As my build is just starting, I am going to need quite a few parts. Floor pan, toe board patches, quarter panel(at least one), trunk floor, bumpers, grill, most of the interior, tires, wheels, suspension, weatherstripping etc., etc. The worst thing I could do is get in a hurry and buy parts piecemeal as I find need. To start, I'd say the first thing to do is plan and list as many of the parts you know need of ahead of time. With that said, what are the best strategies to buy parts to get the best deals? Are there better times of the year that vendors offer better deals? Used parts?(from who?) Coupons? Swap meets?(if they will exist again) Negotiate with online vendors on bulk purchases? Group purchases? I know that the larger the dollar figure, the more deals open up, and we're spending a ton in the end anyway. So let's hear it!

 

dont buy too much ahead, when you find out you got the wrong parts or theyre damaged you wont be able to return them.

 

This ^^^^^. On long term projects I only buy the parts I need for each project as it comes up.

 

The problem with large parts is shipping costs. I try to plan what large items I will need to get them at major swap meets where I can avoid shipping. Spring and Fall Carlisle and Hershey are the big ones for me here in the mid-Atlantic. Contact your preferred vendors enough ahead of the show to order the parts and arrange for pickup at the show. Of course, I'm also famous for buying an article long before I need it, then being unable to find it when I eventually DO need it... which ends up as paying a premium to buy a replacement. Of course, as soon as I do, the original magically lands at my feet.

 

Plan ahead and make the major purchases to take advantage of holiday sales. Black Friday is a perfect example. The sales discount might offset the shipping cost.

Swap meets are great for big purchases. You just need to be certain what you want, and how to identify it if it’s something unique. Only issue is customer service after the sale. If you buy from a private seller and is wrong or damaged, tough luck. However some of your big vendors set up booths, if they don’t have what you need they will sometimes ship free of charge if you pay for it there.

 

Holiday and end of year, spring dust-off sales....clearance items, gotta keep your eyes peeled. Can't always wait for a sale, however, depending on how fast you need something.

You need to plan what you need by figuring out where you want to go. Some in advance, but some you may need to get now and stash for a while, especially if it's a new GM part that's obsolete (NOS). You can't always get them at every turn when you want them.

You can always ask vendors if they offer bulk order pricing. Some will give discounts if you spend plenty of dollars with them in one shot.

You will never get a complete list. There will always be something. So just concentrate on the big stuff for now. And make sure whatever you get, you have room to stash the stuff.