2. misc-audio
  3. 179278-170020

What's going on with the used audio gear market?

OK, maybe I am unrealistic but I've bought and sold audio gear for the past 25 years off and on for my personal use  as I change out or upgrade.  It seems that a reasonable expectation is around 50% of MSRP or somewhere close. That has been what I've always sold for and bought for. Now I see stuff priced at 80-90% of MSRP. I am talking about things that are not really statement products and can be a few years old and they want 80%.  I just don't get it, this stuff for the most part depreciates rather quickly due to the advancement of technology. Is this a hold over from the Covid Inflation effect on supply and demand? I guess that supply and demand will eventually sort it out. 

128x128fthompson251
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,859 posts
 

@curiousjim Thanks.

@waytoomuchstuff 

Anyone who sells below market value is a) not paying attention, b) not very good at 4th grade math, or c) an advocate for the greater good, unselfishly serving humanity.

Or...

(d) wants to get stuff out of their house and that is more important than money
(e) wants liquidity to pay for something else, and timing is more important than profit
(f) probably a bunch of other reasons.

I listed some speakers at about 83% of cost, new. I got very few nibbles. I lowered it to 73% of cost and sold them. I had a clear, detailed description and excellent photos. I was willing to wait 6 months to sell them at the new, lower price. Because, I don't need the money right away and could also listen to them while they were listed.

tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo
179 posts
 

The market will set used prices.  My guess is that there are a lot of buyers looking to upgrade to newer used equipment. I wanted Moondrop Blessing earbuds, but the market price for used buds was high.  I bought a pair of open box buds from the distributor, Apos, and got a warranty and comfort that they were in good working condition.  Buying used from dealers has some advantage.  And there are a lot of dealers selling lightly used gear.

12many
231 posts
 

Thank you for posting.  I am going to build a system and wanted to save money by buying used but when looking at the price differential between used and new, and the risks, I felt like it was not worth it to buy used.  I feel better about my conclusion knowing others feel the same way and that used prices seem too close to new prices.  

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,510 posts
 

Prices wishful OR actual sales?

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,388 posts
 

hilde45:

Some of the sales listings I see are either greed or sellers who are not clear on the concept of value.

For example the typical asking prices of old production Klipsch Chorus/Forte have increased approx. 300% from 3 years ago.

Are the sellers asking $2-2.5K+ basing the asking price on the price of the "new" Klipsch Heritage line (I don't know - haven't asked them)?

As far as used recently manufactured gear advertised with a 10%-15% discount I would just purchase a new unit.

A lot of people have been hard hit financially from Covid-19, and I'm guessing that this may also play a part.

 

DeKay

 

 

 

More to discover