How do you decide if you're getting a "good deal" on used reef equipment?

[MnFish1]

1) Do you have a standard approach when buying used equipment? Let's say that you need a skimmer and you decide to buy one that is used. How do you decide how much to spend?

I usually do not buy used equipment - unless there is clear documentation of how old it is - and whether it is working. I have had bad luck before.

2) Please tell us in the comments what percentage you use to determine a good deal, how you decide that certain amount, how big is your couch, or what other things that you would consider.

Most LFS pay a very small amount (if anything) for used equipment. It also depends on what the equipment is the age and condition. But in general I would say about 30 percent of retail. When I have sold things on Ebay - that's about the percentage I would ask for. Higher end items (for example used Radions) - have sold for a much higher percentage

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Say a refractometer is $100 new, i would expect a used one in good condition to be no more than like $50-60, in poor condition $20. Unfortunately equipment, including the tanks, are like cars. As soon as you drive off the lot it looses value. Especially with things that can be finicky or need to be calibrated like a refractometer, human error can damage them easily so any amount of improper use could compromise it. For empty tanks, $1 per gallon is the most ill pay from bad experiences lol

 

[Reefing102]

I use a general percentage/used cost vs new cost savings.

If and when I buy used, I don’t anticipate to spend more than 50% new value including shipping. However, that’s not to say I’ve looked at something that’s just a few months old and consider $100-$200 off the original purchase price a good deal

 

[Jubei2006]

Guess Im going to find out. Just purchased a GHL profilux 4 ultimate set and KH director with the dosing pump for $1100 dollars (so about half price). Figure I'll be replacing the tubing and buying the calibration solutions, and see how the probes are working. Crossing fingers!

 

[shakacuz]

deals!

if i buy anything second hand price has to match the quality/condition. the more maintenance/upkeep/restoration, the less i expect to pay.

 

[sp1187]

never buy used.
just buying someone else's problem.

 

[mattdg]

I'll usually hop on Ebay to see what auctions are ending at. If the price still seems too high, then I know to only purchase new. If buying into good brands, "new" can come with some perks like quality customer service, warranties and good advice for problems solving. This is equipment that I will run, til the bitter end and have to rely on for life support, so I don't just want to get the best deal. I want to buy into reliability. For that reason, I don't even bother looking at anything but used gear with the longest proven track record, or stuff that just doesn't break. Good example, a Lifereef skimmer.

 

[radiata]

OTHER ~ You've gotten a bad deal when the seller vanishes, and you need to follow PayPal protocol to get your money back!

 

[Dodger]

Cost of new equipment - (used equipment, converted to CAD$, plus shipping to Canada, and expected cost of upgrades to deal with hidden equipment failures). Unless there's a good positive balance, forget it.

Buying used only ends up making good financial sense for tanks and lighting. Everything else -- and especially pumps and Vortech wetsides -- is at best a wash. I've bought four MP10s over the past year, and had to replace the wetsides for each of them after less than three months.

Shipping prices are another real (and definite) problem: I can get free shipping from a number of vendors, but have to ask private sellers, who can't get volume discounts, to ship smallish items to me at a cost of $50-75 CAD. That's a huge disadvantage when you're adding up the costs of buying used equipment.

Yeah. Another Canuck!!

 

[jabberwock]

In my opinion, buying used things is buying other people's problems. If it is new, you hopefully at least have some kind of warranty to pursue.

 

[Bfragale]

Most Everything I have was purchased used. Best deals have been buying someone’s entire set up- I also trade and barter on our local form.

I would prefer “used” corals and fish. I have gotten so so many great fish that were “used” some with issues- and had to go through treatment and qt- but I pay little and sometimes free to take on a sick fish.

Just Got this gem because he was being beaten up badly. I traded a 32 gal all in one for him. He’s currently on day 6 of a ten day MB treatment. I enjoy “saving” fish and corals, on on hand I feel prideful when I have treat and get a fish back to normal or save a dying coral- also feels good to get a deal- although the down side is sometimes you can’t save it and that sucks too. This guy seems healthy except for getting picked on badly. He was in a 240g FOWLR and had about 25 roommates that all seemed to hate him lol. But he should recover nicely.

 

[Greybeard]

1st, don't buy it if there isn't a need for it. Ok, yeah, I'm a bit of an equipment (or automation) junky... Can't tell you how many times I've broken this rule, but I strive not to. Tank is healthy, animals are happy, quit buying the latest greatest gizmo that you don't need.

That said, I rarely buy used. When I decide I want something, I generally want THIS specific model. Nearly impossible to find that sort of thing used. I do sell used (see above!). Sold a skimmer a week or so back. A year old, perfect condition, currently sells for $280. I sold mine for $100. 35% of new, sounds about right to me. After all, no box, no warranty, and if I'm selling something, I'd just as soon have it gone, quickly.

I see used gear priced at 70% or more of retail. Sorry, for that, I'll buy new, from a dealer where (A) I'm supporting a company I like, and (B) I've got the right to return it if it doesn't work out.

Used to just go to BRS and buy what I wanted. Still do, in many cases, but you gotta watch BRS on pricing. It's the little stuff that they'll stick you on. Couple of $30 PVC bits that can be purchased elsewhere for under ten bucks. Yeah, I like that BRS tries to help the hobby, I love their videos... I get that, but THREE TIMES RETAIL? As I said, watch 'em.

 

[Breadman03]

I used to search the R2R classifieds for comparables, but that became useless. Maybe it'll be helpful again now that the forum went back to the old system.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My decisions will be based on item. . condition. . . location and priced compared to both new and typical used pricing

 

[dadnjesse]

I watch a local Forum where I'm from which most times is pick up only. It's crazy what people want for used equipment. Unless it's really a good deal I would rather buy new.

 

[xtravism]

Pretty much try only to pay 50 percent of what new one costs and definitely not more then 60% off. Cause half the time you can also just wait around for a holiday to come around and get a good deal on something new.

 

[ScubaShane]

Other: I never buy used equipment. Can't trust its longevity and reliability or seller. Don't want to take the risk of losing equipment. Only new in sealed box with warranty for me.

 

[Rp8]

Only thing I’ll get used is coral and fish. At this point, I won’t chance a used piece of equipment.

 

[xtravism]

Other: I never buy used equipment. Can't trust its longevity and reliability. Don't want to take the risk of losing livestock. Only new in sealed box with warranty for me.

Not many things used will cause you to lose livestock. And even new stuff can break quickly if it’s made faulty.

 

[ScubaShane]

Not many things used will cause you to lose livestock. And even new stuff can break quickly if it’s made faulty.

What I was trying to say is you don't know what the used equipment went through and what the seller is keeping a secret. 50% of the time you're buying someone else's problem. If the new stuff breaks at least it has a warranty and can get it fixed at no extra cost but I never had to use a warranty so far. I'm speaking from experience. Ive baught used stuff in the past only to be disappointed. So I always say if you buy used your buying twice. If you buy new your buying once.