Ebay shop v Dealers website prices

Why do people do this? Currently there are new Commando parts on Ebay UK with same photos from a well known Norton dealer's site but prices are between 10 and 30% higher on Ebay. Example £270 Ebay for Mk3 timing cover and £207 with UK tax from the website. Either they're trying it on which is disappointing or someone else from the same town is hoping they can make a business like this. It might catch a few Commando 'virgins' out thinking Ebay has to be the place for a bargain. I 've asked them if they are one and the same operation.....waiting a reply.

Maybe because ebay charges like 10% seller fees?

I looked last night, & yes, some of the items are way overpriced. Wouldn't buy any of them, use a reputable dealer, otherwise you might not know what you are getting. Seen the price of some of the welded up crankcases? Lot of good for nothing stuff on there as well. Wheels seem expensive as well.

Of course there are Ebay fees to account for but if it is one and the same outfit they will be sourcing many of these parts with a trade discount from Andover and if not they have some neck to think they can sell parts they maybe bought at full list price and make 10-30% gross margin less costs. Obviously i don't have that confidence. Still waiting on a reply from the seller.
Flo mentioned those crappy old cases, that's the 'other' site and some of the junk they have on offer is at unbelieveable prices...........used ex racer 7S cams at £170 or something? Aluminum head gaskets which are a no-no on a Commando and should come with a 'use at own risk warning'. I know it's buyer beware and all that but some poor sod might just go for these parts and end up with problems. Why try to unload crap parts they wouldn't use themselves?
Both these ebayers are 'reputable' dealers in their own right with their own mail order facilities. Next thing will be used 'D' rods on sale from one of them probably at £200 pair! Bargain prices I can accept but £500 appx for knackered, cracked cases is just crazy. Guess that's why they keep being relisted. Sorry, rant over, it just annoys me that dealers I've previously respected are doing this stuff.

Yes, it make you wonder if they have any scruples. They probably can't lie straight in bed at night either :lol: :lol:

Have to agree with you there folks, but the "dealer" ....and I would rate them as low drug dealers who tyr to sell cracked cases for the same price as new ones, and start scare stories about "D" rods have absolutely no scruples, whether dealing directly or on line! Go to Mick hemmings if you want god honest straight forward dealing, I think RGM are OK, , but I haven't dealt with them for a few years now.

As for"D" rods, well over the years I had 3 sets in race engines....never heard of one breaking!!! In fact the only rod that I ever did see break had been bent previously and straightened in a vice....and it wasn't a "D" one!!!

ex race 7s?? I wouldn't even use a new one as a paperweight!!

I thought this dealer openly advertised that he sells on e-bay, and his stock of second hand parts as well. Selling them at a bigger mark up doesn't seem to make sense.

Same here, Mick Hemmings & a small amount from RGM, although I havn't used them lately. Should think Norman White o/k. Saw that camshaft, bought my PW3 for about that price new.
There is another set of crankcases, needing work being auctioned by a genuine seller from a low start, but these sellers seem to be getting few & far between lately.

Next thing will be used 'D' rods on sale from one of them probably at £200 pair!

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I've got to stop looking at these sites, not quite D rods (accept Seeley's comments though) but there are individual used rods on one site for £125 each.....oh they're special with bored out smallends for their 920 pistons so that makes them worth another £60-70 each does it? As we say 'I'll get my coat now!!' Apologies for the rant.

I've got a set of what are apparently good "D" spec rods for sale, cheap, if anyone wants them. They do have nicks and scars from a wayward washer, but otherwise "perfect".

grandpaul said:

I've got a set of what are apparently good "D" spec rods for sale, cheap, if anyone wants them. They do have nicks and scars from a wayward washer, but otherwise "perfect".

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Toss those bad boys up on ebay!

Rare, hard to find D-spec rods. $400 starting bid, $500 reserve, $600 "Buy it Now"...

I'll make sure to include "List price = $700 for the pair!"

I know it seems mad, but I recently enquired about a MKIII lucas rectifier over £40 on e-bay, sellers reply was - trying buying one that has been recently manufactured and you'll see what they cost ( over £70 ), and that the ANIL stock maybe cheaper but was very old. I have noticed here in the UK that prices have been rising of late, and yes the only place I get my parts from is ANIL using their mail order system.

Have also just noticed MKIII timing cover 1970 on, MKIII timing covers I'm led to believe are different from previous models?

I noticed your question wasn't posted for anyone else to see.
Mk111, probably as accurate a description as you would read in a motorcycle magazine.
Don't get me going about them as well.

There's a set of jigs for doing big valve conversions listed at the moment. The arsehole seller has put the instruction manual up as separate item :shock:

Keith1069 said:

Why do people do this? Currently there are new Commando parts on Ebay UK with same photos from a well known Norton dealer's site but prices are between 10 and 30% higher on Ebay. .

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It could be that the ebay seller "stole" the photos from the dealer's web site. That is quite common on ebay.

Madnorton said:

Have also just noticed MKIII timing cover 1970 on, MKIII timing covers I'm led to believe are different from previous models?

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MkIII timing cover on a 72 750. Note the timing chain inspection port.

Ebay seems now not to be a place for bargains as a lot of the stuff is near or even over Retail prices, there is a Mikuni vm 34 kit on for £249 +£14 p+p but the seller has it on their shop site for £236 all in. Or their VM34 for £122.50 +p+p on e bay and £85 on their shop site!

WHY??????

Plus add to the cost the shipping for this piece here and that piece there and you are usually further ahead to buy a bunch of new parts all at once from your dealer and only pay shipping once. Shipping is getting sooo expensive these days.