Pricing Regs

[Creed]

I stuck this in general, since I'm not actually putting something up for sale. But, out of curiosity, how do people generally price regulators? I generally just put stuff up for offers, but that doesn't seem to generate much activity.

[Nemrod]

I think the bidding process on Ebait sometimes brings out the competitive spirit and people pay more for things than they are worth. Then when they sell it they think it is worth that much because that is what they paid. Just listing something in the For Sale section, the fish do not feel a need to race for the worm.

But, I have one of my Conshelfs, for example, all new parts kits, two second stages, new diaphragms, new hoses including new BC hose and a spg. It apparently is only worth exactly the same as the junky beater on Ebait. So, I keep it. In this case it is worth more to me as a spare than a give away.

Something is worth what people are willing to pay and some times there is one person who is willing to pay amounts disproportionate to what others might be willing.

Frankly, it is a mystery.

Voits, RAMs, SP109s, bring top dollars, Conshelf bring a little and Dacor is not worth scrap metal prices. At least to me .

Nem

[Creed]

The Conshelf, and now a Titan, are my favorite single hose regs, hands down. Sometimes they go cheap, sometimes you'd think they were plated in gold. Doublehose regs are even more variable. I don't like tossing stuff on eBay. I prefer to know a piece of gear is going to someone who appreciates what it represents. As you said, James, mysterious.

[Herman]

If anyone ever figures out the "logic" on ebay they will be rich. Like you guys, it mystifies me. I have seen 2 basically identical regs, an hour or so apart that both sell, one for 2 or 3 times what the average is and the other half to three quarters of the average, sometimes it does not sell at all. I have no clue why.
When selling on ebay, I tend to watch the average of similar regs, start the opening bid at around the low end of the average (to keep from giving it away) and hope for the best. Still, I it may be the best way to sell vintage items. It's your biggest market and easier than messing with something like Craigslist.

[Creed]

Good ideas on SWAG'ing a price for ebay, Herman. I haven't sold anything on ebay for years. The last time I "sold" a regulator, I never got payment for it. No problem, as I didn't ship it prior to receiving payment, but it was still a waste of time. I find myself with no room for even displaying my regs now(and that's after leaving boxes of equipment in a Kansas storage unit), so I'm contemplating getting rid of some of the ones I never use, like my Royal Master, along with some of the odds and ends I've collected over the years. It's just hard for me to set prices, as I don't buy and sell enough to keep up with current pricing.

[Bryan]

Post the equipment you have for sale in their respective places in the FOR SALE section of the forum be it vintage or modern. Ask the interested parties to send you their best offer. If accepted give them 24 hours to pay by PayPal or 5 days to pay by Money Order.....If you don't get your money in that time frame put the item back up for sale and let me know who screwed you on the deal and I'll post their info so other sellers don't waste time with that person...

You can save E-bay fees and help VDH by posting good stuff.

[Creed]

Bryan,
I'll do that. VDH has been the only place I've sold equipment for the last few years. As I'm not sure if some personal issues may have interfered with my last transaction, I'll leave that one in the past, and let you know of anything going forward.
I'd probably be content with leaving my stuff in the boxes for now, but some dudes are starting a kickstarter campaign and I'm fresh out of Harleys to sell.

[crimediver]

I have very little experience selling DH regs but I have bought a bunch. From a buyers perspective I will pay more if the regulator is advertised accurately, showing both the good and the bad. I am reluctant to purchase a reg if I do not have an abundance of quality pics showing the reg from all angles. I believe you will get more money if you let the buyer know all the pros and cons of the reg. I don't mind paying a fair price for a reg if there are no surprises awaiting me and I feel the seller is being honest in the description.

I have approximately 15 DH regs. I reckon I paid as little as ten bucks on a Voit 50 Fathom to as much as 225 for a NOS in the box 1967 Mistral. But I am patient and bide my time and look for a deal off eBay. I also look for items that are not properly described so I have less bidders to compete against.

Craigslist is a better place to find regs at a cheaper price than eBay. I recently purchased a Non-Mag, an Overpressure, a Jet Air and a Royal Master and a later model Royal Aquamaster all five for 325 bucks. That breaks down to about 65 bucks apiece. A couple of years ago I also bought a pristine Phoenix that had been re-chromed as I recall for 100 bucks from a Craigslist seller. He got it from the estate of a vintage diver. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw it out in the middle of the backwoods in Virginia.I figure it was worth about 5X that in the condition it was in.

I think I have gotten some great deals but the point is I would not sell them myself that cheap. I would advertise them properly and describe them accurately, have a lot of good pictures and key words so buyers will find them. If the sellers I purchased my regs from had done that and had more knowlege of the market they would have made a lot more money. Their loss was my gain.

[Nemrod]

I throw a wrench in the money works from time to time and just give stuff away.

I'd probably be content with leaving my stuff in the boxes for now, but some dudes are starting a kickstarter campaign and I'm fresh out of Harleys to sell.

Yeah, I know, and right after Christmas when my relatives have taken all my meager money. But no worries, I will just cry and pout until my wife gives me some money.


Nem