Items for Sale and their Price.

Hagar (Doug) · #1 13-01-2009, 01:10 PM

Seems a lot of people on this forum are after purchases at prices way below their value.

As you may be aware I have had an EQ6 and accessories for sale. I listed a price for the items for sale.
I was amazed to find that I have recieved a few emails making absolutely rediculous offers for the mount and one quite rude PM stating that I had bought it for about $1295 from Andrews and was trying to make a profit.
What a bucket full of Bull. I actually rang Andrews and they were able to give me the price I had paid for it and for general info I paid $2000 including postage. The interesting comment was that the EQ6 has never sold at $1295 including Postage.

Comments of this type and other rude replies which just say My offer is $1400 for the lot. make me want to jump down the net swinging. The fact that I place a price on an item and choose to quote the replacement costs is up to me and really not open for discussion.

To those concerned get off your backsides and GO BUY ONE FROM ANDREWS.

How many have been infuriated with these sort of replies?

madwayne (Wayne) · #2 13-01-2009, 01:31 PM

Hi Doug

I had a look at your ad and thought that your mount was more than reasonably priced, particularly with the extras you have added on to it.

Don't take it to heart, the last item I sold on the classifieds had similar responses. Almost like the "negotiators" are doing you a favour was the impression I got.

There also seems to be alot of "tyre kickers" out there too, well that is my impression any way.

Good luck with your sale, a buyer will come along before you know it.

Regards
Wayne

Zuts · #3 13-01-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Seems a lot of people on this forum are after purchases at prices way below their value.

As you may be aware I have had an EQ6 and accessories for sale. I listed a price for the items for sale.
I was amazed to find that I have recieved a few emails making absolutely rediculous offers for the mount and one quite rude PM stating that I had bought it for about $1295 from Andrews and was trying to make a profit.
What a bucket full of Bull. I actually rang Andrews and they were able to give me the price I had paid for it and for general info I paid $2000 including postage. The interesting comment was that the EQ6 has never sold at $1295 including Postage.

Comments of this type and other rude replies which just say My offer is $1400 for the lot. make me want to jump down the net swinging. The fact that I place a price on an item and choose to quote the replacement costs is up to me and really not open for discussion.

To those concerned get off your backsides and GO BUY ONE FROM ANDREWS.

How many have been infuriated with these sort of replies?

I have sold heaps of stuff on iceinspace. As far as I am concerned the price can be a bit negotiable but some of the lowball offers I get are outrageous and usually i dont bother replying to them.

If you price something too high then it wont sell; as far as making a profit on second hand gear; no problem. If someone doesnt want to buy it noone is forcing them.

If I see something outrageously high I may send a private message to the seller as possibly they dont know the current new price; but i would never send a similar message in public. Generally though i feel its NONE OF MY BUSINESS what price someone wants to get for their used equipment.

EDIT -- That Star Stuff side by side plate is fantastic at that price. I recently spent nearly 300 AUD on a Losmandy side by side but if your gear was on sale then would have snapped this plate up no problems; and I also have the DEC adjustment levers as well, another great product from Star Stuff.

Cheers
Paul

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #4 13-01-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Seems a lot of people on this forum are after purchases at prices way below their value.

As you may be aware I have had an EQ6 and accessories for sale. I listed a price for the items for sale.
I was amazed to find that I have recieved a few emails making absolutely rediculous offers for the mount and one quite rude PM stating that I had bought it for about $1295 from Andrews and was trying to make a profit.
What a bucket full of Bull. I actually rang Andrews and they were able to give me the price I had paid for it and for general info I paid $2000 including postage. The interesting comment was that the EQ6 has never sold at $1295 including Postage.

Comments of this type and other rude replies which just say My offer is $1400 for the lot. make me want to jump down the net swinging. The fact that I place a price on an item and choose to quote the replacement costs is up to me and really not open for discussion.

To those concerned get off your backsides and GO BUY ONE FROM ANDREWS.

How many have been infuriated with these sort of replies?

Hi fella

You dont know me, but i have looked at your ad, and i certainly thinks your price is very fair, and very competitive.

But i think this is kinda subjective, and one that you're taking to heart. People want a bargain, your price is certainly that. So if people send you short, sharp, PM's with ridiculous offers, then just laugh at them!!

Its a buyers market, and if somone REALLY wants your mount, then they will accept your price, or make an offer very close to it.

Take heart in the fact that its not meant to offend you, its not "showfriends" its "showbusiness"

Duncan

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #5 13-01-2009, 01:52 PM

I think that this happens to everyone who lists stuff for sale Doug - and not just here but in other forums and for-sale sites too. I had offers of $1,500 for my 12" LX200GPS when it was up for sale and they were serious! LOL!!!

Don't worry - if I were looking for an EQ6 I'd pay you double what you were asking for yours....

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #6 13-01-2009, 01:55 PM

I'm sorry that you've been made to feel this way.

If I had the readies I'd have snapped up your mount, a bargain!

leon · #7 13-01-2009, 03:23 PM

That is one thing I would not do, if anything I would rather give my stuff away to people who could use it, and i have, some will know of this, or if that was not possible, at the cheapest price they can afford.

I to have some stupid offers on stuff, and I would say to these people, "edited by houghy".

Leon

Hagar (Doug) · #8 13-01-2009, 03:40 PM

It's great to hear that most of us think about this the same way. Restores a little bit of my sanity. If the mount wasn't such an expensive item and needed for other projects I would have given it to someone who needed it but couldn't afford it. I have given a bit of equipment away in the past to bypass having to sell the items.

As for the mount it has sold to a gentleman who is making a massive effort to pick it up. Many thanks.

I am glad there is still some honest, ethical and moral people left out there.

mozzie (Peter) · #9 13-01-2009, 03:40 PM

hi doug ive seen your add very reasonable price dont take it to heart just ignore i sold mt telextender and was very happy with the sale any way how about $10 for the mount

you know me better then that ill catch up on chat room over weekend mate
mozzie

multiweb (Marc) · #10 13-01-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

I am glad there is still some honest, ethical and moral people left out there.

The asking price was so cheap I thought something was wrong with the mount?

Rodstar (Rod) · #11 13-01-2009, 05:02 PM

Seems like we are all in agreement...this is the game that is played all of the time in any commercial arena. I recall when we were selling our old Honda we had some ridiculous offers, which we simply chose to ignore. One particularly nasty individual decided to pour water into the boot, and then tried to negotiate a discount on the basis that the boot leaked!!! There are indeed many tyre kickers out there.

Having said that, at the end of the day, if what you have on offer is a good deal, someone will come along and buy. If, on the other hand, no one shows the slightest interest to buy over a lengthy period of time, it suggests your market expectations are perhaps a bit too high.

Some people, whether rightly or wrongly, consider a seconds item very much devalued over new. There is certainly a huge difference in terms of one's legal standing if something is wrong with second hand gear as opposed to new gear with a warranty, and practically speaking it is harder to follow up an individual for a return on a used item than a company selling new goods with a reputation to protect. For that reason, I would be very hesitant to make a major astronomical purchase on a second hand item, and a considerable discount would be necessary for me even to consider it. Buying second hand involves taking a risk, without any comment on the particular vendor involved.

mick pinner · #12 13-01-2009, 05:25 PM

l see your point and understand your frustration, how often do you see an item listed at a very reasonable price and not get a bite but when the price is reduced once or twice to rock bottom people swarm on it like flies.
some people only want stuff when they can pay next to nothing for it, when l buy secondhand l generally know the new or replacement cost and make up my mind on the advertised price, by the time it gets reduced l've already deceided l don't want or really need it.
same thing when l sell, l know what l want for something and that's where the price stays, if it doesn't sell it stays put.

Starkler (Geoff) · #13 13-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Yep I've had my share of game players when trying to sell something, but my biggest peeve is people who feel a need to invade ones forsale thread and post comments detrimental to making a sale.

eg. eyepiece for sale at $x, new price $y at vendor x website.

Dimwit posts in my thread: I bought one at $z

Thats just damn rude! A seller has a right to ask any price they feel like without interference unless they are misrepresenting their goods.

On a few occasions I have sent a pm to people who I thought were asking an unrealistic price, to enlighten them and thats the polite and correct way to do it.

Moon (James) · #14 13-01-2009, 06:13 PM

I think the price is reasonable and you should stick to your guns if you can. It's just a matter of timing. I just bought one recently, and at the time there were none listed here (I looked first!)
James

GrahamL · #15 13-01-2009, 06:14 PM

I guess the buyers do have an ask on the price of a second hand item .
Sometimes an aggitated spouse( no names inferred here

) or finacial circumstances regarding astronomy purchases
might figure into the sellers thoughts on what they will take ..Calling dishonest as a bargaining tool just isn't right doug and for me I wouldn't sell to them even if they upped the dollars to what I asked !!!

cookie8 (Vincent) · #16 13-01-2009, 06:20 PM

Doug
I have looked at your ad more than once and thought gee someone's going to snapped it up in no time. I would have taken it without hesitation if I had the $. I am very surprise that there was no taker to be honest.

koputai (Jason) · #17 13-01-2009, 06:23 PM

Nastiness and impoliteness of course should not be tollerated.
On the subject of items for sale though, there are enough people on this forum such that if an item is fairly priced, it will sell in a reasonable time. If an item is underpriced it will sell quickly, and conversely, if an item is overpriced, it won't sell or may take a while to sell.
I think too many sellers around here expect too much for their second hand gear. Many items are listed at a mere 5-10% off retail. I won't buy second hand if I'm not saving at least 25% off retail, it's just not worth the hassle or risk buying a used (no matter how well looked after) item with no possibility of replacement/refund from the seller. I'd rather pay the little extra and get a shiny new one.
Sellers vary just like buyers. There are those that are fair, and there are those that want the deal to lean too much their way.
An item is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay, so as Rod says, if it isn't selling, you're probably asking too much.

Cheers,
Jason.
P.S. Of course, Dougs mount was reasonably priced, and has sold.

Wavytone · #18 13-01-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Seems a lot of people on this forum are after purchases at prices way below their value.

Unfortunately they're right - the secondhand value of astronomical gear was always appallingly low - basically insignificant - if you can get something back count yourself lucky because many end up throwing the stuff out.

One of the rotten consequences of the influx of cheap chinese stuff is that the morons seem to think they can pick up top-grade stuff for substantially less than the new price of the chinese rubbish.

The trouble for anyone holding high-end gear is that it won't be high-end for long; technology moves on and the chinese will do it for a fraction of the cost. It's like buying a luxury car - resale value is not a consideration.

For example the fellow with the Quantum 8 Maksutov which I see is still for sale elsewhere (not on IIS). While it certainly is worth a lot more than the chinese crap maks from Orion/Saxon, whether it has any "collectible" value is dubious. And while some might feel its worth what he's asking, it's a bit difficult to justify an 8" f/15 OTA on technical performance alone at a higher price than, say, a Meade 12" RCX - which comes with a modern electronic mount and all the bells and whistles. Ditto the refractor by Barry Adcock, and to some extent the Takahashi gear that pops up from time to time.

"Spent costs" must be ignored and have no bearing on what an item is worth - it's only worth what someone is willing to pay.

matt · #19 13-01-2009, 06:40 PM

Hey Doug.

Yep...have had similar experiences.

I just hit 'Delete', mate

....And add 'em to your ignore list if they persist or become repeat 'offenders'.

CALISTO7 · #20 13-01-2009, 07:38 PM

A lot of people know the price of things, but very few know their value!