What do they mean by "for parts" ?

Question

I bought camcorder from ebay. I thought it was cheap, then I found that it was "sold for parts" ?

What does this mean ?

Answer 1

It typically means it doesn't work and/or damaged to the point that it's not repairable and they are only selling it for usable parts to be stripped from the item itself and used for something else.

I.E. You bought the camcorder and salvaged the lens and some of the internal electronics, etc.

Answer 2

It is sold non functional, and as is.  No warrenties/garientees are made.

Answer 3

that probably means it doesn't work, and is only good for taking apart and using pieces of it to repair another camcorder.

Answer 4

I have seen the same exact thing. Whenever they say "sold for parts" it unfortunately means the camera does not work. The seller either just wants to get rid of junk or are too lazy to fix it themselves. The repair may or may not be expensive, but it is possible to find a good working camera on ebay for around $60, just make sure they have a return policy.

Answer 5

It means the darn thing doesn't work, but you can use some of the parts on it to fix up another camcorder.

Unfortunately, I'm sure they didn't tell you what is wrong with it, and what parts may be bad.

Buyer beware

Answer 6

like you dont get the whole thing.

you get certain parts of it... like just the cord adapter or soemthing weird like that.

Answer 7

it means you are now the proud owner of a camera that doesn't work. "for parts" means the person is selling it to someone who will use the parts and the product is not in working order. see: "as is".

Answer 8

It means the thing was busted; a piece of junk.  "For parts" means, in the arena of used cars, buying a junker just like the one you already have but isn't running.  You take working parts of the other junker to get one of them running.  In cameras, it usually means you ain't gonna get any camera running at all - even skilled service technicians have difficulty keeping older cameras running.  That's your only option - take it to a camera repair center and ask if it can be put in working order.  My guess, though, is you're screwed.  Read the descriptions on stuff sold through e-bay REAL carefully.  If you feel you were ripped off/that the seller mis-represented the item, there is a mechanism through which you can complain to those who run e-bay.

Answer 9

meaning the camera is non-working, some parts may work and be used to repair another camera.