2. misc-audio
  3. 193409-178346

Anybody having trouble getting near-your-asking-price for used gear ? (Plz. no hype)

I buy and sell gear "on a whim" and have done so for 40 years. Mostly high-end tube stuff that I get an itch to move from my rig to make room for other high-end stuff that I have been dreaming of.  It's fun and gives me a fresh faces to fall in and out of love with.

Lately I am having a really hard time getting any serious offers above 1/4 to 1/3 of retail- actually zero offers over that. And winter is the time of year gear sells. Once the sun comes out things get really quiet.  Not terribly long ago I could ask 50% of retail and get serious offers pretty close to the ask.  

I am especially having trouble selling ARC gear. It's prices are steadily collapsing. On HiFi Shark that stuff sits for close to a year (or more) before it moves.  For example SP 15s are under 2K now. They were selling (not asking) at 3K a year ago. It took me almost a year to sell a new-in--box I/50 for $3000 (!)   Ref 75s are moving under $3000 and TMR will only offer 2K for one of them. The older stuff is selling in the hundreds not the thousands. Top-Of the-line stuff like Reference 10 preamps are moving under 12K (asking is around 17K) 

I recently sold a Bryston BR-20 brand new in the box and it took me 7 months to get 48% of MSRP.  This is NEW stuff- not somebody's junk. 

My guy at Magnepan told me their stuff is really moving slowly as well. He blamed it on the political environment. ARC is pretending all is well but I have a little birdie inside there that tells me their stuff is stagnant as and dealers are actually cancelling orders. 

Now, assuming you are being honest and not "fluffing the market" with bullbleep because you have something for sale and hoping for the greater fool,  are you seeing/experiencing the same thing I am experiencing? 

NO RETAILERS PLESASE- you guys tend to "exaggerate" to put it kindly- plus most of us here at AG know who you are and your 1000s of posts are a big clue. 

Signed/ Depressed about my favorite side gig. 

yesiam_a_pirate
liamowen
197 posts
 

For my more expensive purchases,I typically buy new (old stock) gear.  That way, it comes with the warranty still in place, and the first depreciation hit largely already made.  On smaller purchases (under $1,500), I'll readily buy used.  What I see a lot of the time is that somebody has purchased something used, though, and they want the next person to pay for their use of he gear while they had it.  In short, they want to ride for free.  I find that annoying because most if my rides are not free.

I also agree with the aging demographic; nearly all guys, nearly all 50-75 years old, and the younger folks are perfectly happy streaming poor quality sound through their cheap IEM's, connected to their I phone.  Astonishing, but true, at least in my house... and community.

blisshifi's avatar
blisshifi
1,230 posts
 

@yesiam_a_pirate If the comment about 19 year old gear was directed at me, I don’t know of any ARC REF 75 SE that were made that long ago. The model was introduced about 10-12 years ago and were discontinued 5-7 years ago. It is known as one of ARC’s best amps, in immaculate condition, and in the less available black chassis. Given market pricing, it was still a fair sale for both parties.

Also keep in mind that some people feel more secure buying used gear from a reputable dealer vs private parties that may not have experience documenting the quality of the gear they are selling or doing as good of a job packing, shipping and insuring items in transit, along with getting support beyond sale. For the right buyers, all of those are regarded as value in the final numbers. 

jimijam
72 posts
 

I have a pair of JBL L300 on craiglist only one inquire

audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
249 posts
 

In selling used gear nowadays, it seems to me that you have to forget about what you paid for them. Or look at the gear like you paid zero so if it sells for any amount you’re happy.  

I’ve had a few items listed locally and on USAM for some time, but if the gear is remotely heavy I won’t ship in order to avoid the potential for damaged gear and the resulting headache. I’ve listed most items for probably 25% to 40% of MSRP, which seems reasonable to me, but often get offers of about 25% of my asking price. 

I find it difficult to let something I paid $1300 for last year go for $300 today. Once Alzheimer’s kicks in and I forget the prices paid, I’ll be able to sell all my gear locally, I’m sure of it.

devinplombier
468 posts
 

@jimijam 

How much are you asking though, and do you live in a major city?

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