Check out this ebay junk - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brian Carlton · #61 01-04-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

BC,
Either you are trolling, or you are providing information you should know not to be factually correct.

As a Mechanical Engineer you should be perfectly conversant with service life considerations.

A flex disk has a designed maximum service life, you should know what that means and how to calculate it for many components. I suspect there are members on this forum less than 1/2 your age who have recently studied such.

If the flex disk is mounted in a car, it is reasonable to say it must have had a service life so far no more than the distance the car has traveled.
If you have a flex disk that you dont know the history of and you have not undertaken appropriate testing of, you have to assume that it is at the end of its service life & junk it. Your experience in aviation should further confirm your knowledge of this.

To perpetrate your present line of argument should be seen as just attempting to troll others & not add to the forum.

There is a photo of the part in question above this post. Make a judgment as to whether such a component is suitable for the task.

Or, stay with your current argument, which is simple: Once a part is installed on a vehicle, its age cannot be discerned (without suitable paperwork). Therefore its future life cannot be calculated based upon time in service. This would be correct for an aircraft component with a life limited part. Note, however, that the flex-disc is not a life-limited part. There is no limit, in hours, as stated by the manufacturer, where it must be replaced. It is replaced "on condition"..........meaning that the component is observed in-situ to the best of the ability of the observer and a judgment is made as to whether it can continue in service. Accordingly, an analysis of the aforementioned flex disc performed on a bench will yield the same results (possibly better) as an analysis of the flex disc in situ.

If you ascribe to your current argument, then no used parts can ever be utilized. If so, I accept your premise...........although I don't agree with it for automobiles. There are many parts, IMHO, that can be successfully "recycled" based upon condition, without compromising the safety of the vehicle in any significant way.

I stand by the position that ridiculing such sellers is inappropriate.

Cal Learner · #62 01-04-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

bi-annual?
I flush every two years... sorry for the confusion.

I know John, just trying to help you bring a light-hearted end to the arguments in this thread. Doesn't seem to have worked either.

ah-kay · #63 01-04-2011, 12:30 PM

If you think the price is right and you accept the risk then go for it. There is no need to ridicule any seller(s) for selling used part. If you do not agree with the business model then just vote with your feet.

layback40 · #64 01-04-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

no, the real question is "is there someone out there that is short enough on funds to buy a used part"

apparently on this forum, there are those with the opinion that critical parts should never be replaced with used. no matter what the appearance of that part is.
fine.
the opinion has been made.
there are those that will put a used part in place of a damaged part when they are low on funds.
fine.
that opinion has been made.
there are those that will supply the used part to those who want it. they are not going to try to sell it to someone that does not want to buy it.
fine.

no matter how many times you tell someone that needs to drive to work, that a used part should not be used, if they don't have the money for new, they are not going to walk. they are going to put the used part on.
it's their money. don't shoot them because they don't think the same way as you.

no more arguments on this.

Good summation!

mespe · #65 01-05-2011, 12:10 PM

I would like to thank the OP, (who has been suspiciously quiet in the thread) and LB40 and everyone else who has posted their opinions. As of 12:00 noon today this thread has increased traffic to my eBay store by, now get this,

20,000%

on a daily basis. year/year

TY OP & LB40 without the original post, and without LB40 typing the things into this thread that upset me, I could not have realized such gains in traffic.

Interestingly enough, no forum members have taken me up on the 50% off offer, as of yet.

layback40 · #66 01-05-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

I would like to thank the OP, (who has been suspiciously quiet in the thread) and LB40 and everyone else who has posted their opinions. As of 12:00 noon today this thread has increased traffic to my eBay store by, now get this,

20,000%

on a daily basis. year/year

TY OP & LB40 without the original post, and without LB40 typing the things into this thread that upset me, I could not have realized such gains in traffic.

Interestingly enough, no forum members have taken me up on the 50% off offer, as of yet.

All publicity is good publicity. You need it to turn into sales now!!
Good Luck to you!!

mespe · #67 01-06-2011, 04:50 PM

thank you LB40,

Looking at the picture on eBay I could understand the OP's intentions. I mean seriously, the part looks pathetic, I mean with trans fluid on parts of it, etc. But there is a reason behind that. If I take a picture of the nicest flex disc that I have I cannot sell one that is of lesser quality.

A little history behind my business. I started parting cars while I lived with and tended to my elderly uncle. who did not want to leave his home for a nursing home. Being there 24/7 I needed a sorce of income to support my family (which I got to see 1-2 times a week while someone relieved me).

After my uncle passed (in 2008) I rented some industrial space and went full speed ahead, as that time frame was the beginning of the economic crisis. I've managed to grom my business from 300 parts on eBay (while living with my uncle) to over 1200 parts today.

It's been a real venture. One of the hardest aspects of the business is pricing, and I've slowly been grasping the reigns on this one.

I doubt if anyone that has read this post (other than maybe Brian) knows that I was banned in 2005, for advertising in this forum. Guess who banned me

.

After a few emails management determined that I wasn't a threat, and since then I have not advertised in the parts section.

Soon I hope to become a sponsor of this website, if they will let me. I know I'm a competitor, but if the owners only knew how much business I turn their way, because some people don't want to buy used flex discs, and for new products I direct incoming requests to the sponsors of peachparts forum.

Now if I get a request for something used that I don't have, they go to socalmercedes parts, because I've dealt with Pete alot and he's good people in my book.

I deal with no one else.

I would like to move my business and expand, I believe my business model can be nothing but profitable, however, banks don't like the fact that I'm not selling 100K/year and consequently they, amongst other things, are hindering my expansion.

I really don't want to go into debt expanding my business, but fear I may have to, in order to survive.

Gotta go to the post office now, will continue with the story at a later time.

layback40 · #68 01-06-2011, 08:19 PM

mespe,
Any one who read my original post about painting shockers would have gone to your ebay list & seen that brake booster you had that needs a coat of paint. They would have soon realized that I was not directly commenting on you. Its hard to get suspicious of parts that havent been cosmetically touched up. A bit like a car on ebay with a fresh paint job. Any way enough said.

mespe · #69 02-11-2011, 03:03 PM

Well all three flex discs sold to one person.

On a side note. This thread generated 218 hits on my eBay store in January, which BTW happened to be more than google did in the same time period.

Skid Row Joe · #70 02-11-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

no, the real question is "is there someone out there that is short enough on funds to buy a used part"

apparently on this forum, there are those with the opinion that critical parts should never be replaced with used. no matter what the appearance of that part is.
fine.
the opinion has been made.
there are those that will put a used part in place of a damaged part when they are low on funds.
fine.
that opinion has been made.
there are those that will supply the used part to those who want it. they are not going to try to sell it to someone that does not want to buy it.
fine.

no matter how many times you tell someone that needs to drive to work, that a used part should not be used, if they don't have the money for new, they are not going to walk. they are going to put the used part on.
it's their money. don't shoot them because they don't think the same way as you.

no more arguments on this.

100% correct, John.

panZZer · #71 02-11-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

thank you LB40,

Looking at the picture on eBay I could understand the OP's intentions. I mean seriously, the part looks pathetic, I mean with trans fluid on parts of it, etc. But there is a reason behind that. If I take a picture of the nicest flex disc that I have I cannot sell one that is of lesser quality.

A little history behind my business. I started parting cars while I lived with and tended to my elderly uncle. who did not want to leave his home for a nursing home. Being there 24/7 I needed a sorce of income to support my family (which I got to see 1-2 times a week while someone relieved me).

After my uncle passed (in 2008) I rented some industrial space and went full speed ahead, as that time frame was the beginning of the economic crisis. I've managed to grom my business from 300 parts on eBay (while living with my uncle) to over 1200 parts today.

It's been a real venture. One of the hardest aspects of the business is pricing, and I've slowly been grasping the reigns on this one.

I doubt if anyone that has read this post (other than maybe Brian) knows that I was banned in 2005, for advertising in this forum. Guess who banned me

.

After a few emails management determined that I wasn't a threat, and since then I have not advertised in the parts section.

Soon I hope to become a sponsor of this website, if they will let me. I know I'm a competitor, but if the owners only knew how much business I turn their way, because some people don't want to buy used flex discs, and for new products I direct incoming requests to the sponsors of peachparts forum.

Now if I get a request for something used that I don't have, they go to socalmercedes parts, because I've dealt with Pete alot and he's good people in my book.

I deal with no one else.

I would like to move my business and expand, I believe my business model can be nothing but profitable, however, banks don't like the fact that I'm not selling 100K/year and consequently they, amongst other things, are hindering my expansion.

I really don't want to go into debt expanding my business, but fear I may have to, in order to survive.

Gotta go to the post office now, will continue with the story at a later time.

DO NOT go into debt to expand a used parts buisness--You can use your brain instead to figure out the way...............

TnBob · #72 02-12-2011, 03:11 AM

Is this a bad time to ask about selling my used brake pads ?

colincoon · #73 02-12-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

I would like to thank the OP, (who has been suspiciously quiet in the thread) and LB40 and everyone else who has posted their opinions. As of 12:00 noon today this thread has increased traffic to my eBay store by, now get this,

20,000%

on a daily basis. year/year

TY OP & LB40 without the original post, and without LB40 typing the things into this thread that upset me, I could not have realized such gains in traffic.

Interestingly enough, no forum members have taken me up on the 50% off offer, as of yet.

I will as soon as I see something I need!

bustedbenz · #74 02-13-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W124 E300D

Irrespective of how broke you are.....

There are 5,280 feet in a mile, and 3,600 seconds in an hour, so 60 mph is 88 feet per second.

An 1,800 lb car moving at 88 feet per second = 158,400 foot pounds, which according to my maths (2,800 fps x 0.25 lbs = 700 foot pounds for a .50 cal BMG) = 226 and a bit.

So your average MB doing 60 has the same energy a 226 rounds from a 50 cal.

Into this mix, no matter how broke you are, you do not throw in used brake parts, used transmission parts (I used to work recovery, I have had to pick up the pieces after a prop shaft dropped and dug in at 60 mph on the motorway), used suspension parts or used steering parts.

Besides, it is not as though pattern parts, or even OEM MB parts, are expensive, if you can't afford em, you can't afford a merc, not even a 30 year old one.

When it goes wrong, you have the same uncontrolled energy floating around as a couple of hundred heavy machine gun bullets, and if anyone (else) is injured or killed, you should be up on a manslaughter charge.

I'm sure your "Hey, I was only trying to save twenty bucks!" defence plea will fall on sympathetic ears.

By the "a car moving down the road carries the same energy as x bullets" logic, no one should cook in an oven if their house is within flame-blowing distance of any others just in case their kitchen caught fire, gasoline stations should be required to only fill fuel tanks in a single-file line because an escaping spark from the car across the divider from your own could ignite the whole place, and it should be illegal to have air conditioning in cars because of the danger of a freon leak from old hardware.

Yes, I'm exaggerating. Point is, some used parts (whether critical or not) are in the same condition as the used ones that your own car and everyone else's car as well are going down the road using. If it was safe to use the day it was removed, then it's safe to use the day after on a different car.

But that's neither here nor there. The real point I wanted to make was to contest your statement:

Quote:

Besides, it is not as though pattern parts, or even OEM MB parts, are expensive, if you can't afford em, you can't afford a merc, not even a 30 year old one.

See my thread from two months ago on $103 for two wiper nozzle sprayers, two plastic connectors for them, and three tiny little air cleaner mount things, and see if you still believe that.

$15 apiece for wiper sprayers made out of black plastic, $7.xx apiece for 3/4 inch long hollow plastic elbow connectors, and $17 apiece for little rubber biscuits with screw threads run through them is RIDICULOUSLY expensive for OEM MB. It is a reasonable expectation for a car to be operable at prices lower than those. Saying that nobody should own a M-B if they don't have that kind of money floating around (to say nothing of the dealers charging well over $100 for a simple oil and filter change that can be done for under $50 at home) comes across as very... unaware of other peoples' financial situations. It may not have been meant that way but it sounds a lot like "I can afford to eat filet mignon so ground hamburger meat should be illegal since its such a low quality product"...

Not trying to reopen an issue. If this opens a brand new can of worms I'll wish I'd never posted it. All of that being said... I DO use new brake parts and new safety-critical parts. Only because I have the luxury of parking one of the cars while I wait on my next paycheck, if necessary. But the simple fact at the end of the day is that *if* it was safe when it came off one car, it's still safe when it goes back on the next car. How you test a product and who you trust about the remaining life of it -- is a personal call, that DOES have "226 rounds from a .50 cal" disaster potential. I grant that. But I think people have the right to make that determination and that there are justifications for doing so.