Where can we talk about resale (used) pricing?

I have some serious questions as I have watched the Classifieds here over the years. Sure, I've bought a few things here and even sold a couple, but where can I go to ask some questions about pricing without offending someone? Obviously, the threads aren't the place. Is it forbidden? Can it even be talked about? If not here, I'm not sure where to go.

Some of the used pricing just blows my mind. I want to ask some questions. Can I?

I think you have a valid concern...I for one don't know the "right" answer. I have just lived with what I have seen on the forums, CPW and word of mouth.

Hope this ends up somewhere, I know a lot of more people would be interested also.

It's OK to ask random questions here. What's not allowed is policing the posted price in someone's thread. Up until recently I just laugh at what people ask for used equipment. Lately though, items that seem to be a really good price just sit with no offers. I guess everyone's out of money.

OK. If I get kicked, so be it, but here goes.

I've been in the "Ready? Aim, aim, aim, aim..." mode for a MkIII for 6 months now. Things are getting "right" price-wise in that even if I decide to suck it up at a later date and buy a MkIV, which I probably will want but never really "need," I should be able to recover a good portion of my MkIII investment in a sale. That's why I'm about ready to pull the trigger, which has really brought me where I am now, and have been for a few months.

Typically, people want about $2k (we can argue about this but work with me here) for a MkIII used body-only in the classifieds here.

Here's some of the problems with that.

Typically, most have > 25k shutter actuations on them. They may be "immaculate," but that doesn't change the wear and tear on them. "But 25k (insert your "k" number here) is nothing on that camera." Yea. So says the guy selling it.

Canon refurbished (as good as new or better as far as I'm concerned) for the MkIII is currently $2239. Usually <10 actuations and a 90 day warranty and it looks and feels like new basically because it IS new. Leave on table: -$239

Let's talk PriceWatch.

Typically, $2199. No deal out there right now that I know of but wait 3 days, there'll be another. Full US warranty. Authorized dealer. Brand new. Leave on table: -$200

Grey market:

Typically $1999. Brand new. US model not guaranteed but usually (always, as far as I know) serviced by Canon USA as if bought here. Enough about that part of the argument. Leave on table: +$1 to the good (I like this. LOL)

And here's a REAL kicker. Canon Refurbished with Canon Loyalty.

Same as refurbished above, except $1791 plus some broken camera off eBay for $10 (bought one today). Leave on table: +$261 (I like this a LOT. LOL)

So tell me, why is it that if I submit an offer to a seller for $1500-1600 (which I STILL think is too much to be honest with you given what I'm outlining here) they send me back a nasty like I've insulted their first-born child? Do they not do math and research or are there just so many suckers out there that eventually someone always comes along and gives them $1950?

I see it on lenses too. All bodies and combos.

I've tried to play the game, and I've been nice, but I don't get it. I could write a book. Would somebody please explain to me what I'm missing here because I'm obviously missing something major?

Why is this NEVER talked about on here? Is it that taboo???

Thanks!

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17464622

According to this, the 20% off the refurb is not offered by Canon anymore. If this is correct, maybe $1700-1800 could get you into discussions (not with me though...).

WilsonFlyer wrote in post #17638212
Canon refurbished (as good as new or better as far as I'm concerned) for the MkIII is currently $2239. Usually <10 actuations and a 90 day warranty and it looks and feels like new basically because it IS new. Leave on table: -$239

Value added http://shop.usa.canon.​com …shed-products-information say the warranty on refurbs is

If it says OBO i generally make an offer, I still get offers when I dont put obo on my stuff and I dont mind.


You also have to remember the market is different in every area. A rebel that will only fetch $200 in the Midwest might bring up to a grand in other areas, I know because the CL in my area has people selling their T2i(s) for that much and they do sell.

I agree with everything that you said. My favorite is when a lens or camera has a dent, ding, fungus, dust etc. but according to the seller, It doesn't affect image quality... my ass it doesn't affect image quality.

On the flip side of that I tried to sell a discontinued lens for 60% of current new price (there are still some new ones left) and received no responses at all - not even and insulting offer. I'll keep it rather than go lower.

maverick75 wrote in post #17638256
A rebel that will only fetch $200 in the Midwest might bring up to a grand in other areas, I know because the CL in my area has people selling their T2i(s) for that much and they do sell.

I'll be in California in a few months...at those prices, can you line up a buyer for my pristine 60D? Save me the trouble of carrying it back home.

John from PA wrote in post #17638261
I'll be in California in a few months...at those prices, can you line up a buyer for my pristine 60D? Save me the trouble of carrying it back home.

must be a so-cal thing...because nobody is paying that for a t2i in the bay area...they may be asking it, and you see them all the time because they never sell...so it looks like a lot of people are selling them for that, but they're just the delusional ones that think they have a lot of value still


i'd say the place to discuss this is the market watch section...it's not the first time anyone is discussing it...it's wrong to call people out on their threads about bad pricing, but usually it all gets sorted out in the end, when they don't sell...the buyers decide the going prices of used items, and with more and more buyers becoming more and more informed on deals/refurbs and everything, the value of used gear is going to drop...hell i don't know why anyone would buy a new canon anything over refurbished, they both have a 1 year warranty...only thing i think you get with new is the actual box for the item...

with canonpricewatch.com, and the other deals that are readily found within a few weeks people selling for anything close to those prices are just trying to get those few people that aren't informed...which around here is few and far between...ebay is the better spot for that...

MakisM1 wrote in post #17638246
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17464622

According to this, the 20% off the refurb is not offered by Canon anymore. If this is correct, maybe $1700-1800 could get you into discussions (not with me though...).

OK. Hypothetically... You say that "...maybe $1700-1800 could get you into discussions (not with me though...)".

I'm not picking on you and I have had no conversations with you in the Classifieds that I remember, but you brought it up.

Forget the Loyalty Program. I'll take it at face value that it isn't what it once was.

Let's say I offered you $1800 for your MkIII with 50k actuations (which, like you said, I would never do). You already said you wouldn't take it in so many words. I'm $200 removed from a new camera (grey market) and only about $300 with the current Loyalty Program as I understand it. Heck, I'm only leaving $400 on the table for brand new with a full US factory warranty.

Forget the fact that I can't even get my arms around the fact that I wouldn't even consider offering you that, but you wouldn't take $1800 (hypothetically, of course) anyway. Why in the WORLD would ANYONE offer a dime more (or even close to that for that matter)?

I get trying to get back as much as you can in your resale. I Get that "in the day" some of you guys gave $3k+ for these cameras. I get what the market will bear, but are people REALLY leaving $300 on the table for cameras that have had the life worked out of them over new?? Really?

If that's the case, I just upped my value because I am WAY smarter than that. Will you please tell my clients so I can up my rates?

Sorry. The truth is the truth.

But that's the point. You have to decide for yourself what amount of money that you need to save over new in order for you to buy a used (refirbed) camera or lens. For the most part I would rather buy new. Of all of the equipment that I own, the only thing I bought used was a 1.4 teleconverter. Just not worth the risk to me.

FYI refurbs come with a full one (1) year warranty not 90 days!

Truth is;

1- The place to discuss pricing is here in the Market watch forum, ...no sweat I'll move it for you

2 - If someone will buy my used camera for $1,800, why should I not take that rather than your offer for $1,600.00?

3 - Yes, I agree with you 100% that often People do ask to much,.. I see it as often as you do.

4 - But why belly ache about it?
They either won't sell it, or they will, (in which case you and I were wrong anyway.)
The sale item was never rightfully mine, so why let it work me up?

When they don't sell, often they reduce the price, so.. ?

And again, i just don't see the point in worrying about the ones that refuse to ask a reasonable price and thus DON'T sell anything.

Personally, frankly I always feel I ask a pretty reasonable below average price when i sell, and include all shipping and extra accessories of they are appropriate to the gear I'm selling. When I decide to sell I tend to want to move it!
And yet, there are times when i get the lowball PM. Sometimes I except. Sometimes they are insulting.

I've even had buyers ask me, ME to break the forum rules for them. rofl!!!

Needless to day they are on my "never do a deal with" list.


My tip, (and hate to give away secrets) is to set a price you will pay in your head, and then wait. If you see one that comes close, make the offer via PM.
Be polite, if you insinuate that they are gouging, you will not get a deal. ( I made an offer on something today,. and it was accepted. And no, I did not think the seller was gouging actually the asking price was really close to what I would pay, so i asked)

Anyway, it's totally valid to PM an offer.

The reason Price Policing is not allowed is that often right after some pushy marketplace troll does so, the guy will sell it anyway as it is the BUYER with the ludicrous expectations.
There is no reason to allow a curmudgeon like that to ruin someones thread.

The road is two way for sure.

Rule Number One for the Bargain hunter?

Shop the bargains! Ignore the rest.

if you're going to bargain, dont be so thin skinned, take your lickings and move on, not that big of a deal.