Do you sell equiptment for less than what its worth?

[Rene]

If you get a deal on equiptment, do you sell it for less than its worth when you are done with it?

[fencer]

I usually end up selling my equipment at a fair price. Which means at a loss in general. I try to give breaks to those people in the hobby because I want to sustain the hobby. Plus people already in the hobby have already sunk alot of cash into it, so saving on equipment means alot. Besides it generates goodwill within the forum.

[digital-audiophile]

I've never got back what I have put into fish equipment. Personally I am just looking to recover a bit of my investment.

[Skimmerking]

I think that when you sellign you want to get every penny out of your investment. Since you take care of your stuff. Well I hope you do :lol: . alot of people that are looking for deals tend to low ball alot of people. trying to get the cheapest price for good quality equipment. Like skimmers when you pay for a skimmer in the range of $800 dollars and you use it for 6 months I can't see how that Skimmer is worth only half. The acrylic doesnt wear out. the pump may have some time in the water but its the pump what makes the skimmer not the plastic. So IME if you buy a skimmer for 800 then it should be sold for $600 take off what the pump is worth. Now that if you look at the deltec the pumps are 249 per pump. and if you are running a skimmer that requires 5 Ehiem pumps well then that is $1100 dollars taken off right. NO you have to look at the size of the acrylic that is being used too and ig some one is paying that much for a skimmer , you know that its taken care of extremely well so the resale valve is goign to be good. Yes scratches and knicks do happen ,but its not affecting how the skimmer preforms. But cracks can have a impact on the sale and the price is usaually dropped a bit to ease the selling factor.

Lights are a good example of what is sold half price in the hobby. Bulbs are iffy due to being the bulb has been fired and the filment is very easy to break. So when shipping the cost of the bulb will have to be put into the deal too. Some of the lighting are crazy expensive too like the silfoli Spelling sorry..:wink:

you are paying for the advanced fixture like dimming the MH on the ALCS. The Solaris system. is another fixture that you pay big bucks for, is it worth the 2500 for some fixture that are 48" or 60" "YES" to some of us. how every if it comes to sellign the product some people are not willing to pay the huge cost to get one over their tanks. SO lots of people won't budge on the price alot since ytour not having to spend money on the bulbs. So its a great piece of equipment for resale.

the last thing that I will talk about is the taxes and shipping when some one buys a peice of equipment, you have to look at the taxes are usaually lost from the point of purchase and the shipping is sometimes added into the price or the buyer is taking care of that. Depending on the piece od equipment like lights skimmers, extra money is sometimes added for the safe arrival of the equipment. Or the seller will meet half way in the price to sell his or her item. you see alot of sellers buying a another skimmer and end up selling the older one to off set the new skimmer and will sometimes take a hit just to get it out of the house. That is what has been happening alot and IMO and IME its a fad that has continued to become a night mare. no equipment is worth 50%less of the of the cost. just because its 2-3 months old.

HTH

[Seriak]

In most cases I just want it gone so I sell the item for about half of what I bought it for just to get the ball going as I don't want to hold it for 6 months hoping to get an extra few bucks.

If I didn't care how long it took to sell, I would jack the price as high as I think I could get for it. But then I would never be able to go in my basement again. :)

[Aquattro]

I bought a complete 125g reef setup years ago for around $200. I parted it out for around $1500. So, if I get some great deal, I'm not likey to pass it on. I did sell the pieces at really good prices, but I wasn't about to flip it for the same or less than I paid. That would be silly.

[hillbillyreefer]

Cool some spice on the site thanks Rene. Who cares what was paid for something originally, if I want to buy it I want to know what it's going to cost me. In case you hadn't noticed this is a capitalist system, that's how it works. If you don't like it move to a nice socialist system like Cuba, or China and see how you make out. Everything you buy has markup on it. Just because it's on this site why can't someone make some money? I'm sure our sponsors don't lose money to support this site. They don't sell at a loss because they advertise on this site. If you don't like the price don't buy it.

That was as gentle as I could be about this topic.

[Delphinus]

Hmmm, interesting thoughts.

See to me the real reality of the capitalist system is that something for sale, is only worth what someone will pay for it. That doesn't mean you can set the price to whatever you want. If you set the price too high then the only people who will pay it are likely those who don't know better, and well .. that's not going to be everybody and it's not going to be all the time. Generally speaking, with the exception of maybe livestock, most equipment are depreciating assets. Thus if you had possession of it, used it, you should expect to have to suffer some depreciation on the resale value. That's only fair. By using an item you remove value, unless you go out of your way to add value somehow. "Adding value" can be a subjective thing. In Brad's case I'd say he added value by taking on an undefined "complete package", enumerating the item list and then reselling each at market values. That's the thing, parting items out generally nets you more in the end because it's more work.

But the flip side, if you apply blatant ethics of scouring for deals and then reselling at higher prices, then you're going to eventually gain a reputation and people won't deal with you. That too, is a reality of the "capitalist system". Capitalism doesn't mean chaos, it simply means the market is self-regulating.

[ElGuappo]

if i no longer have use or room for somthing i am more interested in getting a little somthing back. you have to consider the time of usage and well anything is better than nothing. but if i resell i basiclly consider this to be a rental at that time i sell for water ever i can get being happy that it worked for the time i needed it. i am just happy it goes to good use instead of the refuse pile.

[Skimmerking]

Well said Tony

Hmmm, interesting thoughts.

See to me the real reality of the capitalist system is that something for sale, is only worth what someone will pay for it. That doesn't mean you can set the price to whatever you want. If you set the price too high then the only people who will pay it are likely those who don't know better, and well .. that's not going to be everybody and it's not going to be all the time. Generally speaking, with the exception of maybe livestock, most equipment are depreciating assets. Thus if you had possession of it, used it, you should expect to have to suffer some depreciation on the resale value. That's only fair. By using an item you remove value, unless you go out of your way to add value somehow. "Adding value" can be a subjective thing. In Brad's case I'd say he added value by taking on an undefined "complete package", enumerating the item list and then reselling each at market values. That's the thing, parting items out generally nets you more in the end because it's more work.

But the flip side, if you apply blatant ethics of scouring for deals and then reselling at higher prices, then you're going to eventually gain a reputation and people won't deal with you. That too, is a reality of the "capitalist system". Capitalism doesn't mean chaos, it simply means the market is self-regulating.

[untamed]

What a strange question... I sell stuff for the price that I think someone will want to purchase it for.

[Whatigot]

great poll question.

I'm cheap because I work hard for my money and take it very seriously, at the same time, people who have bought anything from me will know that once I have purchased something and used it to the point where it's no longer useful to me I enjoy passing it on to someone who wants it or needs it for a nominal cost if any because by that point I will have gotten my value out of it.

Some people have no concept of depreciation and like to feel like the item they spent money on is still worth the amount they'd initially put up...maybe it's pride, maybe it's greed but either way it's a mentality that even in my frugality i just don't get.
The bottom line here is that when you buy new, you get a guarantee, a receipt and the satisfaction of being the first person to "break it in" and a product that is untouched and free of operating issues. I also think it's very funny when people take the tax they paid under consideration when selling something used, like they are going to claim the resale of it on their next returns or something..lol.

It's also up to the consumer to make sure they are getting a good deal, I know when I buy stocks in the open market, which is the epitome of the capitalist system as described above it's buyer beware, do your own due dilligence and blame yourself if you paid too much.

The other thing to consider is that when it comes to reefing/aquaria, there is such a strong community here that it makes it hard to want to profit off of someone who is just trying to do the same thing as you and you KNOW it's expensive so why not help out while and where you can.:idea:

[mark]

When it comes to sales, as said before, something is only worth what you get for it.

[justinl]

When you sell stuff, the trick is finding a balance. What is it worth? Would you buy it for the price you are suggesting? For me, I like to be generous and take a loss. Ive met a lot of really generous people in this hobby and I respect them for that. It shows that you care more about the hobby and the people participating in it than you do about a few dollars in your pocket. I think that's cool.

Being generous if often a reciprocal process. you reap some more subtle benefits from it as well. that's karma.

[ElGuappo]

Ahh yes Karma, the most evil Mistress of ALL.:twised:

When you sell stuff, the trick is finding a balance. What is it worth? Would you buy it for the price you are suggesting? For me, I like to be generous and take a loss. Ive met a lot of really generous people in this hobby and I respect them for that. It shows that you care more about the hobby and the people participating in it than you do about a few dollars in your pocket. I think that's cool.

Being generous if often a reciprocal process. you reap some more subtle benefits from it as well. that's karma.

[vazgor]

the way i see it if you were gouged when you bought it and you know you were gouged then trying to gouge the next guy just makes you as bad as the last guy.makeing money to suport a store and employies is one thing i understand but someplaces just go over and above if you get my drift.
so that being said im not in it to make money off fellow reefers so when it comes too selling stuff i no longer use or need then resale will be way lower than cost.
well thats my two cents hope i didnt upsent too many people my last post on my opinion was kind deleted for it's political correctness or should i say lack there of

[Snappy]

I recommend people actually do some research on what it is they want to buy first and see what it would cost new and then weigh the options about buying it used. I find a lot of people think that if they are buying something used online then the item should be almost free. For example I have a light fixture for sale at what I think is a very fair price at $550. When I bought it I paid $1300 for it, only used it for a year and the MH bulbs that retail for over $100 each (x3) were replaced and are basically brand new. As far as I'm concerned the asking price is already lower than it should be so to me that is a great deal. I'll keep it before I sell it for an even lower fire sale price. Perceived values change from person to person but IME you generally get what you pay for whether it's new or used.

[Zylumn]

If it is used you have to sell for less than what it is worth. I agree with Snappy's statement you need to research what its cost is brand new. When I purchase something it all depends on my needs. A pump breaks down and I don't have a replacement I go buy brand new. Now if it is for a future tank I will only buy if the price is well below it's worth as I have time unlike most people that are selling. I have given more fish stuff away than sold and to me I prefer it that way.
Kevin

[ElGuappo]

Well i am giving away a 30 G tank as i jsut dont have room anymore. why would i want anything for it . i had pirahnas in it for 12 years i would have to say its paid it self off. have one taker as of now but am waiting for reply on mon to say if he wants it for sure. another interested party but no statement as to wether or not interested . dimensions on the origanal post.

[Slick Fork]

Some great comments here,

I've only sold a few things of mine, Some of it I've asked a fairly high price and got it, other stuff I just about gave away. For me it depends on the condition, and what I feel the market will bear. I figure if I ask an outrageous price on an item, it won't sell and that's a good indicator that it's time to lower the price. If I find a fantastic deal on something that I need I will buy it and once I'm done with it I don't mind selling it for what I paid for it if I can.

That being said, there's a big distinction in my mind between buying something, using it and then getting all or more of your investment out of it and just scouring the buy and sell pages here, lowballing people and reselling immediately for a quick buck. There was a member west of me who was doing stuff like that, buying here (waiting until the member was desperate to sell before making an offer) and then you'd see it advertised in the local free classified paper at a significant mark-up. Fortunately I caught on before I sold her anything.

[kwirky]

it really depends on the item. Some items I have too many so I sell them (or even give them away) to clear out room in the house. Some items I don't really want to get rid of so I squeeze out every penny I can.

Then there are some items that I just won't sell because I won't get nowhere near what I paid for them. Like my 120g tank sitting empty at my previous room mate's. Nobody's been wanting to pay what it's worth so it's just been sitting around but I'm not letting it go for like 200 bucks steel stand included.

And my CO2 canister. I don't know why but I like just having it just in case I need it.

And pumps. I've never sold a pump because I can never have enough kicking around, they're like buckets :)