Used Hi-Fi Market

BruceLet said:
I don't know who you're talking about, but why would you post this?
Click to expand...

Why not? If the distributor is making it public news that he is dumping new tube gear for 5 points above dealer cost and the OEMs aren't rushing to shut down his distributorship, you might as well buy if you are in the market for what he is selling. However, I can't imagine any "blue chip tube gear" company such as ARC or cj allowing this to happen.
 
The used market is definitely slow these days. Good equipment continues to sell well - my opinion. However, digital gear is another story.

I still have my ARC DAC 8 which I have not been able to sell. I'm practically giving it away and haven't had any offers. I also listed my Esoteric K-05 for less than 50% and had a couple of low ballers make silly offers. Decided to keep it since it sounds terrific and I'm not going to "give it away".
 
IMO, the number of manufacturers seems greater than ever before and the upgrades seem to be coming at a faster rate than ever before. Then when you consider the average age of the audiophile, which seems to be getting older and therefore shrinking, there seems to be a real saturation on the new market and especially on the used market of almost new gear. I don't have any facts to back this up, just my general perception.

Ken
 
I can't sell my Krell KPE Reference phono section either. Original box, packing material, manual, gobs of gain and tons of gain and loading options for basically any MC cartridge, and blessed by the Pope and the Grand Mufti.
 
So...

Am I "over-priced", at $3100 for a 9/10 ET-3SE and $4800 for a 10/10 MF2550SE?

I mean...to my point; I've also got a Luxman L-550AX to move...and there's a guy listing a 9/10 one, for $2200!
 
CDLehner said:
So...

Am I "over-priced", at $3100 for a 9/10 ET-3SE and $4800 for a 10/10 MF2550SE?

I mean...to my point; I've also got a Luxman L-550AX to move...and there's a guy listing a 9/10 one, for $2200!
Click to expand...

If no one wants to buy at the price you are asking, it must be overpriced or everyone in the market is broke.
 
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...

Are you serious? Are you talking about cables? Because on some electronics and speakers the markup is only 35-40% especially if the manufacturer uses a distributor. More importantly, where can I go to get deals like that?
 
Dealers who are selling their gear for 35-40 points off won't be dealers for long.
 
Mike said:
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.
Click to expand...

The LA dealer is new to me, it was the first time I met them or been to their studio. Much of my misspent 20's was patronizing the other two shops. I've hung out with them, their employees became my friends and I still stay in touch. I would only be speculating as to why they're in a decline. This subject interests me because like you, we're both self employed in the services industry and part of my job involves learning from successful business models. If I had to guess, the LA dealer is more 'new school' and embraces social media, networking and gets the word out...being younger and enthusiastic helps.
 
mep said:
If no one wants to buy at the price you are asking, it must be overpriced or everyone in the market is broke.
Click to expand...

What are you mep; in Real Estate ;)

Zero said:
Dealers who are selling their gear for 35-40 points off won't be dealers for long.
Click to expand...

Well...a) I don't necessarily agree with that. If you know the industry...and I have no idea if you do or don't; you know there are "specials", "buy-in discounts", etc. But b) I do agree, there are a lot of these types; and yes...maybe they won't be around for 50 years. But they're making a quick buck...and we're both helped and hurt by it.

I know too much, to go into specifics...in a public forum.
 
I know someone selling a used pair Crystal Arabesque Glass Master in their crates for USD$17K. It is tempting but the deal is for boxed, unseen, unheard. Seller needs to move them quickly.

What do you make of that?

On the opposite side of the coin, a McIntosh C1000P cost me 28% more than the C1000T around 3.5 years ago.


I do believe in the concept of "Blue Chip HiFi" holding its value better in an industry that is over saturated.

Digital sources is where you will blow your money the hardest.
 
CDLehner- I think you and I would more or less end up on the same page after hashing out more detail on this topic.
 
CDLehner said:
What are you mep; in Real Estate ;)
Click to expand...

Nope. I'm into common sense.



CDLehner said:
Well...a) I don't necessarily agree with that. If you know the industry...and I have no idea if you do or don't; you know there are "specials", "buy-in discounts", etc. But b) I do agree, there are a lot of these types; and yes...maybe they won't be around for 50 years. But they're making a quick buck...and we're both helped and hurt by it.

I know too much, to go into specifics...in a public forum.
Click to expand...

Blue Chip companies can't afford to have their brand devalued by distributors or dealers who sell their products at slightly above cost. And I have said this before: Gear Flippers are a dealer's best friend and worst nightmare. They may buy a ton of gear from you because if it is new and shiny, they must own it. However, when the Gear Flipper quickly dumps the gear on the used market, they are now competing against the dealer.

I do think Gear Flipping is a sickness and there will probably be a new drug on the market shortly to treat it. Doctor to patient: "You have GFS. I'm going to put you on a new drug for GFS-Yourbrokeatosis."
 
mep said:
I do think Gear Flipping is a sickness
Click to expand...

As a confessed GF; yes and no. Like any other "addiction"...it has to do, with its impact on your life.

I told a therapist once...I thought I had OCD. She asked me, why do you think that. I said...certain things drive me crazy; like I have to make sure all the light-switches are facing the same direction (which, of course...is impossible; if you have any 2-way circuits. But then you establish a "right" way, and a "wrong" way...lol :bonkers:).

She said...let me ask you this: have you ever left the house for work, and made yourself late; because you had to turn the car around, and drive back home...and make sure all the light-switches were in the same direction? I said "no; what do you think I am? Nuts??" ;)

Point is...I used to take an endless stream of sh*t, from most; for my GF. I defended it, when it was fun; as being fun! For the longest time...I had hi-end dreams, and a mid-fi budget; so when I took the plunge...I wanted to hear it all. Plus...while we're on the OP; the used market, brought some of that gear within reach.

But recently; I have found myself flipping...for flipping's sake (aka "boredom", aka "habit"...aka "addiction"). Now...it's not fun anymore; so I'm stopping. Now...to just unload; ALL this excess gear :(
 
CDLehner said:
As a confessed GF; yes and no. Like any other "addiction"...it has to do, with its impact on your life.

I told a therapist once...I thought I had OCD. She asked me, why do you think that. I said...certain things drive me crazy; like I have to make sure all the light-switches are facing the same direction (which, of course...is impossible; if you have any 2-way circuits. But then you establish a "right" way, and a "wrong" way...lol :bonkers:).

She said...let me ask you this: have you ever left the house for work, and made yourself late; because you had to turn the car around, and drive back home...and make sure all the light-switches were in the same direction? I said "no; what do you think I am? Nuts??" ;)

Point is...I used to take an endless stream of sh*t, from most; for my GF. I defended it, when it was fun; as being fun! For the longest time...I had hi-end dreams, and a mid-fi budget; so when I took the plunge...I wanted to hear it all. Plus...while we're on the OP; the used market, brought some of that gear within reach.

But recently; I have found myself flipping...for flipping's sake (aka "boredom", aka "habit"...aka "addiction"). Now...it's not fun anymore; so I'm stopping. Now...to just unload; ALL this excess gear :(
Click to expand...

I smell a 12-step program....
 
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...

If its the west side dealer I think it is, his customer base isn't people on internet forums. Its a lot of wealthy, LA "industry" folks. Wilson sells to that crowd as a Robb report type item.
 
On the subject of gear sales, I had a local buyer for a pair of speakers that of course had his Audiogon account suspended for "fraudulent activity." I have the worst luck on that site these days, although this guy only had a few feedbacks so figured he would never come through.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top