I'm a little perplexed/surprised by TMR and who sells to them.....

Hi, I live in the Denver area, so I can pick up and drop off my items at their location in nearby Erie, CO. I save a ton on shipping, particularly if the item is heavy.

So far, I have sold to TMR: two preamps (ARC and Mytek), three sets of mono amplifiers (PS Audio, Boulder, Clayton), a stereo amplifier (Spectron), a pair of speakers (Thiel), an FM tuner (Magnum Dynalab), a DAC (PS Audio), and a headphone amplifier/preamp (Pass Labs). 

So far, I have purchased from TMR: Internet Media Tuner (Magnum Dynalab), a DAC (Chord), a streamer (EMM Labs), and a preamp (Audio Research), and several sets of RCA interconnects (Audio Quest, Cardas).

Thinking back over these 15+ transactions, I have only had two issues: The 30 year old Thiel speakers that I sold had a minor age issue with the tweeter surround. A replacement pair was sourced from Coherent Source Service (+1 to Thiel owners group) and TMR installed them before they were sold on to a new user. We agreed on the price/cost in advance and we both were satisfied. The second issue was a partially defective digital output on the MD internet media tuner that I discovered after purchase. (TMR offered to fix it, but I chose to re-negotiate a lower purchase price). Again, win-win.

So, I am a committed repeat customer of TMR. I recognize that I might get less in trade, or pay more for a purchase, but it is worth it to have transactions that are safe and hassle free. BTW, I have been scammed on audio gear in the past, so a safe transaction is something that I recognize has value for me.

I still will selectively buy audio gear from other sources, but I either want to see it in person, or really vet the seller.

YMMV.

whether one thinks it's reasonable or not.

This is faulty thinking.  “Reasonable” is purely a subjective opinion not based on facts.  

This is simple supply and demand - the market determines the resale value.  Spending time and effort criticizing used prices is a waste of time - there’s nothing that can be done.  We can only buy, sell, or do nothing- adding emotional grief is optional.  

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 ...

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.

Two individuals come to a price agreement, the buyer and seller exchange assets.

What value does “outside observers” scrutinize the transaction for judgment of fairness?