no body is buying anything on audiogon

I have to agree that the economy plays a big role in high end audio. You also have to remember that we're in the middle of summer. People have their minds set on vacation and travel. It's obvious that the forum traffic along with the amount of gear that's being listed has trickled off for the season. Hopefully things will pick up around Oct through the new year. (pre holiday, year end bonus and tax returns help to push spending)

The more important issue, stemming from both the 'wealth effect' (I have about 50% less these days, a couple ordinals 6 spaces to the left of the decimal) and 'summer' is how we respond to it.

I continue to have a strong desire to upgrade the B&K array: amp, pre-amp, and Sony DVD. So, I'll deal harder. Many of us need the cash, and I'll trade some of my short-term for the long-term.

I agree that posting an ad these days doesn't generate a lot of interest, I think it's a combination of the season and the economy. Anyone who's working in the technology sector are doing their best to hang on to their job and pay the bills. As quickly as tech ran up, it fell even harder and there are casualities. Stock portfolios have been gutted and people's careers have been ruined. As a result, you're likely to see more stuff up for sale as people attempt to generate cash from their excess gear and less sales in general as families focus on providing for the basics. I got laid off a month ago after being in the semiconductor industry for 18 years and finding new work is proving to be very difficult. If the current malaise in high tech spreads to other pockets of the economy we're in for one helluva rough ride. Enjoy the hobby, it certainly provides a welcome distraction. Jeff

I sold a bunch of stuff in the last couple months here Everything I listed. Seams when you drop the price to 50% of retail or a hair lower stuff sells. Call it a buyers market if you will. I've seen a couple great deals the last couple weeks. But I don't have any money either.

Yeah, the economy sure plays a role. It's funny how it also depends on the item you're looking for as well. I've been looking for a used rel storm III for quite a while. before i knew i wanted one, i saw a couple at 900 or 1000, then none came along. suddenly, one went up for 1100. i emailed and offered 1000. he had already had several offers at asking price. i think maybe items in the preposterously ludicrous price range aren't quite as affected as items in the stupendously, outlandishly, cosmically ludicrous range. i gotta say though, i'm sure glad i'm buying rather than selling right now. i think this gear will hold its value better than anything else i'm invested in. cheer up, it'll turn around (or it won't, but at least we could listen along the way). btw, interestingly enough, i live right by goodwin's high end in waltham, MA, one of the higher end retail businesses in the country. they're doing fabulously, making $$ hand over fist. they're even remodeling and expanding. go figure. -dave