Swap meets: How to buy and sell like a seasoned professional

Swap meets seem to be making a resurgence. Maybe it’s the inordinate amount of cheap junk clogging the web options. Maybe it’s the growing number of unscrupulous online sellers. Maybe it’s a sign that buyers are tired of competing with the rest of the world.

Or perhaps it’s just pleasing to trade an impersonal click of a mouse for the old-fashioned experience of meeting the person at the other end of the transaction. You get the joy of finding that elusive part, hanging around with like-minded enthusiasts, and learning more about the hobby in general. 

It’s also a way to save money. We’ve found some terrific deals when buying face to face. We didn’t have to pay shipping, either.

After again spending the second weekend of May at the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals–a favorite of ours going back decades for both buying and selling–we decided to share some tips. 

[The Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals is more than surviving, it’s thriving]

“Everything” available at today’s swap meets runs the full range, from complete cars and bare tubs to gauges and accessories. Some advice, though: Be polite, cash remains king, and you’re responsible for dragging home whatever you buy. Come prepared and enjoy the experience. 

Tips for Buyers

• Bring cash. We had a young enthusiast earnestly explain that he hadn’t brought any money and wondered if we took credit cards. Sorry, but a swap meet is one place where cash is still king.
• Set a budget. Decide what you’re looking for, what it should cost, and what mad money you can spare in case you actually find it. (Of course, most smart venues have ATMs.)
• Haggle but don’t insult. When dealing, it’s often said that whoever speaks first loses. Ask the seller how much they want. If the price is realistic, offer them 20% or 30% less. Offering half the asking price is a great way to offend and end that round of the game for you.
• Know exactly if the part fits. An old joke in this game goes like this: 
  Buyer: “What does that fit?” 
  Seller: “What do you have?” 
  While most sellers are honest and knowledgeable, avoid disappointment by confirming that a certain part fits a certain vehicle. 
• Bring a cart, wagon or at least a sling bag to carry your quarry. 
• Showing beats explaining. If the parts you’re looking for are small and you have similar ones, bring them so you can show a vendor. 
• Come early and stay late. The early bird does usually get the worm, landing the rare, underpriced and desirable parts before the rest of the pack. And if you can stay late, maybe you’ll score a deal from a seller eager to avoid dragging home any unsold merch. 
• Know the difference between a dealer and a hobbyist. The pros who do this for a living know what their stuff is worth, and you likely won’t steal anything. If they don’t sell something, they know they eventually will. However, these pros often have a deeper inventory, either on hand or back at the shop. Nurture these relationships.

Tips for Sellers

• Organize your parts. 
• Rotate your stock.
• Think about sales tax ramifications.
• Know the value of your wares.

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