Aunt Bertha finally nagged your Uncle Ed into getting rid of that “piece of junk” in the garage. When you heard about it, he suddenly became your favorite uncle. You cozied up to him, showing up with a pickup and trailer. And now you’re the proud owner of a classic automobile. “It just needs a little TLC,” you tell your significant other… after dragging what the love of your life describes as a “rusty carcass” into the driveway. Your “practical” family car shrieks in horror and wets itself as it finds itself parked next to a hulk of metal from beyond the grave. Your neighbors look on, some with bemused smiles, others groaning as they envision their property values dropping into the basement. As for you, you’re staring at a blank canvas that just needs the right person to turn Helga the Horrible into the Mona Lisa… and you’re feeling like Leonardo da Vinci.

It’s a given that, in short order, you’ll find yourself inundated with (hopefully) helpful friends and neighbors, all of whom have suddenly become classic car experts. There will even be an old-time shade tree mechanic who swears that all he needs is a couple of corks, some baling wire, and a roll of duct tape to get the car back on the road.

But this is your baby, and you want to be sure you’re getting the right parts for a perfect restoration job. You go to the internet armed with the VIN, noting every option your little darling had when she was first born. You don’t want to just “get her on the road.” You want to make her a head-turner. Time to go shopping.

Of course, you can always check out the parts section of our online classifieds. But, there’s nothing like car shows and auto swap meets when you’re searching for vintage treasure. The most obvious reason is that you’ll get to see the actual part you’re buying, pick it up, AND inspect it. Another reason is that you’ll get to talk with other enthusiasts, who may know a few things that you won’t read in books or on web pages. That’s right, a sea of like-minded fools who have been in your shoes, or who hope to be some day!

Buying parts at a swap meet, however, is about more than just knowing what year, make, and model your car is. There’s a bit of “horse trading” that goes on. Haggling and trying to get the best price you can is part of the swap meet experience. In order to get the best price for what you’re looking for, keep these tips in mind:

Get there early on the first day. You’re just a guy trying to rebuild a classic car. Your competition, however, isn’t just other hobbyists. Dealers, guys who come in with plenty of cash looking to buy the rarest or finest pieces, show up too. Remember, the early bird gets the worm!

Look in the trucks as they pull up. Don’t be shy about this. When the vendors are pulling in, look for the parts you need before they hit the ground. Nothing makes a seller feel better than making money before he even opens for business. If you don’t see what you want on the surface, ask. It might be hidden in a box or underneath something.

Bring cash. Cash is King. Dealers with booths may be set up to handle credit cards. But your small-timers and hobbyists, the guys you’ll probably get the best price from, probably aren’t. Make sure you know where any ATMs might be for the event, in case you run short of funds.

Ask the price. Many vendors don’t list prices. Simply asking the price isn’t a commitment to purchase. If it’s too rich for your blood, set the part back down and walk away. You probably won’t be the last person to do so.

Haggle! Check out the seller’s stall. If he looks like a dealer, don’t low-ball him too badly. You can try for about 20% off, but don’t expect him to go for it. Realistically, you might be able to get him down 5-10%. Just remember that as a general rule, the first price given is never the last price that the seller will accept. That’s swap meet 101.

If the seller looks like a hobbyist just unloading some parts he doesn’t need, you can try to get him down as far as you think you can. Hobbyists usually have their stuff laying around in a bit of an unorganized spread. Your best pieces to haggle on are large pieces, especially towards the end of the day when they really don’t want to have to load heavy parts back in the trailer to lug home. Your chances for negotiating with hobbyists are better than with dealers, but there are some things you shouldn’t do.

Don’t appear excited about the part. This tips your hand that you need the part, which tells him he’s the one holding all the cards.

Don’t point to the part. Again, this tips your hand. Rummage through like you’re just browsing but happened upon a part that tickles your fancy (and is NOT the one missing part you need to complete the restoration job)!

Don’t take your wallet out and then try to haggle. By taking your wallet out, you just told the seller that you’re willing to fork over what he was originally asking, or close to it. Know when to hold ’em, as the song says.

Don’t say goodbye to a good buy in the hopes that you’ll find an even better deal elsewhere. The odds are that the part won’t be there if you come back. To go with the above advice, know when to fold ’em.

Yes, there’s even a time in negotiations when you need to “know when to walk away, and know when to run.”  If you aren’t sure about a part and wander off to think about it, you will have likely lost your bargaining power. You’ve come back, so he knows you need it. The seller will be less likely to bargain. So whether you walk away or run, don’t count on scoring a real deal if and when you come back, provided the part is even still there.

There is also a “Do” to go along with all these “Don’ts.” You’ve seen it if you’ve ever watched the History Channel’s “American Pickers.” Try to bundle items if the seller has more than one thing that you want. You might get a really good price for a package deal.

Finally, whether or not you find the part you need, try to have a good time. Bring the family if you can (more eyes to look for obscure parts!), and enjoy a day out. Our next event is December 8th, see you then!