Resale value % question

[Venster]

What’s the gemeral resale % of original price of Astro gear considering the lack of supply and demand at the moment?

 

I’m considering my gear that I bought 2 months ago- beginning to think it was an impulse buy and it isn't getting the use it should and the eternal cloud coverage in the NW makes it even harder to get outside. Somebody else could make much better use of it I think. 
 

TIA

[tooth_dr]

3 minutes ago, Venster said:

What’s the gemeral resale % of original price of Astro gear considering the lack of supply and demand at the moment?

 

I’m considering my gear that I bought 2 months ago- beginning to think it was an impulse buy and it isn't getting the use it should and the eternal cloud coverage in the NW makes it even harder to get outside. Somebody else could make much better use of it I think. 
 

TIA

Depends on the items - are they the latest gear or older tech?  Two months ago supply mustn’t have been too bad if you could source the items?  Lack of warranty and not being new, you might get 70% of what you paid.  Typically older but well cared for items generate 50-60%.  All you can do is advertise them at the price you want and wait to see what happens  

 

[Venster]

Bought a scope brand new 2 months ago from RVO but the price has gone up 30% and isn’t in stock at the moment.  Nothing special just a SW 150P with a Telrad and new EP. 

[NGC 1502]

As above, possibly 70% of new price if in top condition, boxed, instructions etc.

We have to look at this from the buyers perspective, no guarantee or dealer back up, often needing to travel to view larger items, most sellers are completely honest especially on SGL but not all sadly from other sources.

Of course the current situation with low or non existent stock at dealers can change things, but hopefully won’t produce a high second hand price.

Ed.

[tooth_dr]

32 minutes ago, Venster said:

Bought a scope brand new 2 months ago from RVO but the price has gone up 30% and isn’t in stock at the moment.  Nothing special just a SW 150P with a Telrad and new EP. 

Just advertise it at the price you want to get and if it’s too dear you won’t get any offers!

[teoria_del_big_bang]

I think you have to ask a price you are happy with and if somebody is willing to pay that price they will message you and either pay the price of offer what they think it is worth.

The way your OP is worded makes it sound like you are hoping to make a profit on your purchase price and if you are happy to advertise it at a mark up then you can , there is nothing in the rules to say you can't.
But, in general new (or "as new") items tend to sell for around 2/3's the cost of the item new because of the reasons above about the risk not knowing how the item has been cared for, the lack of warranty and for items such as scopes the need to travel to pick it up as most would not buy without seeing first.

The recent larger than normal price rise, of some items, obviously could mean some people will pay a bit over the odds if the item is particularly sort after or there is no similar alternative.

In my opinion I would prefer the SGL Buy and Sell section to be more of a place to sell well looked after equipment on to others that maybe cannot afford new gear to get a decent setup together and as such would always sell at a reasonable price that helps me to put the proceeds towards upgrading my gear and also in turn helps somebody else get established in the hobby or upgrade their gear.

  Also one good point about selling n SGL as opposed to some well known on line auction sites is that if the item is pick up only (which is normal for scopes) then you will get the full amount of the sale and no auction sit fees or Paypal fees.

Steve

[CraigT82]

In normal times it's usually around 66% for well looked after used kit.

Lately seeing a few things listed at around 85% new though, mostly on other site but some on here too.

Whether or not you want to take advantage of the current situation to make a bit more money is entirely up to you.

 

 

 

[MrFreeze]

People suggesting 70% of (unavailable) new price should take a reality check and look on eBay to see the ridiculous prices scopes are going for nowadays. Older secondhand blue tube Skywatcher telescopes are fetching considerably more than the few brand new ones still available ! (I always did prefer the look of them myself). Not saying it's right, but that's the way the world is, not the way we would like it to be.

Until stock levels return to something approaching normality I'm afraid we are stuck with this situation.

David

[CraigT82]

6 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

People suggesting 70% of (unavailable) new price should take a reality check and look on eBay to see the ridiculous prices scopes are going for nowadays. Older secondhand blue tube Skywatcher telescopes are fetching considerably more than the few brand new ones still available ! (I always did prefer the look of them myself). Not saying it's right, but that's the way the world is, not the way we would like it to be.

Until stock levels return to something approaching normality I'm afraid we are stuck with this situation.

David

No-one with any sense is going to look to eBay as an arbiter or kit values... That site is as bent as a nine bob note and some prices are ridiculous even in normal times, anyone paying them are the ones needing a 'reality check'. 

Saying that though if the op is want to make a quick buck then it should be done on ebay or on Facebook. People on here generally know what stuff is really worth. 

[MrFreeze]

'Kit' is only worth what people are prepared to pay for it. Like it or not there are people bidding at (and beyond) the prices being asked. If you have evidence that eBay is 'bent as a nine bob note' I suggest you contact the police fraud squad.

David

[teoria_del_big_bang]

4 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

'Kit' is only worth what people are prepared to pay for it.

And I think that's generally what most have said in posts above.

However, I still tend to think that most users of SGL would not pay full price or even much above 2/3's the cost of new and most are pretty patient and would wait to see if prices either settle down or place an order for new and wait to get the warranty back up if the other only option was to pay full price or over to get an item quickly 2nd hand.
There are of course exceptions and some bits of kit are either very sort and people will pay over the odds.

Ebay just amazes me sometimes, not just Astro stuff, and I am convinced that shill bidding still goes on undetected to artificially increase the going bids.
And yes selling on Ebay may get you a higher selling price but I doubt many on SGL would buy much kit from Ebay (but that maybe just me who is sceptical and maybe SGL users do buy from Ebay regularly).

I think the 2/3 s or 60 to 70% suggestions are from regular SGL members and is what they would be prepared to pay or in my opinion is what SGL is about - helping other serious SGL members and not making a quick buck - and yes I agree that is the way I would like the world to be and maybe not reality for many sites but it would be a sad day this forum becomes like that (in my opinion).
Personally I would revert the system to how it was when I joined not too long ago whereby you could buy from SGL but not sell until you had 50 genuine posts (not just "nice one" or "! Agree" 50 times).

Anyway no point discussing all that, I think reading between the lines all above have suggested to advertise at whatever price the OP would like and see the responses.  If someone is prepared to pay the price they will pay it or offer what they think it is worth.

Steve

[Venster]

I’m not looking to make a profit, but at the same time want to minimise my loss and not undersell the stuff. I understand people will only pay what they are to willing to pay.  
 

The scope in question cost me £325 at the time and is now £450. I’ve also bought a Telrad, collimating EP and. BST 12mm EP. 
 

I wouldn’t consider selling it all for £200 but likewise wouldn’t expect to sell for cost either. It’s in immaculate condition, maybe only used 4 or 5 times but is not boxed. 
 

Unfortunately there’s no other scope similar in the buy and sell section to compare. 

[John]

I think we will be seeing a lot of stuff that was bought during the lockdown period up for sale over the coming months. Normally these folks would have to take a "hit" of around 30-35% of the value to sell on even if the gear is virtually unused. The current scarcity of new equipment and recent price rises will likely soften this "hit" though, until supplies start to come through again. 

The buyers here and on the UK Astro Buy & Sell site will generally be pretty savvy on price so with either avoid what they perceive as overpriced items or, at best, will make a lower offer.

E.bay is a bit of a "law unto itself" price-wise and I see lots of stuff on there which is, IMHO unrealistically priced and some of the auctions seem to end at a figure which is surprisingly close to the normal retail price. 

The thing to do is to produce a comprehensive and accurate description of the kit and a good set of photos and offer it for sale at a price that seems reasonable to you.

Don't use the "offers invited" ploy though, potential buyers tend to avoid that and it's not actually allowed on the classifieds section here.

 

 

 

[johninderby]

Just Google “ stargazerslounge sold 150p “ and you will find out what similar scopes have sold for on SGL lately.

Edited March 27, 2021 by johninderby

[teoria_del_big_bang]

18 minutes ago, Venster said:

I’m not looking to make a profit, but at the same time want to minimise my loss and not undersell the stuff. I understand people will only pay what they are to willing to pay.  

I think that's fine and understand but it is difficult for others to suggest a price and hence why most long term SGL users will always suggest around 60 to 70% cost of new, that generally in the past has held pretty true for a lot of kit.

The massive price hike is unusual but shortages where we have to wait for months sometimes is not that rare so items sometimes can command more than this.

Personally, I would just be honest in your post when selling and say what the current price is and that it is almost unused, but no box, also say the reasons for selling (the hobby is just not for you - that's fine and not unusual also) and that you just want to minimise your losses.
Rules dictate you have to give a selling price so you can put what you really would like.

So long as you don;t add that the price is not negotiable then people may either offer you the asking price to secure the sale before somebody else does or may offer slightly less to see if that is acceptable.

Good luck withthe sale 🙂 

Steve

Edited March 27, 2021 by teoria_del_big_bang

[The Lazy Astronomer]

Basic rules of supply and demand apply. Supply of new stock is non-existent for a lot of items, plus manufacturers have put prices up (some significantly so), therefore the used market is in a strong position and can command higher prices than has been usual in the past. 

Ethically, no one should be taking advantage of the recent price rise to make a profit on gear they bought pre price rise, but ultimately a fair price is whatever a willing buyer agrees to. 

[NGC 1502]

I’d like to politely mention that saying some SGL members need to “take a reality check” is close to a put down and perhaps not in the generally friendly way we conduct ourselves on here 🙂

Cheers, Ed.

[Tiny Clanger]

5 hours ago, Venster said:

What’s the gemeral resale % of original price of Astro gear considering the lack of supply and demand at the moment?

 

I’m considering my gear that I bought 2 months ago- beginning to think it was an impulse buy and it isn't getting the use it should and the eternal cloud coverage in the NW makes it even harder to get outside. Somebody else could make much better use of it I think. 
 

TIA

The general suggestion is a top asking price of 75% of the cost new.

Obviously there is a major complication if you bought kit pre- price rise , do you go for 75% of current price, or 75% of what you paid ? That entirely depends on your personal ethics.

If you put an ad. in the sell/swap area, and set a price no-one thinks is reasonable, people will simply pass over it. It is always possible to reduce the asking price after a week or two . The whole aim of the sell/swap on here (as I understand it) is a free service for members to make it easy to move on unwanted kit to other enthusiasts , an entirely different aim to the various money oriented, online general marketplaces, none of which to be honest I'd touch with a bargepole as either a buyer or seller. There's a degree of trust on here, with visible post history and reputation, which can give some extra assurance against scammers.

But ... you've only owned the set up for a few months, a few cold and cloudy months at that ... are you absolutely sure you want to sell it ? I doubt a month or two more on its age would reduce the worth of the 'scope second hand , and you just know the day you part with it will be followed by a string of warm, steady, clear nights , and you'll wish you still had the 'scope ...

Go on, give it a reprieve, even a strictly limited temporary one, believe me , I only bought my first 'proper''scope back in the summer of last year, and it took me at least a dozen nights of using it before I felt comfortable and able to aim/steer it reasonably efficiently and choose the least wrong eyepiece, and actually see stuff through it  ... All the expensive astro kit in the world is no use without time , practice, and persistence. Oh, and ... patience .Lots of patience . If you still feel the same in, say a months time, put up an ad.

Heather

[KP82]

The general consensus is 70 - 75% for items in excellent condition. However asking prices have changed quite dramatically lately especially with regards to high demand items.

For example I saw a 4-month old excellent condition EQ6-R Pro on UKABS last week. Since I've been looking to upgrade my HEQ5 to an EQ6, I made an offer of 70% of the new inflated price to the seller (he got his mount before the latest price increase). Even then he rejected my offer and eventually sold it at his asking price £1,250 (85%) to someone else.

[Saganite]

5 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

Just advertise it at the price you want to get and if it’s too dear you won’t get any offers!

Sound advice, and all you can really do. 

Asking 80% or higher is not being greedy, it is still a loss on what you paid, but it is probably not going to happen unless somebody wants the item so badly and cannot source it. That is chance that you can take.

I recently paid 80% for a pair of eyepieces which are still available at various outlets, FLO included, but I knew the Vendor very well and his promise that they were less than six months old and pristine, I accepted.  When they arrived you would not have been able to distinguish them had they come direct from FLO or RVO or anyone else, and so I had saved 20% and had effectively brand new eyepieces.

You have to 'suck it and see'.

[Steve Clay]

I've recently sold stuff at 2/3 of the new price when I bought it. 

I could have gone 2/3 of post price hike, but I'm not comfortable profiting out of any forum members. I've benefited immensely from being a member here.

Just my 2p worth.

Steve

[Corncrake]

I am surprised at how little value is being placed on warranty and the backing of having a known reputable trader; let alone the costs of shipping, or even communications, with private sales persons, who may be here today and gone tomorrow. (not casting any nasturtiums !)
To me that is at least 50%of the value on delicate and specialised gear, but I suppose "how delicate" is in the eye of the beholder**.
I have no connection with any trader, just saying.

EDIT : afterthought,**  since we are in the beginner section we should also consider the capability not just the eye ?

Edited March 27, 2021 by Corncrake

[Shimrod]

2 hours ago, Steve Clay said:

I've recently sold stuff at 2/3 of the new price when I bought it. 

I could have gone 2/3 of post price hike, but I'm not comfortable profiting out of any forum members. I've benefited immensely from being a member here.

Just my 2p worth.

Steve

I find the ethical debate about what price to sell interesting, as it only ever seems to be applied to the seller. If there had been a massive price drop, no one would be suggesting a buyer should pay 70% of the old, higher price.

My advice for @Venster would be to try selling on Ebay (when they have a £1 selling fees option) or some other site that will give a wider, local audience. With no boxes, you will be reliant on collection or local delivery - you would not want to risk sending the scope through the post without proper packaging - and it is not easy to get parcel insurance that would cover breakages in transit on a telescope. On Ebay you could either go with an auction and let the market decide what it wants to pay, or use a 'buy it now', with the price you like, and if you don't get any offers then you can always drop the price.

[Rich1980]

If I'm selling something I have a price in mind that I'd ideally like and I have a price that I'd go down to. If I get an offer less than that I can choose to turn it down.

If I buy something second hand and sell it on in mint condition, going on the 2/3 price, is the price I should sell it for 2/3 of what I paid second hand for it? Or is it still 2/3 of the current RRP price? 

[johninderby]

It seems to be accepted that when selling on scond hand items it’s OK to ask what you paid for them (or near to) so long as they are in the same condition as when you bought them.  Look at Televue eyepieces for example.