[xelasnave]

Consider the supply and demand rule. High supply means lower prices that is the fundamental rule of the market economy. Its not new.

The supply is increasing. The factories turn stuff out retailers sell it and you can buy on a world wide market with ease. The supply of everything is over the top thats why retail prices are so cheap, relatively, look at any manufactured item. When I was a kid a watch was a big deal now you can buy them everywhere and they are so cheap.. The supply has driven prices way down, cars, computers and phones... My first mobil was 5k I purchased a smart phone recently for $30... Over supply is the answer to why sales are so and lower price is the only answer.

I gave away my boat which once was worth $25k if you could buy one...giving it away saved me 5k in repairs so why wait for a price that would never happen.. That was 4k if I was lucky.

A great deal of demand has been satisfied as those in the hobby often have a collection of scopes.
Newcomers are probably reluctant to buy second hand particularly when there is so much new stuff on offer.

I find the prices of second hand stuff generally relatively expensive in Australia and more so with astro gear. For the seller they are selling their pride and joy but the buyer does not expect to pay a premium for that, they are buying a second hand item and expect it to be a give away price. Frankly I am only tempted to buy second hand if it is a steal and even then I am very worried that it has some problem that has not been mentioned.

There is so much stuff in the world these days and the money gets spread over buying a wider variety of goods..

Then there is ebay...

If something does not sell drop the price or withdraw it and offer it again later.. But if something does not sell fast it vets "stale" and becomes hard to sell even at a bargain price.

Also in my view an add should never mention any negative and be written "to make the phone ring" to arrange an inspection. Even with the net selling is best done face to face.
Alex