begin with. (Although more first-timers who just want some IG cred are going to follow the article step by step :facepalm: )

As far as the 1, 2, 3 you have listed there, I draw the line at 2. I have purchased items that I want to use and generally when it comes time to sell, the goal is to make your money back. If you don’t lose on shipping, it’s a win. Any extra on top, it’s a win.

My main issue would be people who buy items strictly with the intentions of mark-up and profit. That isn’t cool imo. If you have no intentions of using the item, send the link to a friend who might be interested. Don’t buy it and offer it to them for double.
Said the whiny parts fence?

So basically, fuck them for doing what you do (but a little different).

If it's okay to do it, there's not much line you can draw - it's okay for you because you have pure intentions? If you buy parts from japan and resell them in the US, you're doing the same thing, and this thread is a bunch of bitching about getting your hustles stepped on.

"let's not use any names, or mention any time or place, or any particular subject, or why it bothers us so much, or what bothers us so much, but whatever it is, it really needs to stop, because some people are probably outraged or something"

You know zilvia's done when it's just the different parts-gougers agreeing that everybody should be grateful of their service.

Dipshits trashed all the 240s, ran all the cool bits into walls, parted it all out, and now you're complaining that prices are going up? Poor old you can't profiteer so easily anymore? It's about time, better than prices being artificially low as every last cool car or part is burnt thru in a few years. You all bought your cool shift knobs or whatever just as all the 240s got destroyed, and now people want them, it's not because YOU bought one, and they're just worse people than you.... It's because YOU and your buddies parted out 838755 240s, and now they're largely gone. Your crappy culture consumed itself, because you chose to profit in unsustainable short-term ways.

[dizzariot]

The price is only as dumb as the buyer.

No point being salty at the sellers.

If there is a market for it, people will sell it.

Why would anyone not try to get top dollar for something theh are selling?

I disagree.

I get salty because somewhere down the line some fucking cunt started all of this and the trend caught on. Now we're in 2018 and shit is so fucking inflated it's no wonder people mount the "can't afford legit parts" argument when their car looks like a bag of smashed assholes.

I can see how you're playing Devil's Advocate and I really do see what you mean. I'm posing the question of what the fuck can we do as a community to try and make a dent. If you're not with the optimism (that something can be done) that's cool man. Just wanted to get people thinking about it.



...this thread is a bunch of bitching about getting your hustles stepped on.

"let's not use any names, or mention any time or place, or any particular subject, or why it bothers us so much, or what bothers us so much, but whatever it is, it really needs to stop, because some people are probably outraged or something"

Dipshits trashed all the 240s, ran all the cool bits into walls, parted it all out, and now you're complaining that prices are going up? Poor old you can't profiteer so easily anymore? It's about time, better than prices being artificially low as every last cool car or part is burnt thru in a few years. You all bought your cool shift knobs or whatever just as all the 240s got destroyed, and now people want them, it's not because YOU bought one, and they're just worse people than you.... It's because YOU and your buddies parted out 838755 240s, and now they're largely gone. Your crappy culture consumed itself, because you chose to profit in unsustainable short-term ways.

1.) There it is. The first dude calling it a hustle. No one in here has an IG page with the word 'entrepreneur' in the bio and an ugly 'car girl girlfriend' rubbing her asshole all over the hood of their car to get IG likes. So yeah, no one here is hustling, playboi.

2.) Obviously people are pissed. There are people in this thread. I'm in fucking Japan and I can't even get shit locally because every fucking neckbeard with a 90s Japanese car resells parts.

3.) Holy shit: put on your tinfoil hats. You're saying that the mark-up is due to fuckboys destroying cars? What the fuck does 'artificially low' mean?

4.) Aren't you the same fucking dude defending shitboxes?

People are not static. You can give them what it takes to improve, or you can drive them away, and cut your nose off to spite your face.

Where's this optimism? Only works when you want to defend a fucking piece of shit posted in the DIW thread? Can you not see the contradictions here...

[Almighty So]

Said the whiny parts fence?

So basically, fuck them for doing what you do (but a little different).

Haha are you delusional? i do not constantly hunt auctions for profit strictly with intentions to sell. Nor anything similar. Not sure what you’re even getting at.


it's okay for you because you have pure intentions? If you buy parts from japan and resell them in the US, you're doing the same thing, and this thread is a bunch of bitching about getting your hustles stepped on.

But that’s the thing, I’m not trying to hustle parts, and I don’t have intentions to make profit.
Everyone buys and sells parts but buying and selling doesn’t mean you always have intentions to flip things and profit.



"let's not use any names, or mention any time or place, or any particular subject, or why it bothers us so much, or what bothers us so much, but whatever it is, it really needs to stop, because some people are probably outraged or something"



Directing your angry misquotes from other people at me? You’re starting to sound like dizzariot is ruining your IG resale’s.

[souljaseth33]

It was given to us by all the people that got roasted on this forum lol.



1.) Yeah that's a weird thing to do (posted by souljaseth33) and I think he's the only one saying people should do that lol.

haha I should have put more out there. I was't deliberately taking a loss, the item just didn't sell for what I paid. I wasn't upset, and didn't buy to up-sell it, so I took the sale and moved on.

I'm only there for things I'm looking for, not going on there looking to buy & make profit.

[sidewaysil80]

This thread is so stupid. If you can't afford something don't bitch about it's fair market value. If something is overpriced it won't sell and capitalism will prevail.

[tuzzio]

This thread is so stupid. If you can't afford something don't bitch about it's fair market value. If something is overpriced it won't sell and capitalism will prevail.

There is a difference between buying parts for cheap and selling them at market value and buying parts to drive the price up.

[sidewaysil80]

There is a difference between buying parts for cheap and selling them at market value and buying parts to drive the price up.

Market value is what something is selling for, period. It doesn't matter how that price was determined or if it's higher than what you think it should be. Nothing is percluding you from doing the same thing, if you have the capital to buy all of a product and take that risk buy all means...

[!Zar!]

I disagree.

I get salty because somewhere down the line some fucking cunt started all of this and the trend caught on. Now we're in 2018 and shit is so fucking inflated it's no wonder people mount the "can't afford legit parts" argument when their car looks like a bag of smashed assholes.

I can see how you're playing Devil's Advocate and I really do see what you mean. I'm posing the question of what the fuck can we do as a community to try and make a dent. If you're not with the optimism (that something can be done) that's cool man. Just wanted to get people thinking about it.


As someone said earlier, this is no different than the sneaker game.

The resell price only goes down due to low demand, or when the market is oversaturated.

So to answer your question as to what can be done? Reallistically, nothing. Maybe try to convince a manufacturer that there is a market for a certain product and try to reproduce the item.

If you see people reselling a product which is widely available elsewhere? Simply call them out on it and provide facts. That’s all you can really do.

[pacotaco345]

I disagree.

Good for you

I get salty because somewhere down the line some fucking cunt started all of this and the trend caught on. Now we're in 2018 and shit is so fucking inflated it's no wonder people mount the "can't afford legit parts" argument when their car looks like a bag of smashed assholes.

In 2006 it still cost a zillion dollars to import a body kit. Those "fucking cunts" are driving up the prices of shift knobs, thrash seats, 20 y/o gauges and shitty high-offset 3 piece wheels. None of which make a car look cool. Last I checked you can still buy paint in America.

1.) There it is. The first dude calling it a hustle. No one in here has an IG page with the word 'entrepreneur' in the bio and an ugly 'car girl girlfriend' rubbing her asshole all over the hood of their car to get IG likes. So yeah, no one here is hustling, playboi.

Is your primary occupation importing Japanese goods? No? Then its your hustle.

2.) Obviously people are pissed. There are people in this thread. I'm in fucking Japan and I can't even get shit locally because every fucking neckbeard with a 90s Japanese car resells parts.

You can't get shit locally because you've only lived in Japan for a year, Yokosuka at that, land of corner dealerships selling rusty resprayed GTRs for double what they're worth to sailors with more money than brain, and I'm sure you don't speak the language fluently either. I have a handful of friends over there that buy and sell stuff on a weekly basis because they know where to look.

[JrDarknes]

^^ I know when Jordans were a big deal I was making a killing selling shoes back when I was a teenager. People couldn't wait 6 hours in line for a high demand shoe but would pay double the original price to own a pair. Yea we can argue if its right or wrong but shit I was only making 7.25 at burger king. Hell yea Im going to take advantage.

It's the natural evolution of a culture that is booming outside of the originally intended market.

We started to glorify select parts as being rare (even when they're not), and some people decided to capitalize on it. That's business.

You guys are blaming the resellers, and failing to recognize how the various U.S. "drifting" subcultures have created this demand. Welcome to the Internet.


bigs pretty much nailed it honestly.

This thread is so stupid. If you can't afford something don't bitch about it's fair market value.

Exactly. My first thought when I read through this thread.


If something is overpriced it won't sell and capitalism will prevail.
Yup! These guys outbid me on this jacket for $310 dollars a while back. Its been sitting for a year and a half and will never sell because its overpriced
https://www.getautofactory.com/collections/clothing/products/advan-challenge-spirit-bomber-jacket-l

Like its been mentioned before, the market for these "JDM Goodies" is small so its not really a big impact in my opinion and people seem to be ok paying the price for these things so I dont see it as a big deal. I've been overpaying for automotive jackets since GetAutoFactory (constant collection) first started but I'm fine with the prices haha.

[Almighty So]

I agree with the basics of how capitalism/monopolies work but it’s just a pretty crummy situation. I’m not as gung-ho as some on either side of the situation but it has affected me.

California dudes, imagine some third party dude somehow could successful start brokering in-n-out burger to everyone in the world as a side hustle.
I’m from Chicago and love in-n-out so say I’m willing to pay $20 to get a cheeseburger to my house.
In-n-out catches wind of this and ups their price too. Cause I’m willing to pay. Capitalism. You can’t blame me or in-n-out but isn’t it crummy that your local burger joint would now cost double or triple to enjoy? Is the price still fair because I have more disposable income than you?
It’s not that in-n-out was a secret. I find it strange that everyone would theoretically be okay with something they enjoyed being “ruined” for the sake of justifying capitalism.

[tb13]

I agree with the basics of how capitalism/monopolies work but it’s just a pretty crummy situation. I’m not as gung-ho as some on either side of the situation but it has affected me.

California dudes, imagine some third party dude somehow could successful start brokering in-n-out burger to everyone in the world as a side hustle.
I’m from Chicago and love in-n-out so say I’m willing to pay $20 to get a cheeseburger to my house.
In-n-out catches wind of this and ups their price too. Cause I’m willing to pay. Capitalism. You can’t blame me or in-n-out but isn’t it crummy that your local burger joint would now cost double or triple to enjoy? Is the price still fair because I have more disposable income than you?
It’s not that in-n-out was a secret. I find it strange that everyone would theoretically be okay with something they enjoyed being “ruined” for the sake of justifying capitalism.

In-N-Out is good stuff :naughty:

That's how it works, unfortunately. Once something is easier to get ahold of the price usually jumps, especially if it is something that is sought after. You can't go to your local picknpull to get these parts, therefore when someone is importing them they want their cut for the time they spent. There is nothing wrong with that, but since so many people are importing parts these days the cost is rising and the importers are becoming more greedy by the day.

I deal with Amazon members on a daily basis (I manage a large Amazon account) and today everyone wants their shit yesterday, they don't want to wait for shipping or for auctions to end even if it costs more. To import stuff yourself you need some understanding of the process and patience. You have to use a bidding proxy of some sort, wait for the auction to end, then wait for shipping to your proxy service and finally wait for shipping to you.

We're a society of lazy fucks, why take the time to research how to import parts yourself or what they are actually worth when scumbag McGee will sell you the part today, with a hefty premium of course...

[S14kouki805]

"Scumbag McGee" ROFL!!

[JrDarknes]

I agree with the basics of how capitalism/monopolies work but it’s just a pretty crummy situation. I’m not as gung-ho as some on either side of the situation but it has affected me.

California dudes, imagine some third party dude somehow could successful start brokering in-n-out burger to everyone in the world as a side hustle.
I’m from Chicago and love in-n-out so say I’m willing to pay $20 to get a cheeseburger to my house.
In-n-out catches wind of this and ups their price too. Cause I’m willing to pay. Capitalism. You can’t blame me or in-n-out but isn’t it crummy that your local burger joint would now cost double or triple to enjoy? Is the price still fair because I have more disposable income than you?
It’s not that in-n-out was a secret. I find it strange that everyone would theoretically be okay with something they enjoyed being “ruined” for the sake of justifying capitalism.

No, Bad Comparison.

In-N-Out is good stuff :naughty:

That's how it works, unfortunately.

No


Almighty,
There is no need for a third party person for IN n Out because its still mass produced. If they did notice this, they would just simply ship it to chicago for $20 dollars and never raise the price up in its home location.

The price would only go up if they realized for some reason everybody is willing to pay $20 dollars there. That means the people who would be upset about it wouldn't matter. The majority are fine with paying that amount.

Just for fun, lets say they did raise it to $20 dollars. That middle man would charge you making it $40 dollars, because it cost 20 dollars to get the burger then 40 to get it towards you.

You're dealing with a market where parts are used. Someone is beating you to the punch to the product and has full advantage. If UpGarage was smart and noticed this they would have some type of service to sell there parts overseas to America.



I do agree though, crummy situation. Kinda sucks getting outbid on jackets but oh well. Also, I will never understand the hype of that place, burgers taste disgusting to me and the fries taste like plastic. I'm more of a Five Guys fan

[tb13]

No, Bad Comparison.
Almighty,
There is no need for a third party person for IN n Out because its still mass produced. If they did notice this, they would just simply ship it to chicago for $20 dollars and never raise the price up in its home location.

The price would only go up if they realized for some reason everybody is willing to pay $20 dollars there. That means the people who would be upset about it wouldn't matter. The majority are fine with paying that amount.

Just for fun, lets say they did raise it to $20 dollars. That middle man would charge you making it $40 dollars, because it cost 20 dollars to get the burger then 40 to get it towards you.

You're dealing with a market where parts are used. Someone is beating you to the punch to the product and has full advantage. If UpGarage was smart and noticed this they would have some type of service to sell there parts overseas to America.

I do agree though, crummy situation. Kinda sucks getting outbid on jackets but oh well. Also, I will never understand the hype of that place, burgers taste disgusting to me and the fries taste like plastic. I'm more of a Five Guys fan

You dove way too deep into the comparison he was trying to make, stay surface level and it makes since. Was only suppose to show how something that is/was only produced in a limited area can be distributed to others through someone/company and how that can have an effect on the pricing of such an item.

Back to the real topic though, In-N-Out is only good when you eat it fresh and you get something like a 4X4, their singles and doubles are hardly "burgers"

[JrDarknes]

You dove way too deep into the comparison he was trying to make, stay surface level and it makes since. Was only suppose to show how something that is/was only produced in a limited area can be distributed to others through someone/company and how that can have an effect on the pricing of such an item.


No.

In-N-Out is mainly produced in California. ("Was only suppose to show how something that is/was only produced in a limited area")

Distrubuted to chicago Third Party("Was only suppose to show how something that is/was only produced in a limited area can be distributed to others through someone/company")

"and how that can have an effect on the pricing of such an item"
Wont have any effect on the price in California, because Californians can just go to the store without a middle man. Prices would only go up if for some odd reason In N Out just said "Oh lets just raise it to 20 dollars" and people were fine with paying that amount. Then as I mentioned above. He would have to pay $40 dollars. If they noticed someone else is selling their burgers out of state for more money and realizing they're making a profit. I am positive they would start doing it their self and the middle man is screwed.


Back to the real topic though, In-N-Out is only good when you eat it fresh and you get something like a 4X4, their singles and doubles are hardly "burgers"

I usually get a double but I think its because I am a picky eater. I only eat my burgers with meat and cheese like a weirdo.

[CrimsonRockett]

I love how this derailed from used parts to In-N-Out.

:rofl:

[Almighty So]

No, Bad Comparison.



No


You're dealing with a market where parts are used. Someone is beating you to the punch to the product and has full advantage. If UpGarage was smart and noticed this they would have some type of service to sell there parts overseas to America.


You took the burger thing a little too far. It was more about the scenario at hand. For the sake of repetitive examples, I know YAJ doesn’t produce grex shift knobs, however grex shift knobs are now average $100 prompt-decision on yaj. Before fees and services. So yeah, now it is exactly like the burger being $20 already and having to pay even more than normal to get it. Exactly the point I was trying to make.
(Before you throw a fit, I am very well aware yaj does not mass produce grex knobs the way in-n-out makes burgers but the scenario remains the same.)
Are grex knobs still cool? Sure
Are they worth $100 plus additional fees and shipping when they used to be $50 flat? Probably not, but all is fair right? YAJ beat me to it lol.

[JrDarknes]

You took the burger thing a little too far. It was more about the scenario at hand. For the sake of repetitive examples, I know YAJ doesn’t produce grex shift knobs, however grex shift knobs are now average $100 prompt-decision on yaj. Before fees and services. So yeah, now it is exactly like the burger being $20 already and having to pay even more than normal to get it. Exactly the point I was trying to make.
(Before you throw a fit, I am very well aware yaj does not mass produce grex knobs the way in-n-out makes burgers but the scenario remains the same.)
Are grex knobs still cool? Sure
Are they worth $100 plus additional fees and shipping when they used to be $50 flat? Probably not, but all is fair right? YAJ beat me to it lol.


I guess the point I was trying to make is and why I didn't like that comparison.

If people are ok with spending that amount on the grex knob, there shouldn't be a issue. Yea it used to be $50 dollars but its highly sought after.

It would have never went up in cost if people weren't fine with spending xxx amount on it. Yea there some people who don't think its worth it but the majority do or else they wouldn't be selling at that price.

[dizzariot]

If you see people reselling a product which is widely available elsewhere? Simply call them out on it and provide facts. That’s all you can really do.

Truth. That's kind of what I'm getting at: if we all said "nah man that's fucking stupidly overpriced, check this out" and provide facts to back it we'd essentially drive the prices down to reasonable profit margins over time.

People always want to say I'm hating because it's effecting my 'profiteering' or parts-hunting. I haven't even looked for parts (other than maintenance shit) in a long fucking time. I haven't sold anything from here in a long time, either. This shit largely doesn't effect me anymore but it's still a cancer on the community I'm a part of.

Market value is what something is selling for, period. It doesn't matter how that price was determined or if it's higher than what you think it should be. Nothing is percluding you from doing the same thing, if you have the capital to buy all of a product and take that risk buy all means...

There's a drink out here you can buy at the konbini called Chuhai. They're ~ $1 a can. If I start exporting them at $5+/can that cost more than covers my shipping costs so how much of that markup is just me being a greedy dickhead?

This thread is so stupid. If you can't afford something don't bitch about it's fair market value. If something is overpriced it won't sell and capitalism will prevail.

That's what I'm talking about. If these prices are so fucking overinflated and people are still paying them then by boycotting this shit won't we drive prices down to an acceptable level? I'm not saying people shouldn't profit...the problem with them making this a common thing is the price they post it for once they have it.

So people are either too quick to say 'stop bitching' and 'if you can't afford that' but that's a crock of fucking shit. Being able to afford something and willing to let some cuck reseller monetarily assfuck you are two completely different things.

Thank you, though, for posting up some shit to backup why you think this thread sucks. Helps with understanding everyone.


You can't get shit locally because you've only lived in Japan for a year, Yokosuka at that, land of corner dealerships selling rusty resprayed GTRs for double what they're worth to sailors with more money than brain, and I'm sure you don't speak the language fluently either. I have a handful of friends over there that buy and sell stuff on a weekly basis because they know where to look.

The assumptions made in here are laughable. I like how you had to insert your plug at the bottom in a pseudo-dick-measuring contest. What was the point of this? You don't like what I'm saying so you're trying to debase me? Stick to the topic.

I'm not gonna talk about how 'tied in' I am, my language proficiency, or where I've been to pick up the cars I own. All I ask is that you don't ever, ever fucking put me on the same level as the dumbfucks from base buying GTRs. That's the worst fucking insult I've ever received on this forum.

[dizzariot]

If people are ok with spending that amount on the grex knob, there shouldn't be a issue. Yea it used to be $50 dollars but its highly sought after.



Dude I feel like you're not getting it though.

I understand the knobs used to be less.

I understand they're sought after.

So how much is enough? Why are these guys allowed to triple the cost of their purchase and fuck us all over? It's because we let them. It's because people are too stupid to hunt around or call bullshit.

I just hit someone up on IG that shared an IG story showing a bunch of BNIB GREX knobs. I've never had one. I DM'd him asking if he's selling them and he said not at the moment...so why buy 5+ knobs? I'm hoping I can get one because they're cool but rest assured I'm not paying a huge fucking mark-up.

[Almighty So]

It would have never went up in cost if people weren't fine with spending xxx amount on it. Yea there some people who don't think its worth it but the majority do or else they wouldn't be selling at that price.

I get where you’re coming from. Logically makes sense to sell at the top rate of what people are willing to pay.
At the risk of sounding like a hipster douche, it’s a bummer that these new hype boys are just willing to pay more than me when it comes down to it.
Also hurts to think that these same dudes are now the “majority” and the norm. :facepalm:

*before anyone tries to say this is the “poor guy excuse”, throwing your money around like a fool in hopes the internet will think you’re ballin’ on shift knobs is a lot different than actually having money.

[dizzariot]

*before anyone tries to say this is the “poor guy excuse”, throwing your money around like a fool in hopes the internet will think you’re ballin’ on shift knobs is a lot different than actually having money.

Yeah it just makes you a monster cuck like Hubeny.

[mechanicalmoron]

There is a difference between buying parts for cheap and selling them at market value and buying parts to drive the price up.

If you buy parts and drive the price up, that's the new market value... duh.

As far as being used, all cars run on used parts.

[pacotaco345]

I'm not gonna talk about how 'tied in' I am, my language proficiency, or where I've been to pick up the cars I own. All I ask is that you don't ever, ever fucking put me on the same level as the dumbfucks from base buying GTRs. That's the worst fucking insult I've ever received on this forum.

Chillllll I didn't put you on that level, I'm just saying that's part of the reason your local parts market sucks. You obviously know its true if it strikes such a chord with you.

[Almighty So]

If you buy parts and drive the price up, that's the new market value... duh.
.

Hahaha I think everyone here knows how market value is determined. I think that’s maaaybe why he said there is a difference in deliberately listing above the current market value to make a profit. Obviously that drives a new market value which is what everyone was talking about in the first place :tardrim:
Welcome aboard, almost.

[mechanicalmoron]

So a car that I put together when I was 16 years old is somehow relevant to anything in this thread? I fail to see what this comment is supposed to mean lmao.

Took the mr2 apart, (closed the tab at that point, dunno what he allegedly put together) thinks he can tell anyone anything?

[dizzariot]

Chillllll I didn't put you on that level, I'm just saying that's part of the reason your local parts market sucks. You obviously know its true if it strikes such a chord with you.

I'm not talking about local, man. YAJ and UpGarage are accessible by anyone. I got offended because the 'GTR base dudes' you described are the type of dick-riders that also flood the market with overpriced shit they get for cheap. They go to UpGrage multiple times in a week, join a forum or make an IG, and drive up prices with their greed. We're all building an archetypal fuckboy with these descriptions.

So how do we educate the dudes with more money than brains? The attitude I'm fighting is the one that believes educating the morons will help the bigger picture but everyone else is cool just overpaying.

[bigs]

What do you not understand about supply, demand, and scarcity?

You're getting worked up over something you have absolutely no control over, and blowing it out of proportion. If you want to make a change, go around and publicly denounce each item a reseller has listed for more than you think it's worth. See how far that gets you. Based on the fact that you haven't bought/sold anything in a while - you have zero idea how much certain parts are worth anyway.

I get the point you're trying to make. Reseller buys x-amount of an aftermarket part that is no longer being made, and they eventually get to control the perceived market value. Does it suck for the buyer? Sure does. Are people still going to buy the part? Yup. Is it illegal for the seller to do that? Nope. Resellers will always be around, and they will slowly drive up the price of scarce goods. This is not a new concept.

In the meantime, let's try to enjoy the presence of these parts in U.S. drifting culture, and the ease at which we can now get them. Now is the time to buy. It's only going to get more expensive, and rare parts are going to become harder to find (imagine that).

[!Zar!]

Too many people in here are misconstruing arbitrage with price fixing.

In economics and finance, arbitrage (US: /ˈɑːrbɪtrɑːʒ/, UK: /ˈɑːbɪtrɪdʒ/, UK: /ˌɑːbɪˈtrɑːʒ/) is the practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets: striking a combination of matching deals that capitalize upon the imbalance, the profit being the difference between the market prices. When used by academics, an arbitrage is a (imagined, hypothetical, thought experiment) transaction that involves no negative cash flow at any probabilistic or temporal state and a positive cash flow in at least one state; in simple terms, it is the possibility of a risk-free profit after transaction costs. For instance, an arbitrage is present when there is the opportunity to instantaneously buy low and sell high.

In principle and in academic use, an arbitrage is risk-free; in common use, as in statistical arbitrage, it may refer to expected profit, though losses may occur, and in practice, there are always risks in arbitrage, some minor (such as fluctuation of prices decreasing profit margins), some major (such as devaluation of a currency or derivative). In academic use, an arbitrage involves taking advantage of differences in price of a single asset or identical cash-flows; in common use, it is also used to refer to differences between similar assets (relative value or convergence trades), as in merger arbitrage.

People who engage in arbitrage are called arbitrageurs /ˌɑːrbɪtrɑːˈʒɜːr/—such as a bank or brokerage firm. The term is mainly applied to trading in financial instruments, such as bonds, stocks, derivatives, commodities and currencies.



Price fixing is an agreement between participants on the same side in a market to buy or sell a product, service, or commodity only at a fixed price, or maintain the market conditions such that the price is maintained at a given level by controlling supply and demand.

The intent of price fixing may be to push the price of a product as high as possible, generally leading to profits for all sellers but may also have the goal to fix, peg, discount, or stabilize prices. The defining characteristic of price fixing is any agreement regarding price, whether expressed or implied.

Price fixing requires a conspiracy between sellers or buyers. The purpose is to coordinate pricing for mutual benefit of the traders. For example, manufacturers and retailers may conspire to sell at a common "retail" price; set a common minimum sales price, where sellers agree not to discount the sales price below the agreed-to minimum price; buy the product from a supplier at a specified maximum price; adhere to a price book or list price; engage in cooperative price advertising; standardize financial credit terms offered to purchasers; use uniform trade-in allowances; limit discounts; discontinue a free service or fix the price of one component of an overall service; adhere uniformly to previously-announced prices and terms of sale; establish uniform costs and markups; impose mandatory surcharges; purposefully reduce output or sales in order to charge higher prices; or purposefully share or pool markets, territories, or customers.

Price fixing is permitted in some markets but not others; where allowed, it is often known as resale price maintenance or retail price maintenance.

In neo-classical economics, price fixing is inefficient. The anti-competitive agreement by producers to fix prices above the market price transfers some of the consumer surplus to those producers and also results in a deadweight loss.

International price fixing by private entities can be prosecuted under the antitrust laws of many countries. Examples of prosecuted international cartels are those that controlled the prices and output of lysine, citric acid, graphite electrodes, and bulk vitamins.[1] .

[Almighty So]

Too many people in here are misconstruing a moral/ethics debate with trying to prove they took a business vocabulary course in high school.
We know how free markets work. We know how Wikipedia works.

Say you enjoy a cup of coffee for 50 cents all the time in your neighborhood.
Bunch of rich white girls move in. They’re all willing to pay up to $20 for a cup of coffee for those IG likes.
You don’t think $20 for a 50 cent cup of coffee is worth it but you’re not the majority anymore.
Eventually You can’t find a cup of coffee anywhere anymore for under $10.
So should you just shut the fuck up, find a new drink, and salute capitalism?
Not allowed to mention you might be bummed that your coffee is kind of fucked.
Nope. If so, you’re a selfish coffee prick hoarding all the drink who doesn’t understand the free market.

(I’ll save you a post: “but brooo supply and demand”)
Right, haven’t forgotten how that works. Still part of the problem.

This is a debate about ethics and morals when it comes down to it. You guys don’t have to keep arguing about definitions. We know those.
Everyone so worried about being “wrong” that they can’t even stay in context.

That being said, I’m not taking a “change the market, change the world” stance.
I’m not saying I have all the answers. But it’s an open discussion on a FORUM.

Jesus.. if zilvia was around when the first automobile was debuted, half the people would tell you to fuck off and send you Wikipedia articles about feet, walking, and horses.

[sidewaysil80]

There's a drink out here you can buy at the konbini called Chuhai. They're ~ $1 a can. If I start exporting them at $5+/can that cost more than covers my shipping costs so how much of that markup is just me being a greedy dickhead?
I'm not of the camp that profit margins need to be scrutinized or judged.


That's what I'm talking about. If these prices are so fucking overinflated and people are still paying them then by boycotting this shit won't we drive prices down to an acceptable level? I'm not saying people shouldn't profit...the problem with them making this a common thing is the price they post it for once they have it.
That is my point, even though the prices are overinflated to YOU, the market disagrees since people are still paying it. Whether it's morally right, wrong, or indifferent...what they are selling for is what they are worth.

[dizzariot]

To answer everyone without quoting: I get what you guys are saying about the price being whatever someone is willing to pay. It's been said so many fucking times that you can now quote me as saying I get it since people still feel the need to drive that point home. Now that that's out of the way...you're not getting what I'm trying to convey. We know it's morally wrong and fucked up so the direct questions is this:

Are we responsible to our own community to at least try and promote change or are we just not going to give a fuck and say 'it is what it is'? We can all point out bullshit. I know it's easier not to.

I'm not bitching about it. Bitching about something is when you complain and offer no solutions. I've put ideas in here but some people just can't seem to believe that I just (with no fucking benefit for me) think this shit is wrong, and should stop.

[sidewaysil80]

I don’t think it’s morally wrong or fucked up. It’s capitalism and I don’t care how much profit is being made by a company or individual.

Ergo, I don’t give a shit and obviously don’t think there is some obligation to boycott or try to effect his business.

[bigs]

Go make a kelly blue book for used Japanese aftermarket parts.

[!Zar!]

Say you enjoy a cup of coffee for 50 cents all the time in your neighborhood.
Bunch of rich white girls move in. They’re all willing to pay up to $20 for a cup of coffee for those IG likes.
You don’t think $20 for a 50 cent cup of coffee is worth it but you’re not the majority anymore.

Apparently you don't know how the free market works because you're still babbeling on and on about nothing other than, 'the price isn't fair'.

The problem with your scenario is coffee isn't going anywhere, any time soon.

Certain parts for these cars are NOT in production any more. Meaning the market will dry up. When the market starts running dry, price goes up.

Why can't you comprehend this?

Most (all?) of your comments are implying that every part being sold is still in production and that everyone is selling it for above retail just because they are trying to take advantage.

Aero bumper prices went up because supply went down.

Kouki180sx lip prices went up because supply went down.

Kakume brick prices went up because supply went down.

S13/S14/AE86 prices went up because supply went down.

Prices are high because people know how scarce certain things are getting. Thus increasing desire and willingness to pay more.

Why should we chastise the seller when the buyer is willing to purchase for asking?

I want a nice car, so it is up to me, and nobody else what I think a part is worth, and what that value is to me.

[Almighty So]

Free market and supply and demand are well understood.
I did choose to compare this scenario to items that are still readily available, which admittedly wasn’t the best comparison seeing as no one actually looks at the main idea.
My main point wasn’t coffees availability. It’s the fact that something we all enjoyed for a reasonable price is now more expensive for everyone because some hype boys are ignorant to value.

I think our main disagreement comes from the items we are referring too. I understand supply and demand on very rare items like ones you have mentioned. However, I was referring to my previous example of the grex knob. While I’m well aware these aren’t being mass produced, they also aren’t one in a million. Dizzariot mentioned someone recently bought over ten BNIB. Myself personally have purchased two this past month, both for no more than $50 total each.
Point here being, I’m referring to items that aren’t really super scarce and rare, nor does it have a super crazy demand, but the price is still being increased. Not because of supply and demand but because ignorant and lazy people are ignorant to actual value.

Another loose example, when someone posts an entire schassis for sale with a “drift tax” price, everyone is quick to attack them because they are overly exaggerating the value in hopes to make a profit.
“So don’t buy the car”
Right that’s simple enough, but someone who is also ignorant to market/real value has mom and dads money and sees an expensive schassis. Must be ballin if it’s super pricey.

Now we have two more people who firmly believe in schassis selling for crazy amounts of money.
1, the seller because he has the cash in hand to prove it sold for over it’s value.
2, the buyer who convinces himself and everyone else that it was well worth it because he’s in denial of how bad he was ripped off.

The supply for 240s isn’t drastically low. The demand for them isn’t drastically high. But sales like these will also continue to increase the price. (Not trying to deny/undermine the fact that chassis dying also contributes)

Ignorance like that spreads like wildfire.
Why is someone selling a whole car with drift tax a moron who doesn’t understand used car value?
But then someone doing the same thing with car parts is a savvy entrepreneur with a smart hustle?

The dude with drift tax is trying to get over on someone who is ignorant to true value. It has nothing to do with the supply and demand for his chassis because I’d assure you a nicer and cheaper chassis is available somewhere.
Parts resale is similar imo.

[Almighty So]

when I acquired my s14 it was stock metal, stock aero, lowered on battles.
I went to my local car wash and a few dudes there asked me what I paid.
I didn’t give out a number. They had guesses upwards of $8500.
Almost nine thousand dollars for an s14 with coilovers in their minds.

Their reasoning? Wasn’t because they all had high demand for s14 and were willing to pay 9k for one. Also wasn’t because s14 is super rare and 9k is just right for the given supply.
It mostly ranged from “well my boy sold an s13 for 6k and yours is nicer.” And, “I’ve seen s14s on Craigslist for over 10k!”

The market is messed because they are ignorant and people are driving prices through the roof.

On one hand, yes I could get greedy and take advantage of that and cash out on my car. But on the other hand, I’ve also been in scenarios where non-car friends express interest in my car. If I suggest they look into purchasing their own, they are automatically turned off and don’t even consider it because of the same reasons the car wash guys had.

In my eyes, this is different than supply and demand.

[gbaby2089]

Today I learned S-chassis Nissans are rare.

EL. OH. EL.

[!Zar!]

A fool and his money are soon parted.

It’s up to the buyer to educate themselves. The seller simply needs to educate the buyer in an attempt to aid his/her sale.

[Almighty So]

Again with the “not my problem, don’t care” attitude. This is honestly just as selfish as “hoarding the market” lol.

I understand you’re trying to play devils advocate but what perfect world do you live in..?
People here don’t even know what Google is and you expect them to educate themselves rather than pee their pants with excitement that mom bought their first 240?
They aren’t deciding if cars are worth it, they are trying to pay top dollar so they can brag on IG.

Sellers are even worse. None of these resellers we are referring to are good-hearted people just here to educate their customers on true value.
They are here to pull the wool over the eyes of ignorant people. They attempt to justify, and downright lie, about outrageous prices in order to “educate” their consumers into thinking quadruple mark-up is normal.

Great system you’re relying on there.

[dizzariot]

Seems like it breaks down to this:

You either think that working together can stop this shit a little.

OR

You think it's the way of the world and it is what it is.

Good talk. If anyone else has anything else to share, now would be a great time. Maybe we can turn this thread into the 'calling bullshit' thread. Post links of heavily marked-up items and the links to the 'true' price as well. Gotta start somewhere.

[sidewaysil80]

https://media1.tenor.com/images/d631004b3fff4aa5d582d98c23b939c7/tenor.gif?itemid=5383051

[Almighty So]

Can agree. Some good counterpoints brought up but also some “brick wall” levels of reading comprehension.
Last notes: I understand the rising price with supply and demand for rare items. However, I feel there is a difference between that, and the prices rising on most general items because impatient and uneducated hype boys think that’s how much IG likes cost.
I don’t think our market should suffer due to ignorance and laziness.
I don’t think our market should suffer due to brokers flipping everything to fund their own builds while swearing up and down that it’s not about the profit and about helping people.
I don’t mind when rare parts gradually increase in price due to lowered supply but that’s not what is happening or what we are referring to.
The end.

[sidewaysil80]

However, I feel there is a difference between that, and the prices rising on most general items because impatient and uneducated hype boys think that’s how much IG likes cost.
http://replygif.net/i/166.gif


I don’t think our market should suffer due to ignorance and laziness.
Suffering?! LOL, the market is thriving! Have you noticed how many new brokers have appeared? Have you noticed that the demand has exceeded supply? This is a GREAT time for this "market". The rarity of certain parts is giving way to new companies reproducing them so everyone can enjoy.


I don’t think our market should suffer due to brokers flipping everything to fund their own builds...
Now we are expressing disapproval of what peoples motivations are to sell parts, got it.

[Almighty So]

Suffering?! LOL, the market is thriving! Have you noticed how many new brokers have appeared? Have you noticed that the demand has exceeded supply? This is a GREAT time for this "market". The rarity of certain parts is giving way to new companies reproducing them so everyone can enjoy.


Now we are expressing disapproval of what peoples motivations are to sell parts, got it.

Lol yes we are expressing disapproval of intentions. That was in the first post, so welcome to the thread.
And yes, suffering. The fact that you think more brokers here to rip off young kids is a good thing is probably the root of our disagreement.
The fact you think cheaper replica products phasing out the real stuff is a good thing is also completely opposite of how I feel.

You’re looking at the market from a greedy sellers point of view. Yes of course it seems to be “thriving”. Lots of idiots easily tricked into overpaying due to peer judgement on the internet.
From a consumer stand point, everything being more expensive and/or replaced with replicas due to kids wanting to join the cool club is a slow death, not a thriving revival.

[Almighty So]

In the world of big-pharma, insulin costs pennies on the dollar.
Due to greedy pharmacists, misinformation, and idiots flocking like sheep, now all diabetics are paying $400+ for their medicine.
This isn’t because the supply isn’t there.
People who are less financially stable are getting sick because the prices are crazy.
I don’t think this is because they have a lower demand for good health or because they aren’t smart hustlers.
Everyone is screwed on prices but the market is “thriving” for pharmacists.

I’m aware shift knobs aren’t the same as lifelong illness but hopefully you can see where I’m coming from.

[sidewaysil80]

The fact you think cheaper replica products phasing out the real stuff is a good thing is also completely opposite of how I feel.
To clarify, I'm talking about reproductions of parts long discontinued. I.e. Dorki Dori bumpers, GKTech Ganador type mirrors, etc. You can't have it both ways, the originals are going to skyrocket in price as they become more limited and the market will/is providing lower cost alternatives since demand is so high. You can't phase out something that is discontinued or no longer in production.

From a consumer stand point, everything being more expensive and/or replaced with replicas due to kids wanting to join the cool club is a slow death, not a thriving revival.
Again, I'm not talking about "knock-offs" per say. I'm talking about replacements for parts not in existence anymore so people don't bitch about the price of Ganadors or front lips.

You’re looking at the market from a greedy sellers point of view. Yes of course it seems to be “thriving”. Lots of idiots easily tricked into overpaying due to peer judgement on the internet.
No, I'm looking at it from a Capitalists point of view. Which with exception to monopolies provides the best value/lowest cost to consumers.

[Almighty So]

, I'm looking at it from a Capitalists point of view. Which with exception to monopolies provides the best value/lowest cost to consumers.

lol, never mind :picardfp:
Prices have never been lower or closer to best value and the market is thriving with good-hearted people looking to provide the best information and prices available. *eye roll

Hell is also frozen, pigs fly, etc..

[yomisiu]

guess who

https://i.imgur.com/ZubaDGj.png

[bigs]

Maybe i'm just a nerd, but I think it's important to think about how we got to this point. It all comes back to us.

I feel like this backlash is due to the culture that was created as a result of social media/internet interactions. People glorified certain parts, because they weren't easy to obtain, or they were on iconic Japanese cars that some of us fell in love with early on. I think a lot of this was indirect at the time, because it was a somewhat small niche of enthusiasts, but it definitely shaped the current landscape. Think about all the people just getting into drifting that idolize Itai, Haruguchi, etc and have no idea why.

Certain parts immediately placed a person's car in this weird hierarchy that evolved over the years from internet posts, photos, comments, and shares. As more and more people became exposed to this information, the idea of what makes a car cool was set in stone.

Fast forward to 2018 - there are a lot more people into drifting. The bigger market and increased demand has made it easier to source the parts a, once small, subculture collectively deemed as "cool." This is of course going to attract the "scumbags" we're talking about in this thread. It's a booming market.

It's going to be extremely difficult to make any sort of change in the resell market, unless you create a website or some sort of meme account pointing out only the extremely marked up items (reasonable mark up shouldn't be frowned upon). As dumb as that sounds, that's how you get accelerated reach nowadays. I can definitely see something like this taking off, and potentially having the impact you guys are hoping for.

People that are "newly" introduced to the past tuning style need to recognize the cost associated with sourcing and purchasing these hard to find parts. Just because one person finds an amazing deal, doesn't mean that's the market price. The price comes with the territory. These parts are OLD.

That's why I think a lot of you are blowing this entirely out of proportion (for the time being). For every old part you find that has an extreme mark up, there are x amount that are reasonably priced. It just takes patience, and a little luck to find them sometimes. Anyone who gets mad or impatient about this fact needs to take a step back, and think about why that's the case.

On a side note, I can see this quickly turning into a hate group for anyone and everyone that is trying to run a resell business. That shouldn't be the case. It's great that we have easy access to parts that were previously unavailable.

[Almighty So]

^+rep I can agree with all of that. Well put. I guess in the simplest terms I can put it, it bums me out that everything we like is more expensive now because of all these people that “idolize haraguchi and have no idea why” decided this stuff was popular. Haha, the exact people I meant in my previous post. (Band-wagoners)
I don’t mean to come off as a wannabe market savior and I don’t believe the market is FUBAR, but I did want people to see that it can’t be simply written off with a utopian definition of how a free market should operate.

[Almighty So]

by boycotting this shit won't we drive prices down to an acceptable level?

In related news, GET auto factory is currently having a sale for items that have been sitting on his site forever.
$39 for a bnib 6 speed grex knob. NOT TOO BAD.

[gbaby2089]

So a car that I put together when I was 16 years old is somehow relevant to anything in this thread? I fail to see what this comment is supposed to mean lmao.

Just chuckling at you making fun of the very stuff you do/did.

No, I'm looking at it from a garbage point of view.

ftfy

[gbaby2089]

On a side note, I can see this quickly turning into a hate group for anyone and everyone that is trying to run a resell business. That shouldn't be the case. It's great that we have easy access to parts that were previously unavailable.

To be fair, a ton of the 'resale' dudes are just dorks in middle america browsing YAJ for bleh stuff, tossing a markup on them & throwing them on forums.

That's not running a business. That's just being a dork with free time.

[Almighty So]

@bigs Lol I really don’t want to seem like a hate group for all sellers. Everyone buys and sells parts. It’s the obvious scumbags that are sprinkled in there that irk me.


That's not running a business. That's just being a dork with free time.

These guys.
Funny you mention that though cause I was thinking earlier that I’m going to be lambasted next time I post something for sale haha

Side note; can you really be a hypocrite for something four years old that you no longer stand for? God forbid a teenagers point of view matures as he enters his 20s..

[bigs]

To be fair, a ton of the 'resale' dudes are just dorks in middle america browsing YAJ for bleh stuff, tossing a markup on them & throwing them on forums.

That's not running a business. That's just being a dork with free time.

We're all dorks with free time. It's the dorks that stick with it, create an end goal, and develop something respectable that grow the culture we're into. I think the ones who don't have any passion won't be around long enough to make a significant impact on the overall market, but that's just my opinion.

I'm not going to sit here and say I don't talk shit about people like the ones you're mentioning. I do all the time, just not on the internet haha. Eventually you realize that supporting and interacting with the people who share the same vision as you is the best thing you can do for the market/culture (and yourself). With the way social media is structured, the best action is no action when you don't like something. Any interaction, even viewing it, can push that individual's page out to people that follow you - giving it more attention.

I totally get that sometimes you really can't hold it in and have to comment.

ANYWAY, carry on. I said what I wanted to say

[JustinChillenBallin]

meme pricing

https://i.imgur.com/IdFah6b.jpg

[gbaby2089]

Side note; can you really be a hypocrite for something four years old that you no longer stand for? God forbid a teenagers point of view matures as he enters his 20s..

I mean, probably.

We're all dorks with free time. It's the dorks that stick with it, create an end goal, and develop something respectable that grow the culture we're into. I think the ones who don't have any passion won't be around long enough to make a significant impact on the overall market, but that's just my opinion.

I'm not going to sit here and say I don't talk shit about people like the ones you're mentioning. I do all the time, just not on the internet haha. Eventually you realize that supporting and interacting with the people who share the same vision as you is the best thing you can do for the market/culture (and yourself). With the way social media is structured, the best action is no action when you don't like something. Any interaction, even viewing it, can push that individual's page out to people that follow you - giving it more attention.

I totally get that sometimes you really can't hold it in and have to comment.

ANYWAY, carry on. I said what I wanted to say

Have any of the dorks with free time actually turned their free time escapades into something real? And I wouldn't say they don't impact pricing, if I post my set of RG3 for $1700, someone else may see that, price theirs at $1700, etc. etc. etc., setting a new market, even if they can be had BNIB from a retailer for right around that price. I've just stopped buying used in an effort to cut out the hype dorks profiting off of the enthusiasm of others.

[dizzariot]

Your best comment in this thread thus far.
Dude, yes. This isn't supposed to be a hate group for normal people. Only the extreme cases in an attempt to prevent them from becoming the norm.

meme pricing

This guy gets it.

...dorks profiting off of the enthusiasm of others.

This x678,567,236,989.

This is what I was hoping this thread would turn into. Thanks guys.

[bigs]

A new challenger has appeared!

Vertex badge listed on their site for $50 a pair.

http://www.vicelifestyles.com/product/vertex-edition-badges

When you can buy them all day long for under $10.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i296/faze91/Screen%20Shot%202018-01-16%20at%2011.58.40%20AM_zpsozhqjocn.png

Here's another ridiculous mark up on an item that is readily available - Origin Labo coveralls listed for $300!

http://www.vicelifestyles.com/product/origin-labo-shop-suit

They can be purchased new for ~$118.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i296/faze91/Screen%20Shot%202018-01-16%20at%2012.03.43%20PM_zpsoz5ytr2o.png

[Jo_Galezo]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180116/32356c98a3b84e0c3591e2cf89be3000.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180116/0868f7e5675497aa4a7e015e3d98ab8c.jpg

Brb, gonna open up a new ig & sell these 100x marked up :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jumpman2334]

60 god damn dollars for some bolts with plastic in them?!


EDIT: damn you zilvia for not letting me post it in all caps. rest assured fellow zilvians that I typed it in all caps to convey my disbelief.

[!Zar!]

A new challenger has appeared!

Vertex badge listed on their site for $50 a pair.

http://www.vicelifestyles.com/product/vertex-edition-badges

When you can buy them all day long for under $10.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i296/faze91/Screen%20Shot%202018-01-16%20at%2011.58.40%20AM_zpsozhqjocn.png

I can't see your pic because you're using broken ass photobucket.

But, if those badges are $10, and they are being shipped in an envelope over seas, that's about $30.

$10 + $30 = $40, quick maths.
The end seller is making $10 over list price.

Now we haven't factored in shipping from vertex to the destination in Japan, pre-shipping. Nor are we even considering if there is a broker involved.

So how much are they really making over a savy buyer getting it direct?

[!Zar!]

Now if you want a shop which is blatantly taking advantage, it would be Central Pine.

They sell items as if they are being custom made in house, when in reality they are listings from off of YAJ. So you WILL be strung along as you wait for them to come from JDM land to you (via dropship).

https://www.centralpine-usa.com/product-page/04-06-ls430-custom-headlights

These headlights can be had for about $500 on YAJ. No they aren't custom. They are a dime a dozen. Yet Central Pine is notorious for posting up indicating they are, "Custom", or "one-off".

[jumpman2334]

Central Pine is a joke. I wrote them about a year ago asking about t demand spindle shortening services. after I found out what it was going to run me, he proceeded to tell me that no one else can do it as good as t demand any anything else is downright dangerous. 4 to 6 weeks later I see he listed a set of shortened spindles on his IG that he obviously pulled from YAJ. I sent him a DM and he couldn't even tell me how much they were shortened...


they also recently started 'modifying' lexus subframes for super low guys. I send him another DM asking what exactly is done as this is something I have not heard of for the IS/GS (outside of one-off stuff). he told me he doesn't have any pix or cannot explain what he does because he hasn't done one yet. LOLOLOLOL

[bigs]

But, if those badges are $10, and they are being shipped in an envelope over seas, that's about $30.

$10 + $30 = $40, quick maths.
The end seller is making $10 over list price.

Now we haven't factored in shipping from vertex to the destination in Japan, pre-shipping. Nor are we even considering if there is a broker involved.

So how much are they really making over a savy buyer getting it direct?

They aren't buying them direct from Vertex. They aren't $10 (which is shown in my sweet photobucket pic). Also, since when does it cost $30 to send an envelope?

They buy parts in bulk. Emblems don't add weight, so they are shipping for free essentially.

It's a stupid mark up on a $5 badge. Anyway, that was just a small example. The Origin coveralls are the real crime.

[dizzariot]

Dude that fucking asshole that wrote the article in the OP drives an LS. Maybe they're more cancerous than us hahahaha.

[mogli9000]

Yaj sellers have adjusted their pricing to fuck boi high levels.

[Jo_Galezo]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180118/739ef2e5e3560c4ea635bff4f9c4a8d2.jpg

Umm....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tuzzio]

Fuck that 1K for my silvia louvers, i'll take 3k

[!Zar!]

Asking and getting are two completely different things.


I can to the FS section right now and price my car at $100k.

[jumpman2334]

Dude that fucking asshole that wrote the article in the OP drives an LS. Maybe they're more cancerous than us hahahaha.
ouch that stings.

[dizzariot]

ouch that stings.

The part where a community might be worse than ours? I know. We worked hard for it :/

OT:

$3.5K for louvers. Post the seller.

*EDIT:

Found them on eBay. It's for a set of all three items and that's the max bid...however he's still asking $1K for just the louvers in a separate posting (before shipping). Items are from Thailand.

I've always wanted the 180SX knee pads (insert dick jokes here...in my mouth) but the prices are fucking ridiculous.

[Almighty So]

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p578586429


More than doubled :/

[silviamang]

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p578586429


More than doubled :/

Lol, its so bad.

https://i.imgur.com/PtirrQd.jpg

[!Zar!]

I've always wanted the 180SX knee pads (insert dick jokes here...in my mouth) but the prices are fucking ridiculous.

Then buy these ones?
Figured it’s about time to pass along this gem I’ve been sitting on for years. S13 factory option knee pad, this is only the dash pad of the 2 piece set. RHD but just flipped it to work.

$200
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180107/a569048db6ddf2f2b08271aad257ec37.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=654411&highlight=Knee+pad

[Almighty So]

^ S13 factory option knee pad, this is only the dash pad of the 2 piece set.



@silviamang hahah I didn’t wanna totally put him on blast but I figured everyone knows who I was referring to. Contemplated buying it from YAJ but pretty crusty. Feel bad for the dude who instantly sent a pm to buy it lol.

I give up. Buy and sell whatever. Get your money if they buy.

[[email protected]]

Upgarage says :fawk2: to resellershttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4NhfmfeVNa0/WmUFYFnrPUI/AAAAAAAAFPg/U5Nzvh3-zqwkLK_r64CttqVqZ7aOikVvACL0BGAs/w530-d-h825-n-rw/Polite%2Bnotice.png

[dizzariot]

Then buy these ones?


http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=654411&highlight=Knee+pad

Nice plug. Gonna message him...sucks it's just one.

The Amsterdam cat is on some other-level shit.

[Almighty So]

I’m about to start flipping anything I can find with an old nismo logo
If you can’t beat em, join em.

Don’t price bash me.

[dizzariot]

I’m about to start flipping anything I can find with an old nismo logo
If you can’t beat em, join em.

Don’t price bash me.

LOL. I doubt the knob actually sold. He probably kept it but wanted to shut you up.

Peter-Stormare-looking-motherfucker would scoop up old logo Nismo toiler paper and mark it up.

[Jake12]

I’m about to start flipping anything I can find with an old nismo logo
If you can’t beat em, join em.

Don’t price bash me.


I was laughing and banging my head off the table at the same time reading that thread earlier. Lol

[Auto Portal]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180118/739ef2e5e3560c4ea635bff4f9c4a8d2.jpg

Umm....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hello All,

Nissan option knee pads for S14 were in stock with Nissan warehouse here in Japan we did last check.

180SX is discontinued.

If anyone would like to know stock or price on S14 Knee pads brand new from Japan to you, please let us know.
It will not be of silly price like auction, they are polyurethane item.

They can fit both Zenki and the Kouki model.

Regards,

Auto Portal.

[RB25GUY]

on the nismo website they still stock the 320 GTR meters 38k yen that go for an insane amount of money reselling and even the triple dins in both colors as well as S15 nismo clusters.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27336367_10214242767001657_3447327863738016474_n.j pg?oh=490e43450ce5f79c694344cca1dea210&oe=5AE5C924

[Gio RMS13]

What Bigs said. Kids putting V-OPT url stickers on their cars who have never opened an Option mag in their lives are the same kids driving up prices.

They'll buy whatever fanboy thing they think will make them look cool and throw it at a car, and the funniest part about this to me is the identity crisis these cars have as a result of being a mishmash of hyped up parts. Then they'll realize they were dumb and try to recoup their losses from paying out the ass for a part to just to look cool, by selling it at an even higher mark-up, further driving up prices, and we wind up where we are now.

Prime example is that hubeny loser trying to sell his ABFlug headlights for $2200

Throwing tons of rare shit at a car doesn't automatically make it cool.



or maybe I'm getting old and ranty