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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> The Clubhouse >> Why is it so hard?
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Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 5:01:49 AM   
bdphil



Posts: 659
Joined: 5/20/2002
From: Dothan, AL, USA
Status: offline 		I don't know if this is the appropriate forum for this question, but here goes.

Why is it so hard to get a fair price for used RC gear these days? Some people seem to think that a very short timer has started ticking on products as soon as the original package is opened. I understand that nothing is worth retail once used, but come on. Some of the gear we use has an almost unlimited life span (if well cared for). Is it just that people don't trust each other when they state the condition of things and they want a "cushion" in case they need to make repairs? I know we've all been burned once or twice; but as a group, I think RC'ers are a pretty trustworthy.

It's to keep upgrading to more advanced stuff when there's no outlet for your "old" gear. I like to save money when I can, but I don't mind paying a fair price.

What do you guys think? Should engines/electronics/planes/helis etc. actually hold any value, or should people just be happy to get anything back? I know technology moves pretty fast, a month after I payed $1200 for this computer it didn't even show up as an available model! I don't think the RC industry is moving quite that fast.

I should just keep quiet I'm sure, but I wanted to get that all out.

I'm gonna throw all my old gear in a pile now, if anyone needs anything you're welcome to come dig through it.

Ben
       Post #: 1

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 5:20:38 AM   
gdjsky01



Posts: 26
Joined: 6/12/2003
From: La Habra Heights, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Put it another way. Why should I buy your R/C gear, which is of questionable origin and condition, when based on the price you are trying to get, I can get it new and in warranty from a mail order dealer for say 20% or 30% more? After all, I don't know you (figuratively speaking) from Adam. It's not worth the risk unless it is a real deal.

Another reason. You are just like everyone else. You are trying to move up to the next level of gear, which puts a helluva lot of mid-level or entry-level gear on the market. If I want to move my stuff and reinvest the cash right now, I have to make my gear more attractive than yours. Since it the same stuff in the same condition, lowering my price is my only option.

If you get 60% of your inverstment back, you should be happy. The only time I know of where hobbiests get back their investment is when something is very desirable, and in short suppy. R/C equipment is rarely in that category.

JMO

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 2

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 5:32:17 AM   
Gordon Mc



Posts: 6818
Joined: 1/30/2002
From: San Jose, CA,
Status: offline 		I think that there is a big difference between a "fair" price, and recovering a substantial portion of your original purchase price.

To me, a fair price is one that reflects the liklihood that the goods are in tip-top condition, and the likely price that I may have to pay to fix any defects.

In the turbine world, it is not uncommon for the better liked brands of engine to resell for a fairly high percentage of their original purchase price, especially if it is sold following a complete clean bill of health being issued by the manufacturer (in which case the buyer can call the manufacter up for a complete report)... that's because the confidence level of the buyer is faily high.

Conversely, if someone is selling a used OS 61, and claims that it "runs well".... well, that's the sellers opinion only (don't usually get OS to assist in the resale of an engine) ... he may be covering something up to get rid of a dodgy engine and recover some bucks, or he may simply not know enough about engines to give a really accurate assessment of the condition. I personally would not buy a used two-stroke engine for more than 40% of it's original retail value, unless I happened to know the owner and the engine to have an accurate idea of the real condition of the goods.

With a kit ... if it is claimed to be NIB, then I might pay 60% of the original value if it's a common kit ; a little higher if it's a hard to find kit. Conversely, if the manufacturer is no longer in business, then the value of the kit drops dramatically because I may be S.O.L if I break a part and need a replacement. (That's why the value of Byron kits dropped so quickly when Byron got out of the kit business).

Don't forget that there is also the issue of warranty. If I buy a new radio from a manufacturer and something is defective, they fix it; if I buy it from you then I can be out a substantial amount of money (repair costs are a high percentage of purchase costs for many electronic items).

YMMV,
Gordon

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 3

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 6:28:47 AM   
Borzak



Posts: 360
Joined: 6/19/2003
From: LA,TX,MS,AL
Status: offline 		I never buy anything "USED" that I couldn't afford to have just thrown said money away.

By that I mean if I buy a used engine and it turns out to be a dud - I don't want to have spent more than I could afford to just throw away and not have an engine.

A lot of what you pay for price wise when you buy new is peace of mind. Peace of mind that the person running the engine previously didn't do it with 5% oil content oil etc... Plus peace of mind that you can always return it under warranty and usually get something done (not always).

I see people selling used engines etc.. that sold for $100 new and want to sell used ones for $60. To me I'd rather just pay the $40 more for a new one at that rate - unless it's discountinued/rare etc...

That's just me.

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 4

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 7:21:39 AM   
bdphil



Posts: 659
Joined: 5/20/2002
From: Dothan, AL, USA
Status: offline 		Very interesting info! That's just what I was looking for, some idea of actual value.

I just hate to see perfectly good models sitting around doing nothing because you wanted to try something new. My shop is getting full of them and I think it's time to move some of them out. I think my expectations were a little unreasonable in the past.

Thanks for the economics lesson guys!

Ben

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 5

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 7:50:12 AM   
gdjsky01



Posts: 26
Joined: 6/12/2003
From: La Habra Heights, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Okay, now send me a PM with the list of goodies you are selling so I get first crack! LOL!

Best wishes
Jeff

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 6

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 9:28:51 AM   
FLYBOY



Posts: 8692
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Missoula, MT, USA
Status: offline 		Stuff gets bought and sold every day on here and a ton of other sites. If something used isn't getting sold, it means that it is priced too high. I have seen used engines sell for new prices. Some buyers don't apparently know what the prices should be.

I guess I don't understand your dilemma. Are you ticked because you can't find deals or can't sell your stuff?

I have found some awsome deals. You have to look, noone is going to call you and offer it to you unless you own a second hand store and they need to sell it really fast.

I have also sold a ton of stuff and both I and the buyer were happy with the price.

You just need to know where to look.

This is a good starting place.

_____________________________

Fly it till the wings come off.

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 7

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 4:44:43 PM   
P-51B



Posts: 6173
Joined: 10/11/2002
From: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Status: offline 		Interesting thread!!

My favorite response so far:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gdjsky01
Okay, now send me a PM with the list of goodies you are selling so I get first crack! LOL!

Best wishes
Jeff [/QUOTE]

_____________________________

In order to think "outside the box", one must first accept there IS a box.

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 8

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 4:53:02 PM   
lortap1969



Posts: 99
Joined: 1/14/2003
From: Baker City, OR,
Status: offline 		Try selling on Ebay. Only place I have seen motors / charges go for more $ than new at Tower.

Mike

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 9

Why is it so hard? - 7/27/2003 11:15:42 PM   
gdjsky01



Posts: 26
Joined: 6/12/2003
From: La Habra Heights, CA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by lortap1969
Try selling on Ebay. Only place I have seen motors / charges go for more $ than new at Tower.
Mike [/QUOTE]

OMG that is so true!! Even I have discovered that occasionally I paid near new price. But only after the fact and after I *thought * I had researched new pricing pretty throughly.

For example, I just bought off ebay a BNIB HiTec RCD 8cm supreme receiver. I paid 46 bucks on ebay. Can buy also BNIB off ServoCity for $50. Of course in this case it was NIB. And look out for shipping! Look I sell a lot of stuff on ebay. ALMOST anything once packed decently is over a pound. Thats $6 for priority mail right there. So I understand shipping is not cheap. But I've gotten whacked by outrageous shipping charges more than once!! My fault of course. Buyer beware.

I paid $59 for used in GC:
4 Futaba S3003 servos + switch harness + 2 600 mAh Battery packs. Good deal? Well Servo City says sort of .

(4 x $13) + $7 + (2 x $10) = $79

So I saved 25% off new. Fair, but not a deal .

I bought 2 BN 3004s for $20. Again about 33% off and they were Brand New so I consider that a deal.

However I see used stuff go for close to retail and in some cases over retail on Ebay. Again, research the net prices is key (I am pretty good at it but not perfect). I am constantly screaming at the screen "Duh!!! You can buy it new for that!!!!" OTOH if the item is new, then any discount beyond mail order pricing may be a genuine bargain.

One tip, often the Buy It Nows come along and are a deal for BN items. Not many, but some are legit deals. I've seen BN flight packs and some really nice used radios go for a nice price. (And they were snapped up right away by someone).

So Mike is right, if you want to get the most money for your used gear, EBay is the way to go. But you owe me for the advice so send that PM! LOL!!

Jeff

(in reply to bdphil)
       Post #: 10

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