An interesting topic of discussion that we run into on a daily basis, we thought it would be great to also put it in a blog post to spread awareness. It’s a question asked by many of our customers and followers; Why are used part prices so darn high?
There are many factors that indicate price inflation, and depending on the business, they can vary. We will give you the facts from our perspective though. Here are a few reasons why sometimes used price parts are so costly.
Supply and Demand: This one is pretty much the case for all goods in the USA. If a part is harder to get, or limited, it will most likely cost more. GSXR parts aren’t too bad because there are hundreds of outlets that sell them. However, we recently took apart an Excelsior Super X, (only 1900 made) and a Vanderhall Venice, two extremely rare units, and those parts are at a premium because no one else has them, so there isn’t a market price set.
Cost of doing Business: The truth is, there isn’t a lot of profit in motorcycle or utv parts with some models. Then when you figure out the cost of doing business, which involves paying a mechanic to take it apart, someone to photo it, put it away, price it, put it online, pick it, and ship it, the labor cost really starts to add up.
Free Shipping: Here at Sun Coast, we offer free domestic shipping on all of our orders. This means we have to increase the price a little in order to still make a profit. If a part is priced at 35 dollars, and it costs 30 dollars to ship, then we lose money after you consider the labor cost. Shipping isn’t no joke either, Fedex is frequently raising the rates, and on some parts, it’s easily 30-50 dollars shipping.
Human Error: We won’t lie, sometimes we just goof. We use market prices that other sellers are pricing parts for, and over time, the markets change. So sometimes things get priced a little too high. If this happens, feel free to contact us. We are a small business, and one of the benefits of a small business is that you can call us and express your concerns.
What can you do about these prices?
As we mentioned above, always feel free to message the business or call them and express if you think a part is too high. If it is, they might work with you. (We certainly do) Also, understand that used prices are designed to help you pay less and save you a little bit of money. That doesn’t mean that used parts will be garage sale prices. We are a business, not your buddy down the road who swapped his parts out and just wants to get rid of them. So good luck expecting 50% off. It won’t happen. Also remember there are bulk discounts. The more you buy, the more you can save.
The best benefit of Sun Coast is that we are customer service oriented. So if you ever are interested in a part or accessory, please don’t hesitate to message us or call us. You can even mention this blog post for 10% off!