Price Gauging in the Classifieds

[markjazzbassist]

I've been surfing and buying stuff off here for a little while and I've noticed one thing - PRICES IN THESE CLASSIFIEDS ARE INFLATED.

Does anyone else agree or disagree?

On most other websites people give fair market value or slight markup to make a little profit. On here it seems as if everyone's jacking up their prices on their (insert piece of gear here) in hopes that someone will buy it and they'll get a windfall. I don't know if that's how this community is as a whole or if people really think their gear is worth double actual value.

Thoughts?

I'm not bashing this forum in any way shape or form. This is a great place. It's just an observation I have.

I also frequent many other message boards, so I'm not just privy to one or the other. And YES, I do enjoy this message board.

[Ransome]

Buy it or don't. People will price things however they want, if they want to sell it... it's priced reasonably. If not then it sits until they wise up.

Honestly if someone is willing to pay double what the going rate for a hard to find pedal is, then that's fair market value...

[jpfeiff]

It's not gouging if no-one buys it. Price-gouging is generally a term applied to necessities like gasoline or food that people kind of have to buy regardless of price. Discussion of posted prices is not allowed in the classified threads themselves... Basic rule is, if you don't like the price, don't buy. What is "actual value?" It's the price somone is willing to pay...

[Jahn]

I saw an Electro Harmonix Poly Flange from the 70's for $110 yesterday, it got snapped up before I could blink. There are deals to be had if you're vigilant.

[Thwap]

Easy...don't buy it.

Or negotiate a price you can live with.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by Jahn

I saw an Electro Harmonix Poly Flange from the 70's for $110 yesterday, it got snapped up before I could blink. There are deals to be had if you're vigilant.

haha, i was the seller



Anyway, it seems Y'all are okay with the high prices, which is fine. I was just wondering if I am the only one who thinks that prices are skewed, which it seems I am.

[BMF Effects]

While we may not agree with them, prices reflect what people are willing to pay.

[ezyrydr]

I think there are some killer deals as well as some stuff you'd have to be crazy to buy..


I actually think it'd be harder to overprice the people on this board than it would be in other places like craigslist, ebay or whatever.
perhaps folks may not really want to part with a piece of gear but if they get a really good offer they would go for it, which is why it's priced high?

[KazJY]

I think everyone is starting high, but willing to come down.

I think that buyers like to think they got a deal on it when haggling too - it's a shame, but that's what I think is happening. I don't sell much here, but on CL, I always price a bit high, cause I know someone is going to lowball me there.

[jiml]

I see it as a reflection of the housing market. People were used to getting top dollar for houses and then the market receded, but people are still listing their houses for way too much, and nothing is moving.

Look at the number of higher end amps up now, nobody is budging, even on shipping and PayPal fees.

Keep "bumping" at your pre-recession pricing, stuff is NOT moving....

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by KazJY

I don't sell much here, but on CL, I always price a bit high, cause I know someone is going to lowball me there.

Right, I COMPLETELY understand that premise. Everyone starts high. I'm not talking about starting high though, I'm talking about starting UNREASONABLY high.

For instance, someone buys a new boutique pedal, has it for a month or two and then trys to sell it for the retail price with shipping included. So 2 months of use only depreciates the pedal $5???? Come on.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by jiml

I see it as a reflection of the housing market. People were used to getting top dollar for houses and then the market receded, but people are still listing their houses for way too much, and nothing is moving.

Look at the number of higher end amps up now, nobody is budging, even on shipping and PayPal fees.

Keep "bumping" at your pre-recession pricing, stuff is NOT moving....

Amen. Thanks

[loudboy]

I've found that I get consistently higher prices for things on E-Bay, that just sat here unsold, at lower prices.

[Jahn]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

haha, i was the seller



Anyway, it seems Y'all are okay with the high prices, which is fine. I was just wondering if I am the only one who thinks that prices are skewed, which it seems I am.

Ah! You may be the last reasonable seller on the internet

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by loudboy

I've found that I get consistently higher prices for things on E-Bay, that just sat here unsold, at lower prices.

i've found it to be the same. i do like to sell on message boards more because of the sense of camaraderie, but most times i do have to default to eBay.

Originally Posted by Jahn

Ah! You may be the last reasonable seller on the internet

thanks:AOK