Wow,did the price go up!

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Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Thu May 03, 2018 5:47 am

That company that bought Dave Kelone’s mule parts have been listing some of his stuff on their web site. The first day had used A5 engine deck covers for sale for $345.00, new ones were $425.00. Today when I checked the listing they want $445.00 for the used ones, and $585.00 for the new ones. $100+ in one night, and $85 shipping on top of that......


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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by ccandgc » Thu May 03, 2018 8:02 am

What company is it?
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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by major519 » Thu May 03, 2018 12:39 pm

I called to inquire whether or not they had any early ones.
The guy there said he would check and sure enough he came back saying yes he had one.
I inquired on price and was told that he would have to find out. He came back at - $500. Ouch. I asked for the justification in price, considering the others in stock were listed at $345.
I was then told that the previously listed price $345 was just amended by the boss and I should be lucky to get the older style for a mere $500.
Just can't bring myself to do it...
1968 M274A5 USMC 325489
1966 M274A2 USMC 333007
1958 M274 US ARMY 2B3379
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715
1981 M101CDN Manac 3/4 trailer
1984 M1009 CUCV
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Guest 1 » Fri May 04, 2018 4:31 am

I made a comment in another thread, having a M35A2 Duce and purchased parts through the years, the company that purchased those mule parts are over priced. and I say again "hold your wallet". Someone responded saying "at least they are not rusting away with the previous owner". And now you see what those parts are going to cost! Its sad when the GI green collector is bent over the barrel while just trying to enjoy a hobby. :evil:
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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri May 04, 2018 4:36 am

Perhaps there was labor and transportation involved to move the stock of parts.
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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by mule270 » Fri May 04, 2018 5:47 am

Yes, I'm sure there was a great deal of cost involved in moving the parts. However; I would like to say that I believe some of the items on their website are reasonably priced. Some of their items are priced so high I almost fell out of my chair in shock. They could do better with their shipping prices, also. Bottom line is that it's our choice to buy from them or not - we have to decide if we're willing to take it in the butt (in some cases). :D

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Fri May 04, 2018 6:06 am

I respect the fact that they are a private business doing their best to increase their bottom line, but not only are the prices on the high side (their right), but shipping is over the top to me. When I click on shipping, it can be anywhere from $85 (for an item that would easily fit in a $13 flat rate box) to almost $1,500 to overnight the same item. How does that make any sense for an item that cost under $100?

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Auto Shop teacher » Fri May 04, 2018 6:30 am

They just listed the in the tank fuel filter which is hard to find, they want $39 for it, but shipping for me starts at $30.01, and can go as high as $296 if I want it tomorrow morning. For an item the size of a soda can, and weighs just slightly more....

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Chuck W. » Fri May 04, 2018 7:31 am

There are collectors out there who can and will pay those kind of prices to complete their projects, or at least to have a professional restoration shop complete their project for them. Knowing the original seller, I am sure the new owner paid a very high price to purchase the collection in the first place. What started out as something that most people could afford has now turned into a rich man's hobby (again). This is the reason I am no longer in the hobby. It takes a lot of the fun out of it when you now have to fork over $200 for a temperature gauge.

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by DDTrustee » Fri May 04, 2018 10:27 am

when his sh*t doesn't sell at high prices and the mortgage bill comes due, my guess is prices will come down. Have you noticed that you don't ship much by weight anymore.....everyone is dimensionalizing packages....they charge by the volume shipped not weight.....the shipping companies are ripping EVERYONE OFF because their costs are based on weight not volume....no truck is ever packed to the last cubic foot. :x
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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by InsleyGuy » Fri May 04, 2018 12:17 pm

The deck covers have been in short supply for a long time, at any price. The fact that Eastern even has them is worth something. MMA seem to be very proud of their parts. John Emery is fantastic to deal with, but doe's he have covers? When was the last time anybody was able to buy parts or even get a response from Dave K.? I gave up trying years ago. It will be interesting to see what else Eastern pulls out of Daves long hidden treasures. Tom

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by major519 » Fri May 04, 2018 1:11 pm

It's amazing what can be learned just by listening.
When I called them the sales guy told me that they were in the process of sorting and pricing items. I passed on details to him on a couple items. From what I could tell, it sounds like they don't have too much knowledge on this stuff. He told me the previous owner was "helping us out"...
So the question really is, did Eastern buy this stuff outright or is DK a silent partner using Eastern as a broker?
As far as I'm concerned, there are a couple decently priced items but the rest are crazy.
Something else I am wondering about and only time will tell; many items listed are "used" with a statement indicating no alternate condition available at this time..." It will be interesting to see if all the used stuff gets sold out first then the NOS stuff comes out at premium prices. :shock:
Hopefully we still have a few guys in the hobby that are still willing to barter and horse trade among ourselves without screwing each other over. The way some mules items are priced these days its almost cheaper to buy a complete restored mule than it is to gather up parts...
1968 M274A5 USMC 325489
1966 M274A2 USMC 333007
1958 M274 US ARMY 2B3379
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715
1981 M101CDN Manac 3/4 trailer
1984 M1009 CUCV
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Chuck W. » Fri May 04, 2018 3:03 pm

I wonder how many of each do they have? From the descriptions on some of the items, sounds like only one available.
Hopefully we still have a few guys in the hobby that are still willing to barter and horse trade among ourselves without screwing each other over.
I got bent over bad on some jeep parts last fall by a guy in California, no more sales without payment first, and nothing to California ever again. Can't trust anybody anymore.

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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by ccandgc » Fri May 04, 2018 3:29 pm

There's still some of us in the PRK that are worth dealing with.... :wink:
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Re: Wow,did the price go up!

Post by Lance-W » Fri May 04, 2018 6:49 pm

Chuck,
Not all of us in Kommiefornia are low life unethical pieces of feces. There's a few of us that were unfortunately born here in the land of fruits and nuts. Some of us are counting the days till we can get out of here :D I'm sorry you had a bad experience with someone from here.

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