Does it bother you when you see inflated MSRP’s for used gear on AG?


Chances are if you’re looking at an ad you already know what it went for when new but I still find it annoying / irritating at best and dishonest at worst.  Moreover, it seems the trend is getting worse in terms of frequency and % of inflating original retail prices.  In some cases, (where applicable), a seller’s response usually revolve something like, “well, that is the current price” , not acknowledging that current models often have upgrades that would account, at least partially,  for the increase.    Am I the only one that is bothered by this?  Just curious.

russellrcncom

Any used gear was manufactured in the past. Each sale makes the exisging ones more rare. The rarer valuable things become, the more the existing ones cost. What do you have to pay for a 1927 Siver Dollar? Considerably more than $1. Is this surprising? There is lots of fine new gear available now that will outperform the old sttuff. Spend wisely, enjoy the music!

A little context I’m Scottish, audio prices in my eyes are way over priced so right there I walk away from most new gear. Knowing Audiophiles are audio restless consequently there will be many pampered units in the used market.

Now I have a rules I buy within one hour driving range ( Philly NYC), never pay more then 50% of the new price, this percentage goes down as the gear ages. I just wait until my price points are reached. I have purchased my current system this way and saved a couple thousand. I purchased an integrated amp, main speakers, subs and speaker cables all used from different sellers. I did buy my cd player new. In all cases the seller came down in price. I also got lucky on timing and age of gear. Luck does have its place buying used. Oh I look but never bought on Agon. 

My favorite "ad copy" nowadays (and it cracks me up that nobody even TRIES to be original, they just retype what has been used a thousand times before):

 

"RARE Vintage (fill in the blank piece of gear -- usually Realistic, BIC, or White Van Speakers).  No lowball offers -- I KNOW WHAT I HAVE!!!"

@scott22 I read your entire post in a Billy Connolly accent.

A little context I'm Scottish, 

If you want to buy something used and you think the dealer is playing silly buggers with the price, I would think the thing to do is to make an offer of 50% of the retail price and explains your reasons to him. He doesn't have to sell it at your price and you don't have to buy it at his.