Spare parts discussion

Steve B, I'm not sure why you have twisted my initial comments, or why you are whipping up support to keep a Marketplace with spare parts.
I have not stated that owners don't need good second hand parts, or that the forum is better off without the likes of those who dismantle cars and nor have I leveled any comments at any individual.

I'm not sure how you are aware of my personal transactions between members either, or what that has to do with my point.

I made a personal statement and the crux of that is I'd like to see more of the un-repairable cars that are stripped and their parts offered here for sale, being offered at zero cost to the members.
That would show there was an interest in keeping the A2 marque present and on the road, and not hidden behind making a profit.

And.....before I'm asked the question, I have no objection to profit making ventures - I just PERSONALLY don't feel the current trend of buying an A2 from Copart or the like purely to sell parts to make a profit embodie the spirit and nature of an owners club.

Call me old fashioned, but if I've got a spare part and someone is in need, it's in the post.
In fact Steve B - this is your trait too - to assist and help over financial gain. - you've done this many times.

Steve E.....

I do not begrudge you or your venture, but many people have now worked out you can make a profit if you buy a knackered A2 and sell its parts on here. Other members are now doing the same as you, because they can turn a profit.
We'll surely see more as the cars get older and the cost to purchase a 15 year old worn out wreck is next to nothing, but that doesn't mean I need to embrase this.

Cheers
Jeff
 
I have a look at the member that is selling the parts and if they only have a few message counts then I ignore it as I classify that as someone that has just joined the club to flog parts.

I realise someone has to start somewhere with messages, but even replying to the welcome messages from other members would show activity and therefore a GENUINE interest in the club and the cars and not just joining as another avenue to flog parts and make money from people.
 
Steve E.....

I do not begrudge you or your venture, but many people have now worked out you can make a profit if you buy a knackered A2 and sell its parts on here. Other members are now doing the same as you, because they can turn a profit.
We'll surely see more as the cars get older and the cost to purchase a 15 year old worn out wreck is next to nothing, but that doesn't mean I need to embrase this.

Cheers
Jeff

Thanks for that response Jeff, it's much appreciated.
 
Indeed Rob - thanks for lifting the forum spirit that I seemed to have dampened this afternoon.

Both look teriffic, but I bet they'll be in better fettle when they leave your premises.

Can I therefore point out that without the people "buying an A2 from Copart or the like purely to sell parts" that the car on the right would no longer have a red leather interior, or votex kit attached, would be way uneconomical to repair and would likely have been scrapped about two weeks ago ...
 
Steve B, I'm not sure why you have twisted my initial comments, or why you are whipping up support to keep a Marketplace with spare parts.
I have not stated that owners don't need good second hand parts, or that the forum is better off without the likes of those who dismantle cars and nor have I leveled any comments at any individual.

I'm not sure how you are aware of my personal transactions between members either, or what that has to do with my point.

I made a personal statement and the crux of that is I'd like to see more of the un-repairable cars that are stripped and their parts offered here for sale, being offered at zero cost to the members.
That would show there was an interest in keeping the A2 marque present and on the road, and not hidden behind making a profit.

And.....before I'm asked the question, I have no objection to profit making ventures - I just PERSONALLY don't feel the current trend of buying an A2 from Copart or the like purely to sell parts to make a profit embodie the spirit and nature of an owners club.

Call me old fashioned, but if I've got a spare part and someone is in need, it's in the post.
In fact Steve B - this is your trait too - to assist and help over financial gain. - you've done this many times.

Steve E.....

I do not begrudge you or your venture, but many people have now worked out you can make a profit if you buy a knackered A2 and sell its parts on here. Other members are now doing the same as you, because they can turn a profit.
We'll surely see more as the cars get older and the cost to purchase a 15 year old worn out wreck is next to nothing, but that doesn't mean I need to embrase this.

Cheers
Jeff
Why am I being accused of twisting your words? they are there for all to see and why are you intimating (using your words) that you don't know "why you are whipping up support to keep a Marketplace with spare parts." That is a bit cheeky (I am trying toi keep my responses light- hearted) but what the heck is the problem if I WAS whipping up support for what I believe to be a VERY valuable OPTION for members who need parts? Why do you think I spent around 18 hours each day over the weeked that the market place was launched to help it get off the ground. It is because I wanted it to work well for the members. I see no harm in whipping up support for it. Mind you, how is asking for a vote one way or another whipping up support? I thoight that was a fair and democratic process?

I am sure that I am misunderstanding the following comment you made, it cannot surely be what you meant to say? quote " I made a personal statement and the crux of that is I'd like to see more of the un-repairable cars that are stripped and their parts offered here for sale, being offered at zero cost to the members."

Do you really expect people to give valuable items away? How long do you think they would carry one helping mambers with access to parts if they have to give the parts away? Sorry but even I ask for at least SOME money for parts (often a fraction of their value) so you think I should give them away instead?
Sorry but that would mean no parts available to members. It takes a LOT of time and effort (as you well know) to remove parts, and you expect people to just give the parts away.
Yes, in some circumstances I have happily given away parts that are not of much value and to help members. But you are effectively saying (and I am not trying to twist your words) that people should not charge for the spare parts they have left over, or are left in their garage.
It would be great if people did this but we need to be realistic.

I would FAR rather pay fair prices for rare parts than to simply not have them available on here.

As for someone buying a car from copart to sell the parts on here, what is the problem with that, why not let our members decide for themselves, if they don't want to pay for the parts that is finbe and completely understandable, if they DO want to pay for the parts then that is THEIR prerogative. Why should we try to stop that? what right do we have to tell the members that they cannot by poarts at reasonable prices? As for the amount of profit made. That will be zero if they are charging extortionate prices, it will be tiny compared to the effort and risk involved.

So I am guessing here (not putting words in your mouth) but I would assume that you therefore would want to remove the parts for sale section altogether, AND the Cars for sale too (in case the seller is making a profit), and the wanted adverts too, just in case someone offers the wanted part and wants a small amount fo it.

It seems like a form of censorship to me.

You are very nuch entitled to your opinion, but when it is indicating that you believe that the people that are selling parts are doing something wrong baffles me.

I am hoping that I am misunderstanding you.

Basically I cannot see any harm through people selling parts, profit is not a dirty word, if that profit is small and ensures a good service and availability to people who need it.

Steve B
 
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Can I therefore point out that without the people "buying an A2 from Copart or the like purely to sell parts" that the car on the right would no longer have a red leather interior, or votex kit attached, would be way uneconomical to repair and would likely have been scrapped about two weeks ago ...

Sadly I fear you miss my point, and I can't work out what your point is.
 
Steve E.....

I do not begrudge you or your venture, but many people have now worked out you can make a profit if you buy a knackered A2 and sell its parts on here. Other members are now doing the same as you, because they can turn a profit.
We'll surely see more as the cars get older and the cost to purchase a 15 year old worn out wreck is next to nothing, but that doesn't mean I need to embrase this.

For me if I do take a car in that is end of life it's surely better to pass those parts around back into the general A2 community than they end up in a crusher where they are of no use to anybody.

A good example of this is with the new Audi/VW "Diesel scrappage scheme" myself and Timmus visited Richard a while ago because he was taking advantage of VW's generous offer of £7k on his extremely attractive and well looked after 70k TDI. We managed to salvage some of the parts from his car (glovebox, covers, wheels etc.) but Tom was virtually in tears at the knowledge that such a lovely car was going to be crushed because the car industry as a whole has no interest in servicing and keeping old cars running. Anything over 5 years is out of date so far as the dealerships are concerned, I'm sure if I turned up at my local Audi dealership the majority of the staff wouldn't have a clue what I drove until they noticed the badges, and I certainly wouldn't trust ANY of them to service it properly, especially given the A2's perculiarities.
 
Sadly I fear you miss my point, and I can't work out what your point is.

I don't actually miss your point at all, I totally understand that you don't personally think it's in the correct spirit of an owners club for members to pass redundant parts around other members at a bargain price, as the person/people doing so make a small profit on it to keep their venture going.

I notice that you singled Steve E (@A2Steve ) as being somebody who it was okay for them to do so. Why does Steve get such favoured status from yourself?

My point was that the I own the car on the right (Project JRV) and that the car was purchased by as a Rescue Project, because the then owner was intending to strip of its "desirable components" (for desireable read easy to sell on at a profit having stripped) and the rest of the car would probably have been an "end of life" scrapper. I did this with the full intention of bringing the car back to a presentable state at a cost that will not break the bank. If there was not a source of parts available from the likes of @A2Steve, @BoxyA2 and @Sarge and myself making a little profit on the parts we salvage from end of life cars then I would not have even attempted to do this as there is no way it would have been economically viable.*

One of the things I love about our little bugs is the ease of upgrade, and that repairs and general maintenance are so cheap compared to even the cheapest Korean imports - I hope that in my own way I am helping to keep the cars alive, and if the parts availability of this forum wasn't around I would have walked away from it a long time ago - I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

A few weeks ago a lady contacted me offering to sell me her A2 as a breaker because the cluch had gone on the car and she had been quoted over £500 just to supply a new clutch. Rather than taking her up on her offer I rang around a few places and found her a deal to get the clutch done for £250 fitted. I received a box of Roses (my son nicked them!) in exchange. If I had taken her up on the original offer I could have sold the parts on her car for probably £700 - £800 with ease, but to me I'd much rather see the cars back on the road in a driveable state.

THIS for me is what an owners club should be about. Obviously myself and your views may be different on this, and I am sad about that, but I do feel that although you may feel that your right to air your views in public is solid, I feel that in this instance you may have upset a lot of people in the process by stoking a fire in public. Again, this makes me a bit sad as I only see one motive for doing so which is getting the thing off your chest, and a public forum is possibly not the best place to have done this.

*Special thanks also to Rob & Marcus at WOM Automotive :)
 
Guy's - my opinion is my opinion.

Someone can count the votes up if they want.

I'll vote we don't change the Marketplace forum from how it is now.

Sleep easy
Jeff
 
Could I request that a mod step in here please @A2OC this is an “today I” thread not a let’s all rant thread we all have differing opinions and can only see this conversation getting everyone no where..
 
Well I for one am happy that the guys offer spares for sale here, I recently purchased a concert 11 head unit for the bargain price of £40 compare that with the stupid prices on flea bay!


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I love the market place.
Both my A2’s are driving well, but some parts are expensive at the dealer, so I’m happy to find here some parts at reasonable price. And they go on the shelf, in the hope that I don’t need them soon.

How many Steve’s do we have? I like them all ;-)
 
I've only been part of A2OC since September. In that time I've managed to get a set of SE wheels, a remap, a pair of headlights, bulb clips and (shortly) a bootlid solenoid for a fraction of the cost that I would have had to pay on the open market. That's just the start of it - I've a wishlist to gradually get my car somewhere close to imperfect (I'm not a total pedant). If it wasn't for those members of A2OC who pick up end-of-life cars and recycle them for the rest of us I would already have been in a black hole financially. That's without the invaluable help in the form of advice, aid and expertise from many people who contribute the benefit of their experience. I consider the prices I pay for parts to be well worth the money. Please don't wreck what we've got - I can think of many car clubs that would kill to have what we have here.
 
Long live the club members offering their skills, comments, expertise and parts. I’m maintaining my sons a2 until he passes his test....with great guidance from members, i’ve Passed on comments and recommended sales to friends......no complaints from me, thank you so far guys for all ........please continue
 
My experience to date is that all members that I have had exchanges with are genuine A2 enthusiasts and where parts are offered they are done so with little regard for profit. I have benefited from this, as have many members, long may this continue. That is not to say that the Moderators should not keep their eyes open to the posibility of someone joining purely with a profit motive. Even if this was to occur I think our members would easily recognise it and avoid them. Long may the current services continue.

Geoff
 
I love having the chance to buy bits for my car via this forum and its members. I mean for goodness sake. Even breaking cars for donor use is a timely business and I wouldn’t and don’t have a problem in paying for the members time to do that and post it to me!! Save me hunting around a scrap yard like I used to have to do every weekend with my first couple of cars in the pi$$ing rain with the wrong tools.

I cant see what the beef is really. It’s not like the cars that have been harvested are anything short of knackered. And even so if they hadn’t of come in the the hands of an enthusiasts club member in the first place no one would be any the wiser and would go to the car park in the sky anyway!

Long live the A2OC market place.


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Without the ability to source cheap replacement parts (along with the friendly advice of the sellers) my own A2 would have gone to the Scrap several years ago. The discovery of this club and the availability of bits and bobs at extremely good prices made the decision to keep the car versus taking the A3 sport back lease my work offered me an easy one - and even allowed me to improve my car in various ways (new style wiper arm £20 including blade anyone?) viva le spare parts.
This practice is in keeping with a love of the car and both Egyptian and Buddhist principles of respect for the dead and onward eternal life


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