How to price astro gear for sale?

snowyskiesau · #1 03-08-2010, 11:32 AM

I've a stack of astro bits and pieces that I want to get rid of but I'm having trouble deciding how to price them.
Other than going back through the IIS classifieds, what's the best way to come up with reasonable (to the purchaser) prices?

Most (all!) of the stuff is pretty old so I can't use current retail price as a guide.

[Pretty sure I've answered my own question here but would still like suggestions]

koputai (Jason) · #2 03-08-2010, 11:48 AM

Hmm, ask yourself what you think it's worth, and then consider what it would be worth to your potential customers. Of course, the higher you make it, the narrower your potential customer base becomes.

As a rule of thumb I use myself when PURCHASING gear, if it is currently still manufactured and in very good/excellent condition, I won't consider paying more than 75% of the new price, including postage. So, for instance if it retails for $100, I wouldn't pay more than $65 plus $10 postage.

Cheers,
Jason.

leon · #3 03-08-2010, 11:50 AM

The best way it to go 2/3 of the original price if the stuff is in very good condition, and if not than about half.

Leon

snowyskiesau · #4 03-08-2010, 11:58 AM

The 2/3 of original price sounds about right. It's all in good condition, in some cases unused hence my selling it.

It's all pretty old stuff though and not currently made* so original price is hard to determine and probably not relevant. e.g. A Celestron C8 on Vixen GP mount cost me $2100 in 1991 when this represented a fair portion of my then salary. Whereas an Argo Navis, even a couple of years old, holds it's value well.

I'll put the coffee on and start browsing the IIS classifieds.

* except for some eyepieces.

PCH (Paul) · #5 03-08-2010, 02:38 PM

The 'market' will determine - as always.

If you put it up for sale and you don't get any serious offers, you know you need to come down somewhat. I'd forget about getting absolute top dollar for it. Rather concentrate on just moving it on and getting something back to spend on something more useful to you.

If you make it seem very appealing as a second hand alternative to someone wanting the same item new, it will go. For me to buy, it would have to be lower than 2/3 the new price, or I'd rather buy new and get a full guarantee. But that's just me.

Just my 2c

snowyskiesau · #6 03-08-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCH

The 'market' will determine - as always.

Too true. The value of the stuff I'm getting rid of will have to be determined by the purchaser.
While I'd love to get heaps of money for it, I'd be happy to get something back and know that it's going to be used rather than sitting under the desk.

I've had a house on the market for the last 6 months and while the real estate agent has valued it at a certain price, the lack of buyers says it's worth a lot less .

leon · #7 03-08-2010, 03:14 PM

Being older stuff, you may have to bit the bullet, so to speak and sell it for a bit less.

It is a bit like everything, I bought my first 5D for nearly 5 k, but now you can't even buy them new, and if you could, 2.5 k would pull them up.

leon

Colin_Fraser · #8 03-08-2010, 03:15 PM

This is my suggestion.
Pick up one item at a time , look at it and ask yourself "what would I pay for this item?"
That is the price you should ask.

mithrandir (Andrew) · #9 03-08-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

The value of the stuff I'm getting rid of will have to be determined by the purchaser.

Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay. I've got some gear I have to make the same decision on.

Quote:

I've had a house on the market for the last 6 months and while the real estate agent has valued it at a certain price, the lack of buyers says it's worth a lot less .

How fast houses sell is also determined by position. SWMBO was looking at a property at Delegate. It has been on the market for about 4 years. The property looks interesting, the price doesn't seem exhorbitant (at least to a Sydneysider), they are offering to provide finance, and to try it with lease before you buy, but no takers.

Even as close to Sydney as Kurrajong can easily take 6-12 months. On the other hand, a partially renovated place on 5 acres for $1.25M at Glenorie lasted about 2 weeks.

leon · #10 03-08-2010, 04:52 PM

Sorry Andrew, we are selling astro stuff, it has nothing to do with house prices, and only to do with a good unusable Astro accessories.

You can not get top price for something second hand,

even if if cost you a fortune,

and as they say, in all posts, never used brand new condition, it is still secondhand, sorry

Leon

veejo · #11 03-08-2010, 06:12 PM

for me, being a newbie, most of my gear is used, ebay and the forum. If it's an eye picee new = $60, used = $30 +Postage, wellllllll, bintel isn't far away and while there I can dream (shopping experience and morning out).

If its an OTA new $1200, used $800, that is a big saving, not % wise, but $$$$$ wise. I hate it when people quote RRP you think 30% is a saving off RRP, when most people know Andrews and Bintel street prices. Ebay sellers are KNOWN for quoting RRP in their listing, not what they paid or street price, but RRP.

People on this forum know street prices. So STREET price less 30% get's my PM if I need it not (welllll, I might next week).

I like buying off the forum because it gives someone a chance to upgrade, me to try something, and me for pick their brain on their upgrades... a community. Can't do that with Ebay, but ebay is cheap and possibly the bench mark, ....... Celetsron 6se inc Fedex shipping from USA $990 AU ...my first scope.

When I sell my gear, it will be on the forum to a newer newbie so I can swap notes, and it will be lower than Ebay.
I'm a great believer in karma.

I'm also into hifi, and gear changes hands on the hifi forum because we all like it to go to a good home, if there are no takers it's off to the great unknown off Ebay. Babe becomes bacon vs retirement.

Hope I haven't confused, karma, a hobby and $$ do clash sometimes.

koputai (Jason) · #12 20-12-2010, 10:50 PM

It seems at the moment you can ask whatever you like! People aren't currently checking prices.

Quite a number of ads recently are asking 90% to 95% of new price, and they're selling.

At least one second hand eyepiece went last week for $1 more than current retail, for a readily available eyepiece!

Amazing. Wake up people, check prices before you jump!

Cheers,
Jason.

Max Vondel (Peter) · #13 20-12-2010, 11:05 PM

Read adds on this site.
Check out the sold items as well.
But use commen sense

If an item retails for say $100-
I would only consider it at 75% or less
otherwise you might as well get a new one.
Unless there is no difference at all between the two.

The market decides, if your item don't sell ...... there is a reason ...
Are you being greedy or reasonable?

I've bought and sold dozens of items from fellow IIC'ers on this site
and never a problem...................
If I paid too much .....................
then I didn't check price or acted on impulse.

Just give it a go, you can't spend too much time analysing.....
Just have fun........

You can always drop the price if no action.
Some stuff should just go in the bin!

"Just cos it looks like William Hershel used it doesn't mean it's any good!"

OICURMT · #14 21-12-2010, 12:44 AM

Wow.. nice bump...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCH

For me to buy, it would have to be lower than 2/3 the new price, or I'd rather buy new and get a full guarantee. But that's just me.

Just my 2c

I think you meant to say "Just my 1-1/3c

"

Barrykgerdes · #15 21-12-2010, 11:36 AM

Hi

Selling second hand gear is a specialist job if you want the best price. A good rule for gear in new condition under 12mths old is to expect no more than 1/2 price and hope for about 3/4 of the wholesale price. Unless it is a collectable.

If it is older than this take the your year old price and depreciate it at 20% every year to get a price. If this leaves the residue at $0 then put it on ebay with no reserve. You might get a surprise. Trevor sold my 20 year old Tasco 114 reflector for $120 on ebay. I gave it to him. He did not even offer to share!

I enter every major purchase (over $100) in a register with the price, serial no, date of purchase etc and depreciate at 10% per year. This gives a basic price to work with and anything you get more than this is a bonus. Don't be greedy!

Barry

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #16 21-12-2010, 11:50 AM

I think the market for Astronomy is very small so the margin are higher in relation to second hand. As mention above market dictates it, so I have seen equipment sold higher than a bulk market item.

In principle I am used to purchasing items at 50% or less but can see in this market is a bit higher. In my opinion I would rather buy new if it is higher but as mentioned above higher the price the longer it will take to sell them.

Most of the time the equipment is out of warranty so that plays a big factor.

casstony · #17 21-12-2010, 03:08 PM

50% of new price is ok for a common and cheap item, but a 1yo G11 mount or Tak refractor is certainly worth well over 50% of new price - although prices are ultimately governed by supply and demand of course. The quality of workmanship in the higher end gear is easy to see and a pleasure to own and use.

stephenb (Stephen) · #18 21-12-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

It seems at the moment you can ask whatever you like! People aren't currently checking prices.

Quite a number of ads recently are asking 90% to 95% of new price, and they're selling.

At least one second hand eyepiece went last week for $1 more than current retail, for a readily available eyepiece!

Amazing. Wake up people, check prices before you jump!

Cheers,
Jason.

I hope that wasn't one of mine?

I always atart off at 2/3 of RRP and work down from there, and I think about what I'd be happy to pay for the item if the roles were reversed. It also depends on how bad (as a seller) you want to off load the item.

koputai (Jason) · #19 21-12-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

I hope that wasn't one of mine?

No Stephen, it was a second hand current model Panoptic that sold for $240 +P&H, when the new retail price was $239. Not rare, readily available etc.

All happy with your dealings Stephen! A pleasure.

Cheers,
Jason.

stephenb (Stephen) · #20 21-12-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

No Stephen, it was a second hand current model Panoptic that sold for $240 +P&H, when the new retail price was $239. Not rare, readily available etc.

All happy with your dealings Stephen! A pleasure.

Cheers,
Jason.

Nah, didn't think it was mine.

I, like some, quote BinTel or Andrews prices when selling an item because both of these stores are: (1) well known and highly regarded and frequented by many participants in the hobby, and (2), carry a good majority of astro gear bought by most amateurs. I believe they are a good indicator of price.