Second hand trade in prices

gadgeteer

gadgeteer

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Hi all

Does anyone have any experiences with the sort of prices which places like LCE will give you for second hand gear?

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth my while trading in my remaining Sony gear and completing my switch to Nikon.

But will they offer me a fair used price around what I'd expect on the forums here or eBay? Or will they offer me peanuts?
 
Trade in prices are generally lower than secondhand prices, the reason for this is that they have to buy the gear in at a price that:

A - Is lower than trade price for the new item

B - Still allows them to make a profit after factoring in a 3 or 6 month warranty being given along with the item


Best option is sell privately, then trade in what you cant sell.
 
Or look on their site for the same items, and factor in a 33% margin.
In other words, if they've one at £300, then the price you'd likely get offered would be £200 - which on the face of it seems high, but remember there's 20% VAT included.

If they have a number of the same item(s), then they may offer less, esp if it's not an item that's likely to get turned around quickly.

You may also want to consider SRS Microsystems and Mifsuds, and even Fforde.
Don't overlook Gumtree, and Dyxum or one of the other Sony Alpha forums.
You'd need to check their selling conditions/requirements, as if like here, you'll not want to sign up only to have to wait before you can actively start selling.
 
I did the same thing when moving from Sony to Canon.
If you email them your gear details some will send you a trade in quote back. Park Cameras is one that comes to mind.
Just dont expect it to be that high. As mentioned before trade in is lower than you could sell for.
Alternatively sell it all privately and make a little more for yourself :)
 
I've used Ffordes on a number of occasions. They'll sell your gear for 20% commission. They're selling it on your behalf (as opposed to buying it off you) so you won't see any money until it sells. This means you may have to be patient depending how popular your items are. I've always been very happy with the service they've given me.
 
If selling privately, don't forget to factor in things like your own time, postage etc. The time involved in the actual sale might be minimal but don't forget that people will want piuctures from every angle and at every focal length/aperture. Then there are the "tyre kickers" who have no real interest in the item but want to ask silly questions
 
I went with MPB, much better quotes than LCE, and a little better than two other places i found via google (one didn't ever reply, one took a few days).

That and the reports of exceptional customer service (which are true) - to me personally is more important than another few quid weighted up against the long process of trying to sell privately.
 
Your best price will be eBay. Just sell for a fixed price, buy it now with immediate payment required and any hassle goes away.
Look at eBay completed listings to aim your price right and take off 20% from your price to give you an idea of what you will actually get. You can then compare that to what a shop is offering.
And it is better to sell all the item separately rather than a bundle as bundles never get teh same prices. In fact I buy bundles and then sell the items separately at a profit when I spot a particularly good one...

However, that is for best price and does involve some of your time so if you don't want to spend the time then just sell for less direct to a shop.
 
Jackwow said:
Why don't you ask them what they will pay?
Click to expand...

Cos they weren't open at stupid o'clock when I had my brainwave. I'll give a few a call later and see what prices I get offered. I like the idea of the simplicity but I already suspected the best prices will be if I sell privately. I just think the prices charged now by eBay/Paypal are ridiculous.
 
Very good points above. If it is me, I will always try and sell on here first same as I would always come here first for second hand gear.
 
Something I recently priced for sale at MPB was a 45% margin on a camera body and a 37% margin on a lens.

I guess it depends on the item and the perceived value and factors like how many they already have in stock.
 
I've sold a few things to MPB and the price they offered wasn't that far off ebay prices, after you took off the fees.
 
I got a combined offer price of £2180 for a Canon 5D2, 7D and 100-400 L from a well known dealer on here (top right corner) but had offers from various people on the forum and actually sold it all for a combined £2775. I've never used a high street trader though so I don't know how they'd compare.

I certainly think you'd be better off selling on the forum if you could. At least no one has to make a profit on what you sell it for.
 
I asked what I'd get for a Canon 24-70L 2.8 (was considering getting a 70-200). It still had several months manufacturers warranty as it was under 1 year old. One offered £500 cash / £550 p/ex while the other offered £600 p/ex and would sell it on for £720 after they'd taken commission off the sale. Checking their used prices, the same lens in mint condition (like mine) sells for £1,099. That's a hefty markup of 100% of the 1st p/ex price and is frankly ridiculous IMO.
As I considered the offers to be pretty much derisory I kept it and am glad that I did as it's still my most used lens. I never did get a 70-200.

They're in business to make money so they offer the least possible amount for your kit and then sell it for as much as they can. You're far better off buying from someone with decent feedback on this (or some other) forum.
 
Yep. I rang up LCE today and they wouldn't give me any prices over the phone. Fair enough. Another dealer I found on the Internet did and they seemed to be offering me half of what I'd expect to sell it for. That was a couple of steps too far for me.
 
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