Why bogus retail price from some sellers?

And if they fib about the retail price, what else are they fibbing about?

I am with you @yogiboy, I don't get it either. WTS, there does seem to be a correlation with the same people underestimating use of an item as well as over estimating it's given condition and I do just love it when they show/tell you up front in their ad who they are. Enjoy the music

I see ridiculous shipping charges too.

@winoguy17 I've done the same to 2 different sellers. Still they never changed the price. Still the products went unsold.

 Im with you yogiboy. I messaged a seller that his retail price was incorrect, ( by quite a bit )  He responded by asking what it should be. I told him the correct price using a dealer ad and direct price from manufacturer. He never responded or changed the incorrect price. He has since re-listed the ad 2x, both with wrong retail.. A mistake can happen, but deliberate deception is just wrong.

I doubt that sellers artificially inflate their MSRP. Why would they bother? It’s hardly worth the hassle.

They may have been told when they bought them, prices change all the time too as others here mention too. 
 

I don’t see a sea of schemers, I see genuine sellers who have sold their items, without any one calling them out at the time. But life is full of surprises.

Yes most resellers give the last highest retail price. So an amp bought at the beginning of production run might be listed with a new retail price of the most recent last sold new amp which could be as much as 15 years younger. The new retail price may have been 50% less at the time. Many dealers sell old stuff at close to new original retail price. I saw one dealer added $1700 to the amplifier list price for used quality NOS tubes - when asked how long the previous owner had used those tubes in a 10 year old amp - a deathly silence and communication stopped - so the tubes could be 10 years old (partially or nearly entirely used up) and the now rare NOS tubes probably cost a small fraction of $1700 10 years ago.

You can’t make this stuff up. It is like the pristine used car I drove an hour to see to find the entire back roof and rear door smashed in from being hit by a garage door (no mention on the listing).

Many stores sell used vinyl “clean” copies for more than original retail price...you can’t make this stuff up.

Frankly I don’t know why sellers do this to themselves. Unrealistic pricing just means no sales for months even years or perhaps these sellers count in the bigger fool principle.

@snackeyp 

I agree with you. I was just pointing out that some sellers fib about the retail price!

Harbeth just raised the price from $2150 to $2390. I purchased a mint dealer demo in rosewood for $1500 plus $50 shipping. So at $1800 for a damaged speaker and $150 for shipping seems outrageous to me!!

First of all, you got a great deal on your speakers.  You are very lucky.  Most buyers will not be so lucky.  Most will have to pay more than what you paid.  I paid $1400 for a pair in cherry a couple of years ago.  I also consider myself to be very lucky.  

A few more things:
1.  There is a button to make an offer if you think the price is too high.  Feel free to use it.
2.  The seller can ask whatever price they want.  The buyer has the option not to buy if they don't like the price.  This is what makes the free market system work so well.    
3.  The buyer has the right to not like the price and NOT buy the item
4.  The seller has the right to not sell to a buyer who does not want to pay their asking price
5.  If the buyer is patient and diligent, they will usually find a better deal.  If you can't reach an agreement with another party, move on and wait for the next deal to come along.
 

There was guy on another forum selling a pair Tekton DI w/ upgrade package, for only $350 off list... They sold—for what, I don’t know. Seemed ridiculous to me. But that’s a hot speaker right now and with no wait/build time, so strike while the iron is hot, I guess.

@snackeyp
Harbeth just raised the price from $2150 to $2390. I purchased a mint dealer demo in rosewood for $1500 plus $50 shipping. So at $1800 for a damaged speaker and $150 for shipping seems outrageous to me!!

U.S. MSRP for rosewood is $2390.  
$1800 is a fair price, even if they made a mistake on the MSRP.

I always loved cherry on my speakers or just about anything else.

The speakers are Rosewood, a premium finish. That may account for the discrepancy. No affiliation.
  

I Just bought a pair from the cable company $1975 total. 

Now a days, that, and other questionable pricing scenarios are everywhere with everything that’s available to purchase, new and used. It’s not that difficult to see them. Just shop smart and all the deceptive marketing will smack you in the face. A fool and his money are soon parted. You can’t save him. Let it go.

Harbeth charges a premium for some veneer finishes and that "could" account for a quoted MSRP difference.  The market dictates the resale value of an used item, not the former suggested retail price, therefore, I personally do not see it as a big concern. 

Who cares? Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
if you don't like deal, just move on.

Anybody with even a scintilla of common sense and experience will always do their homework prior to pulling the trigger on a purchase.