why do people sell this cheap?

Alexajlex wrote in post #5032572
As you mentioned in your previous post the 70-200 2.8IS went for $1575.
I also saw one go for $1400.
That is $175 of fluctuation for the same quality lens.
Some people say that people won't budge in the price.
I think $175 price difference is definitely more than a budge.

As I mentioned in my post I know I won't be able to come to the levels of the prices on that FM thread but as I buyer I'd have to be stupid not to try
something that can potentially get me a slightly better deal.

We should all be about negotiating.
You have to remember that it is all about supply and demand.

I'm within 30 minutes of www.cameralensrentals.​com
and they do local pickup (order online, local pickup)
Barry is a great guy and even offered to drive the lenses to me

If I'm going lens shopping for a 70-200 2.8IS and can't get a nice price (read not as low as the FM thread but still a nice price) I just ring up Barry and rent one for that paying gig.

The higher end prices is one with warranty, the lower ones are out of warranty, and the owner probably got them for a lower price to begin with (rebates, used...), and hasn't seen that you can't get a new one for less than $1700 right now.

DDCSD wrote in post #5032639
The higher end prices is one with warranty, the lower ones are out of warranty, and the owner probably got them for a lower price to begin with (rebates, used...), and hasn't seen that you can't get a new one for less than $1700 right now.

The lower priced ones usually have older date code and the seller may be the 3rd or 4th owner.

Business. Equipment was not only already written off at tax time, the resale of it is counted as taxable income, and when switching systems as a business you want to do it as quickly as possible.

kenwood33 wrote in post #5033328
The lower priced ones usually have older date code and the seller may be the 3rd or 4th owner.

That's pretty much what I said using different words.

cdifoto wrote in post #5033348
Business. Equipment was not only already written off at tax time, the resale of it is counted as taxable income, and when switching systems as a business you want to do it as quickly as possible.

Must not be a successful business. Even if you have to pay 50% taxes on the $5000 "profit", you still would net $2500. And that is at the highest tax bracket. Terrible business decision. They could have had all of this sold In 24 hours at near-market prices, why do you need a quick sale on a Saturday?

DDCSD wrote in post #5033392
Must not be a successful business. Even if you have to pay 50% taxes on the $5000 "profit", you still would net $2500. And that is at the highest tax bracket. Terrible business decision. They could have had all of this sold In 24 hours at near-market prices, why do you need a quick sale on a Saturday?

I'd say quite the opposite. If you've made 100,000 a year from equipment over several years, you can afford to let it go dirt cheap to minimize tax liability AND unload it ultra-fast. And, if it's been used to that extent, it's not likely to be as pristine as a hobbyist's copy would be.

As a business, offloading old equipment isn't always about getting top dollar. It's already made its money.

Of course, it could be a scam. Any potential deal could be a scam. I doubt this one is.

cdifoto wrote in post #5033455
I'd say quite the opposite. If you've made 100,000 a year from equipment over several years, you can afford to let it go dirt cheap to minimize tax liability AND unload it ultra-fast. And, if it's been used to that extent, it's not likely to be as pristine as a hobbyist's copy would be.

As a business, offloading old equipment isn't always about getting top dollar. It's already made its money.

Of course, it could be a scam. Any potential deal could be a scam. I doubt this one is.

I'm not saying its a scam. I'm leaning towards it not being.

A smart business owner does not "unload" their used stuff. We don't sell off our old vehicles and equipment for 60% of its value just because we got our use out of it and already depreciated it. A casino owner wouldn't sell off a $100 million dollar casino for $60 million just because they already "made their money" off of it. It's really the same thing. You are in business to make money, why would you take less for the equipment than what it is worth to avoid paying a little tax on it? You only pay taxes on profits. You are in business to make a profit.

DDCSD wrote in post #5033634
A smart business owner does not "unload" their used stuff. We don't sell off our old vehicles and equipment for 60% of its value just because we got our use out of it and already depreciated it. A casino owner wouldn't sell off a $100 million dollar casino for $60 million just because they already "made their money" off of it. It's really the same thing. You are in business to make money, why would you take less for the equipment than what it is worth to avoid paying a little tax on it? You only pay taxes on profits. You are in business to make a profit.

They do it all the time. Hell, some casino owners will implode the old one to make room for something new & fresh.

cdifoto wrote in post #5033680
They do it all the time. Hell, some casino owners will implode the old one to make new for something fresh.

Yeah, because the location is worth a premium and they can make more money with a new building with more amenities. They aren't selling it at a heavy discount just to go down the road and buy a new one that they like better.

Well geez...according to the way some of these folks posted in this thread, I guess I'm an idiot for giving away both my Sigma 10-20 and my Canon 24-105L to my bud for free instead of selling them. Its already money spent to me and since I just got the Canon 10-22 and 24-70L the past month those lenses are no more use to me. I'd rather see the lenses go to good use rather than go through the trouble of selling them for what theyre valued at.

DDCSD wrote in post #5033704
Yeah, because the location is worth a premium and they can make more money with a new building with more amenities. They aren't selling it at a heavy discount just to go down the road and buy a new one that they like better.

Worse than selling at a heavy discount, they're blowing it to smithereens!

If I had already made plenty of money off my gear and was looking to switch to Nikon or even retire, I'd donate my Canon kit to a school or give it to a relative or some such thing. Does that make me stupid...because I didn't sell it for top dollar? No it means the kit already paid for itself many fold. If I sold it for cash, good on me but the money re-earned wouldn't mean much in the whole scheme of things, and if I did sell it, I wouldn't care if I got top dollar for it. If I gave it away, no loss in it. It made money for me.

If you still can't comprehend that, I'm sorry. I tried.

cdifoto wrote in post #5034834
Worse than selling at a heavy discount, they're blowing it to smithereens!

If I had already made plenty of money off my gear and was looking to switch to Nikon or even retire, I'd donate my Canon kit to a school or give it to a relative or some such thing. Does that make me stupid...because I didn't sell it for top dollar? No it means the kit already paid for itself many fold. If I sold it for cash, good on me but the money re-earned wouldn't mean much in the whole scheme of things, and if I did sell it, I wouldn't care if I got top dollar for it. If I gave it away, no loss in it. It made money for me.

If you still can't comprehend that, I'm sorry. I tried.

Exactly the point I was trying to make .

umbra wrote in post #5034776
Well geez...according to the way some of these folks posted in this thread, I guess I'm an idiot for giving away both my Sigma 10-20 and my Canon 24-105L to my bud for free instead of selling them. Its already money spent to me and since I just got the Canon 10-22 and 24-70L the past month those lenses are no more use to me. I'd rather see the lenses go to good use rather than go through the trouble of selling them for what theyre valued at.

They aren't giving the gear away. Giving a friend a gift or someone that could use it is a kind gesture, not stupidity. Selling gear to random people on a photography board is a completely different thing altogether and in no way comparable.

cdifoto wrote in post #5034834
Worse than selling at a heavy discount, they're blowing it to smithereens!

If I had already made plenty of money off my gear and was looking to switch to Nikon or even retire, I'd donate my Canon kit to a school or give it to a relative or some such thing. Does that make me stupid...because I didn't sell it for top dollar? No it means the kit already paid for itself many fold. If I sold it for cash, good on me but the money re-earned wouldn't mean much in the whole scheme of things, and if I did sell it, I wouldn't care if I got top dollar for it. If I gave it away, no loss in it. It made money for me.

If you still can't comprehend that, I'm sorry. I tried.

They didn't donate the stuff, they sold it. If you are going to give stuff away, thats great. but why actually sell the stuff and not sell it anywhere near market value? Its not like the people that bought the stuff are good friends or charity cases. I completely agree with giving it to a school. but if I were going to give someone a that good of deal on something I would make sure they 1-need a good deal 2-would appreciate the gift/deal and use it, not turn around and sell it right away.

The point is, top dollar isn't always a priority to all sellers. Now let it go.

How about she sold it at such a good price because she can, Why cant a person give somebody a great deal with out being called a theft.
Some have more money than others period.

stolen gear with receipts? riiiiiiight. I'm sure when they stole it, they looked for the receipt.

I sold one of my xt's with grip + 3 batteries for 250 local. I'm sure I could have gotten more but it was just a matter of getting sold.