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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Used pricing in the time of COVID
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| Author | Message Text | ||
| 1beegfishingaround |
I'm currently looking at buying a used 17 Wenonah in Tuf-weave. Purchased new in 2012 by current owner. He's stating firm at $1800. To me, this seems quite steep for a used Tuf-weave. It is in pretty good condition. I've been looking for a quality used boat in my area for a while, but the pickings are always slim, almost to the point of just pulling the trigger on something new. Trip upcoming in August so I need to make up my mind relatively soon. Anyone else noticing this market in your area for all used gear? I'm always looking at bikes, canoes, kayaks, other outdoor equipment. Seems like prices are getting out of hand. Is this seller trying to cash in on the current state of things? Cant say I blame him too much, I suppose. Buy or fly? edit info worth mentioning, there is also an Escape in "excellent condition", also tuffweave, that is 3.5 hr drive away from me. Priced at $1k. To me, this one seems on the opposite end of the spectrum in regards to what i expect... Not the exact model type im looking for, but obviously quite similar in regards to "value". |
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| Jackfish |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
Jackfish: "New ones are $2900. You're saying it's eight years old, in good condition and it's hard to find good canoes in your area. Sounds like there might be an answer in there somewhere." I get your point. To add, though, there is an Escape in "excellent condition" that is a 3-1/2 hour drive away from me. Also Tufweave, and they are asking $1000. 17 Wenonah is more along the lines of what im looking for as far as dimensions / attributes. Also only 30 minute drive from me. 1k seems like a great price though. Kind of expecting both to be somewhere right in the middle honestly. Just noticing a lot of people are tacking on an extra 20% to what normal resale might be. |
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| hernfiry |
I'm definitely no expert on canoe prices, but I don't think they're trying to do you dirty by asking for $1800 on $2900 MSRP canoe right now. |
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| OCDave |
1beegfishingaround: "It is in pretty good condition. I've been looking for a quality used boat in my area for a while, but the pickings are always slim, almost to the point of just pulling the trigger on something new." Because "the pickings are always slim", the seller sets the market. There is no way to say it is overpriced as you have no other examples on the market that are cheaper. Some sellers, might price this boat at $2250 OBO to get the $1800 they desire. You have met a seller a bit more forthright in their valuation of their merchandise. As a buyer, nearly forced to consider going new due to the slim picking or quality boats, you should be excited by the prospect of finding that quality boat fitting your shopping requirements. That the boat is above your perceived value begs the question, "What do you think it should sell for?" $1700? $1500? Will you let those few hundred dollars drive you to spend more than $1000 more for new? The opportunity is yours. Reach out and grab it before it is too late. |
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| hernfiry |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
hernfiry: "Pretty much all used outdoor gear is priced high right now. I've been trying to look for a royalex canoe, didn't pull the trigger on a couple last year and I'm kicking myself now because they disappear in a matter of hours on craigslist. Plus asking prices are high and firm. Thanks for input. Yeah, I know... while looking at current market, its not a totally out of line price. The one thing I'm noticing lately from all of this, though, is there are quite a few more quality pieces of gear popping up (likely due to folks seeing this as a good time to get the best $ for gear they've been thinking about off-loading). Noticing a few more Royalex canoes are popping up in my area, hopefully you find the right one at a good price soon! |
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| Inmyelement |
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| justpaddlin |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
I didnt mention in the OP, there is a similar canoe a 3.5hr drive from me priced at $1k, although its not the exact model I'm looking for (Escape model, tuffweave also). For me, that price is a little low though... thinking both right around $1600 area... but yes, always a sellers choice. Thanks for your encouragement. |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
Inmyelement: "How long has it been listed for sale? Firm is always subjective. But, it is a seller's market right now. Take whatever you will spend in renting this year off the asking price and see if it makes the price more palatable. " good point, another tick in the box for "go get it". it all helps us sleep a little better at night. But yes, when you're face to face (mask to mask) in the transaction with cash, "firm" tends to be subjective sometimes. |
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| OCDave |
If you wanted a white Sedan DeVille, GREAT! You had plenty to choose from. If a few hundred dollars was more important than color, fine, you got a white one. But, if you wanted Beige with Tan Leather or any other Non-white care and wanted to save, for example [(2900-1800/2900) x 100] = 38%, off new, you paid a bit extra and got exactly what you wanted. Some buyers, got stubborn and took white rather than step up and treat themselves. They all had a tinge of remorse. Why are you waiting? You'll have this canoe for a decade. Less than $20 per year, less than $2 per month between you and the canoe you want? Is the Escape the White Sedan DeVille? Will you be happy with the Escape? How much will you regret missing the canoe you really wanted when you spend $2 for a 20oz Coke at the convenience coming back from you August trip? I hope this helps. Now, go buy yourself a canoe. |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
OCDave: "I sold Cadillacs for a number of years, Late '80's through 90's. Sedan DeVilles with White exterior were a favorite of the rental car companies so there were TONS of white w/red interiors, White with Blue interiors, White with grey interiors. All of them were 1 year old, had between 10,000-18,000 miles on the odometer and were priced somewhere between 35- 40% off MSRP. Suddenly, a beige with tan interior pops up. Still significantly discounted but, because it is not white, it costs several hundred dollars more. well... i dont have much of an argument when you put it like that! Thanks for your rationality. it put a good smile on my face. I guess i was just kinda thinking somewhere closer to 50% of retail on an 8yr boat. But a good boat is a good boat. |
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| bwcadan |
I was in the paper business for over 25 years. I purchased my route for X number of dollars and sold out 2 years ago for about 20% of what I paid for it. Sounds awful. But I made a good living and always expected to lose money on the sale. I took that in to account when purchasing and thus did quite well over the 25 years. I did never regret the purchase. Go buy it and enjoy the ride. |
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| PowerLizard |
Drive out there, look the canoe over and then make a cash in hand offer by extending your hand with $X for the canoe. From a seller’s perspective, it is hard not to reach out and accept cash. Decades ago, I bought a cash car doing this. The Owner politely said “No” but his wife grabbed the cash, said “Sold” and walked back into their house. That is when I learned of the true meaning of “Cash Talks.” |
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| 1beegfishingaround |
jhb8426: "I check CL fairly regularly just for fun. Prices for composite canoes like Wenonah, Bell and Northstar seem to be pretty much in line and don't look to me like there has been a marked increase. Half to two thirds list looks to be the range depending on age and condition. On the other hand prices for Gruman, Alumacraft and other aluminum boats as well as Coleman tupperware boats are all over the map lately. Used to see aluminum boats going for between $300 and $400, with a few hitting $500. Still do but there are a lot more listed for $600 to $800 lately. And a lot of those look like they were sitting out in the back 40 for a few years. (Still amazes me that people don't try to clean up things they are trying to sell.) yep, seeing this as well, also noticing in the used bike department. they slap that "vintage" label on it and think it automatically demands an extra 200 bucks. And yes, hilarious when they have the item in a jungle of dirt/weeds and the single photo they post is upside down... "gee, you're really trying hard here." |
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| jhb8426 |
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| Voyager |
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| Jackfish |
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| ZaraSp00k |
Voyager: "Hayward outfitters has a new kevlar Wenonah 17 listed now for $2437 ( cash price). I'd never spend $1800 for an 8 year old tuff weave. Usually Hayward has a large selection of factory blems, but the inventory looks a little skinny now. I bought a blem Mn.II there in 2017 for 22 and change. That was an ultra light." whether you buy a blem or brand spanking new, the first time out you will likely scratch it, now your canoe is used, IOW, that first paddle cost you about $1000, maybe more this is silmilar to cars, except that used quality canoes retain their value and sometimes, like now, their value goes up, right now Wenonah is backlogged with orders I haven't paddled my Jensen 18 tuff weave in probably ten years, given what people are getting for used canoes these days, I should probably put it on the market, any interest, I'd take $1200 for it |
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| Voyager |
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| nctry |
Voyager: "Hayward outfitters has a new kevlar Wenonah 17 listed now for $2437 ( cash price). I'd never spend $1800 for an 8 year old tuff weave. Usually Hayward has a large selection of factory blems, but the inventory looks a little skinny now. I bought a blem Mn.II there in 2017 for 22 and change. That was an ultra light." $1800 is what you could maybe pay for a new blemish model. |