I hear this all day in one form or another. Let’s dissect what is going on….
Ok, you buy a receiver at a yardsale or estate function for lets say $10.00. Sells on ebay for $100.00 +/-. A real bargin no less. Yes it is, if your going to keep it, enjoy it, or give it away as a gift. No your gonna sell it on the “Bay” and make a killing, right? Check it out, you drove to the sale, spent some time and 10 bucks to buy the equipment. The treasure hunt syndrome which is exciting and fun. I’m not being sarcastic here, I love the treasure hunt scene myself. But I am going to bust your bubble about the selling part. Ok, you spent some time, energy and 10 bucks for this nice mid-century Realistic receiver that sells for $100.00 bucks on ebay. We’ve got that so far, but that’s the fun part, the rewarding feeling part. What next? Ok, you get it home and find all you have to do is give all the potentiometers a few spritzes of De-Oxit and a little house cleaning inside to get it rocking and rolling. So cool I just made 90 smackeroo’s plus shipping. Not so fast…you have to clean this thing, remember it’s been in grandma’s attic for years. Not such an easy task considering the silk screen writing comes off just looking at the face plate. Ok, you successfully clean the receiver. Looks near new, you say…Now you go to Ebay and and insert the half dozen pics you have taken, you write a paragraph or two for the description and fill in the necessary parameters on the selling form. Add prices, return policy, shipping, etc. etc. You list your 10 buck receiver in auction starting at say $40.00 hoping there will be a bidding war that brings it up to over the average selling price of $100.00. Figure a five day auction with a $30.00 shipping cost attached. The price is still a red color which means no bids as of yet. In the mean time your getting all kinds of questions from half brains, nitwits, and other assorted vermin who probably will never place a bid on your receiver. I’m talking totally moronic questions/statements to insure your accountability in hypothetical situations. Finally a bid, then another, then another, the last minute your receiver is going off the auction block another bid or two come in bringing the price up to $105.00 plus shipping. How cool is that you say? $10.00 to $100.00. Your so happy, you just scored. Did you really now? You sure? Remember it cost money to buy this thing, 10 bucks, plus the traveling and the time spent getting it from the seller for $10.00. The gas money for traveling and of course your time spent is worth something. Also, the cleaning and getting the controls to work in a linear fashion without scratch, or static. Now the fun part, you have to pack this 38 lb receiver. Double box at least to insure safe arrival. That’s an easy 30-40 minutes plus packing materials and box. You have to print out a label and fix it to the box. Then you have to bring it to the FedEx desk, UPS depot, or Post office for shipping. Don’t forget insurance since it won’t be covered over $50.00 – $100.00 depending on which shipping company you choose. In the mean time ebay is taking a listing, selling, and even believe it or not shipping fee from your earnings. And paypal takes a few bucks also. And many times the shipping fee is shy and you have to add a few bucks to that out of your own pocket. Plus the risk of a dishonest buyer raping your equipment for the parts he needs and sending it back. Very common. Even more common is the 180 day money back guarantee policy in place now. They can rent your stuff and send it back at will for a full refund within 6 months and you can’t do squat about it. I don’t know about you, but all this work, stress, headache is not worth the measly profit your going to make. If you add up all the variables such as ebay/paypal fee’s, time, work, stress, traveling, caring, etc. you made borscht, or next to nothing for your efforts. Am I exaggerating? Yes maybe slightly, but you get the picture…Basically you lost money on your $10.00 bargain if you consider all of the variables and that is not an exaggeration. Your take home is no where near $100.00 and as previously stated you probably lost money when you add it all up and factor everything in. If I pay you $20.00 – $30.00 cash for that same unit your making the same amount give or take a few bucks without doing a stitch of work. Think about it…
To sell your old stereo equipment, please contact us at cashforstereos.com, or call 718 698-2428.
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