have you ever purchased parts you had no use for?

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
I recently got a call from an older guy that I've known for decades, that was having electrical issues with his car,
I went over too his home and it took me about 1/2 an hour with a multi-meter to locate and correct his problem,
which was due to a defective relay and a couple bad electrical push-on connectors that had corroded.
when I was done, he asked me what he owed me and I said, not a damn thing!
but if you want to go to the local starbucks I would not refuse a cup of coffee.
well he then said he was moving too a condo at the beach in a couple weeks, that he had inherited ,
and, as a result, of the impending move, his garage was stacked with moving boxes as a result, of his impending move.
I was about to leave with him too get that coffee, when he said,
"hey do you know anyone that could use these tires and rims"
he had indicated a set of 4 large chrome truck rims with tires mounted ,
a quick inspection showed they had a Chevy 6 bolt lug bolt pattern but they were 22"rims,
that looked similar to these,
I never though to ask him what truck they fit,and he had lost the hub caps that covered the lug nuts

dishrims.jpg

he then said, if you want them, they are in my way,
and I have no use for them as I sold the truck,
you can have them all, for ......$20 ,

now I rapidly looked them over again,
and could not see any damage other than minimal corrosion,
on the back sides from brake dust so I said ....
OK., you got a deal!....AND THANK YOU!
you know they are worth more than that!
he said yeah I know, but you helped me out here,
and I don,t want too deal with low-ballers and looky lous and stupid phone calls ,
I'm moving next week, and have no place too store them.
now I don,t currently own a truck they might fit but for $20 ,
that $5 bucks a wheel with tires mounted,

I doubt Ill loose any money... and I might find out what they fit, or find a use for them.
some times you can,t pass on a deal.
 
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Craigslist if possible find the center caps online for better $$ or post the info where they can be bought and how much in the ad. Either way at that price you cannot lose.
 
Ha ... Last year I bought 4 wheels that I thought would fit our avalanche, but found out they only fit a trailblazer or an
envoy! Then this year I purchased a nice used set of solid flat bar roller lifters, and ended up using hydraulic flat tappets instead.
 
over the decades I've passed on a good many deals I later regretted.
several I regretted passing up on a great deal...later on.
there seems to be an unwritten rule, in the universe,
that makes the better deals appear like clock-work,
in response to a low checking account balance in my case!
 
I have a basement full of parts that I bought just because I thought they were a great deal.
Mostly items that were becoming hard to find at the time. Now I'm doubting that I will ever use them.:(
And if/when I try to get rid of them, no one will know (or care) what they are or fit. Small Block Chevy - what's that?
 
I purchased smog era Pontiac Heads for dirt cheep.
Now worth $600-900 A set in the Pontiac world.
421 Heads 1965 year #76 now worth $1500 the pair I have.
Can't restore a car for Mecums and Barrett Jackson Auctions with aftermarket aluminum heads.
Used Race engines worthless unless it's 1000 -4000 Hp output true or from a Famous World record Race Car or a Famous Street Racer had it and beat all.
 
Notice how today everyone that has a garage has it packed full of $50 worth of crap, and the $30K vehicle is parked outside.
 
I think everyone was stashing for Doomsday since 9/11.
Got worse with Bam in office.
Better now with President Donald Trump in office.
Democrats still at it non stop.
Stashing Ok.
I still do it with small parts and drivetrains.
 
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