Price check, please.

June 9, 2008 7:33 AM

I'm looking for a site that lists the resale value for used electronics.

I'm looking into buying a dslr camera (my first) and am considering getting one used. However, I don't want to get ripped off. So if such a site exists, then I might be able to get a feel for how much I should have to pay for a camera.

ps. I'm looking at getting a Nikon D40 if I can find a decent deal.

posted by tomcochrane to computers & internet (6 comments total)

I would search Ebay for closed auctions. You should get a pretty good average from there.
posted by Ferrari328 at 7:37 AM on June 9, 2008

Ebay.

Search it, and tick the checkbox on the left to search only 'Completed Items'. That way you know what price an item has sold for in the recent past.
posted by Wild_Eep at 7:38 AM on June 9, 2008

Nthing eBay, although keep in mind that the nature of eBay is roughly equal to a thousand dogs fighting over one bone, so the prices tend to be somewhat inflated.

(P.S. DSLRs are a bit iffy to buy used. Dirty chips and all that. You'll definitely want to try it out before buying.)
posted by Sys Rq at 9:34 AM on June 9, 2008

I've bought used DSLRs from B&H before - they have your camera for $469, not sure how that compares to eBay.
posted by davey_darling at 9:46 AM on June 9, 2008

There are various used audio gear guides, but you have to pay to get any of them, and price guides are normally very suspect. It is probably the same for photography equipment.

keep in mind that the nature of eBay is roughly equal to a thousand dogs fighting over one bone, so the prices tend to be somewhat inflated.

It depends entirely on the item, but mostly ebay auction prices (not counting ebay stores) are lower than retail. Certainly with antiques, ebay prices are very low, and it tends to also be true with used stereo equipment. Used computer gear tends to be cheapest through online forums and certain specific online retailers (retrobox), but ebay is certainly cheaper than local used computer shops around Toronto. This happens because people like to pick up and hold the item they are buying, they don't like to pay for shipping, and people are nervous about various aspects of transactions mediated over the internet.
posted by Chuckles at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2008

KEH Camera Brokers are my one and only source for used equipment. They rule. /personal experience
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:17 PM on June 9, 2008