Used gear for the price of new gear

[splatter]

I have noticed a trend lately of people selling gear for really close to the same price as new. Its usually something that isn't abundant ( take the Bogner 3534 for example)but that's not always the case.
I recently enquired on a piece of gear and pointed out that I could get it new for $50 more and the seller acted offended and said: "if you want to pay another $200 in taxes then go ahead".
I ended up not buying it or a new one. However IMO once a piece of gear is used it is used and personally I would rather pay the taxes and get the warranty and the peace of mind that comes with the new gear.
Another example is the Fractal AX8, back when it was a hot item I saw them selling used for really close to retail. Why? Because there was a wait.
Now there is a used Kiesel on Reverb for the exact same price as a new one.
I guess in reality its a buyers market and always will be. It just seems to me to be a seller expecting way to much.

 

[Valtyr]

Either they are expecting to negotiate or some buyers actually have been paying the near new prices.

When the prices are too close, I go new.

 

[Bloodrock]

Some sellers are just idiots. I was looking for a pedal on reverb this morning, $180 new, a dude has one listed used for $150. I offered $140 since it was the only used one listed and he declined the offer. It was listed 8 months ago. Fucking idiots...

 

[Monomyth]

This time of year is a sellers market, I think the best time of year to purchase used gear is in the summer.

 

[311boogieman]

Some sellers are just idiots. I was looking for a pedal on reverb this morning, $180 new, a dude has one listed used for $150. I offered $140 since it was the only used one listed and he declined the offer. It was listed 8 months ago. Fucking idiots...

Makes you wonder what a person's time is worth.

Listed for 8 months
Probably dealt with at least 5 inquiries right?
Even at a minimum of 10 minutes each that's almost an hour.
Sell it at $140 and get it over with and move on with your life


Take that and multiply it by a larger sale item with 30 inquiries some with lots of back and forth and the ROI just drops through the floor. I've never been a flipper though and would do almost anything to sell locally - even if I had to take a hit.

Like - buy something for $2,000. Sell it 6 mo later for $1,800. Is that a $200 loss? Maybe. You paid $200 to have access to some high end piece of gear.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Like - buy something for $2,000. Sell it 6 mo later for $1,800. Is that a $200 loss? Maybe. You paid $200 to have access to some high end piece of gear.

This is exactly it. While you own it, you get some value. Unless you happen to get very lucky on an "instant collectible", expect gear to depreciate. Generally speaking, the second you drive the car off the lot, you take the hit.

 

[Markedman]

I'll buy your "Larry" for what you paid for it. I am also looking for a Boogie Coliseum C+ and I'm willing to pay a little more than what it sold for originally. Might put out a couple extra bucks on a 50's Les Paul, it depends. Oh, I could go all day long on how I passed on a stupid looking "Dumble" of an amp but I've decided I should buy it and I'm willing to pay MSRP now! There is still some good deals left.

 

[maddnotez]

Happens all the time. The only time I feel it is justifiable is when there is a wait for the item. I don't sell gear to make money, maybe I should but I just try to minimize my loss. I always expect to take a hit unless I got something for a steal. I usually factor resale % in my purchases as well.

Let the guy sit on a pedal forever over $10. I always list as lowest available price because when I list I'm motivated to sell. To each their own.

 

[maddnotez]

One other thing I've noticed that irks me is inflation on old stuff that isn't a dumble.

For example the AX8 these days or VHT amps. I bought a CL100 for like $1,100, sold it for $900. See people asking $1,300 today. Or how UL were $1,500-$1,600 all day and now people listing for $2,100.

VHT has been on my gas radar again but I'm not willing to pay hundreds more what they were worth a few years ago.

 

[skoora]

One other thing I've noticed that irks me is inflation on old stuff that isn't a dumble.

For example the AX8 these days or VHT amps. I bought a CL100 for like $1,100, sold it for $900. See people asking $1,300 today. Or how UL were $1,500-$1,600 all day and now people listing for $2,100.

VHT has been on my gas radar again but I'm not willing to pay hundreds more what they were worth a few years ago.

I’ve noticed the same with Boogie MKIII’s. Heads would be 750-950 (using GC used as a reference) and now I see them 1200-1300 and I wouldn’t say there has been a resurgence in their popularity. I certainly wouldn’t pay more than a 1000 for one.

 

[Bloodrock]

Some sellers are just idiots. I was looking for a pedal on reverb this morning, $180 new, a dude has one listed used for $150. I offered $140 since it was the only used one listed and he declined the offer. It was listed 8 months ago. Fucking idiots...

Makes you wonder what a person's time is worth.

Listed for 8 months
Probably dealt with at least 5 inquiries right?
Even at a minimum of 10 minutes each that's almost an hour.
Sell it at $140 and get it over with and move on with your life

Actually I was the first one to make an offer in 8 months!

 

[Beyond Black]

One other thing I've noticed that irks me is inflation on old stuff that isn't a dumble.

For example the AX8 these days or VHT amps. I bought a CL100 for like $1,100, sold it for $900. See people asking $1,300 today. Or how UL were $1,500-$1,600 all day and now people listing for $2,100.

VHT has been on my gas radar again but I'm not willing to pay hundreds more what they were worth a few years ago.

I’ve noticed the same with Boogie MKIII’s. Heads would be 750-950 (using GC used as a reference) and now I see them 1200-1300 and I wouldn’t say there has been a resurgence in their popularity. I certainly wouldn’t pay more than a 1000 for one.

Especially these! I would’ve picked one up a few times already if not for the recent inflated prices.
Same goes with Cameron modded Marshalls and anything that says “Fortin” on it. Waaaaay overpriced.

 

[Norton666]

One other thing I've noticed that irks me is inflation on old stuff that isn't a dumble.

For example the AX8 these days or VHT amps. I bought a CL100 for like $1,100, sold it for $900. See people asking $1,300 today. Or how UL were $1,500-$1,600 all day and now people listing for $2,100.

VHT has been on my gas radar again but I'm not willing to pay hundreds more what they were worth a few years ago.

I’ve noticed the same with Boogie MKIII’s. Heads would be 750-950 (using GC used as a reference) and now I see them 1200-1300 and I wouldn’t say there has been a resurgence in their popularity. I certainly wouldn’t pay more than a 1000 for one.

Amen! I’ve bought half a dozen MK IIIs and I’ve never given over $700 for one. The market shifts in waves. I guess you have to strike while the iron is hot

 

[mooncobra]

Some sellers are just idiots. I was looking for a pedal on reverb this morning, $180 new, a dude has one listed used for $150. I offered $140 since it was the only used one listed and he declined the offer. It was listed 8 months ago. Fucking idiots...

whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some people blow my mind when it comes to money.

 

[psychodave]

I'll buy your "Larry" for what you paid for it. I am also looking for a Boogie Coliseum C+ and I'm willing to pay a little more than what it sold for originally. Might put out a couple extra bucks on a 50's Les Paul, it depends. Oh, I could go all day long on how I passed on a stupid looking "Dumble" of an amp but I've decided I should buy it and I'm willing to pay MSRP now! There is still some good deals left.

lol. Like the time I played a Trainwreck amp and hated it because it didn’t have enough gain. I wasn’t about to spend $1350 on an amp without the gain I wanted. this was back in like 1989 or 1990.

 

[Beandust]

And another interesting trend in some of these used gear prices that are to close to new " only has about 6 hours of playtime. Yet is a year old or 6 months even. Maybe there are real examples of this, * mandatory evacuation, you went in the hospital, sadly maybe a family crises. Things do happen but it seems if your a gear enthusiast you enjoy buying and keeping for a while and understand/accept the part of taking a loss. Always puzzling to me and not sure how to react. So I prefer to buy new in these cases

 

[ClintN667]

I'm friends with a guy who is selling quite a few amps for basically $50-100 less than new and has had them for awhile. I almost asked why so expensive but then I didn't cause even if he dropped the price to reasonable I have no interest in buying anything.

I really wanted to add a Mesa Mark III or IV this year so all the sudden the prices going up is kind of a bummer. I saw a Mark IV for $799 a few weeks ago but the headshell looked rough so I wanted to sleep on it before I pulled the trigger. The next morning it was gone.

 

[ClintN667]

My wife was just talking about this same issue but on other types of goods. So I guess it isn't just guitar gear with this issue.

 

[phil b]

Had a guy who a used Marshall cab that was up for months. He wanted $700 and the cab was a little beat up(which I couldnt care less)
You can get them for $450 -550 so I made an offer for $500 explaining not many guys want a 4x12 it seems. I even went to $550 and this was going to be a local deal. He said he knew what it was worth and declined. He also had a 1977 cab up for like $1750. I got a 1973 all original for $800. I dunno where some people get their pricing from?

 

[Inearthed]

Had a guy who a used Marshall cab that was up for months. He wanted $700 and the cab was a little beat up(which I couldnt care less)
You can get them for $450 -550 so I made an offer for $500 explaining not many guys want a 4x12 it seems. I even went to $550 and this was going to be a local deal. He said he knew what it was worth and declined. He also had a 1977 cab up for like $1750. I got a 1973 all original for $800. I dunno where some people get their pricing from?

Cabs are the worst guitar related item for selling I think. The absolute worst are those Marshall 1960a or b cabs, so many people want to get $500-600 for them and it’s just not going to happen unless they’re loaded with some really sweet after market / vintage speakers. I’ve seen lightly used ones sit for weeks at $275-$300 before selling.

Another fun one is people selling unloaded avatar cabs for the same price you can get them direct from Avatar.. wtf?