That’s really a very hard question to answer. Diamonds, Gold are forever. They don’t change in consistency over time and some countries even use it for legal tender. Stereo equipment on the other hand disintegrates over time, needs repair, only appeals to a group of niche individuals. It does have collectability status in other countries. Much of Asia buys our old “Fishers” etc. Most people know by now having this stuff repaired is a major headache for numerous reasons. Driving around you don’t see many old cars on the road for the same reason. Modern people don’t revel in the fact they have 200,000 miles on their car. Same with stereo equipment, most people young and old are interested in personal electronics. Like everything else…throw away when it stops working or just for the sake of buying the newest, latest and greatest. I kinda sorta agree with their philosophy, it’s fun to lease a car every two or three years and get a new toy. The New do everything telephones are exciting when new models come out, (not for me but for most.) Same thing with all personal electronics, smaller and smaller they go. All you need is money, whether you want to buy old, new, or in between, green stamps are the key. It gives you a choice and options. Most people in modern day society choose new, for better or worse. So how much is your stereo worth. Selling it locally at a flea market, Craigslist, or a garage/yard sale isn’t going to bring you much cash. For the most part people are looking for bargains whether they want it for themselves or for resale. The only place your stereo is possibly worth some doe is if you want to do the work to list it on line. That means ebay, or some of the other audio seller sites. Online selling is NO picnic, there are many pitfalls and it’s hard work. So to answer my title, your stereo is worth how much work you want to put into it(if it’s desirable.) Writing an accurate description on ebay is no joke. You have to state the condition, no one wants to know what’s “right” with it. What matters is what is wrong with it, and virtually all vintage things have some sort of wear or problem with functionality. You have to describe that specifically or it’s coming back to your doorstep. You have to take pictures, answer questions from less then nice individuals, you have to offer a ridiculous 6 month money back guarantee on Paypal and a 30 day ebay guarantee. Even if they pay with credit cards you will get charge backs and all sorts of stress.
Then you have pack with double and triple boxes with plenty of packing to insure safe arrival. Bring the boxes down to the shipping depot or have them picked up. Now you wait to sell your unit and hope it sells for a good amount on auction. Ok, waiting for payment it might get there a week late. Don’t forget you have to pay taxes for what you sell. Think not? Think again, there is a written schedule of all of the money you have made online. Once or twice here and there is probably safe, but if your an online seller and you don’t pay some sort of tax or don’t have a legit business tax ID it’s going to catch up with you. All the info is there in black and white there really is no escape. I talk to people all the time who think they are getting away with it. I hope they do, but common sense tells us they are like fish in a barrel. Is your stereo worth decent money, yes many times it is. But the work you have to do to cash that amplifier into money in your pocket cost more then the actual profit in time, energy, fee’s, risks, and aggravation. Selling a stereo is not like selling a tchotchke. It has to work with all features and functions operational. Stating “as is” holds no water with the powers that be. Checking off for parts/repair is ok but will diminish your selling price to next to nothing. But…if you check “used” that means it works like new. That means you have a good chance it will be returned to you which is a subject for another discussion. Is your stereo worth good money, sometimes but as previously stated your time, work, fee’s, and aggravation are worth money also. Bottom line…It’s very hard to make money selling used stereo and electronics in general. That’s why you have me. If you sell your equipment to me there is NO risk. Immediate cash in your pocket whether your equipment works or not. Sure, your not going to get near online prices but no one else is going to pay you that kind of money either. Regardless of what you see it sell for, your not getting it unless it is something so special like a Stratocaster with a Jemi Hendrix verified signature on it. Someone called me with a Sansui 9090db receiver today. Quite desirable, but the unit doesn’t work. The red protection lamp is flashing on and off and no functions work other then lamps. This guy is quoting me online ebay asking prices for restored units. I no longer try to educate people and just tell them to sell it on the “bay.” Many are quite taken back…you mean you don’t want it??? NO, I don’t want it for the price you want to sell it for. If it doesn’t work out or you change your mind give me a call back. Does he really think I don’t know he called or will call other buyers who tell him to go take a hike? 70 lb receiver that doesn’t work is just another boat anchor that no one wants to deal with. Sure it might be an easy fix, but can the seller repair it? I don’t think so. Yes, his Sansuzzi as he calls it is worth money if it works and he wants to do the job of selling it on the interweb. If not, it’s worth BORSCHT locally. Both collectors and resellers don’t even want it more times then not. Again, in summary your stereo might be worth decent money if you put the time, energy, stress, pay fees, forced to offer a ridiculous money back guarantee, deal with difficult buyers, market it, deal with anti-seller rules and dishonest people. Then you have a slight chance of making some change…If you decide all that tension and stress is not for you. Give me a call at 718 698-2428 to sell your equipment. I come to you with cash in hand for a pleasant, prompt, courteous transaction. I deal with all the misery and stress of fixing, marketing, dealing with difficult people, forced fees, unreasonable money back guarantees, plus many other negatives you will avoid.
Recent Comments