First time challenge build, Have FMV Q's

I'm sure a lot of these FMV questions probably have been answered in the past. I searched and can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for.

I work at a dealership and get my parts at an employee price. I understand that this price probably wouldn't fall under the "available to anyone" umbrella. So here's my question; If my parts manager makes it so that anyone that mentioned GRM challenge can get my employee price does that fit the rules?

My next question is parts that are in the shop that have been left by customers or not called back by the factory. If its a broken part but something that I can fix and use what would I base the value or FMV on? For example I have a wiring harness here that a mouse decided to have a few lunches on. The insurance did not want the harness repaired so they bought an entire new harness. With several evenings of spare time and a bottle of aspirin I could repair this harness. I paid nothing for it as it is considered junk. What's the right and fair way to include or exclude this from my build budget?

One last question I have at this very moment is tires. I understand the first or A set of tires is exempt. Does that mean you can buy new hoosier A6s as your exempt set?

Thank you in advance for the help. This will be my first challenge build and a family project just for the fun of it. We just want to make sure we get it right.

I have nothing to add, but am in for the answers. I would like to know what dealer you work at? Lol.

In reply to appliance_racer:

1 set of tires does not count toward the budget. A6 tires are old get the A7.

For the wiring harness I would go with pull a part prices as FMV.

I confirmed with my parts manager that anyone that mentions Grassroots challenge can have my price for their parts. He's going to set a GRM wholesale account. Is it appropriate to list the Phone # and business here??

I guess we still need input on the legality of these prices for the budget too. (won't change my parts manager's decision but still need to know for my own budget)

In reply to Andy Neuman:

shows I've been out of the seen for a few years, didn't know there was an A7. Thanks!!

Parts bought with a coupon code from RockAuto are budgeted at the discounted value, so I don't see an issue with you budgeting your parts at your discounted value. However, that coupon code is super duper public, and that's the basic reason for FMV. Not a public deal = FMV. To be safe, put an ad on Craigslist for at least a few weeks listing the dealership and the code word needed (title it something like discounted parts at XXX), then you'll be good to go. Telling a few friends doesn't count as publicly available deal. To fit the spirit of the event, this discount should be obvious to anybody looking for parts your dealership sells, and it shouldn't give you a competitive advantage.

The leftover parts need to be added at FMV. Technically, they're free if your parts manager throws them in an unsecured dumpster and then you take them from there, but that's pretty damn slimy if you know they're going in there and are already waiting. You won't be popular with the judges or your competitors if you go that route.

Yes, you can buy a set of new tires and not have them hit your budget.

And, btw, it's not appropriate to list the phone number and business address here–sorry, that's a privilege that our advertisers (like RockAuto) pay for. Not trying to be mean, but we do need to keep the lights on.

Hopefully this answered your questions. You're walking the line here, but I'm really glad you're coming and I can't wait to see what you build.

With a mouse destroyed harness im using in my challenge car, i weighed it, called the local scrap yard for the price of dirty copper, and rounded up to 5 bucks.

Thank you so much for the clarification Tom. Since I work in the auto industry I wanted to be as absolutely clear as possible about any gray areas that might bring up. Being slimy is exactly what we are trying to avoid. We are whole heartedly trying to do our build within the spirit of the event. The spirit of the event is WHY we chose to do this event. I know the rules website says "found on the side of the road is free". I didn't want to take advantage just because I KNOW where all the right dumpsters are. I think we'll just add everything at a FMV and if AFTER the event someone says we could have done something differently to save budget THEN we'll make an adjustment.

I completely understand about not stepping on advertisers toes. I appreciate their support of our weekend shennanigans and events like the challenge. You could pass along to whom it may concern that we use some GRM sponsors in my shop because of their support of GRM. In my current position I get to make those decisions.

Awesome, thank you on all fronts. Sounds like you're going to be a great addition to the event!

(But stay away from Aussie Steve the Aussie, John the minivan racer, and Jeremy the parking-lot fire starter. They're trouble.)

Tom Suddard wrote: Awesome, thank you on all fronts. Sounds like you're going to be a great addition to the event! (But stay away from Aussie Steve the Aussie, John the minivan racer, and Jeremy the parking-lot fire starter. They're trouble.)

Aww crap i blew that one

In reply to appliance_racer:

Be sure to look us up. We'll set you "straight".

I'm really glad challenge is close to home. I need an escape route.

I look forward to meeting everyone and coming up with some sort of automotive mischief......

If my car doesn't perform well anyone up for a car-b-q afterward?

A follow-up FMV question from another first-time-challenge hopeful:

For convenience sake, are pull-a-part price lists okay to use for FMV? I have parts I've hoarded over the years, many of which I got from pull-a-part yards from Washington and Florida, but the receipts are long long long gone. I'm talking about wheels, seats, wiring, relay blocks, ECUs, calipers, etc. Heck, I've gotten INSANE deals on sets of wheels from Craigslist that were well well well below pull-a-part prices, but again, no receipts, no copy of the original ad.

I'm just trying to determine how these things should hit the budget if I choose to use them.

That seems fair. Its a published list.

Now, if you try to claim a polished 8-71 blower and carbs at pullapart price, were gonna need proof.

Dusterbd13 wrote: That seems fair. Its a published list. Now, if you try to claim a polished 8-71 blower and carbs at pullapart price, were gonna need proof.

Screw proof, I want the address of the junkyard!

I was shot down on pull a part list a few years back. I was directed to ebay completed listings and currently craigslist ads for FMV by staff.

I see the reason, i could claim "aluminum wheel without tire" and label my 17x11 wheels as such because i bought them 10 years ago and they are aged and there is no receipt, but it's not exactly an accurate representation of a matching set of used corvette wheels.

darkbuddha wrote: A follow-up FMV question from another first-time-challenge hopeful: For convenience sake, are pull-a-part price lists okay to use for FMV? I have parts I've hoarded over the years, many of which I got from pull-a-part yards from Washington and Florida, but the receipts are long long long gone. I'm talking about wheels, seats, wiring, relay blocks, ECUs, calipers, etc. Heck, I've gotten INSANE deals on sets of wheels from Craigslist that were well well well below pull-a-part prices, but again, no receipts, no copy of the original ad. I'm just trying to determine how these things should hit the budget if I choose to use them.

I have a couple Big Blocks and... that I've owned for years....Hmmm....local U-Pull-It is $300....

patgizz wrote: I was shot down on pull a part list a few years back. I was directed to ebay completed listings and currently craigslist ads for FMV by staff. I see the reason, i could claim "aluminum wheel without tire" and label my 17x11 wheels as such because i bought them 10 years ago and they are aged and there is no receipt, but it's not exactly an accurate representation of a matching set of used corvette wheels.

OK, I get that for things that pull-a-part prices seem well below actual FMV. But otherwise, it seems arbitrary and unfair to those that are vigilant, patient, and prepared to recon and snag parts at pull-a-part yards. It's also problematic when things are oddball enough to rarely ever be found on Craigslist or eBay. Besides, sometimes you really do get a frighteningly epic score at the pull-a-part, like a friend of mine that just scored a set of rare BMW spec 2-piece BBS mesh wheels for $260. Sure, they're old and crusty, but some time, elbow grease, and wheel polish will put theme right and bring $2k on the forums.

Ultimately, I don't think it'll be an issue for me, but it would've been convenient to use pull-a-part lists for FMV.

I've used a PULL-a-PART list.

If they are actually selling the part for that price, that list IS FMV.

That would, however, be different for rare, collector, or race specific parts. Although you occasionally get lucky, I would argue that is NOT FMV.

If you really do get lucky, terrific! Bring a receipt.

Keep in mind, FMV is ONLY for parts you already have. It's not for parts you are buying for the build (you can't randomly use FMV just because it is cheaper than what you paid). It's not an either/ or. FMV is for a specific use.

wheels777 wrote: I have a couple Big Blocks and... that I've owned for years....Hmmm....local U-Pull-It is $300....

But what about the opposite? I've got an old SBF that is probably not even good as a core anymore between the maxed out overbore, rust and pitting in the combustion chambers, cracked pistons, cracked manifolds, warped intake flanges, etc. Pull-a-part prices seem a bit generous.

Yep, what SVreX said. We really don't like pull-a-part lists, unless it's for something stupid-common like a set of steel wheels from a Ford van. The FMV system is purposefully designed to reward those who actually pick the parts, rather than the people who have stuff laying around and can squeeze it into a loophole.

This event lives or dies based on the legitimacy of your budgets. Please, please don't ruin it. Be reasonable, ask permission rather than forgiveness (thank you, by the way, for posting in this thread), and think about how you'll have to explain yourself to an angry mob that's all holding beer and tools and standing around your car.

"But my junkyard said engines were $200!"

*Picture is not actually from the Challenge. Thanks, Car and Driver/Murilee Martin

In reply to Tom Suddard:

Thats exactly why i have documented everything in my build thread. Price, progress, everything. Im suprised that someone hasnt questioned the 32 dollar mix and match nitrous kit that i traded chinese dinner for the parts.

Can i make a formal request that someone makes a full review of the thread, and ask questions/raise concerns? I just want to make sure that i dont have problems in October.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

The process for stuff you are unsure about is to email Rick Goolsby.

Asking the staff to review your build thread is probably more that they can do.

First READ THE RULES. I'm amazed how many people skip this step. Then, if you have a concern, email Rick.

Your build threads are nice, but definitely not a formal endorsement.

Tom Suddard wrote: Yep, what SVreX said. We really don't like pull-a-part lists, unless it's for something stupid-common like a set of steel wheels from a Ford van. The FMV system is purposefully designed to reward those who actually pick the parts, rather than the people who have stuff laying around and can squeeze it into a loophole. This event lives or dies based on the legitimacy of your budgets. Please, please don't ruin it. Be reasonable, ask permission rather than forgiveness (thank you, by the way, for posting in this thread), and think about how you'll have to explain yourself to an angry mob that's all holding beer and tools and standing around your car. "But my junkyard said engines were $200!"

I get it for sure, and I'm trying my best to be as upfront and transparent as possible. As someone pointed out elsewhere on the forum, everyone brings different abilities to the Challenge. Mine may be having the occasional good fortune to score good deals on stuff. And to be clear, my goal is to abide by both the letter and the spirit of the Challenge, not take advantage or find loopholes. If I have to eat up some budget by using FMV rather than pull-a-part prices, I'll do it gladly to keep both my involvement and the Challenge as legit as I can. And though some of the banter I've read on this forum seems to include a wink-wink about walking a fine line around the letters of the rules, I'll rely on the Challenge authori-tahs to monitor such things.