Starting as college students with a shared passion for red BMW coupes at UConn, Kyle Mayers and Wally Namane not only forged a friendship but also identified a gap in the market for car enthusiasts like themselves. Both ambitious and deeply invested in the automotive world, these first-generation college attendees recognized the cumbersome process of buying and selling used car parts, particularly wheels. This realization sparked the inception of WheelPrice in 2019, an online marketplace designed to streamline the sales of new, used, and vintage wheels, offering a solution for anyone seeking Second Hand Parts Of Car, starting with wheels.
“WheelPrice truly offers something for everyone,” Mayers explains. “Our inventory spans wheels for a wide array of vehicles, from everyday models like the Honda Civic to high-performance sports cars such as Ferraris.” This inclusive approach positions WheelPrice as a comprehensive platform within the thriving automotive wheel industry, tapping into a market where global consumers spend billions annually and where platforms like Facebook Marketplace alone list hundreds of thousands of wheels. The popularity of this market stems from car owners’ desires for customization and performance enhancements, making second hand parts of car, especially wheels, a significant area of interest.
From College Driveways to a Thriving Marketplace for Second Hand Car Parts
The journey of WheelPrice began long before its official launch. After graduating from UConn and gaining valuable experience in leadership programs at Rexel and United Technologies, Mayers and Namane felt equipped to venture into entrepreneurship. The idea for WheelPrice originated in 2013 during a frustrating search for used car wheels after a BMW show. They encountered a fragmented market dominated by car forums and platforms like Craigslist, which lacked efficient filtering and sorting options. This cumbersome experience highlighted a clear need for a user-friendly platform dedicated to second hand parts of car, specifically wheels. Recognizing this unmet demand, they embarked on a six-year journey to create WheelPrice, driven by their determination and shared “scrappy backgrounds.” Balancing full-time jobs with the demanding work of building a startup, they dedicated evenings and early mornings to developing their vision.
Today, with the creative direction of co-founder Kirk Vanderheijden, WheelPrice has flourished, expanding from an East Coast base to a global presence. Operating without a physical warehouse, WheelPrice acts as a crucial intermediary, connecting buyers and sellers of second hand car parts. This business model has fueled rapid growth, particularly appealing to collectors and owners of high-performance vehicles who invest significantly in specialized wheels. For those seeking rare or vintage wheels, WheelPrice offers an invaluable service, providing access to parts that are virtually impossible to find in conventional stores. Beyond inventory, they offer pricing assistance, an auction platform for rare items, and a three-day return guarantee, building trust and reliability into the market for second hand parts of car.
Leveraging Tech and Passion to Enhance the Second Hand Car Parts Experience
Namane emphasizes WheelPrice’s unique advantage: “Our strength lies in blending technical expertise with a deep understanding of the car community.” This combination sets them apart from competitors, allowing them to innovate and connect with users on a deeper level. Their participation in the Techstars Accelerator and the UConn Summer Fellowship Accelerator further refined their business strategies, focusing on revenue expansion and B2B partnerships within the second hand parts of car market.
Looking ahead, WheelPrice is embracing technological advancements to further enhance customer experience. They are exploring augmented reality to allow customers to virtually test wheels on their vehicles before purchase and developing enhanced fit technology to ensure accurate wheel sizing. While currently focused on wheels, their vision extends to becoming the leading marketplace for all second hand parts of car.
Driven by UConn Roots and Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Second Hand Car Parts Market
Mayers and Namane credit UConn for providing essential support through faculty mentorship, the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI), and a network of advisors. Their journey embodies hard work and a passion-driven approach to business. Namane reflects on his lifelong entrepreneurial aspirations, inspired by his father’s business and his early experiences at UConn Startup Weekend. Despite the challenges inherent in launching a startup, both founders express pride in their accomplishments and the rewarding experience of building a business within their passion, contributing significantly to the accessibility and efficiency of the second hand parts of car market.
Explore the wide selection of quality second hand car wheels and discover how WheelPrice is revolutionizing the way enthusiasts buy and sell auto parts. Visit WheelPrice today and find the perfect wheels for your vehicle.
