@pbnaudio, very clever ad. Can I bid on the poster?
Seriously, your comments show that this hobby of ours is in a sad state.
Seriously, your comments show that this hobby of ours is in a sad state.
259 responses Add your response
Posted an ad this morning for a Canary Audio C3000 preamplifier - with a teaser picture of art work (Pink Floyds album Covers painted on the back of Ladies sitting by a indoor Pool) and a shockingly low Price in the headline to catch attention to the ad. In addition I ran a banner with the ad as well. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92i91-canary-audio-c3000-preamplifier-blowout-sale-tube In the text for the ad Im seeking offers for 5 different Tubed Preamps all by the same manufacture. So far the ad has received incredible attention 1776 views in less than 12 hours, more than twice an ad I am running for a very reasonably priced turntable has got in almost 30 days (911 views). I have received one ridiculous offer for $1000 on a $16K MSRP preamp, a half baked offer of $1000 on a preamp that should fetch $3000 - countered with $1500 including freight so that bidder disappeared :-) Then there was the guy whom could not come to grips with that he had to make an offer, many PM and one phone call too from this guy. I later this afternoon posted an ad for a DAC and Transport Combo - again seeking bids for a $ 16K MSRP combo - received one offer for $1500 on that one :-) I suppose he did not read the part that stated make a reasonable offer. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92j03-canary-audio-kd-2000-and-ct-600-transport-da-converters So yes its a tough market out there. Good Listening Peter |
Tonykay. Yes it is very simple to turn off those silly peepholes. Over on right hand side of page you will see a little box to the right of the sort by drop down choices. Click it and it will give you choice of classic or grid view, click classic view, now you are all set as site will remember you preference for all subsequent visits and searches. Try it |
Never seen anything like the market right now, its a buyers dream come true but that is it. I actually have an item I would describe as 9.5 out of 10, have it listed here and audiomart at 42% of new price and not even ONE inquiry! Yes price it low enough and somebody will buy but I am not about to give it away just to make a sale. That being said for those people who do have some spare money there has probably never been a better time to buy good equipment and I must admit even though I have some items for sale I have still taken advantage and bought items at bargain prices that I really did not have to need...lol. |
Well Joey, even tho you seem a little off, your earlier point regarding overpricing is bang on, IMO. My Real Estate buddy goes through this on almost every sale. And the property will always sell for what it is worth. What someone is willing to pay for it in that particular market situation. Same with Audio. Dave |
jdaveFeel unwelcome? Your feelings are hurt? It’s business! OR .... maybe mickeyb and I are just pussies. Lol,+1000000000000 ...! |
mickeyb said, "I can also say that if you have no feedback people will not sell to you.....EVER! As some snobbish seller so rudely told me after enquiring about his item. So now I’ll just buy from us audio Mart and use you guys for good information. I feel exactly the same way after seeing some snobby ads on Agon. I would never even consider Agon as a source for purchasing or selling audio gear. One doesn't really feel welcome. I've purchased quite a few items, and sold a few, on both Canuck and US Audio Marts, and never had that issue. Even with the first few pieces I bought. So possibly, this type of 'old boys club' turns off many newish prospective buyers. OR .... maybe mickeyb and I are just pussies. Lol, Dave |
bailyhillWhat stock market? My 401K is looking pretty. musicpod+1. Everything sells at a price, common sense! |
It was and is a boomer hobby and it is dying as we all age and stay content on our systems. Younger folks are a speck of this hobby and their interests are elsewhere. We grew up with Hi-Fi, and Cars and a love of music. It is generational. I still look from time to time, but less so today. The hobby is also now focused on the very well off due to a lack of sales for the average Joe with family and kids and zero interest in spending for high-end gear or even above say a Best Buy store. I love the hobby still but the writing is on the wall. Portability, streaming is the thing, along with cell phones, earbuds and of course the streaming radios and Sirus/XM. Have all the music and styles you could want so no reason to own or buy for the average Joe, they can hear their music without the cost of high-end Audio gear nor the collecting music, the buy songs now, the whole album to them no longer matters. |
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92i91-canary-audio-c3000-preamplifier-blowout-sale-tube What you guys think about this one :-) Good Listening Peter |
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I am saying gear is not selling (or very slowly) even at record low pricing and losses. I know as look at my feedback and experience on this site. You have to all but give it away losing thousands on bigger dollar items. Most tire of that now and have opted out of the buy/sell cycle. Yes I sold and marketed products professionally for 35 years and sold and purchased more here on the Gon than I care to remember. Yes the market of folks willing to go through the hassle and financial loss associated with today’s HEA used market is shrinking. Simple and easily understood if you were to visit with the long time and most active users of this site. The hassle factor and other changes here have brought this about. - the costs here to list have skyrocket over the last 20 years making the financial losses realized even greater - the experience level and professionalism of the “average” member has shifted downward increasing the hassle factor of selling substantially - rising shipping expenses and hassle have also increased the financial loss and risk level - aging Aphiles are indeed shrinking an already small market as we find ourselves on fixed incomes and weary of the hassle and outcomes of buying and selling HEA gear - Aphiles are indeed worn out of the constant buying and selling and have learned over the decades that it does not bring audio nirvana, rather it swells audio nervosa The group of folks referred to above were supporting this site through a steady stream of purchases and sales that seemed endless. It ended. No, all of this truth is not to say that used HEA is not selling at all. Of course it is. Some of it will sell for a low price, some of the lower dollar items will sell pretty handily and some may even find they made money on a sale. However, the general and underlying trend outlined above is at play now. As we keep what we have more I do find Aphiles are buying more tweaks. Tweaks, DIY interest and activity, and interest around vintage gear are doing just fine. |
Audiogon's new system has not helped sales. Summer is always slow for many products. I have sold several items without problem. But in general there are many "lookers" but not many who are interested in buying. Maybe as the fall approached things will turn around. Most products have cycles. Audiogon needs to go back to their old system. As I suggested to them, their buyers are not kids who can not read. Most of us like to scan detailed text content that is well written and yes we want some good pictures of an item. IT rule, simple is always better. |
I was offered more for my item as a trade in than trying to sell it when you factor in shipping and other fees like paypal or credit cards. I think it's just simple economics supply and demand and technoloical advancement in new products which will suppress the prices of what's considered outdated even if it still sounds and performs wonderfully. |
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If prices went too low it would eventually destroy the commerce, wouldn’t it ? Or at the very least would greatly transform it. If I wanted to sell, say, my Nottingham turntable/tonearm I would not sell it below certain point unless I needed money badly, I would keep playing it or put it in the closet. |
I've spent a significant part of my life in sales. Yet, I'm still surprised that people just don't seem to get it -- no matter how long -- that it is price. If your item isn't selling then it's overpriced. I've spent enough time in sales to have had the following drilled into me -- ad nauseum -- a market transaction is when BOTH seller and buyer have come to a MUTUAL agreement on price and terms. I perused some of the responses to the OP, which include shrinking buyer pool, less interest in the hobby, etc. This also considers the responses related to time of year, etc. This is ALL on the demand side of the equation. So, if your item isn't selling what does that tell you about the demand side of the equation? |
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The stock market has treaded water for almost a year. That does not help, particularly discretionary purchases. We have to remember that biz goes in cycles--peaks and valleys. Biz is about managing them. That said, this was a big year for me personally as far as buying. Bought an amp, tuner, cd player, DAC, streamer a rack and some power supplies, however this was the first time in over 30 years. Its been buying houses, cars, college educations, and saving for retirement. Now that is all behind us, its time to rock and roll. I realize that the market is slow and I am one of the lucky exceptions to be in the buying mode. Bailyhill |
The trick is buying right and selling right. As someone pointed out, 50% is about right unless 1) the item is virtually brand new 2) really old 3) in fair condition 4) a hot and desirable item 5) an esoteric item not well supported 6) old tech in a rapidly evolving digital world. I’ve recently sold some cables on Audigon and just bought a subwoofer today. And I might be selling my PSB Imagine T3s soon. I’ll make you a good deal! |
Yes sales are slower than ever on this site.....in general that is. Sure pricing, summer months and other factors play a role, but under it all we are buying less as audiophiles. The market is indeed slowing and most are just becoming more content with what they have and are getting off the buy/sell cycle. We are aging and have been there and done that for years. The pool of buyers willing to try a piece and sell is shrinking. |
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