Stupid Asking Prices- Why Don't Sellers Read Audiogon The Blue Book First?


I’m amazed at the prices most people ask for used equipment. I frequently see 15 year old tube gear with 2000 or so hours on the valves offered for sale at insane-nobody-is-that-stupid prices. Frequently the seller lists the original retail price of the item in the ad then asks 1/2 of that- imagining that it must surely be worth at least 1/2 of retail right?

I’m perplexed as to why a seller does not consider the reliable Audiogon Blue Book as a guide, and consider the condition of the gear as a factor in resale value.

I have also seen sellers refuse an at market offer and say "for that price I’ll just put it in my storage place" while it further depreciates.

Is it that most guys with high end gear are rich enough to ignore the value of moving money because their sense of value is offended?

Asking for a friend......😎

 

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I had an integrated for sale below prices I could find on US and Ebay (there were none here). It still didn’t sell, in spite pf the fact that it’s performance couldn’t be touched for probably twice the price. I lowered the price once and still nothing (Except some clown that thought I was going to pay for shipping and reneged. What am I? Amazon?)

I put it in my closet for a spare. Ain’t giving stuff away.

Used anything, I generally try to be around 65% of retail, then may or may not negotiate from there.

Some things are worth more to any particular buyer or seller. There are things that are of "value" that may not be obvious in the sales price, e.g., can I drive to get it, look at it, put cash in someone’s hand, leave, and know 100% that I’m happy with what I bought and it’s arriving home safe and sound? That’s worth money to some people. Others may not want to fool with packing a heavy / bulky item and dealing with shipping. Maybe they price it to attract someone to come and get it.

What something is worth is what a buyer and seller agree it’s worth. Indignantly pointing at a blue book price and telling someone what their property is worth is rude. The price is the price, make your offer... if it doesn’t work out, move along. It seems to me that those who arrogantly act like "The Price Police" and point at a "blue book price" when buying, or even unsolicited when they aren't in the market, would also be inclined to get more than what the BB says when selling their own gear.  Funny how that works... 

 

This is no different that used and new cars going for absurd prices, arbitrary and consistent price increases everywhere (supported by false "supply chain or covid related issues"), hamburgers now running $16-$19 when eating out, $10 pints of beer, and don't even get started talking about houses going 100k over asking price in bidding wars with lines of buyers ready to pay obscene amounts. As long as people line up and "happily" pay for what is nothing more than orchestrated gouging the prices will continue to be high. It's always interesting though on a case by case basis trying to GET top dollar for your own gear or car- then you get all of the "Oh that's too much, we're in a recession you know" arguments !