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Archive 2008 · Bad time to sell?

Russell Smith
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p.1 #1 · Bad time to sell?

or good time to buy. Depends on your financial situation I know. But, I have watched this forum, as usual, for hours day and night just for curiosity and see hardly any action. Some are getting 500-1000 hits and not a single bite. Never have seen this and wonder how many are ether hurting financially or concerned about economy. Any thoughts?

Edited by guardian on Nov 05, 2008 at 01:46 AM · View previous versions

Nov 04, 2008 at 03:51 PM

saaketham
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p.1 #2 · Bad time to sell?

I guess its the fear of recession more than anything else.

The Microsoft Live Cashback does help a bit for those interested in listing OA at eBay and linking here. I've sold a few items and also bought a few items that way recently.

Nov 04, 2008 at 03:54 PM

Ben Amato
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p.1 #3 · Bad time to sell?

Russell,
I just did a highlight video for girls volleyball. I've been doing this for 7 years. Each year I ask the senior girls to let me scan one of their Senior Pictures for the DVD. This year's team had 6 seniors and none of them had a senior photo done by a professional. Two didn't even have senior pictures so I took a couple for them. I have never had more than one girl on any team prior to this.

So I would say things are slow here in Michigan. I am looking for a used 400mm f/2.8 but I may wait a little longer because I think we may see a few more on the market this winter.

Ben

Nov 04, 2008 at 03:59 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #4 · Bad time to sell?

Yup, things are simply not selling right now. Good if you have the bucks and you can snatch up a few items for less than what you have to fork out a few weeks ago.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:03 PM

veroman
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p.1 #5 · Bad time to sell?

Russell Smith wrote:
or good time to buy. Depends on your financial situation I know. But, I have watched this forum, as usual, for hours day and night just for curiosity and see hardly any action. Some are getting 500-1000 hits and not a single bite. Never have seen this and wonder how many are ether hurting financially or concerned about economy. Any thoughts?

Surely the stagnant and insecure economy is a factor, making it a poorer time to sell at the best price. But it also depends on what's being sold. Some cameras and lenses have lost gobs of value because of newer and better releases, which has little to do with the economy, per se. The old and valued staples of photography ... ie, Canon 1-Series, IS lenses, certain Nikon bodies and lenses, etc. ... still do pretty well, though I have seen 1D IIs and Nikon D300s going for pretty low prices relative to their pricing during a better financial climate.

As far as "a time to buy" goes, there have been some really good values lately, particularly in the areas of pro-quality bodies and lenses. I'd always be wary of a camera or lens that's priced TOO low (the "too good to be true" syndrome), but low pricing in general is almost always to the buyer's advantage.

Not much more I can add, except to say that the seller's or buyer's rating here on FM (or the lack thereof) does mean something. And, in my experience, it's a lot safer and better place to transact than just about anywhere else, regardless of the economy.

- Steve

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:04 PM

Russell Smith
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p.1 #6 · Bad time to sell?

Steve, I agree that it is the best place to buy, and feedback does help sales. Just reading about Circuit City closing many stores and with consequent layoffs. I think it will get worse before it gets better. There will always be some who keep money set aside for buying at times such as these but few are doing much here right now. Life is interesting.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:11 PM

bmannon
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p.1 #7 · Bad time to sell?

It sure is slow!
But I have been doing my part to keep things moving when I can!

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:19 PM

saaketham
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p.1 #8 · Bad time to sell?

Also, there are more people selling stuff these days (threads keep getting pushed down in minutes), again, probably due to fear of a recession, I suppose.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:21 PM

kidtexas
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p.1 #9 · Bad time to sell?

I sold about $4000 worth of stuff in this last month. Pretty much got the prices that I thought the equipment should and would get, but *not* the prices that I *dreamed* about.

I think too many people price their used gear way too high. Anything above 80% of retail value is silly. Probably above 70% is pushing it. This results in equipment sitting around and not selling.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:38 PM

Wickedfn4u
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p.1 #10 · Bad time to sell?

I have two lenses for sale both big ticket items 400 2.8 and 200 1.8. I figure I am in no hurry and these are not just oh I think I will by a new 400 today type of purchases. I figure the person who wants will need and will buy if it is right for him/her. I just bought a 400 2.8 Nikon and a D3 with a 70-200 but I needed those items.

Ive also sold some stuff too, got what I felt it was worth. Glass held well, bodies well that is more the new and next coming vs panic selling. I dont think people are "dumping" stuff to get cash most are selling to upgrade or swap.

On a side note my "real job" is going stronger than it ever has and it is totally disposable income type work.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:42 PM

Russell Smith
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p.1 #11 · Bad time to sell?

Wickedfn4u- I hope you consider yourself fortunate...

Yes, the items which are big ticket items will sell because they are bought usually by people with plenty of disposable income. Sort of the same old story concerning any talk of finances. The rich get richer...on and on. Right now we have a couple of generations or more who have not known any really bad times.

Nov 04, 2008 at 04:56 PM

DavidWEGS
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p.1 #12 · Bad time to sell?

This is the working economy of supply and demand in full swing.

I think (if your a buyer) its a great time to be on the B&S forum. Lots of great deals. The only down side is people have become a bit silly about what they are buying now.

I always offer a no question refund to anyone who does not like what I shipped them and I see that being taken advantage of lately.

No big deal though. That's supply and demand :-)

It's only money, it comes and goes and the world still spins regardless.

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:06 PM

adsmitha
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p.1 #13 · Bad time to sell?

What we need is a FM market stimulus plan.

If you elect me, I'll implement this plan in three steps. First, I'll call for all pros on the forum to start dumping their equipment at bargain basement prices, this should help to re-invigorate spending and restore consumer confidence. Next, I'll issue a press release stating that the Red One replacement for DSLRs is being released a year early and, finally, that Canon is releasing a 5D mark III in time for the "Christmas season".

To recap, a vote for me is a vote for change -- I propose to change everything ... to ensure everything remains the same!

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:19 PM

AnthonyRhoades
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p.1 #14 · Bad time to sell?

kidtexas wrote:
I sold about $4000 worth of stuff in this last month. Pretty much got the prices that I thought the equipment should and would get, but *not* the prices that I *dreamed* about.

I think too many people price their used gear way too high. Anything above 80% of retail value is silly. Probably above 70% is pushing it. This results in equipment sitting around and not selling.

Ditto all except I've been happy about the selling price on the items I've sold. I'll reiterate what kidtexas has said though. Most things are priced way too high. No one cares if you only used the item once if your price is within a few dollars of the new, full warranty price, especially when you add paypal, ebay and shipping fees. Sorry, but your stuff isn't selling because you aren't realistic about the price.

Having said that, I've made A LOT of purchases this month; nearly equal to what I've sold. But, I've purchased items that were priced as they should be.

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:20 PM

Grant808
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p.1 #15 · Bad time to sell?

Bad time? No.

But I don't think it's a good time...obviously.

Been considering exchanging some gear myself...and it's probably still okay to do that.

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:21 PM

Tom Abbott
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p.1 #16 · Bad time to sell?

Where's the price on your item??

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:30 PM

monochrome
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p.1 #17 · Bad time to sell?

Tom Abbott wrote:
Where's the price on your item??

And picture and code date.

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:48 PM

saaketham
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p.1 #18 · Bad time to sell?

If you elect me, I'll do the following in the first week of taking office

- Make Canon EF lenses compatible with Nikon bodies and vice versa
- Ban ERR-99 on all Canon bodies
- Make IS compulsory on all bodies
- Ban all P&S cameras with > 25 Megapixels/cm^2 pixel density
- Make sure every camera has built-in GPS whether you like it or not, and By God, I'll make sure every photo taken has embedded GPS info

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:50 PM

Philip Krol
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p.1 #19 · Bad time to sell?

What about Can to US and vice versa b & s? Living in Canada I've found that I have to think twice about purchasing US gear. At the same time there are a few items I'd like to sell that might look attractive for US buyers.
Any thoughts?

Nov 04, 2008 at 05:59 PM

mahoro
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p.1 #20 · Bad time to sell?

Philip Krol wrote:
What about Can to US and vice versa b & s? Living in Canada I've found that I have to think twice about purchasing US gear. At the same time there are a few items I'd like to sell that might look attractive for US buyers.
Any thoughts?
For Canada, I believe the cragslist have more stuff than here.
Especially the devalued CAD$, I really don't want to buy from US.

For example, I just got a Sigma 30mm 1.4 @ $370CAD w/ 10 years warranty @ Cragslist (Good copy, the seller turns out to be a professional photog ) , equiv that US was $300USD...
And I get the chance to check the item carefully before buying.

I recently saw quite a lot of stuff @ good price @ cragslist like (CDN)

Canon 5D, BG-E4 Grip, 3 batteries - $1300 -

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:20 PM

Ladybuggie
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p.1 #21 · Bad time to sell?

I think some prices are way too high here. I was looking for some equipment but I ended up buying somewhere else. Let's say... the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, we can buy a gray market one for 314.95 (US version $325) and many people try to sell it here for $300, some for $310... its beyond me how some sellers can price things so high.

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:24 PM

adsmitha
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p.1 #22 · Bad time to sell?

Philip Krol wrote:
What about Can to US and vice versa b & s? Living in Canada I've found that I have to think twice about purchasing US gear. At the same time there are a few items I'd like to sell that might look attractive for US buyers.
Any thoughts?

Agreed. Canadians selling may want to make a prediction on what happens to the dollar after Thurs and Fri, when the big job, housing and other numbers are released. My understanding is that we'll have somewhat of a better indication of the direction the Canadian dollar is headed by then. Notwithstanding the decline last month, the past few days have seen a bit of a surge. It could be a different ball game by next week with things returned to how they were this past spring/summer with (near) dollar parity or, as some of the Big Bank economists are predicting, the Cdn dollar could be in for a twelve month decline.

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:28 PM

monochrome
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p.1 #23 · Bad time to sell?

saaketham wrote:
If you elect me, I'll do the following in the first week of taking office

- Make Canon EF lenses compatible with Nikon bodies and vice versa
- Ban ERR-99 on all Canon bodies
- Make IS compulsory on all bodies
- Ban all P&S cameras with > 25 Megapixels/cm^2 pixel density
- Make sure every camera has built-in GPS whether you like it or not, and By God, I'll make sure every photo taken has embedded GPS info

Always has to be one policy that the majority doesn't want shove down their throats.

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:29 PM

adsmitha
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p.1 #24 · Bad time to sell?

mahoro wrote:
Philip Krol wrote:
What about Can to US and vice versa b & s? Living in Canada I've found that I have to think twice about purchasing US gear. At the same time there are a few items I'd like to sell that might look attractive for US buyers.
Any thoughts?
For Canada, I believe the cragslist have more stuff than here.
Especially the devalued CAD$, I really don't want to buy from US.

For example, I just got a Sigma 30mm 1.4 @ $370CAD w/ 10 years warranty @ Cragslist (Good copy, the seller turns out to be a professional photog ) , equiv that US was $300USD...
And I get the chance to check the item carefully before buying.

I recently saw quite a lot of stuff @ good price @ cragslist like (CDN)

Canon 5D, BG-E4 Grip, 3 batteries - $1300 -

Not sure that I agree. Craigslist Toronto and Kijiji are filled with rip-off artists. Inflated prices if you are lucky and flat-out crooks if you are not. And not just the obvious "ship to Nigeria" scams that we are all familiar with, and that makes Nigeria appear as though it's got more hustlers than Brooklyn, but the "give me your name, number" or "meet me in a dark alley" types who really have perfected crookedness. Although I do watch both of those lists, I do so carefully. At least here, there's a stronger sense of community tied to the feedback process, which, as far as I can tell, minimizes scamming. You could get "lucky" anywhere and find pros dumping gear -- that's not reserved to craigslist and Kijiji in my estimation.

I tend to use KEH as a pricing gauge. Their evaluation of equipment is conservative and consistent, there pricing, while to some extent slightly higher than this list, provides a good ballpark figure to work with to evaluate the pricing on FM and elsewhere. Just some thoughts.

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:38 PM

Scott T
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p.1 #25 · Bad time to sell?

There are a lot of things for sale that aren't moving...the prices seem a touch high, but not more than a few percent from what I've traditionally seen.

I think it's similar to the housing market - the buyers are on the sidelines, the sellers that cut the prices are moving things. Everything else is just sitting. I have a lot of odds and ends for sale that aren't moving. They would've gone quickly in the past.

I also think the recent trend of deleting prices once something has sold has made it harder to determine the going rate?

Nov 04, 2008 at 06:42 PM


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