Selling gear, need help with pricing.

[swoop]

I'm going to be selling some gear. After taking into consideration just how much it gets used and my need for liquid cash. I've decided it's probably a wise option in the long run.

My trouble is I don't know how to go about selling it. As in how much should I charge, and where I should post. I'd rather set fixed prices and sell them on a forum like FM or here, and as a last result go to ebay. Of course, I'm a bit biased and want as much as I can get for my gear. So I'm asking the forum to help decide just what is a fair price to pay. I should probably include pictures to give a better idea of the condition. But as a whole everything is in very good condition. The only wear is a bit of dust in the corners that can be blown out and some rubbing on the camera bodies. Everything has a box for it as well. I've also kept UV filters on all my glass since the day I've bought them. I've also included the prices of the items new. With the exception of the first 3 which are discontinued now.

Canon 20D $NA
Canon Elan 7n $NA
Canon 85mm 1.2 $NA
Canon 50mm 1.4 $300
Canon 20D grip $170
Canon Elan 7n grip $65

Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro $400
Sigma 24-70 2.8 $430
Sigma 15-30 3.5-4.5 $500
Sigma EF500DG Super $240

Tamron 24-135 3.5-5.6 $370

Bessa R3a $590
Bessa grip $50

ML-Grip $130

 

[f/stopblues]

CameraQuest sells new R3A's for $539, with the grey ones at $579 fwiw.

I don't move as much equipment as most, but to get an idea of prices I usually hit the forum classifieds and get an average (here, apug, photo.net, fm, etc), then get an average from used dealers in similar condition (b&h, adorama, keh, etc), then get an average from recent ebay sales. Of course, take the *current* new price into consideration as well.

Once you take a look at all that you'll have a very good idea of what the market price is going for. Decide where your equipment lands from there, considering condition.

That's my general formula! Good luck.

 

[Athena]

Just list the stuff on eBay ith an honest description as to functionality (i.e. DOES IT WORK LIKE IT SHOULD WORK?) and appearance and let the market determine the price.

That's how capitalism works!

 

[wlewisiii]

KEH is your best bet for fair pricing. But I know that Canon Elan 7n is utteryly without value so I'll be good and offer you $20 for it....

What? 😉

Seriously, KEH is your friend if you can be honest with yourself about the condition of your gear. Good luck!

William

 

[ChrisPlatt]

If selling privately you can often get an idea of what a fair asking price is
by checking eBay completed auctions. Expect less selling to a dealer.

I was very disappointed with KEH's phone/web offers on my used gear.
Perhaps they are more generous if you ship to them for evaluation.

Chris

 

[swoop]

I sold my gear to adorama. I was hoping to get at least $3k for it. But they offered $2,600. I took it. I figured it'd be easier than all the hassle of selling on ebay and through forums. And with all that equipment it would take a month or so to unload. They have the M8 in stock in their NJ warehouse and said it would be in the store tomorrow for me to pick up. So yay.

My cabinet looks so empty. But I feel since I just got this new job digital is pretty much necessary for me to have, and I hate using SLR's. Despite the M8's quirks, it seems the only solution for me.

 

[Avotius]

Wow they kind of took you a bit on it didnt they, but I guess thats to be expected when you go through a company. Oh well, enjoy your m8!

 

[swoop]

Yeah, I feel really... violated? I think if I went the private route I could have gotten at least another $1k. But I'm not in remorse over it. I knew what I was giving up when I did it.

Besides I'm very much enjoying my M8. The guy said they had 17 backorders for it but they grabbed one from the warehouse just for me considering I traded in a lot of stuff. Doesn't make up for the huge ripoff but it's not a bad thing.

 

[dll927]

This is probably similar to trading in a used car on a new one. Those dealers do such things all the time, and they know what the going price is. And there is always the little matter of PROFIT.

Last August I traded in my 2000 Camry for a new one. They gave me $5,500 for it. A couple of weeks later, there was my car on the used lot for $12, 500. And the price of the new one wasn't exactly pocket change. So they did right well off of me, and I'm sure photo dealers operate the same way.

Since I bought my first Minolta in 1970, I still have every one I've bought. They still work.