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BUYING AT A CARLISLE EVENT
If you’re going to a Carlisle Car Show to buy parts,
you’ve got to get there early. If you have visions
of going to a Carlisle Car Show on a Saturday and buying
a Muncie 4 SP for $200, forget it. The dealers already
found that deal on Wednesday and it’s now sitting
on their space for $450. If your looking for a deal, you
must get there opening day. Don’t be afraid to look
in the back of trucks as they pull into their spaces and
start to unload. If you’re looking for something
uncommon, don’t be afraid to ask if they have it.
Also don’t be afraid to ask the price. Most venders
don’t list their price on the part, you have to
ask. The vender might want too much, but it’s no
big deal to smile and walk away. I guarantee you won’t
be the only one to walk.
If the price is in the ballpark, now the negotiation
begins. Look over the stand. If the vender is loaded with
goodies, and appears to be a dealer (has a business name,
canopy, tent, appears to specialize), don’t low-ball
him. You’ll just make him mad. Shoot for 20 % off.
In my experience, that won’t fly either, but you
might get him down 5 or 10 %. If the vender looks more
like a hobbyist selling off parts for a few extra bucks,
(parts laying, unorganized, on the ground next to their
pick-up truck) you have a better chance of negotiating
the price down. Here are a few DON’Ts for you when
you’re negotiating.
DON’T appear excited about the part. If the vender
see’s your excited about the part, he knows you
need it and won’t deal off his asking price.
DON’T point to the part as your walking up to the
stand. Again, you’re tipping your hand that you
NEED the part.
DON’T pull your wallet out, then try for a lower
price. The vender already knows you were willing to pay
the original negotiated price because you got your money
out.
DON’T walk on a good deal that meets your needs,
looking for an even better deal. It won’t be there
when you come back.
If you do look at a part, then leave to shop around,
find nothing better and come back to buy the part, chances
are the vender won’t lower his price because he
knows you need it. You came back. The possible exception
to this is if it’s near the end of the show, and
the item is big. Venders hate to load up the big stuff
and take it home again.
Here’s another tip. If the vender has more than
one item, which you are interested in, try to work a package
deal. Ask him what kind of a deal he will make if you
take “this and that”.
If you do decide that you have to have that part or car
from the car corral, and don’t have enough cash
(cash rules!), Carlisle Car Shows has bank financing available,
an ATM, even a notary on site. The Members 1st Federal
Credit Union is located inside of building “T”.
You can get pre-approved before the event or on site during
the event. Go to www.members1st.org for more info. The
ATMs accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, CIRRUS, MAC, HONER,
STAR, PLUS and AMERICAN EXPRESS.
If you do buy a part, what do you do with it? Carlisle
Car Show events are a big place. You can carry it if it’s
small. Many people have backpacks or little wagons they
pull around. What if the parts are too big or too heavy
to carry around all day? If you ask, most venders will
allow you leave your purchase at the back of their stand.
You can then drive in and pick up. You must leave a $50
deposit & your driver’s license at the gate
to obtain a 1-hour pass. The passes are not available
between 8AM & 4 PM on Friday and Saturday of any event.
If you’ve ever been there, you can understand why.
The place is packed. If you have no way to get your parts
home, Carlisle Car Shows also has shipping available just
inside of gate #3. Your could fly into Harrisburg, rent
a car to the Carlisle Car Show, buy your parts, then ship
them home. Shipping is in the form of United States Postal
Service, UPS, or Fed-Ex.
If you go to a Carlisle Car Show to buy a collector car
and you are not an experienced buyer, you may what to
use an appraiser. AAP is on site at most events.
Carlisle Car Show events are a great place to but new
parts. Most of the major reproduction parts manufacturers
are there. You can save shipping costs (and often taxes
with cash) by picking it up at a Carlisle Car Show. My
advice is make sure the manufacturer brings the parts
you need by contacting them in advance and asking if you
can pick up your parts at the Carlisle Car Show.
Lastly, a Carlisle Car Show is a big event. Moving around
the event with personal transportation (bikes, scooters,
golf carts, ATVs, motorcycles, etc) is forbidden from
6AM – 6PM on all show days and vender set-up days.
You’re going to have to do it on foot. If you’re
handicapped, you may rent a 3-wheeled scooter, or register
your 3-wheeled scooter just inside of gate #3. Make sure
you bring your proof of being handicapped.
Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - Buying Tips
Page 3 - Selling Tips
Page 4 - Parking and Traffic
Page 5 - Carlisle Hotels
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