Used Hi-Fi Market

CDLehner

CDLehner

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Nov 9, 2013
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1,312
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Eastern Shore, MD
Is it me...or is it in the toilet these days?

Must be, all the deep discounting and back-door deals; dealers are making.

Talk about, your double-edged sword...lol.
 
It just seems to me, interest is down...because 40% off, on like a brand-new piece of gear; is no longer such a great deal. Because more and more people, can get 30, 35, 40 points...from dealers.

And I like that, OT1H...when it's time to buy; OTOH...not when it's time to sell, lol.
 
I understand now. Let's hope interest picks up in high end audio or audiophiles will go the way of the dinosaur.
 
CDLehner said:
It just seems to me, interest is down...because 40% off, on like a brand-new piece of gear; is no longer such a great deal. Because more and more people, can get 30, 35, 40 points...from dealers.

And I like that, OT1H...when it's time to buy; OTOH...not when it's time to sell, lol.
Click to expand...


the sell market for used gear has been off. I parted with an ARC REF amp that cost 10k new for 3600. It was mint with relatively new ARC tubes, the buyer scored. It is a buyers market right now for certain items, I've got a small fortune in stuff to off load I'm waiting for the competition to sell before listing it again.
 
puroagave said:
the sell market for used gear has been off. I parted with an ARC REF amp that cost 10k new for 3600. It was mint with relatively new ARC tubes, the buyer scored. It is a buyers market right now for certain items, I've got a small fortune in stuff to off load I'm waiting for the competition to sell before listing it again.
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Exactly what I mean :(
 
Hasn't this phenomenon always been present in the audio market? The constant upgrading keeps both sides of the market fed? Am I on track with the OPs topic?
 
puroagave said:
Then there's the dist. selling blue chip tube gear new for 5 points above dealer cost, I think you know who I'm talking about.
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No :huh: and I'm not trying to call anyone out (and the last thing I need, is being accused of starting another hole-y war, lol).

I guess what I'm saying is...it seems, it used to be; you needed to be someone "special"...to get a deep deal. You know...bought from a dealer, 2, 3, 10 times; or...be "in the know", and/or a "friend of a friend", etc.

So...you could buy at an attractive price, and sell; offering the "non-special"...a discount, on gently-used kit. All the while, not losing your own shirt.

But now...the line between "inside" and not "inside", must be incredibly thin. Like...you just call a random dealer; and boom...30 points off MSRP, before you even ask. :|
 
Back in the day you had to jump through hoops just to be a dealer and then there was a lot of finger pointing for trans-shipping into another dealers territory (you could forfeit the product line). you also had minimum opening orders that would make your eye$ water. Nowadays if you can fog a mirror they'll make you a dealer. Opening order...whats that?:lol:
 
nc42acc said:
Guys what has created this environment? Not enough pie eaters for all the pie sellers?
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Its not clear to me...I was at an open house last month in L.A. and the dealer was boasting he had already pre-sold four pairs of Wilson Alexxes and no one has yet heard a pair. Then I watch two dealers I've know for 30-years constrict their operation significantly, one to the point its not recognizable as a high-end store.
 
What about the impact of rapid new product development? The desire to have the latest & greatest?

What about the impact of readily available information and mountains of opinions?
 
Mike said:
What about the impact of readily available information and mountains of opinions?
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Yeah, I think that's the biggest driving force Mike. Like I said earlier; being an "insider"...used to take cultivating relationships, and spending a certain amount, etc.

Like...if a dealer offered me 30 points, off some new speakers; it was because it was like the 4th pair I'd bought from him...in 2, 3, 5 years, etc. In other words...I earned it. Or...I knew someone, who knew someone; etc...which is another way, to "earn" it. To be "connected".

Now...guys on AG, laugh at your ask; because some dealer is offering them as good a price, on NEW. Becoming an "insider" now...is as easy, as a Google away, lol.
 
Mike said:
What about the impact of rapid new product development? The desire to have the latest & greatest?

What about the impact of readily available information and mountains of opinions?
Click to expand...

good points and maybe the market is overcrowded with choices. If you read the webzines that review products from all over the world, the consumer is easily confused and lines blurred.
 
puroagave said:
Its not clear to me...I was at an open house last month in L.A. and the dealer was boasting he had already pre-sold four pairs of Wilson Alexxes and no one has yet heard a pair. Then I watch two dealers I've know for 30-years constrict their operation significantly, one to the point its not recognizable as a high-end store.
Click to expand...

Rob - why the disparity between those two dealers? Was one a crotchety old guy and the other friendly, enthusiastic guy providing great customer service? People buy from people.

As for four pairs of Alexxes - wow. Nice. Maybe he has a great client base. It certainly can't be price because Wilson is very strict with discounting.
 
IMHO, the problem lies in a mix of all the points brought forward here. Mike's points were right on, in that there's such a plethora of information out there, so the buyer goes through it to make their decision. Buyers have replaced the dealer visit/audition with the internet, as a form of information gathering. That, coupled with aggressive Audiogon pricing (a cycle started by the gear flippers and thoroughly supported by dealers who would feed them gear), has created this market...

I may be old school here, but I much prefer a proper audition instead of internet opinion. And I much prefer to work with people (as Mike said, people buy from people, specially people they actually like!) than some random guy across the planet on Audiogon...

Oh, and Rob, perhaps a dealer could help offload those pieces of gear you don't want anymore, at a decent price, without having to go through the Audiogon circus...




cheers,
alex
 
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