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tackerman
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 1741
Location: in the ether
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 Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: Used or new? |
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When you buy gear what's your preference? Used or new? Where do you look?
EBay seems to have some good deals. Preamps and mics seem to usually sell for 300-500 less than brand new gear.
I'm on the verge of a major upgrade and I'd love to hear your approach/war stories. |
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brianforrester
Backstage Pass
Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 492
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Ebay has never let me down... I've purchased both used and new gear off of Ebay, and I have yet to have any issues!
Obviously it's buyer beware, and if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
Happy Hunting
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Hart
Assistant Asylum Chief
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 2107
Location: Foley, AL
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:51 am Post subject: |
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I have a bias towards new microphones but I don't really know why. I've never bought one used.
The last Ebay purchase I made was a used Zephyr. Good price and the seller swears it was working when he shipped it. I'm still fighting with UPS over that one. So the good price, after having Telos repair the unit became an okay price. Oh well.
I've bought and sold on the Raleigh Craigslist and been very happy. Unfortunately it's not very popular down here in Alabama yet.
You might also look at the classifieds on www.gearslutz.com for used gear. It's a massive listing constantly full of nice preamps, compressors, mics etc. You have to be signed in to see the classifieds I believe but it's free to join.
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todd ellis
A Zillion
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10531
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:57 am Post subject: |
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gearslutz is awesome --- as a rule, good folks. i buy & sell on ebay all the time. on a big-ticket item i won't pay more than 60% of new, though. just a little rule i set with myself to keep things in check.
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Jowillie
Lucky 700
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 714
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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It amazes me how much gear you can accumulate over time. Of course it's all great stuff because we don't buy no trash, right? 
As far as "investing" in any gear, here is a quote I made on another gear oriented board that may explain the mindset:
"A very wise sage once said, "Don't buy it for you, buy it for the next guy that uses it." Which means if you go with quality gear, someone will be happy to take off your hands at a decent price."
Maybe we should bring up that discussion about a "swap shop" forum topic here.
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tackerman
The Gates of Troy
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 1741
Location: in the ether
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:46 am Post subject: |
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Here's a hypothetical situation...
Tube pre.
1.) Brand new from online store, warranty, paperwork, packaging, accessories, etc. Market value.
2.) Used on EBay. Works fine but sold "as is". 5 years old. Unit only. $400 cheaper.
Which do you go for? |
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jessespringer
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:49 am Post subject: |
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It can be a tough call. Lately, I've been biased towards eBay. I bought my MKH416 there, and it's been perfect. I also got it for less than $800, where the MSRP of it new is more then $500 more...
It's your call. But I'd go eBay after reading the description and asking the seller questions.
Good luck! |
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BenWils
The Thirteenth Floor
Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 1324
Location: In a Flyover State
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| tackerman wrote: |
2.) Used on EBay. Works fine but sold "as is". 5 years old. Unit only. $400 cheaper.
Which do you go for? |
Depends on the brand and price of the unit. $400 off from $800 new.....could be a deal in the hiding if it works well and is great shape. $400 off of a unit that runs $2500 new, I would opt for the new one with warranty myself. The brand will let us know more about the reliability of the unit over the long haul, especially if it is 5 years old.
Another question: smoking or non-smoking studio. I could stink for quite a long time if it comes from a smoke filled studio.
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Ben
"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap." |
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Edo
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| tackerman wrote: | Here's a hypothetical situation...
Tube pre.
1.) Brand new from online store, warranty, paperwork, packaging, accessories, etc. Market value.
2.) Used on EBay. Works fine but sold "as is". 5 years old. Unit only. $400 cheaper.
Which do you go for? |
I'd give that (same) pre a listen somewhere else, somehow. Then if convinced purchase the 2nd hand one and order a new or NOS set of tubes. Still save $250 or more and sound brand new. I don't care about the obvious marks from using the stuff... the ears make the final decision.
Done it twice actually, very happy with it as well. |
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mcm
Smart Kitteh
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 2600
Location: w. MA, USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Doesn't "as is" imply flaws? You might ask the seller why they used that wording. |
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scottnilsen
King's Row
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1170
Location: Orange County, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know that it implies flaws, as much as covering the seller's heinie in the event that something as yet unknown does go bad soon after selling.
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Brian in Charlotte
Contributor IV
Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 146
Location: Florida Sun Coast
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todd ellis
A Zillion
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10531
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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i just bought the petsafe fence on ebay for less than 1/2 of on-line retail and even more off, say petsmart. i bought a kodak digital camera a while back that the guy said was broken ... asked "how broken" he said the lens had trouble coming in/out ... the camera was only 3 months old. i bought it for $28 & when i received it i sent it straight to kodak for warranty repair/replacement. got it back 9 days later (or one just like it) good as new.
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Gp
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Even brand new items are sold "As Is" I wouldn't necessarily look at "As Is" as being something wrong. It is a way to tell folks that you do not offer any warranty of it's fitness to do the job it was designed to do. That leaves the warranty, if any, in the hands of the manufacturer. |
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billelder
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: |
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So far for the studio I've bought a Studio Projects C-1, RE20, Mackie 1202VLZ Mixer, Simetrix 528, Symetrix TI-101, a spare pair of Koss Pro4X headphones, a second computer, Hubs for my Tascam 32 reel to reel and my Linksys WAP on E-Bay.
I pay attention to the rating. If it's below 99% I start reading comments. Everything works, was in great condition and much lower in cost compared to new. Woot! |
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