prices for used gear

[TrailH4x]

Nearly every piece of my gear was purchased "used," and then primarily on this forum.

I have paid less than 50% and over 90% of retail for various pieces, each with varying reason. I've bought gear and pieces to mod, repackage as kits and broker to those just starting out. I've sacrificed personal color selection to get a usable item immediately before a trip. I've also handed back over gear I loved, but found redundancy with, to other members on the forum for the same PayPal transaction and at the shipping. Doing so has allowed me to accumulate kits on a slightly lower budget, be less hesitant about modifying gear and has guided me to some conversations with people who are now pretty dear resources.

I appreciate your tolerance with the current "free market" system as it has been one of the major values I enjoy here. It's American ecomics at it's best!

[ZakBait]

I generally am willing to pay more to get something new with a guarantee that the seller will stand behind their item. This applies even if I see the same or similar gear being sold much cheaper in used condition. I just like the guarantee, it helps me sleep at night.

[Jcavenagh]

Even the cottage vendors often have discounted stuff on their websites...old models, returned items, etc. I get what OP is saying, but the market does set the price, especially when buyer and seller are of fairly equivalent power.

[Jcavenagh]

ZakBait's position shows that he values a certain feature of a new product and is willing to pay for that value. I think that demonstrates why the market will set the price. Price, of course, does not merely reflect cost of goods + profit.
Personally, I have tried to keep my expenditures down by buying used. If I think a price is too high for a used item, I will make an offer at a price I think the item is worth. Sometimes the seller agrees and sometimes not.

Here I do want to say that when sellers on this board don't accept my offer, I have always been declined with respect and with good manners. That shows the quality of the folks on this board. Just sayin'.