There has been over the years a growth of dedicated trade and non trade supply of used zed parts been sold in the main by ebay traders.

 

As is often the case the actual success of ebay has also seen the thinning out of trade there as more and more vie for the decreasing number of buyers for zed parts, the decreasing numbers has many reasons and in no small way due to the many zeds been broken, supplying the market with an almost glut of parts.

 

We have been in this market for over 10 years, as a business we did not use ebay as a portal for our parts sales, in part because we did not need to and partly because we have our own trader section here at the very heart of the zed community.

 

But,the past 12 months or so has seen a steady rise in parts sales here from what we shall call domestic parts suppliers, now in as far as someone breaking their own zed or for a mate that`s cool but if a club member is buying breakers for the reason of breaking that`s trading, simple no arguement it`s trading, again nothing wrong with that provided its declared and forum fees paid.

 

This is exactly what auction sites like Ebay excell at and providing the seller is honest and registers as a business all should be fine. What does happen though is many do not, but seem to be able to openly trade as a business with non business accounts?

 

I have asked this more than once of ebay why this is allowed to continue as its against their own rules, their reply is always the same, they cannot monitior the vast amount of accounts looking for trading stats... yes right they can monitor it enough to send sellers fee`s??

 

So back to the forum, whilst we are happy to not only pay our traders fees but to adhere to the forums rules on selling it has become increasing clear of late that some of the ebay traders and traders from other zed sites have surreptitiously began trading here.

 

Now you will understand why over the past year or so most of our own parts trading is mainly done off the forum. Prices are another contentious subject, I am surprised to see that often "domestic breakers" are selling parts at higher prices than ourselves, which is frankly just nuts, no warranties, no come back as they are not declared traders and as is often the case very slow deliveries and sometimes no shows.

 

In all I am disapointed, I spend a great deal of my "not at work time" here in the past this was a mixture of banter, answering tech questions and of course promoting parts sales, supplying a good quality service along with a good quality part is key to our business and should be the focus any seller has, but if that seller has another full time job then its to be expected the service may not always be exact, but this is where the actual value for money for members is lost, bad service can be just as bad as bad parts.

 

No offence to anyone who is suppling parts in this manner but business investment goes a lot further than buying a breaker off ebay, a tape gun some brown paper and an occasional walk to the post office, it takes time, dedication and hard cash to build, insure and pay tax on, which of course I am sure your all doing.......right?

 

Is there likely to be a committe review at any time on trading in the near future? I honestly think it needs a revue if the current situation does not change.

 

Jeff TT

Edited January 15, 201213 yr by JeffTT

Very well said Jeff,

I for one support your thoughts 100%

I am sure that everyone involved with this forum, from registered member through to senior Moderator will feel the same.

After all, I can not imagine any other forum having such a company such as Zedworld, that not only offers a great service at great prices, but also a great wealth of advice given freely to all.

Very well said Jeff,

I for one support your thoughts 100%

I am sure that everyone involved with this forum, from registered member through to senior Moderator will feel the same.

After all, I can not imagine any other forum having such a company such as Zedworld, that not only offers a great service at great prices, but also a great wealth of advice given freely to all.

 

ditto

I haven't seen this myself, but at the same time I don't need secondhand OEM parts so I probably wouldn't have looked at the guys for sale threads where they are trying to sell their breaker parts

 

I see your point Jeff and understand that Zedworld have overheads and pay your taxes as a business, and I hope that for the sake of your business that something can be done, but having said that I think it's going to be a very difficult one to take control of and enforce, and at the end of the day if a subscribed member has paid his fees (300 forum and ebay) then he's entitled to sell his parts, and if those parts are from a breaker that he/she picked up on ebay then that's the way that it is unfortunately

 

very murky water I feel

Jeff, I agree with your point.

 

Obviously it is a concern to you as it affects your trade.

 

However, I think you should do a little to improve your marketing.

 

Why not have a sticky thread with a list of zed parts and prices, where members can see at a glance the cost of individual parts, along with the saving they will receive as a subscribed member.

 

Why not sell on eBay? It seems mad not to.

 

The zedworld website is in serious need of an overhaul. You need to make things easier for your customers. People are lazy - myself included. The majority of parts I buy are from z1. Their website has a great search facility and it is easy to make an order. I can guarantee if zedworld had a website similar, a lot more of my £ would be sent in your direction.

 

 

Why not have more promotions/sales/group buys?

 

I hope this doesn't come across as cheeky, just trying to offer some suggestions that would attract me...a customer

gotta agree that zedworld website needs an update, maybe your busy enough not to worry about it, but when i was looking into the cost of a belt change before xmas i read.....

 

"Ok So you have bought your zed...... "Congratulations" you have chosen to drive a car that although designed some 10+ years ago"

 

i guess that was written some time ago

I sympathise entirely with what you say Jeff, especially having seen other customers in your workshop with supposedly good work done and parts fitted, and seen and heard the sorry result

 

The problem I think you'll find very difficult to overcome is when people on here know each other and their zed fails the MOT or is accident damaged or rusted etc and then sometimes it's almost like a flock of vultures dibbing and making offers for bits and bobs off it

 

That is a market I don't think you'll ever beat

 

However, for those of us who use you regularly, you do provide an exemplary service. I've asked you before how come you are one of the very few garages that will alow a customer to buy parts and the YOU fit them for the customer, Me included !

 

Keep up the great work, Maybe update the website as above, and above all why not list parts on the zed sites, bot 300 and 350/370 if you are doing work on those now

 

I don't think you'll ever beat ebay or private traders and I think ebay themselves are bunch of crooks and theives. Jan bought a book on ebay for £14.99. Paid through Paypal £14.99 and when the delivery note came with the book it said £8.99 So who had the £6.00 ? I phoned and started a disput and got nowhere and the seller never responded

 

The old old adage you preach all the time to people who don't source from you Buyer Beware !

I dont really know what the answer is to be honest.

People will always break them if they cant/cant afford to get them fixed as they are worthless as cars.

I agree that people that buy them to break for a quick quid should pay traders fees on here.

 

As for prices, i guess people will assume you will be more expensive being a trader, so advertising your prices might make people think twice about buying form unkown places.

 

Other suggestion, any breaker thread that comes up, offer to buy the car from them at a price that makes you money and gets a quick sale to the person breaking it.

That way, less people are breaking them, and you'll have all the parts!

i agree with point made. but would like to ask in my case........i own an auto tt and have been after a manual gearbox and came across a manual car. in the process of this job i have left over a gearbox and two calipers .so i initially thought that if anyone wanted them at a ridiculously low price then they can have them. as i know what its like hunting for parts.would this be classed as being a trader? how would you be able to judge whether someone is trading for actual profit or just offering things at mates rates prices so to speak. i know the prices of things so i delibrately price any thing i have left much lower than the actual value as i'm not a trader ,in hope that i may be of some help. imo it seems like a difficult one.

i agree with point made. but would like to ask in my case........i own an auto tt and have been after a manual gearbox and came across a manual car. in the process of this job i have left over a gearbox and two calipers .so i initially thought that if anyone wanted them at a ridiculously low price then they can have them. as i know what its like hunting for parts.would this be classed as being a trader?

 

Don't worry mate, pretty sure you fall well out of the catergory Jeff was reffering to :thumbup1:

 

I think it's more a case of the "secret" breaker.

It's one thing someone buying a zed with every intention of repairing it to use

or buying/owning one and it later seems is beyond financial repair, in short a genuine Zedder!

However obtaining Zeds with the sole purpose of breaking them and i mean in the plural sense, but not letting onto the rest of our community that's the case, well they then are a secret breaker and not conforming to our own rules of the club or paying trader fees.

Usually they operate out of an old shed or barn at home or nearby and use their time to break cars as a hobby. Thus looking upon the forum and it's members as nothing more than a means to an end of making money and with no real genuine interest or love of Zeds itself!

 

That's why Jeff who offers a daily service of posting items out, tested and warranted parts, full back up with any sale and pays his fees for offering this service.

Plus of course being so passionate about Zeds and being in business for some 10 years or so, it's safe to assume he ain't gonna "suddenly" do one lol

 

cheers

 

smithy

Edited January 16, 201213 yr by Smithy

This isnt always the case though, Myself personally I have bought 2 zeds in the past to take the nice bits off them for my own car as it was cheaper buying the whole car then it was to buy the individual parts I wanted! I then sold the rest of the good bits to cover my costs of purchasing the car, I even gave loads of parts away including the shells to people that needed pannels!! I wouldnt class myself as a trader, it just made more financial sense to buy the whole cars then it did the individual parts!

 

I did not make a profit from either car just covered my cost of purchase and took the bits i wanted eg New Engine hybrid tubs Manual conversion etc!

 

So not everyone who breaks cars is a "TRADER" but as everyone knows as complete cars its cheaper to buy if you need alot of parts then it is to buy seperately, I can name at least a dozen people on here now who have bought breakers for their own needs and tried to re coup costs. Without this being taken the wrong way Jeff it sounds like a bit of sour grapes to me! This whole thread could have been sent straight to the commitee as apose to an open thread. I agree you have to protect your business and the very obvious "TRADERS" should pay the correct fee, but everyone feels the pinch in these economic times, so some people will buy breakers.

 

I hope you dont feel this is having a go as thats not the intention, just giving another perspective from someone who has used breakers in the past.

This isnt always the case though, Myself personally I have bought 2 zeds in the past to take the nice bits off them for my own car as it was cheaper buying the whole car then it was to buy the individual parts I wanted! I then sold the rest of the good bits to cover my costs of purchasing the car, I even gave loads of parts away including the shells to people that needed pannels!! I wouldnt class myself as a trader, it just made more financial sense to buy the whole cars then it did the individual parts!

 

Therefore you don't fall into the catergory i mentioned above, nor do i think it falls into Jeff's, though am sure he would confirm himself.

smithy

I know I am relatively new here and have seen some of the help that Jeff has given people that has gone above and beyond, I'm afraid I have to agree with some of the comments that have been raised. It does appear as sour grapes, I know that's not how it's intended, in business when you get competition you need to up your game and the part that is letting you down is your website. When looking at it the other day I could not easily find your address. I prefer buying parts off companies like yourselves even if it's more expensive, I'm lazy though I never go round asking for parts I have a look and if a trader has it I will buy it. I have used moffshop a bit as well as Japanese used parts aswell as eBay! They are easy quick and clear!

 

With regards to eBay, I know parts is a small part of your business so don't want the hassle of it so may be worth trying what we are doing at my work. With any ex Shoshone furniture we want to sell we let staff list it, we pay the listing fee obviously but they get 10% commission, it works!

I hope thats the case, I just wanted to make sure "everyone with a breaker" wasnt tarnished with the same brush so to speak. I have nothing but absolute respect for what Jeff and the family do as the service is second to none!! But if the commitee do a review I just want to make sure the people who buy a breaker for there own needs and then re coup some costs are not frowned upon as "secret traders"

Edited January 16, 201213 yr by ZX-TT

I suppose anybody breaking a zed are probably just recouping cost as Zx-tt says.

 

Maybe anybody breaking a second zed or more should be looked into. It shouldn't be a problem if somebody wanted to break them for profit, but as Jeff says pays sellers fee, traders fees etc

Edit...

Edited January 16, 201213 yr by znut
on the side line now....LOL

I think that all of the above valid comments from several perspectives pretty much sums up the problem here, and I for one can't see how it's going to be resolved

 

at the end of the day a lot of members will try to get the parts that they need at the cheapest price (and rightly so), though it has been highlighted that in part the 'secret breakers' parts are no cheaper than others?

 

I don't know if that is the case, but I can't see how anybody is going to be 'pinged' as a 'secret breaker' and in all honesty that kind of witch hunt will do nothing but cause animosity amongst members so in my opinion is best avoided

 

I agree with the sticky idea as it makes sense, and as for the Zedworld website I haven't seen it for quite a while now, but maybe from my last experience maybe it could do with a fresh new look (I'm sure that there are plenty of guys and gals on here that would be more than willing to offer their personal constructive opinion on what improvements could be made)

 

 

competative pricing is the only way that I can see this being resolved, after all it works in business.

 

Cheaper parts with no warranty or support

 

 

or

 

 

Slightly more expensive parts with full warranty and support

 

 

 

or better still

 

 

 

cheaper parts with full warranty and support

 

 

just my views on it

Edit...

 

Wimp lol :whistling::whistling::whistling:

IMHO,

 

I dont know anyone here personally yet, but from what ive seen, i can see both points of view.

 

I think no matter how Jeff said it, it was always going to be difficult for it not to look like sour grapes...

 

I think the bottom line is that Jeff has to look after Z worlds Business interests to the best of his ability. it is after all his livelyhood.

 

I also agree that it is everyones perogative to buy parts as and when they see fit...

 

I definately agree with the idea that as a buyer you offset the cost now against future cost implications if the product is poor quality you pay twice etc.... Chance you take i suppose....

 

Either way, i dont think there is an easy answer, i just hope for everyone it gets sorted to everyones satisfaction.

 

Cheers

 

J

I think Jeff's point is clear. There are people who are breaking cars as they are beyond economical repair and there are people who are breaking cars for profit. It's easy to see who is doing it as they post things such as 'I have lots of bits available what do you want?' and, 'I don't have that right now but I have more coming in soon'. If someone is selling multiples of something and are not a registered trader then they should be asked to register as a trader. It's not like we are working on an eBay scale of people doing it here, it's easy to keep track. It's not like a £100 for trading rights is alot anyway, sale of a few basic items off the car will cover it.

 

If all us members that require parts were to post up in the wanted section then that would give traders like Jeff the opportunity to give their price for a tried and tested item with whatever warranty.

Good afternoon everyone this is Jeff's wife Lynda having her say on the post.(You all know me I do not do this very often)

I think a lot of you have miss read the post, we are traders on this forum therefore pay a lot more in fees £100.00. this is not a problem, but when you can clearly see someone selling parts time after time and only paying a members subscription £15.00 I bet you would be thinking hang on this is not fair.

Yes I do understand the current market people find themselves in and everyone one wants to make a few extra pennies, okay but those people and you know who you are should pay the extra fees, if you continue to advertise just had another breaker in, as you said Jim if someone has posted this more than once with another breaker then this should be looked into.

Also don't even get me started on the web site, we paid a lot of money to a customer to update this and guess what he did a runner never to be heard of again, (but we kept quiet about that one, so yes when Jeff has more time he will update the web site) Jeff, Jamie and myself are very passionate about the 300zx and we try to help people as much as we can, we often give people parts for free to help them out, and when another trader has ripped people off in the past we have stepped in to help with parts FOC.

This forum is a great site where owners can get help and advice, especially from my husband who when he gets in from work you will often see him answering questions and also putting up technical threads to help people out. We work hard to make our business work, and unless I’m mistaken I thought on here if one trader is advertising parts for sale they will not allow another trader to advertise the similar parts.

Maybe I should have not posted this but I wanted to have my say on things, I sincerely hope this does not make matters worse, but as I said I felt we needed to clear a few things up.

A lot of you know me and know I’m a straight talker and tell it as exactly as it is.

So good to get that of me chest ..... oh that does feel better.

Lynda

The long suffering wife of Jeff TT (who watches him nodding of every night whilst he is trying to write a post ,yes this is the reason why he takes a long time to answer your questions he is going to kill me for saying that)

Good afternoon everyone this is Jeff's wife Lynda having her say on the post.(You all know me I do not do this very often)

I think a lot of you have miss read the post, we are traders on this forum therefore pay a lot more in fees £100.00. this is not a problem, but when you can clearly see someone selling parts time after time and only paying a members subscription £15.00 I bet you would be thinking hang on this is not fair.

Yes I do understand the current market people find themselves in and everyone one wants to make a few extra pennies, okay but those people and you know who you are should pay the extra fees, if you continue to advertise just had another breaker in, as you said Jim if someone has posted this more than once with another breaker then this should be looked into.

Also don't even get me started on the web site, we paid a lot of money to a customer to update this and guess what he did a runner never to be heard of again, (but we kept quiet about that one, so yes when Jeff has more time he will update the web site) Jeff, Jamie and myself are very passionate about the 300zx and we try to help people as much as we can, we often give people parts for free to help them out, and when another trader has ripped people off in the past we have stepped in to help with parts FOC.

This forum is a great site where owners can get help and advice, especially from my husband who when he gets in from work you will often see him answering questions and also putting up technical threads to help people out. We work hard to make our business work, and unless I’m mistaken I thought on here if one trader is advertising parts for sale they will not allow another trader to advertise the similar parts.

Maybe I should have not posted this but I wanted to have my say on things, I sincerely hope this does not make matters worse, but as I said I felt we needed to clear a few things up.

A lot of you know me and know I’m a straight talker and tell it as exactly as it is.

So good to get that of me chest ..... oh that does feel better.

Lynda

The long suffering wife of Jeff TT (who watches him nodding of every night whilst he is trying to write a post ,yes this is the reason why he takes a long time to answer your questions he is going to kill me for saying that)

 

Well said Lynda! I totally see where Jeff is coming from on this. I agree that if someone is listing breaker after breaker after breaker it should be looked in to and if found that the person is doing it to make a profit and NOT doing it to off load parts because they have bits left over from a project car etc then they should pay the trader fee.

 

Matt

Good afternoon everyone this is Jeff's wife Lynda having her say on the post.(You all know me I do not do this very often)

I think a lot of you have miss read the post, we are traders on this forum therefore pay a lot more in fees £100.00. this is not a problem, but when you can clearly see someone selling parts time after time and only paying a members subscription £15.00 I bet you would be thinking hang on this is not fair.

Yes I do understand the current market people find themselves in and everyone one wants to make a few extra pennies, okay but those people and you know who you are should pay the extra fees, if you continue to advertise just had another breaker in, as you said Jim if someone has posted this more than once with another breaker then this should be looked into.

Also don't even get me started on the web site, we paid a lot of money to a customer to update this and guess what he did a runner never to be heard of again, (but we kept quiet about that one, so yes when Jeff has more time he will update the web site) Jeff, Jamie and myself are very passionate about the 300zx and we try to help people as much as we can, we often give people parts for free to help them out, and when another trader has ripped people off in the past we have stepped in to help with parts FOC.

This forum is a great site where owners can get help and advice, especially from my husband who when he gets in from work you will often see him answering questions and also putting up technical threads to help people out. We work hard to make our business work, and unless I’m mistaken I thought on here if one trader is advertising parts for sale they will not allow another trader to advertise the similar parts.

Maybe I should have not posted this but I wanted to have my say on things, I sincerely hope this does not make matters worse, but as I said I felt we needed to clear a few things up.

A lot of you know me and know I’m a straight talker and tell it as exactly as it is.

So good to get that of me chest ..... oh that does feel better.

Lynda

The long suffering wife of Jeff TT (who watches him nodding of every night whilst he is trying to write a post ,yes this is the reason why he takes a long time to answer your questions he is going to kill me for saying that)

 

Hi Lynda,good to here from you and agree there are a few members trying to sell who are clearly trading and we need to get on top of it.Hopefully in the next few days we can get enough proof to close there threads or if they are reading this they will close it themselves.So that is members who buy breakers to sell parts on here without paying fees.

 

ATB Lynda and get yourself up to JAE with Jeff and Jamie this year:thumbup:

Lynda, thats a nice post I feel. I also I have to say I support your comments. if the persons are advertised as Traders you would feel that you are more protected by the forum as they take all details etc. There are too many cases of people being ripped of at present. If the said people are acting as traders and not just re couping the costs or swapping parts then they should not be selling on this forum without permission. if they are forced to sell on ebay, then as a customer again I am protected if the parts dont turn up.

 

My comments are made from a view of protecting myself really (selfish I know). Im new to the scene so still learning and sometimes the hard way.

some great point's but if concern's had been raised with our tlo it would have been resolved, no sure there was any need for this thread TBH

 

the mod's and comittee are on here all the time so someone could have done something, as for feeling unfair about people breaking car's and tredding on jeff's toe's, let's not forget that being a breaker on the forum is a back door way into advertising the garage services you provide and yes the technical help is fantastic and i do like to read jeff's technical thread's but it also help's a lot with his garage business to have "zedworld" posted in all the thread's, it's not a go at jeff just pointing out a few thing's as i alway's feel that open thread's like this are a bit of a dig at the club and the way it's run (sorry just the way i feel)

 

i dont want to see jeff go as i think he is a great asset to the club and an all round good guy liked by many (myself included), but if we are to start re-arranging thing's about rule's and reg's then that has to be implemented to everyone in every way

 

just a pity jeff couldnt have asked our tlo to have a look at certain thing's instead of posting it here

 

will wait for my post to be pulled to bit's lol

some great point's but if concern's had been raised with our tlo it would have been resolved, no sure there was any need for this thread TBH

 

the mod's and comittee are on here all the time so someone could have done something, as for feeling unfair about people breaking car's and tredding on jeff's toe's, let's not forget that being a breaker on the forum is a back door way into advertising the garage services you provide and yes the technical help is fantastic and i do like to read jeff's technical thread's but it also help's a lot with his garage business to have "zedworld" posted in all the thread's, it's not a go at jeff just pointing out a few thing's as i alway's feel that open thread's like this are a bit of a dig at the club and the way it's run (sorry just the way i feel)

 

i dont want to see jeff go as i think he is a great asset to the club and an all round good guy liked by many (myself included), but if we are to start re-arranging thing's about rule's and reg's then that has to be implemented to everyone in every way

 

just a pity jeff couldnt have asked our tlo to have a look at certain thing's instead of posting it here

 

will wait for my post to be pulled to bit's lol

 

Thats fair to be honest.