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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

Showing 4 responses by devinplombier

devinplombier
907 posts
 

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.

devinplombier
907 posts
 

@troutstreamnm 

McIntosh is often mentioned as the standard bearer in terms of durability, serviceability and resale value. I don't own McIntosh gear.

devinplombier
907 posts
 

Does TMR offer good money for desirable equipment?

devinplombier
907 posts
 

TMR tells you upfront what they plan to sell it for, and how much they will send you on direct sale to them, or after sale on consignment. Then you decide ...

This. 

To the butthurt crowd - perhaps you own stocks? If you do, then you know that you sell at bid and buy at ask. The difference between the two - the spread - is where your broker makes their money. TMR is a hifi broker, and of course the spread is much wider, because hifi is a very illiquid commodity.

Whatever you’re getting from TMR is fair. If you don’t like the 10 cents on the dollar you’re getting for 15-year-old wired 4 sound or NAD trash, next time try McIntosh or Boulder or Burmester instead.

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