Greed & Money killed my hifi habits

[Virtual-Symmetry]

Its true, prompted by that ad Dan put up over the Techy deck

I used to buy & collect 1st issue Prog Rock LP's - Destroyed by greedy asking prices £500-£1K per LP in most cases. I was forced to to cease buying & sell up.

I used to buy Classic British Audio - Destroyed by silly asking prices again. I was forced to sell everything as i could no go on.

I presently collect EDM 12" Singles. im close to completing my short list but i have noticed that silly asking prices of £50 per 12" have started creeping in.

I am not a greedy person just a genuine collector that uses Audio & Plays records, not one that hoards & sits on them as investment. I don't want things for nothing but i certainly refuse to pay asking prices for such things. I don't know how many more time i have to keep saying 'Things are not worth a price they are worth what you get for them'

It all makes me very cross. I have a detest for used goods dealers at best

[Macca]

What killed your habits was too many other people with the same habits.

I suppose there are various reasons why people might sell vintage kit or 1st ed LPs but I'd guess the sellers who bought them purely as an appreciating asset are quite few. Everyone else is asking the going rate because - that's what you do when you sell something. It is what I would do, unless I was selling to a mate, or wanted it gone quick. Not greed just common sense. I might need the money, if not now, later. Then I'd feel an idiot for letting it go so cheap.

[Virtual-Symmetry]

No its dealers who killed it. You cannot buy anything like that 2nd hand at a down to earth price because a dealer will have got in there first. Yes dealers recognise a trend & jump on the bandwagon.

[Macca]

I agree too many dealers will push up prices. That's only part of it though. The internet is now world-wide so you are competing against a lot more people for the same items. How many vintage prog collectors in China alone? Probably more than the rest of the world put together.

[struth]

Yup. Anyone can find out the going price of anything these days easily so not so many bargains around but too many folk want top,top dollar these days. Id rather sell for less and get a good buyer on a place like this tbh. Some of my records have gone up a lot but some havent or in fact gone down. Ive collected records mostly blues for nearly half a century, so time to let others enjoy many of them at reasonable prices...none of my family are interested anyways

Things that are not now made but are wanted = lots of money alas if you wish to buy

[Arkless Electronics]

The double edged sword of the bay.... you can now find anything BUT.... you will have to pay top dollar for it! Gone are the days when you'd go in a second hand shop and pay a tenner for the "old convection heaters".... of the ESL57 variety

[Virtual-Symmetry]

Its a simple as this. Put a certain old amp on auction that usually go for a reasonable price. Put a crazy price on it, it sells. Other people with the same amp will recognise this & hey ho an inflated price for that item becomes standardised

Ive learned to keep mi gob shut on forums about things. Cos everyone knows people dont think for themselves

[Arkless Electronics]

Its a simple as this. Put a certain old amp on auction that usually go for a reasonable price. Put a crazy price on it, it sells. Other people with the same amp will recognise this & hey ho an inflated price for that item becomes standardised

Ive learned to keep mi gob shut on forums about things. Cos everyone knows people dont think for themselves

Yeah as an engineer it erks to see certain gear fetch silly money just cos it's an "Acme MkII" and not the Mk1 or whatever and for no good technical reason.... and then a similar but much better unit that's another make is worth now't

[danilo]

Simple solution is to 'collect' Nothing
No searching, no angst, no bidding, no warehousing / hoarding.
Although one could emulate Bert (sesame street) and collect Paper clips.
Much less dross for the unfortunate heirs to dispose of as well.

[Haselsh1]

Andr'e, absolutely lovin EDM music. I only buy what I want and I set a value to each item. If it is more than I think it is worth, no sale. I do not collect anything. I only buy what I think I want at a given time. OK so I want a Moog Sub 37...! Fourteen hundred quid...? Not worth it so I don't own one. You have to be really honest with yourself old pal. Very best wishes to you.