Retail?

Audio equipment depreciates (unless it becomes a vintage collectible), real
estate appreciates - the analogy you make doesn't work for me. Let's just agree
to disagree on this one.

"As as seller I would feel an obligation to not be deceptive, and that listing the current MSRP wich is several thousand more than it was when I paid for it used on Audiogon 3 years ago is deceptive in intent..........."

Intent to do what, try to sell it for the current market value? Isn't that all that matters, the current market value? Like Audiofeil says, put your emotions aside, feelings have no place in a business transaction.

You're really beaten this thing to death, it's sooooooo irrelevant.

Doesn't the manufacturer set the suggested retail price to help protect the brand, and offer some assurance to the dealer that the investments made by them are somewhat safe?

For instance a Wilson dealer pays 40 to 50% of MSRP. Wilson expects the dealer to maintain a certain territory and not discount the speaker more than say 10% of MSRP.

This keeps the brand strong and the dealers investment worthwhile and all parties are drinking wine and kissing.

If a dealer goes rogue and starts ignoring territory and selling speakers at 40 to 50% off MSRP (Still making many thousands) this puts all the other dealers and Wilson at risk. The rogue dealer becomes dealer of the year until his speakers start showing up all over fleabay and Agon at cheap prices.

In my mind this is more of why a MSRP price exists. I agree with the above though, that it can help determine the age of a product.

>>Audio equipment depreciates (unless it becomes a vintage collectible), real estate appreciates<

One last thought:

Really?? I'm in Scottsdale at the moment. Tell the residents here, some of whom have lost 50% of their equity. Ditto Las Vegas and many cities in Florida, etc. You simply refuse to accept the facts.

MSRP is meaningless in a resale negotiation.

Thank you

It is not the current MSRP that matters to me, it is my sense of what was paid for the used item being sold and whether someone is trying to get a windfall profit by suggesting what seller paid for it is somehow connected to the MSRP being listed in the Audiogon ad when it is no such thing (which I think is, many times, being done purposefully and knowingly deceptive). That is what seems dishonest to me. But, I'll buy from people who I deem to be honest and avoid those that do not seem to be. There is "business" and there is fairness, they don't have to be at odds. I've bored myself. Nevermind.

P.S. No question that real estate, as a rule, appreciates over time, the current crisis nothwithstanding - an anomoly does not disprove the rule. Buy that land in AZ and FLA today, and wait (smart money is already doing it).