Tobias,
I agree with you. I don't look at "sale pending" adds. I also agree that it would bother my conscience to say I had a sale when I did not. Plus, if I did, I don't think I would write it in a thread. I hate sales situations where the people or businesses are untrustworthy and manipulative.
On used equipment sales:
Industry retail sales are low for equipment and music. Both are frivolous purchases and people aren’t as free these days with their discretionary income. I have a friend who owns a high-end store who also does Home Theater Installations. Both are down tremendously.
Of course used sales would follow the same path…sort of. Because new sales of equipment is down, those who are buying are looking for better deals so it would seem logical that more people would turn to used equipment. Also, because people are hurting financially and more people are out-of-work (I have been since April until last Thursday) more people are selling equipment because they need money.
It seems there is more equipment for sale and that, in general, prices for the equipment is much better than it was before. A buyers market if there ever was one. Because sales prices are dropping competition is up so the gap between those who sell and those who don’t is getting wider.
There are so many variables in why an item does or does not sell.
1. Perceived value. The greater the perceived value the better chance for interest and ultimately the sale.
2. The Add. There is almost nothing I will buy anymore if there isn’t a picture. In fact, I won’t even look at a add if there aren’t pictures…unless I am already intimately aware of the product. I won’t look at equipment that doesn’t show the original retail. And, if the person inflates the original retail (like when new models come out at higher prices people will try and say their item is the NEW higher retail), I immediately close the add and would not consider buying from them.
3. Feedback. The lower the feedback the less comfortable I am to buy. And I would only consider 0 feedback under extreme circumstances.
4. Equipment model. How well known is the product? How much in demand is the type of equipment? How rare is the model? How diligent is the manufacture in protecting distribution and pricing? How good is the strategy for new model introductions by the company?
5. Availability. How easy is it to get, how many of them are out in circulation.
charles
