About to simplify my life and need advice on selling gear

[The_Traveler]

I'm buying a new Sony A7R II and a couple of lenses to supplement what I already have.

Do you recommend selling and then buying gear or trading in on gear?

Any suggestions on best places to sell?

TIA.

 

[SquarePeg]

I've recently been looking into this myself. I've found quotes from mpb to be just slightly better than Adorama but not by much and no where near what they're reselling used equipment for. Of course they are offering 30 day returns so you can't really compete with that. Best returns are obviously if you sell directly to another photographer (both sides of that deal win over using the online stores as an intermediary) so I think I'm going to post my stuff on TPF and Fred Miranda and if no takers then I'll try my local store (with minimum prices already researched and in hand) then I'll consider mpb.

 

[Designer]

Do you recommend selling and then buying gear or trading in on gear?

I don't do this often, but here is my recent experience:

I purchased an upgrade camera body, and traded in my old camera. The amount for my trade in was embarrassingly low, but the other place was offering nothing. Later, as I told my son about the deal, he said "You should have given that camera to me." In hindsight, I wish I would have. The cash realized from my trade-in was small enough that I could easily afford to give it away, especially to my own son.

For what it's worth.

 

[table1349]

You might want to consider the overall cost of selling your gear compared to the cost if you trading in your gear. How much hassle, shipping costs etc.

You also might take a look at what kind of deal you could get if you have a local mom & pop brick and mortar store. Their profit margin is probably thin, but they may come close enough to make it worth you while when you figure in shipping costs etc. if you sell/trade it somewhere else.

I have heard good things about KEH, but I do not believe that they deal in new gear so you would sell you gear to them. B&H on the other had handles new and used so you might get a good deal there with little hassle.

Then again you might post your gear on the forum here in the Buy/Sell section and see what happens. The above businesses might be a good reference point for pricing if you decide to list your gear.

Good luck however you decide to go.

 

[BrentC]

It comes down to money or hassle free.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

You can generally do better selling it on your own but this takes time, effort, and sometimes angry eBay users on the other end. It really depends what you have, old gear is old gear and if its digital its not yet "vintage" so no one may be interested in it. As mentioned a lot of trade in's give you really really low ball cash offers and sometimes a bit more in store credit if you go that route. I say, if you are up for it list it for sale on the bay or craigslist and see what happens. If no one buys it by the time the auction is over go the trade in route.

Dave

 

[jcdeboever]

I would have try to sell on here if it's in good order.

 

[fmw]

I would have try to sell on here if it's in good order.

I gave up on that. I was never able to sell anything here. Amazon and Ebay are the way to go.

 

[DarkShadow]

I will be trading up some gear soon my self as I just don't like waiting to sell before buying or dealing with the hassle of some people.Though I did sell my minty nifty 50 real quick on TPF almost as fast as I posted it but where talking low dollar item not an item or items running into the hundreds or thousands.

 

[Dave442]

I've received three hand-me-down cameras over the years. I've handed down three cameras as well. If you can buy the new camera and have the old one sitting in a closet then I suggest the hand-me-down route.

On the selling side, I have never traded in any gear, I have usually bought the new and then sold the old stuff after a while.

 

[JoeW]

If you want to get the best return (financially) that you can, then sell it on your own. But if you want to minimize hassle, than do a trade-in. And frankly, that is my advice--trade it in. You could get more on E-Bay or some other option. But you have priorities in your life, where you want to spend your time. Do you really want to spend it on E-Bay? Or cleaning and packing up your equipment so you can get top-dollar on Adorama? Instead, take it all in (at least the stuff you know you want to part with) and do a trade option. Takes less time, involves less hassle, and you have a lot more space right away.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think what I will do is get a quote for all the gear (mostly m4/3 and then try to see it as a bundle on the M4/3 forum)
The gear is all lovely with original boxes and paperwork.
I have less time than money and I want to minimize hassle (my life is pretty full up on that right now.)

 

[BrentC]

I think what I will do is get a quote for all the gear (mostly m4/3 and then try to see it as a bundle on the M4/3 forum)
The gear is all lovely with original boxes and paperwork.
I have less time than money and I want to minimize hassle (my life is pretty full up on that right now.)

Can you post what m4/3 gear you are getting rid of? Depending o what it is I may be interested.

 

[The_Traveler]

it will be a few days until getting a quote comes to the top of the list but will put the stuff in the buy/sell forum and will try to remember to add a note to this thread.

.

 

[Derrel]

I have had good luck selling gear on Facebook photo groups, where I get into contact ith real people. They can check me out, I can check them out...identities are real...photo enthusiasts like buying from other enthusiasts.

I have found a couple TPF members who have bought multiple items from me; one has bought like five higher-end Nikkors from me.

Dealers low-ball people, but they PAY, fast, and without hassles....private party people pay top dollar, but typically buy only one or two things at a time.