I’ve often wondered if the guys who have been grizzled swap meet veterans for decades on end have seen some kind of decline in the quality and quantity of stuff at meets now that eBay and Craigslist are the two first spots that everyone can look at instantly, rather than waiting for an actual event to happen. I’d have to imagine that buyers are better informed or more apt to haggle when they have seen eBay listings for stuff and they think it is being sold for too high a price at a swap meet.
The downside of swap meets is that there are a high percentage of weirdos selling the items you may or may not want. Case in point, a couple of years ago at the March Meet on Thursday morning about 15 minutes after gates opened and people started looking at stuff, a seller (who was already hammered) and a guy got into a screaming match over a crusty old Holley carb. The dude ended up basically throwing the thing on the ground from chest height and the two guys almost came to blows. I watched the whole thing and thought, if the dude had an eBay listing with a “buy it now” button and a few decent photos, he could be hammered in the comfort of his own home and not screaming at potential customers. That’s just me.
So here’s the question. Has the internet killed your desire to shop swap meets or are you still pounding the pavement at swap meets?
BangShift Question Of The Day: Do You Still Scour Swap Meets Or Has The Internet Taken Your Parts Dollars?
I still hit the smaller swap meets within an hours drive to see how the hobby is doing and meet up with some old friends. I’ve pretty much passed on the giant ones now. It’s getting too expensive to drive to, pay admission and grab a burger. You are already up to $50.00 with nothing to show for it. Also, that walk back to the car with parts keeps getting longer and longer as we get older!
I do miss going to swap meets. Back in NJ, the spring and fall had tons of swapmeets in the tristate area. Every year I usually went to Englishtown, Statford Springs, Carlisle, Rhinebeck, Bristol, Belmont, and some local events. Here in NC they don’t have as many to visit.
Love the swap meets! I am lucky enough to be in striking distance to Pomona so that helps. I enjoy the hunt, the talking to other car guys, and just seeing interesting projects.
Still go to swap meets, but with goals that are different. Not as much scouring through bins for model/year specific parts. Mostly looking for the big, too heavy to ship parts and tools.
Still go to the bigger local swap meets, but mostly to see friends, hang out & bench race. If I do see something that I need or collect I get on my phone and check Google & eBay for current for sale / sold pricing. It helps me negotiate my best deals.
I still go to almost every Pomona and Long Beach swapmeet. You never know what you will find! The doctor says “get more exercise”, so what better than walking a swapmeet?
I prefer going to swap meets it see what is there and see some friends and socialize even if I don’t buy anything.
You have to go to the swaps. Not every guy that gas a garage full of treasures is going to set down and put his stuff on the web. I know a guy near me that is setting on a mountain of high end Mopar stuff. He has no idea about on line ,see what I mean.
Love to go to Carlisle. Just don’t have the time or the energy (sometimes) like I did. Damn!
Haven’t been to Pomona in years, used to go all the time. Now the sellers attitudes are ” lets see how much I can jack the $$ up”, used to get good deals there in the early 2000’s .
I do swap meets to hang out with friends.
It’s been awhile since I’ve made any major purchase at a swap meet and most of what I buy is stuff like wiring supplies. I don’t do the big ones because if there was a deal, it was bought by the guy selling on ebay who only has a booth so he can get in early to buy up the great deals….
and with that said, I don’t go to car shows but do hit at least 4 swap meets per year – mostly because everyone I like hanging out with is doing projects not lawnchairs.
Used to go to Englishtown twice a year. No more. Majority of venders are hucksters selling magic wax, bicycles, and cheap Chinese tools.
the \”intake guy\” who you took a picture of at pomona is a good reason NOT to go to a swap plus summit,speedway,jegs are WAY more honest!
Don’t go as much. See the same China chrome and junk tools year after year. And there’s the same “rare” overpriced stuff year after year, I’ve seen the same guy trying to sell an old Caddy dual 4bbl setup with air cleaner for $3000 for 10 years now. Too many sellers with the same old mustang ii front end kits or disc brake conversions. Chrome polish, wax, blem wheels, and so forth. Still can find a few deals on tools or parts once in while. Long Beach better than Pomona for real parts.
Oh… and that guy with those manifolds in your pic. I’ve been seeing that guy for 25 years, no deals from him. He’s had that Rat Roaster manifold for years.
I live in Indiana AND own/operate a small “mom & pop” business.
I used to look forward to swap meets. But…..the internet (ebay, Craigslist, etc) has pretty much nailed the coffin lid shut on those industries.
For years I resisted becoming part of internet dealing. Preferring to shake a mans hand when looking him in the eye while doing business.
As of late, I have no choice but to give in and begin doing business on line. Although it goes directly against everything I believe about business.
I suppose one either gets on board, or gets left behind.