BJW

I've never sold any of my gear, but am getting ready for a spring clean up. Can any of our more experienced UHH brothers and sisters advise where, in their experience, good prices could be gotten? I understand condition and age of the gear are key factors. I'm in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. Places such as B&H, Adorama and local camera store are easily accessible. But generally, can one expect better deals at the local shop or the big boys?

Thanks

Haydon

Why not right here?

Members Buy/Sell/Trade -- Classifieds

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-6-1.html

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Selling to a business would be my last resort. They have to pay you a price that is significantly less than they can sell it for in their shop/store.
I'd try local camera groups, Craigslist and even eBay before I'd donate items.
Perhaps newer gear would draw better prices than the old film and early digital camera I priced at Adorama???

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You will get more for your equipment if you list it on Craigslist and sell it yourself. The second best option is to sell on eBay. But they will rob you of 12% of the sale. The easiest is to take it to the closest camera store or pawn shop. Expect to bend over and don't expect a kiss after they give it to you. But, if you're looking for a quick sale, no boxing it up or worrying about insurance or meeting a possible crook then selling to a store is best.

Kuzano

I run my used camera buy and sells pretty much exclusively on eBay close to 20 years now. Only place to get real world values is in their "sold listings" section which lists closed selling prices for 60 days. Buyer/Seller feedback is helpful.

I am not high volume. I pretty much buy on E-bay, Etsy, and the open market. Evaluate, test and resell. Often, what I buy or sell is personal interest and/or personal use for some time. I don't just churn camera's. I am a gear head and use buy/sell as a way to test camera's I was not able to afford when they cost more. Pretty much deal in film. Digital acquisition and reselling is a good way to lose your ass financially.

I'm not looking for your business, but I am telling you that the venue is the best for getting best prices for your goods and good buys if looking.

All the other places must make money on your gear. You can figure that even good, clean gear buy prices at resellers must leave room for profit. Figure on the best high quality gear, 50% of retail value from those buyers would be exceptional. Whereas my cost doing biz through the auction site is about 13% including the Paypal fees. Mo Money Fo Me!!!

I can buy and resell on eBay, and make a profit and often do. I don't do too much on Craigslist as I value my health and well being. Only meet face to face, cash only and in brightly lit populated places, using cash. If you use Craigslist, be sure to read their security page. Best such information on the internet. Craigslist security. And wear Kevlar, when you go to meet a Craigslist B/S'r.

This information is purely for your edification, and only if the money counts for you. If you want to give your stuff away, PM me (Ima Greedy Lil Bastid!), or contact KEH, or your local people.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The "Big Boys" typically offer well below market to buy gear. I had a customer who is getting too old to carry his DSLR gear all day anymore and wanted to sell it so he got quotes to buy his Nikon D500 with only 1395 shots on it from B&H ($695) as well as KEH ($670). This body was like new, in the box, with everything it came with from Nikon. He came to ask me if those offers were fair, clearly NOT! I bought it from him for $1200 on the spot and it is now for sale in my store. He is bringing in some lenses today to sell.
ALWAYS check locally if you have the opportunity to do so, you will always get a better offer for your gear from them.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You weigh price vs convenience and safety.

B&H is convenient and safe. You don't take phone calls or meet in a parking lot to finalize the Craigslist deal. Or worse, meet in the parking lot to find out the buyer needs to wait for his/her next paycheck.

After my dear wife bought me a significant upgrade camera and lens for my birthday, the "old" camera was going to sit on the shelf a lot. The choice was to watch it sit, or get $550. B&H made it so simple and easy, I took the cash and gave it to my wife.

The B&H system is well done. You give them a list of what you want to sell on their website. They respond with an estimate. If you are OK with the estimate you ship to them with a label they provide. After they confirm the condition of what you send, you are asked in an email if you want to finalize. If you do, you get a choice of a check or in-store credit. In my case, the upped the price when they saw it was in good condition.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Completely agree. Recently got a quote from KEH (which is a decent place to purchase gear because of their conservative grading), and while convenient to sell that way, it was ridiculously low, especially considering their selling price for the items. I rejected it, and will sell locally, on UHH, or on eBay, as suggested

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Easy to check on KEH, just search for your camera to BUY, and see what the ask for it. Then search your camera to SELL and see that the offer is typically 40% to 50% of what they are selling the same model for. Thats a VERY nice markup at the expense of the seller every time.
But they make selling to them VERY easy to do!

By the way, you can do the same with the new MPB.com website and the margins are about the same. B&H will only email offers to you on each specific item.

IBM

It's very easy , just look for same as what your trying to sell , in want adds , cregs list , buy sell, eBay, etc .write down cost of each item
You find , if you find five cameras like the one your selling write down all five prices , add total up and divide by five . Now you have the average , say the average is $150 , so you cut yours to $125 , now do this with each item you have , and you can phone the adds that are
Same as what you have , Wait a week and phone again it if gone , you can put the same price on yours or up it a few bucks , it may seem
Like a lot of time but it's not hard .

kenArchi Loc: Seal Beach, CA

I tried to sell on ebay, it was very difficult to figure out. Thier instructions were very confusing and lengthy. You had to give them deposits and money up front.
And if you didn't sell within a time limit you loose your money.
Ebay needs to symplify thier set up like Craigs List.
Why do they need to make it difficult for everyone?
And Amazon was even worse.
Yes, Craigs List you must be careful. But is is so easy to set up and sell. Click, click and your item is posted.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have successfully sold on Craigslist several times, but I never provide my address, always meet in daytime in a public place, and cash only (and I have a concealed carry permit 😀)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You will leave money on the table going through a store. I have had great luck buying and selling through Fred Miranda's classifieds, and eBay. In any case, if you look at eBay's closed auctions for a particular item, you can get a sense of what your stuff is worth. I would say you would realize 50% to 80% more than selling to a store. They have to make a profit, and provide a warranty, and that is money that you can put into your pocket, and still provide a decent price to your buyers. Stores are fast and convenient, but private selling is going to get your more $$$ in the long run.

BJW

Thank you all for all the info and advice.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

You're most likely to make more, selling on ebay, compared to Adorama or B&H!