ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

I was thinking about buying a bunch of tail light sets (all 4 pieces) for $50 per set and then clearing them out (and tinting if people want for an extra $5 or $10) to sell for $100 for the set.

But I'd only do so if there's some kind of interest for them.. it would be a good way to make a bit of cash to mod my max while I'm in school. I'd only sell tail light sets with no cracks or scratches. If I crack the acrylic I'm using for the conversion, I'll cut another piece and start over with it. They would be very high quality assemblies.

Would anybody be interested, hypothetically of course, in purchasing red/clear tails (possibly tinted) instead of doing them themselves?

Thanks,
Zach

Nightkid08

iTrader: (20)

have any pictures of your work/skills?

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Well, considering I have red/clears already...I would consider paying someone to do them for a 100% perfect match if I didnt already have them. However, you need to realize that eBay is your competition here as they usually go for $100ish for the set of 4. Mine are CE outers with OEM inners.

IMO, youre not going to make as much money as you think, unless you can get 10-15 sets of tails and 10-15 people lined up to buy them. Good luck tho.

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

arent that what they go for on flea bay? i mean if you were cheaper and could be as good i would say yes but if they are the same price and quality i would go to flea bay . just my.02

67whitegoat

iTrader: (4)

I'll be buying clears somewhere.
Lets see your work.

hacim105

iTrader: (6)

I would say this thread wouldn't apply to you.

G4nismo

iTrader: (9)

ebay even have tinted ones...

67whitegoat

iTrader: (4)

Why not?

maxim82

iTrader: (2)

have any pics of your work?

97maximaman

Hate to say it again but ebay ones are $100 so unless you can do much better you wont get to many buyers.

ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

I'm assuming that the eBay ones are aftermarket, correct? Some people prefer OEM stuff, as these tails would be OEM Nissan tails modified. I'm not looking to make a great deal of money, just a bit to keep modding my car..

I have free access to a waterjet machine that I can use to cut the acrylic very quickly and effortlessly. So all I'd really need to do is open up the housings and pop the pieces in. I haven't run a test yet to make sure the machine won't crack the stuff, but if it does then I'll seek more flexible acrylic florescent covers.

No pics of my work yet, but using a waterjet machine (completely computerized) would yield perfect results -- a super smooth edge and perfect fit.

I think I'm gonna go ahead and start cutting the pieces and buying tails.. if I sell even 5 or 10 I'll be happy. I'm really looking to save up for a Y-pipe Seems like I can meet my goal of 5 or 10.. and who knows, maybe I'll start doing LED conversions with them too.

Nightkid08

iTrader: (20)

how much would you charge for me to send you my outers and you just clear them out for me?

ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

Just for the outers, if you pay for all shipping.. $25. I'd suggest getting all 4 done though.. otherwise the outers and inners won't match up perfectly. Up to you though. I need to make an AutoCAD drawing for the acrylic pieces I'm going to cut so that the waterjet machine can read it. It might be a week or two before I can finally have them cut.

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

well if you could send me a set of cleared lights not sealed i may be interested since i wouldnt have to re open them to do my led retro.

Maxima_Joe

iTrader: (384)

My opinion is not to even bother. You'll end up losing money.
First of all good luck finding tails in perfect condition for $50 including shipping. Shipping is going to cost $15-20.So that seller will only make $30-$35 after paypal and shipping fees.What happens if one of the perfect tails gets damaged getting shipped to you? Which actually happens alot. So after your work of clearing them out you'll make $30-$35 after paypal and shipping fees. What happens if the tails get damaged when you ship them to your buyer?

ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

I'll package them well and insure them for $100 (which would cost about $3 from USPS to insure). I'll take my chances on receiving them.. I used to sell stuff on eBay to make money and have over 250 positive feedback from doing so, so I'm familiar with shipping issues..

My whole thing is that if I have access to a waterjet machine that can pump out these inserts with little effort on my part, all I have to do is take apart housings and swap out the yellow piece.. so very little time is being invested in the whole process. Know what I mean?

Hammy

Here's an Idea for you..

Buy 3-4 pairs
Sell them for lets say 100 bucks
And Maybe Offer a Discount if they send you back the ones on their car.
Then you can prep and sell those too and someone else will send you back some stocks and so on and so on.

Merlyn

iTrader: (4)

Because according to your profile you have a '96. You can't remove the amber turn area on '95-96 rears, it's orange molded plastic. '97-99 have an orange plastic insert on the inside of the tails, IIRC.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Oops, that was me.

ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

Good idea, thanks

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

yea id do that but if im sending you the stock i would want to pay more like 80. paying 100 would be like paying 100 for the service, not for a new set of rears.

Flava_24/7

iTrader: (46)

Have you done this before? If not you do realize opening them is a slow process and they are very easy to crack.
Also, have you ever tinted tails before? Im assuming your going to be using the nightshades? If so, you definately need to post pics of your work. I dont see anyone buying modded tails with no type of examples. Also, whats your planned turn around time??
In reality, I dont see this happening.

Flava_24/7

iTrader: (46)

Only if everyones are in really good condition and they dont get damaged in shipping.

67whitegoat

iTrader: (4)

Well that sucks.....

ZachsMax

iTrader: (5)

I just started the clear/tail conversion on my Maxima yesterday, which is why I got the idea after seeing how easy it is. As for turnaround time, there will be none.. I'm going to buy the tails, sell them, and if people want to send them their old ones I'll give a discount so they don't have to find a buyer. I haven't tinted tails, but I've tinted bumper lights (using Niteshades). I'll definitely post pictures of my work in the thread I create for the actual sales..

Again, this thread is not to advertise that I'm doing this. It was just to gauge the general interest of the community to see if it's worth it -- hence no pictures.

maximized98

iTrader: (16)

I want some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zach95SE

iTrader: (3)

Or how about just selling the acrylic inserts? If you can cut them perfectly and in the exact size you could try to just sell those.

ROCKART

iTrader: (23)

yea that would another good idea. that was one of the biggest turn offs to me doing it myself. i think i could handle the heat gun and opening the housing, but cuttin acrylic is a PITA. plus as the customer id be a lot more willing to throw you 10 or 20 bux and do the work myself than just be a ***** and pay you 80-100 for a set of already complete lights. i want to do at least some part on my own.

maxima985spd

its hard to do and they are just about that much on ebay...

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

hey what would you charge to open them clear them and leave them unsealed.

ptatohed

iTrader: (12)

You should be specific. '95/'96 or '97-'99?