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Used bass pricing same as new - explanations?

Not just basses. Used cars. Forget about it. I can sell my used car for what I paid for it used 3 years ago plus thousands of miles.
Yep. I happen to have bought a certain rear-engined German car a year ago. 2016 model, probably worth 30% more than what I paid for it right now if I were to be patient. But I love it.
 
Inexperienced sellers mostly that dont know how much a price drops when the bass is out of the shop.

Then there is the covid inflation,its no scarcity it's people willing to pay.
It’s only lack of knowledge if asking is way out of line with current trends, which seems to not be the case these days. Prices going up and staying up is driven and sustained by buyers. A seller can ask whatever they want, but absent a willing buyer, they won’t gave any luck.
 
Yep. I happen to have bought a certain rear-engined German car a year ago. 2016 model, probably worth 30% more than what I paid for it right now if I were to be patient. But I love it.
Yeah, I love my (oooo) sedan, but was thinking about getting something else just because I could get so much for it. But, within the last year or so I had to replace the water pump, hoses and fittings to fix a coolant leak. Last month was a new set of tires. So...with $2K+ into it, and just a couple years until it's paid off, I'll probably keep it. It's so fun to drive and looks fantastic. The only thing I'd rather have than my current sport sedan (that has gotten as much as 30 mpg and still does a nice 0-60) is a GMC Sierra Crew Cab. Had one before the car. Don't NEED a truck but they are really nice.
 
Yeah, I love my (oooo) sedan, but was thinking about getting something else just because I could get so much for it. But, within the last year or so I had to replace the water pump, hoses and fittings to fix a coolant leak. Last month was a new set of tires. So...with $2K+ into it, and just a couple years until it's paid off, I'll probably keep it. It's so fun to drive and looks fantastic. The only thing I'd rather have than my current sport sedan (that has gotten as much as 30 mpg and still does a nice 0-60) is a GMC Sierra Crew Cab. Had one before the car. Don't NEED a truck but they are really nice.
(OOOO) can go either way. I know people who swear by them. We had an ‘04 allroad - loved it but it did self destruct at 80K. Really great looking design language right now though.

Domestic trucks are the best they’ve ever been. Can’t really go wrong with brand right now.
 
Retail prices have been going up rapidly in the last few years. Since so many basses are imported, the supply chain issues have made used ones even more desirable. However, I do think used prices are moving up a little faster than new prices.

In 2017 I sold this Fender AmStd Precision 5 here for $800. It was like new except for a small finish chip, with the case and all candy, in fact the case still smelled new. That was what I paid Bass NW for the bass when I had bought it in 2009. In 2009, the street price was $1350. So $800 was definitely a great price when I bought it.

Couldn't find a 2017 price to compare it with, but...today that bass would be the American Professional II with a street price of $1700. That's an increase of 26% since 2009. Back in Dec.2020 an Am Pro P 5 was sold here for $1300, that's 62% more than what my P5 sold for in 2017 :wideyed: However, an American Pro II Jazz 5 was sold just last May for a more reasonable $1175, closer to the $1000 I paid for this Am Std Jazz 5 in 2019. That's only a 46% increase but still the used prices seem to be coming up faster than new prices, at least here at TB.

A true story (about an amp, though) on how supply chain affects prices:

I was on a waiting list for three years to get a Walter Woods amplifier. On my final call to Walter he suggested I look for a used one because he wasn't sure if he would ever get around to building my amp since he was so backlogged on orders for his higher powered and more expensive model. I contacted a guy I knew in Miami who dealt in buying and selling used WW amps. A week later, I used my like-new WW amp on a gig. The price? Exactly what Walter would have charged me for a new one. There was no negotiation, either...that was the price, take it or leave it. I paid it without hesitation and would do it again.
 
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(OOOO) can go either way. I know people who swear by them. We had an ‘04 allroad - loved it but it did self destruct at 80K. Really great looking design language right now though.

Domestic trucks are the best they’ve ever been. Can’t really go wrong with brand right now.
Yeah, I have 63K on my 2017 A6. One reason I was thinking of selling is the potential for big maintenance bills. But, since the coolant issue was resolved, it's been a great car. This year and engine are supposed to be pretty reliable. And it just looks so damn nice. But yeah, a truck is killer as well. They ride so nice. But they are SO expensive, even used.
 
It's not a problem, it's the absurdity of the situation. I find it amusing and have a good laugh.

On my end, I’m looking for low priced basses to resell after I do a refin. I’m not really looking to make money on these projects, since it’s mainly for fun. But it’s become harder to find used basses for a price that will allow me to break even after I finish. Especially once shipping is factored in.

That being said, I may have to put my hobby on pause until things level out. If they level out, that is.
 
On my end, I’m looking for low priced basses to resell after I do a refin. I’m not really looking to make money on these projects, since it’s mainly for fun. But it’s become harder to find used basses for a price that will allow me to break even after I finish. Especially once shipping is factored in.

That being said, I may have to put my hobby on pause until things level out. If they level out, that is.
I'm sure it will be temporary, hang in there.

Some years ago I enjoyed assembling basses from Warmoth parts. At the time it was cheaper to just buy a new Fender. But nowadays it's less expensive to put together a comparable Warmoth.
 
On my end, I’m looking for low priced basses to resell after I do a refin. I’m not really looking to make money on these projects, since it’s mainly for fun. But it’s become harder to find used basses for a price that will allow me to break even after I finish. Especially once shipping is factored in.

So... if used basses sell for more than new ones, buy new basses, refinish them, and sell them as used.
 
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The recent flood of clueless newbies into the used gear market has a lot to do with it.

I don't have any solid information on the subject but I do know that during the shutdowns there was a major guitar buying boom, especially in the 2 to 500 dollar range of instruments and a lot of people that were new buyers are starting to hit the market now not knowing what they have or understand much about the used market. The market is saturated right now so I'd just wait it out until it fluctuates back.

Yup, I think this is what’s happening. I was expecting it.
 

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