Keefsama2003,
The problem is that while the item may be new, it may not be guaranteed by the vendor. I know when I buy stuff from mail order, if I don't like the item, I have no problem returning it. Even if I opened it. That's from ThatFishPlace and Drs. Foster and Smith.
In addition, because we are part of LIRA, it is very easy to get great deals on a daily basis.
Last year, I saw new 1/3hp chillers going for $700. I bought a used one for $100. I saw my UV unit going for close to $100. I bought a used one for $10 plus a $12 or so new bulb. Look at live rock. Some LFS want over $5/lb. I know that Country Critters wanted around $9 plus a pound. Here on Lira, I see live rock going for around $2 to 3 lb and I have seen it cheaper.
That's why no one is running to buy the item. While it sounds great, unless you want that exact item, it may be difficult to purchase it, because the price is way too high. You see just because an item may not even be used it is not new. New is when you buy the item from the store and can return it. Same for new cars. Once it's out of the lot, the depreciation is tremendous.
Look at frags. I can get frags from the price of "free" to $5 or $10 a frag that when you go to the LFS, they want $23. Such as at Suffolk Reef.
So the problem is that while there is a markup on items from LFS and even on the Web, we as a local club know we can get this stuff for dirt cheap.
I just talked to a local reefer yesterday at the meeting. He bought a large tank, not sure what size, maybe 120 gallon or even higher, for $300, which included the stand and a ton of other stuff. It's just that this stuff goes for such a cheap price, once it's out the door.
I had a yard sale for my old house stuff last year. By the end of 2 day, I was giving away anything that did not sell.
So the bottom line, is that if you want to sell something us LIRA members know our prices and know that we can get many, many items at pennies on the dollar from our club members.
To me that is awesome. In addition, LIRA members really go out of their way to help each other.
Look at JustJoe. Every month he donates a ton of frags to the club. We auction it off most items dirt cheap.
This club and its members are pretty amazing.
I know for me, that when I was looking to trade a well loved fish, that it was just as important that it went to a good home, than just the $$$.
For me, if I sometimes can't get rid of an item, it just goes into the basement and collects dust. So I try to then just give it to someone who will get good use out of it. I then feel good for the donation.
So I guess the bottom line, is that most stuff goes for pennies on the dollar, otherwise it just collects dust in the basement.
