Is the price of shipping bringing back the swap meet?

[signsup]

Looking at some larger or heavier parts on eBay and some sellers are charging more for s/h than the cost of the actual part. In some cases, over $100 for s/h. Wondering if this trend continues the smaller, regional swap meets might see some renewed interst? If the price of gas comes down a little, the shippers will not lower their rates and driving a few hours or staying overnight is becoming a little less prohibitive, IMO.

[George House]

I was considering that same thought recently. I sold a turtledeck for $350 and it needed to go from central Texas to Los Angeles. The buyer asked me to take it to UPS for a quote. They said a ridiculous $500. Over the last year or so I’ve been selling T parts that ship for $15-$30 but still have fenders, splash aprons, rims etc that need a new home. For this reason I’m reserving swap spaces at Duncan OK pre war section next March. I hope another mid America swap meet gains steam…

[Mark Gregush]

Depends on what you consider reasonable driving distance and if there are enough T (or other actual antique car parts) to make the trip worth it. Sorry but I am not going to spend hundreds of $'s to drive someplace and only to find nothing that I need but there are a couple of swap meets on my "bucket" list along the west coast. As I have said in the past, shopping on eBay, Facebook Market place or one of the Facebook T pages, allows me to spread my spending out over time. I have spent good money at swap meets and when I got home and pull the thing apart, it was actually toast inside so buying in person can be just as much taking a chance as online.

[jsaylor]

Come to Auburn, Ca. The Mother Lode Model T Club will be hosting our 50th Vintage Cars & Parts Swap Met June 1, 2025.

[John kuehn]

Shipping prices that have gotten higher because of fuel costs, vehicle upkeep and wages for the driver. It all gets passed down to the person shipping an items. It won’t go down anytime soon. It’s part of what’s happened in the last few years in the economy. And yes shipping has been high and gotten higher. Buying a heavy or bulky item for the first time these days is a shocker for some people.
BUT I’m not driving a long way to a swap meet when I can be selective on what I’m buying online and buy an item if I really need it. My opinion

[Dan Hatch]

Strange this came up. Next week Moultrie swap is going on. I know nothing much T will be there. It is over 5 hrs from me. Just too far for a day trip, but not enough T stuff for an overnight trip.
Robbie you need to start a pre war meet in Chattanooga. Close enough to draw people out of Va and NC .
There are not enough T people close to me for one.

[tdump]

Strange this came up. Next week Moultrie swap is going on. I know nothing much T will be there. It is over 5 hrs from me. Just too far for a day trip, but not enough T stuff for an overnight trip.
Robbie you need to start a pre war meet in Chattanooga. Close enough to draw people out of Va and NC .
There are not enough T people close to me for one.

Ding ding, we have a winner

[signsup]

Hmmm...got me thinking. But, I'm getting the same response from the WWII jeep guys. The smaller, regional swap meets may need to make a comeback. I did not think about the number of scammers that have taken over the internet with low priced parts that do not exist other than in someone else's stolen image.
The swap meet won't eliminate all the trickery, but at least you get to hold the part in your hands and see the seller face to face.
I got two wooden wheels in Moultrie, GA swap meet many years ago. The seller did not know what they went to, so, yes, mostly muscle car stuff at that one.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Looking at some larger or heavier parts on eBay and some sellers are charging more for s/h than the cost of the actual part. In some cases, over $100 for s/h. Wondering if this trend continues the smaller, regional swap meets might see some renewed interst? If the price of gas comes down a little, the shippers will not lower their rates and driving a few hours or staying overnight is becoming a little less prohibitive, IMO.

I tend to think it will as these fuel rates are surcharges.