I've been buying and selling for 20 years. Last audiogon sale was about 10 years ago. Fees are up and the lack of product doesn't really help attract buyers.
Selling here on Audiogon
Hi it's been quite a while since I listed items for sale here on "Agon" what has happened? It seems like gear used to move fast vs other sites I don't want to mention the other sites name in fear of the almighty censor gods removing my post. Anyway has anyone else experienced this?
Mark
@freediver I have not seen the shipping costs going up. I am shipping mid-size components (~25 lbs) often for under $25 in the lower 48 with UPS. |
I see multiple issues with selling used gear now days.. |
Many here weren’t around to experience AG in its heyday. This place used to be the hottest place on the net when the net had barely developed. I received an email from an individual who had been monitoring members of Usenet and rec.audio forums who referred me to this new audio forum called AG. That first webpage had smoking buys, and from honest sellers!! Those were the days. But what I can’t believe is the number of great buys that I’ve seen lately on that other place that simply sit. It’s as if nobody is looking. I’ve posted good buys there as well that didn’t sell. I’ve purchased from here but haven’t listed anything here in 20 years. But this place at one time was the finest on the internet. Those days are long gone. |
@thastum Agree. I would list my speaker but $500 is too high considering they might not even sell. You can list for $5 but can't share info so it's very difficult to sell. Dealers apparently pay very little because you see the same guy from Chicago list the same stuff for years on end. |
I agree with all the above, but I've sold a turntable, amp, preamp and a server and sold them quickly as I put fair prices on them with detailed descriptions. And they were popular brands which also helps. Although it is annoying how many dealers put their equipment up. But having been in the stereo business long ago, they have to move their trade-ins and not keep their money tied up in old equipment. And of course they use the trade-ins as an opening to sell new equipment. |
I think if something is newer or a “named” brand like Parasiund or Crutchfield type equipment it will always sell fast as people have a direct comparison to new. Also there are so many cables and brands out there that not many people know them all. Used equipment is tough as people have to really want that specific piece for their system. Also with many free shipping sites it’s hard to keep pricing worth the savings. |
I agree with others that dealers are increasingly a larger part of the Agon sellers, and yes, they- two in particular- are trying to jack prices up and sell years old gear for 70% of its original MSRP. Gear like this could have been bought new for 20% off of MSRP much of the time so trying for 30% off years later is not reasonable. You'll also see a Chicago dealer with multiple listings for the same products over and over again on dozens of products. With that said I find that generally if you price right you'll sell pretty quickly. "Price right" means different things to different people but generally it's got to take into account the product might be years and models old, is not perfect and could have been discounted when new. A starting target might be 50% or more off of original price. |