Calculating resale value

MysticMichael · #1 08-25-2009, 04:11 PM

It's always seemed to me that calculating the resale value of an item of gear - one that you intend to actually play - before you even purchase it, is just a little...how shall we say...mercenary?

If it's intended mostly or solely as a business investment, that's one thing. Or if it has a limited lifespan of usefulness to you - such as when you're purchasing a "make do" rig from Guitar Center while you continue to save for your dream rig - then that's certainly understandable.

But otherwise, to be so preoccupied with the resale value for any gear that you intend to actually use seems to signify a certain superficiality, a certain bloodlessness, and a certain lack of commitment - and thus automatically carries the potential for failure of the relationship - before it's even gotten started. Almost like negotiating a pre-nuptial agreement on the night before your wedding.

IMO, if you're that unsure of your feelings and that reluctant to commit - wouldn't it be a lot better to first figure out what you really want? And then go after it - only when you can be 100% certain that its really a keeper?

Thoughts?

MM

bongomania · #2 08-25-2009, 04:32 PM

See, for me, I like to try a lot of different gear that is simply not available at any local store. I also like to try it on my own timetable. So for me, when I buy gear, I really do intend to play it, but more to the point I am buying it to try it, with the foreknowledge that I won't want to keep everything I try. For example, I have four basses right now. None of them were available to try anywhere nearby at the time I bought them, so the only option was to buy them. I happen to love all four. But over the same time period, I probably re-sold eight other basses that just didn't do it for me, where again the only way I could know whether they would do it for me was to buy them.

By extension, if I want to avoid losing too much money in the process, I have to figure on some resale value. There has been gear that I've passed on buying because I was reasonably certain I'd be sitting on it way too long, or take a massive loss, if it turned out I didn't want to keep it.

tycobb73 · #3 08-25-2009, 06:21 PM

I've gone through a lot of the ones only to discover they weren't the one. I'll pay whatever for something as long as I know I can get whatever when I go to sell it.

RickenBoogie · #4 08-25-2009, 06:38 PM

I can see both sides of this, but I think, especially with the younger players, the OP is correct. Too much thought on re-sale, not enough "knowledge based" decision making. And, this is coming from a guy who's taken a beating on some of the trades I've made in the last few years. One thing is for sure, though. If we all spent more time practicing playing bass, as opposed to the endless search for gear, we'd all be better players.

**Engine207** · #5 08-27-2009, 06:00 PM

I discovered a new process that works for me, quite by accident. I was looking to start playing a 5er, and being a Fender Guy by habit, my first inclination was to get a Jazz Bass V, which I found for a good price and I bought it.

Well, I'm a bit of a deal-chaser, and I keep a close eye on my local Craigslist. Between the time I hit Buy It Now, and the time I signed the UPS electronic clipboard, I saw an ad for an Ibanez BTB455 for only $300. Knowing that the Ibby was a steal, and always being intrigued by active basses, I impulsed the $300 right out of my back pocket and bought it. I knew I didn't want/need two 5ers, but it was too late.

What wound up happening was that I played both for about a month straight and kinda A/B'd them in every conceivable way. It was such a good experience to not have to decide between two choices in a music shop or in somebody's living room.

Obviously, I'm fortunate to be able to plunk the money down for both, but in the future I'll definitely do the same thing, especially if I can easily resell the "loser" and the final cashout, at the end of the process, is reasonable.

RAM · #6 08-27-2009, 07:57 PM

Yeah, there's a point, just as there's a point to people buying cars wanting to know at the end of its useful life it will still have value. People rarely buy cars expecting to hold on to them until they hit the junk yard. Similarly, most bassists, I'd assume, don't buy basses expecting to hold on to it forever. Perhaps that's not entirely true, but I'd venture to guess it's more accurate than not. For example, I don't own any of my first few basses. The longest I held on to one was from 1995 until 2009 - 14 years. Still, in the end, it no longer worked for me and I sold it.

Hoover · #7 08-28-2009, 08:17 AM

I can understand both MysticMichael (OP) and Bongomania's points. Some people consider buying & selling stuff part of the fun of stuff. Other people think stuff is the point of stuff, and once you're stuffed...

I was talking about custom made bicycles with my wife the other day, and mentioned that one downside of a bicycle that has been custom tailored specifically to your dimensions is that the resale value may be compromised by the possibilty that your dimensions aren't universal. She couldn't understand why anyone who had a custom made bike would ever even think about resale value; "if I had a bike custom made for me I'd ride it forever, or until it disintegrated!" Yet I know plenty of cyclists whose biggest thrill is turning over their collections: buying a new frame, building it up, riding it...and then selling it and starting all over again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Bassists too...