Why so many linn lp12s for sale

I'm sure you are right DaveyF.
In my early audiopile days I was just too busy listening to music to get things right.

I had my 25 yr anniversary LP12 updated 2 years ago with the Radikal ps, Ekos SE arm, Keel subchassis, and at that time TOTL Akiva MC cartridge. It was costly but I can afford it and I'm very glad I did it. My LP12 sounds absolutely great and better than 3 TOTL VPI rigs that I've heard recently. I have a big listening room with a very high ceiling over 22 ft high. The soundstaging and dynamics are just incredible. I didn't go for Eureka phono stage though, instead I bought the Zesto Andros vacuum tube phono stage because I feel the tubes sound more natural than the SS Linn phono stage. I have one of the best Linn dealers in the country in Overture Audio in Ann Arbor, MI and a great set up technical expert in Thomas O'keefe. I have no affiliation to this dealer.

In 1989 (when I got mine) the LP12 was a no brainer.

In 2014 the upgrades to keep its performance modern are hard to justify (IMO) and yes, dealer support has become spotty.

Still, a fine table if you can put up with it.

Suddenly, they are all gone. Does this mean they all got sold or didn't sell and were withdrawn? No way to know!

There were quite a few on Canuck Audio Mart as well. A couple of really cheap ones too in really decent shape.

I think suspended tables generally are not as popular as they were back in the day. Today so many of us use record weights and periphery rings and those are not ideal for that type of table. Avid makes a modern suspended table but even those are not hugely popular.

As DaveyF and others have said, a basic used LP12 Valhalla from back in the day is a long way off from a top flight one. In Canada the latter costs like a Honda Civic. Lots of other choices and flavours in that snack bracket from Brinkmann, Clearadio and others that were not around during the mighty Linn's heyday.