Buying and Selling Used Equipment~A Personal Observation

[GrizzlysDad]

Based on the past year or so, from reading many posts on various different sites including here, I have the following comments/observations to make regarding the buying and selling of used equipment. And to be TOTALLY CLEAR my post does not reflect on ANYONE IN PARTICULAR. My thoughts even extend to things I hear at our local fish clubs auctions and out of town as well.

Here's my comments on buying used equipment. I find that the general rule from long ago still rings true today and will undoubtedly always be the case....You get what you pay for.

Sometimes you get lucky and you get a great deal on something and it works just like new and lasts a long time.

Most times though, you get a used item for that used price and it doesn't work as good as it did when new...after all, it is a used item but it is still acceptable in relation to the money paid.

And once in awhile you get the short end of the stick and the item wasn't even worth the bargain price you thought you were paying. Sometimes that's an honest disagreement on what the item is worth and how it should work.
Other times it is because a seller wasn't quite honest about the item.
IMHO, for the most part this community in particular deals with each other on the up-and-up.

Now for clarification, my next comment has nothing to do with ANY transaction that I was a party to, either as a seller or a buyer. But something that I am totally getting tired of hearing from several individuals (and it seems to be the same people whining) is that they feel like they got taken on either a private sale or on an auction item they bid on and subsequently won. After hearing numerous complaints from those persons first hand, and being told the full details of the item, or items, and what they paid for them, I am amazed that they think they got robbed. Hell, if anything I thought they got pretty damn good deals on most occasions and told them so....just to get a look of disbelief.

For an example (which is not the exact details so as not to embarrass the person but is a very close comparison) this one person bought 10 used submersible heaters for only $20 for all of them and the seller said they worked when used a few weeks beforehand, but they were sitting for those few weeks. Then, after buying them, a couple weeks go by and the buyer complains to the seller that two heaters (out of 10) aren't working properly (I guess like new heaters should?). This same person that whines regularly that they get screwed over is never flexible when they are selling and wants what I think is higher than going rate for anything they are selling....fish and used equipment.

[HMD]

As Judge Judy would say buyer be ware!!! You get what you paid for. Case dismissed.

[greg y]

I'll give them $20 for the 18 heaters that work ;-)
Haha
I have a couple items that for the same reason I'm reluctant to sell. I bought 2 old eheim canister filters that were hard to get started. One I pulled off to the side and decided it was going to be for parts on the first one. When I looj at what they cost they were a good deal but not a wise purchase

[Mastiffman]

I think that there are a few tips that could be giving as well.

1. Use precaution with every purchase by asking if the seller will prove that the item functions as stated.
2. Ask questions about the item including why the item is being sold, any work done to it, any missing parts that you need to know about or occasional functioning problems.
3. If the seller won't show you it plugged in, then that throws a red flag and you should choose wisely and not purchase that item.
4. If you asked and are shown the condition, personally decided if you are willing to gamble on the used item. If not, bye bye. No big deal DON'T be afraid to tell someone that you are "Not interested". If they get upset, oh well. It's your choice not to buy.
5. Research the items average cost for both "new" and "used" versions of the SAME model. This will give you a good idea if the price that is being asked is a good deal or not.

 Furthermore, if you do purchase an item that you were shown the condition of and you can't "fix" it. There's no fault and no fowl on anyone except maybe you and take it as a lessoned learned. If you purchase something in good working order and it fails shortly after getting it for a normal reason (old, corrosion from sitting, etc...) that's just how the "purchasing used" game goes.

 Use Critical Thinking, Common Sense and Logic when purchasing.

 But as most of were told from the time we were children. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... But it's all about how you play the game."

 Lastly, using these tips should keep your purchases safe BUT, this does not by any means dismiss the unethical actions of shady sellers! They need to hold themselves accountable and need to be kind, helpful and ethical. They too should research the item they are selling and base the price off of it's age, options and condition and Completely forthcoming about it's condition and function.

[GrizzlysDad]

As Judge Judy would say buyer be ware!!! You get what you paid for. Case dismissed.

LOL, Judge Judy cracks me up.

I'll give them $20 for the 18 heaters that work ;-)
Haha

I know, right? This person is just one of those that like to complain no matter what....maybe it's another case of someone just enjoying the sound of their own voice 

[kodyboy]

Sometimes used stuff works sometimes it doesn't.... It is a roll of how the dice.  I get all sorts of used equipment for my classroom (frankly couldn't buy it new if I wanted) and I get great prices! Heaters are problematic when new (for me at least) so I always assume half of any used ones that I buy will work:)
Some people are very generous too (you know who you are and I really appreciate it!).