How do dealers decide "Used Prices"

FiestaRed

FiestaRed

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Does anyone know how a camera dealer works out what price to offer you for a body or a lens? I know from when I used to buy used cars there was the Glass's Guide, just wondered if camera shops had a similar guide to go to.
 
Not that I'm aware off, though no doubt they have pretty shrewd idea of what the market is I expect. I recall many years ago back in the sixties a secondhand shop told me they buy at 25% and sell at 50% but then inflation was more or less non existent and that was guitars. From your handle do I presume you are also a guitarist
 
artyman said:
From your handle do I presume you are also a guitarist
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Or a Ford owner! :D

Back to the OP's question, I think years ago there was a sort of camera version of Glass's Guide (possible called the 'blue book'?) but I have no idea what the trade uses these days.
 
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Orangecroc said:
They probably use ebay...
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This, I was told by my local camera shop that the highest price he would give is the average figure they would go for on ebay at that time, then he could at least unload the item on ebay if it didn't sell. His initial offer was usually around 33% less than ebay prices though, which didn't bother me as he had his overheads and VAT.
 
I don't think there's any official guide, otherwise I'd expect to see some kind of consistency across sites regarding used prices. Some are much more expensive than others. Irish used gear sellers in particular, their used prices can be barely below new often. Then they wonder why they still have that Nikon D90 gathering dust in a box in the storeroom.
 
Mr Badger said:
Or a Ford owner! :D
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It's Fiesta Red Badger, not a red Fiesta. It's as Artyman guessed Fiesta Red is a red colour used by Fender guitars in their early years. Nowadays, I'm sorry to say I'm a much better collector than I am a player.
 
I thought it most probably was, but couldn't resist the joke. You can't beat a nicely made USA Strat. :)
 
No guide. They roughly know buy / sell prices they need to make profit and draw a salary etc
 
I think they also set prices on what people are prepared to pay. I.e Harrods as opposed to Primark.
 
There used to be a dealers guide called "Monarch" that was published monthly, but it went defunct years ago.
Today most dealers work backward from what they can sell it for, and halve it, to give them a profit and to cover any servicing and their guarantee.
however his may alter with what you are buying in exchange. You will always get a better deal on Items that they can turn around quickly.
if it is going to sit on the shelf it is losing them money.
 
There is one particular London dealer who I would assume use the formula of 'new RRP+10%'

Otherwise, usual market forces, supply+demand and keeping an eye on ebay et al.

I'd imagine it's not an easy game to do well in. Having normal business overheads, high stock value, having to offer a guarantee and typical distance selling terms on fairly uncontrolled products.
 
Im not sure they want used kit , and hit you hard with a px price
 
I do wonder how mpb make any money. Fuji 27mm sell used on eBay for £170. They offered me £160 and they had to pay DPD to collect it.
 
rjbell said:
I do wonder how mpb make any money. Fuji 27mm sell used on eBay for £170. They offered me £160 and they had to pay DPD to collect it.
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I bet they wont sell it for £170
 
rjbell said:
I do wonder how mpb make any money. Fuji 27mm sell used on eBay for £170. They offered me £160 and they had to pay DPD to collect it.
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They go by grade also and how complete the package is. The closer it is to a new boxed example with mint box, manuals, hood etc, the more they will offer you.
 
rjbell said:
I do wonder how mpb make any money. Fuji 27mm sell used on eBay for £170. They offered me £160 and they had to pay DPD to collect it.
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I assume MPB will sell for a fair bit more than Ebay though because they offer added value in terms of being a 'bricks and mortar' UK business with established reputation and good warranty in place. So people are prepared to pay more.

It is strange though that every now and then, you notice that you can buy the odd item from used dealers for less than the going rate on here or ebay. I bought some Lee filters from Ffordes last week in great condition for far less than I'd be able to get them typically on ebay. Odd but I'm not complaining.
 
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