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Thoughts on profit margin regarding pre-owned camera gear?


9 years 3 months ago #416774 by Garbo
2015 I have some new goals.  One includes getting some new gear.  So I've been getting some quotes from some used camera dealers and pretty shocked with just how low their bids are.  This has me wondering just how high their profit margins must be.   Who have you been selling your gear too?  

I'm not going to mention who my quotes came from as I want to see what most of you have to say about this.  

 
Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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9 years 3 months ago - 9 years 3 months ago #416779 by Screamin Scott
The better prices are going to come from the more in demand gear, be it camera bodies or lenses...Price depends on the gear condition & the demand for it in the marketplace.... I have sold some gear & didn't get much for it as the demand for it wasn't there...Plus the resellers have to make a profit ...
Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/
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9 years 3 months ago #416792 by Garbo
We are talking my D300 and a few lenses.  Last I checked, their prices of what they are selling the same gear was nearly 75% higher than what they offered for my gear.  
Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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9 years 3 months ago #416793 by JeremyS
Garbo, if you live on the east coast of Canada, there is a facebook group which includes the majority of all professional photogs in the atlantic region. If this is where you are located and you are interested, shoot me a message and I can hook you up. The best place for prices is going to likely come from other photographers and not companies looking to make some cash off of you. 
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9 years 3 months ago #416890 by effron
There is a little used marketplace at this site, where you would (might) get your best value, but even then don't expect too much. I would advise KEEP IT, and have life pixel convert for IR......;)
Why so serious?
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9 years 3 months ago #416912 by garyrhook

Garbo wrote: 2015 I have some new goals.  One includes getting some new gear.  So I've been getting some quotes from some used camera dealers and pretty shocked with just how low their bids are.  This has me wondering just how high their profit margins must be.   Who have you been selling your gear too? 


Speaking in general terms...

Camera gear is an expense, not an investment. By selling used gear you can recover some of the cost, but there really is no profit to be had.

Additionally, the sale of gear falls into two categories: a private sale, and a sale to a reseller. Like an automobile, you will garner the most from a private sale should you find a willing buyer.

I think that your best bet is to research current sale prices for used equipment (eBay is helpful here) and set your price accordingly. Do you want every penny you can squeeze out of it, or do you want a quick sale? You can try selling on eBay (despite opinions frequently shared about eBay, it can be an effective marketplace for a wise seller and buyer), list on CL (again, be wise here), or advertise on forums such as PT.

If you want to sell to a reseller, it seems perfectly reasonable to assume that they will be making profit off of the equipment, and the amount you will see will be appropriately lower.

So much for "how"; everything above regarding prices is spot on. And if you have a D300, since they have been discontinued, you may have some luck getting a good resale price on that.
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9 years 3 months ago #417038 by Kenya See
Just sell your gear on your own, you get more. 
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9 years 3 months ago #417179 by Rudy Sosa
The only problem with selling on your own is all the con artist out there.  I sold a lens on Craigslist last month and had more fake inquires than legit.  
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