I'm a little perplexed/surprised by TMR and who sells to them.....


TMR has become a significant player in used high end gear. Their pitch is "we pay you top dollar hassle free for your used gear" . 

OK, what's their idea of top dollar? It's 25% to 30% of MSRP minus more $ for blemishes that lower value. I know. I called them. 

The same sellers who list their used gear for 30 or 40% under MSRP and refuse legitimate offers from qualified buyers with proven buying or selling history who offer 1/2 or so of retail are roundly ignored or even insulted. Weeks later the same item shows up at TMR at 50% of retail and you know TMR paid half of that for it. 

What makes sellers do such a crazy thing?

yesiam_a_pirate

My purchases from TMR in the past several years have crossed the six figure line. Most purchases were outright, and a few included trade fodder. In the trades, I understood that I could have gone on my own to sell that gear. But, this is a hobby for me, not a business and the ease of moving on from that gear by using TMR outweighed my perceived pickup from going it alone. In each case, TMR paid the freight, and took responsibility should damage have occurred during transit to them. Trades gain rewards points as do purchases, and I have been able to use many thousands of points towards subsequent purchases. I like there service and I am able to negotiate with my contacts thee to my satisfaction. In the end, I like their business model.

Yes, that’s good indeed for you as a buyer. Imagine what the schmuck that sold the 20K amp to TMR got for it. I’m guessing 4-5K.

The real point is, TMR sold the amp for $8K, and TMR commands a premium over individual sellers, so if TMR got $8K for it then the schmuck, as you kindly put it, might have gotten $6K or $7K selling it on his own. 

Therefore the "schmuck" was schmucked not by TMR but by his paying $20K for an amp no one wants.

Had he spent the same $20K on a McIntosh, the numbers would look very different.

Jeez, WGAF?   For those for whom TMR is convenient and fair, awesome.    For those who prefer to try to maximize their return despite the hassle, awesome.   YMMV.    No big mystery here….

Well being on the selling end with TMR is not as advantageous as you do have to pay their fee but it’s how they do business and the selling price is negotiated and based on their market analysis. The convenience is worth it to a lot of people, including me!

devinplombier:  I hardly think a Simaudio Moon 860A v2 power amp hardly qualifies as an amp nobody wants!  TMR sold the three available at the time I bought mine within a few days. For reference I didn’t even consider McIntosh…not a fan.

My man you got that Right...insane prices.They buy then and then want to resell them at prices that are now...On Sale if bought new.This is not the Stock market it is used equipment....and your not test driving it or having it checked out buy your prople...your taking there word for it....Well if your buying something in the 100,000 Ranger...Buyer Beware.