What's up with people selling there old equipment for crazy prices?

[ashish]

So last night I was looking at the "dry good seller" section on RC. All hobbyist purchases new products with no thoughts of selling; right? I am amazed with how high price people charge for used products & are offended at reasonable offers. This hobby is a long-term investment and expensive; not everyone can spend $1000's up front on high-end flow/lighting after initial investment. It's safe to say most beginners will most likely not purchase multiple tunze's or vortech!! I got into this hobby when I was 13 (fish-only) and income was not going to stop me from setting up a fish-tank because I was so passionate about it. So the issue is just because someone can't afford a full-blown reef tank it does not mean you can't set-up a successful FOWLR tank for less money successfully; I know b/c I have done it

example: I buy something for $100 brand new; use it for 2 years (24/7/ 365 days). I decide (for whatever reason) I rather just sell it online to another reefer who obviously can't afford it brand new ( I go and post a thread saying It's only been used for 1 year but I've had it for 2 years; I am charging $70. Listen, just because I purchased something brand new for $100 few years ago does not mean I would sell it for $70 today. I would be happy getting 30% back of my entire tank (if i was looking to sell). Then the sellers say "no low-balls offers" or "don't offend me"!!! You did not get into this hobby for making money of your products. If you sold your 2 year old vortech for $265 (which is not bad price), you just used a brand-new vortech on your tank for 2 years for just $200!! Not a bad deal but these guys want to sell them for $350 and pretty much use a new vortech for only $115 for 2 years.:facepalm: Then they want to act like they did the buyer a favor. The only people who should do this are LFS or online vendors who have real expenses.

This is just my opinion it's annoying when reasonable sellers sell there products for a very good price and it sells quickly before someone can even get to it. When in reality the price they where selling for was what "used" products should sell for. It just bothers me because I feel as hobbyist we should be taking care of each other and a reasonable selling price should be 50% of original retail price. These high priced Used products are an illusion. After seeing a used vortech for $400, it's easy to think one for $300 is a bargain. RC needs to make sure whoever opens a "sellers" thread is closed down with in a month or after item has been sold. Thanks for listening Love u:love1:

 

[fishy business2]

No.

It's still their equipment and they can put it up for whatever they like. No one is here to take care of anyone. What I always find entertaining is when I list something for sale in my local fish forum, for say, $75, I get a counter offer for $70. I reject the offer. I've noticed there are a lot of low offers for used equipment in his hobby.

 

[ArmanS]

The prices may seem crazy but some things hold their value well and some things don't. Vortech's for example hold their value extremely well. Other things like tanks, chillers, etc drop their value quick.

 

[AcroporAddict]

So last night I was looking at the "dry good seller" section on RC. All hobbyist purchases new products with no thoughts of selling; right? I am amazed with how high price people charge for used products & are offended at reasonable offers. This hobby is a long-term investment and expensive; not everyone can spend $1000's up front on high-end flow/lighting after initial investment. It's safe to say most beginners will most likely not purchase multiple tunze's or vortech!! I got into this hobby when I was 13 (fish-only) and income was not going to stop me from setting up a fish-tank because I was so passionate about it. So the issue is just because someone can't afford a full-blown reef tank it does not mean you can't set-up a successful FOWLR tank for less money successfully; I know b/c I have done it

example: I buy something for $100 brand new; use it for 2 years (24/7/ 365 days). I decide (for whatever reason) I rather just sell it online to another reefer who obviously can't afford it brand new ( I go and post a thread saying It's only been used for 1 year but I've had it for 2 years; I am charging $70. Listen, just because I purchased something brand new for $100 few years ago does not mean I would sell it for $70 today. I would be happy getting 30% back of my entire tank (if i was looking to sell). Then the sellers say "no low-balls offers" or "don't offend me"!!! You did not get into this hobby for making money of your products. If you sold your 2 year old vortech for $265 (which is not bad price), you just used a brand-new vortech on your tank for 2 years for just $200!! Not a bad deal but these guys want to sell them for $350 and pretty much use a new vortech for only $115 for 2 years.:facepalm: Then they want to act like they did the buyer a favor. The only people who should do this are LFS or online vendors who have real expenses.

This is just my opinion it's annoying when reasonable sellers sell there products for a very good price and it sells quickly before someone can even get to it. When in reality the price they where selling for was what "used" products should sell for. It just bothers me because I feel as hobbyist we should be taking care of each other and a reasonable selling price should be 50% of original retail price. These high priced Used products are an illusion. After seeing a used vortech for $400, it's easy to think one for $300 is a bargain. RC needs to make sure whoever opens a "sellers" thread is closed down with in a month or after item has been sold. Thanks for listening Love u:love1:

I agree with you, but you know, if you don't like the price then move on. I am a member of the largest reef club (most members) in the country, and our members are a bunch of cheapskates. I actually sell many higher dollar pieces of equipment here on RC and ship because I get higher prices here. Still reasonable, but on my local reef club For Sale Forums no one wants to pay even reasonable prices for good equipment, and they want you to spend your money on gas to meet them halfway to deliver it!

Some of the examples you posted about may be from people that don't know about used equipment pricing either. You can look at any major metropolitan area Craigslist and you will see 55 gallon FW setups priced at $1000. Some people value their used FS equipment unrealistically, and it sits forever.

I'd really look at the seller as well, and what is their feedback. When you buy used equipment here, it is like ebay, you are buying the seller as well as the equipment. I'd rather pay a higher price to buy from someone with great feedback, rather than someone that has no reputation or a poor one .

 

[ashish]

Yes people can sell there products for whatever they want but don't get mad when people make offers. I don't generally buy used equipment but If I do it better be cheap since there's really no guarantee on it and all your going by is a strangers "word". I've had a friend buy a used Vortech for $350 which was claimed to be only 1 year old - In reality it was almost 4 years old. Vortechs have been around for awhile and a original one is not worth $300 used.

I bought these 3 large coral colonies below for $145 from a really cool guy. Granted this is not going to happen again but I am actually going to see Sanjay for frags and I know he won't sell me 2" frags for $50. I have another guy who was trying to sell me a 8 frag pack 1'' for $150. All I am saying is its an illusion - don't settle keep looking for better deals there out there.

<a href="http://s1324.photobucket.com/user/ashish0584/media/IMG_1946_zps7391b147.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u613/ashish0584/IMG_1946_zps7391b147.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1946_zps7391b147.jpg"/></a> $145 for these!! when I asked the guy why so cheap..He replies "I am not trying to make money from You, i just my way to pave the waY" His for sale thread was open for 2 weeks and I was the 1st to replie. Good think our tanks are in the boonies.lol

 

[brock_adams2002]

It drives me insane!! I love when I see ads on CL like 29gal saltwater aquarium with extras! $800 firm!! Hahahahahaha! If you get $800 I'll sell you mine for $699.00!!

 

[djsmallz]

I agree some of the prices can be way too high, but like others say I just pass that way I don't offends anyone

 

[mcgyvr]

we all try to take advantage of the stupid.. Its just so easy now.

I routinely go to industrial auctions for work and am amazed that many people don't even look to see what an item costs new..
For example.. the last auction I was at Cree paid like $1200+ for a Craftsman toolbox that is only $800 new. Another company paid $15000 for a nitrogen generator that is only $12000 new. We typically only pay $0.30 on the dollar and "maybe" $0.50 if we know its virtually unused/brand new.

 

[ridetheducati]

I have a couple of old Maxi1200s for sale, $90 each, FIRM. Pumps need a power cord, impeller and shroud.

lol

 

[animalkingdom]

I have a couple of old Maxi1200s for sale, $90 each, FIRM. Pumps need a power cord, impeller and shroud.

lol

you've got pm!

 

[PrangeWay]

$0.30 on the dollar and "maybe" $0.50 if we know its virtually unused/brand new.

Bingo. These are the guidelines I use, if I see someone post at 75% of new price I just ignore it and go on, there is always a sucker to meet their unreal expectations, but it won't be me.

 

[mess7777]

If other's weren't paying the price the offers would get lower. Before Gen2 radions, you couldn't see one under $500. Now you see them for $400...and they still sell at that price.

Ecotech stuff seems to be coveted in this hobby and even used people will overpay. $325 or $350 for a MP40 is normal, and they always end up saying sold....so why wouldn't I ask that much for it.

This is basic supply and demand!!

If we'd stop paying that much, the prices would come down, plain and simple.

Try and sell something that is a really good product but has no hype and is not as well known. You won't get half of your original price.

 

[sslak]

Vortechs are the main thing I see that somehow always sell..

I would NEVER pay $350 for a used MP40, paying 75% of the new cost is something I just won't do for a used piece of equipment, especially a mechanical device that can fail.

When/if the used prices come down to $250 for a 1-2 years used MP40 then I'll consider one.

 

[usmc121581]

It is the same on Zoa's, but that is a whole different topic.

 

[ashish]

FYI I have never made any low-ball offers... I was just speaking from what I saw on threads. Craiglist is a entire different story!! RC is actually a bargain after seeing prices on CL. Example: 55 gallon setup with T5's, skimmer, pumps the works for only $1000. lol
The only thing I've purchased used was a aqua-medic turboflotor skimmer (in-sump, hanging on tank, or hanging on sump). This was for my old 55 gallon tank and only good skimmer available that I could fit in my tiny cabinet. I got it on ebay from a girl who closed the bid (5 days early) because I needed it asap. She was nice enough to sell it for cheap just because I told her my corals are skimmerless =). The skimmer has been working for 4 years without any problems. I need a back-up skimmer and I use it when I quarantine fish from the LFS. It works as well as any other high-end skimmer on the market (just requires frequent cleaning).
The most I would pay for a used vortech is $250, but I will never get one at that price. If you can't afford new products - buy lighting from aquatraders (replace HQI ballast asap)..better yet get there LED fixtures. Which are incredible! my cousin has it on his mixed reef and his SPS & LPS love it. SPS require strong random flow that only tunze and vortech products provide. Softies, LPS, & clams can grow successfully with multiple hydro's. The great thing about this hobby is your old products always come in handy - especiallly with water-changes and quarantine tanks.

And what is a PM? Payment!!

 

[GrimReefer555]

Well, quality equipment lasts, so resale is high.

 

[GrimReefer555]

As far as the vortechs, nice LEDs, etc...

 

[GrimReefer555]

You're right, you probably won't find one at that price. I occasionally see them for $300, and waiting to buy the next.

the only thing I've purchased use was a aqua-medic turboflotor skimmer (in-sump, hanging on tank, or hanging on sump). My old 55 gallon tank this skimmer was the only thing I could fit in my tiny cabinet. I got it on ebay for only $100 and had the girl close out the bid because I needed it asap. She was nice enough to close the bid and sell it for a offer she was and I where happy with. The skimmer has been working for 4 years without any problems. FYI I have never made anyone any low-ball offers but I was just speaking from what I saw on threads.

The most I would pay for a used vortech is $250 and thats a fair offer but I will never get one at that price. If you can't afford new products - buy lighting from aquatraders (replace HQI ballast asap)..or get there LED fixtures. Which are incredible; my cousin has it on his mixed reef and his SPS & LPS love it. SPS require strong random flow that only tunze and vortech products provide. Softies, LPS, & clams can grow successfully with multiple hydro's. No where to save the money and no where not to save money.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Then the sellers say "no low-balls offers" or "don't offend me"!!!

Easy reply - I won't give you a low-ball offer if you don't overprice the product and I won't offend you if you don't offend me. Offer what you are willing to pay and don't worry about it. It is just business.

 

[AcroporAddict]

I price my equipment here quite reasonably, and I don't go lower than my price. To me, it is a waste of time to deliberately ask more then settle for less. I usually ask 45-60 cents on the dollar, depending on what it is. But, I usually only sell equipment here that can be reasonably shipped, meaning no tanks, chillers, huge light fixtures. Largest piece of equipment I have ever sold on here I think was a GEO 618 Calcium reactor. Anything larger and you get into shipping costs so high you can do almost as well buying new, at least the way I pack. I over pack stuff, and always separate things like pumps from calcium reactors/skimmers, skimmate cups from skimmer necks, etc. How many negative feedbacks have you seen because some joker throws a calcium reactor in a box with inadequate packing, then the box gets thrown around and the pump breaks the acrylic where it attaches? Any kind of attachment point should be separated and wrapped separately. Seen it here dozens of times in the feedback section.