Why are used tennis rackets almost worthless?

[ilovetennis212]

I think the bottom line is that when someone buys a new racquet and then tries it out and decides it doesn't work for him so he is never going to use it as his regular racquet, that racquet immediately becomes essentially worthless to him. It's value to him basically drops from $200 to zero because it's just going to sit in his closet collecting dust and taking up valuable space. Thus, he is willing to sell it for just about any amount just to get rid of it. Buyers know this, so the perceived value is determined by the buyer, not the seller. The buyer will decide how much value he personally places on that racquet, while knowing that the value to the seller can go as low as zero. That's why buyers can buy used racquets from individual sellers for such low prices, and why you can find a St. Vincent at a garage sale for $10. The seller doesn't place much value on something that is useless to him.

Best answer

 

[acura9927]

Mugged? http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...r-found-guilty-in-ohio-craigslist-murder-case

I have sold off CL but I have meet them at the lobby of a casino which has a very high amount of cameras.

 

[HRB]

I keep a running Excel spreadsheet of how much I pay for a racquet and how much I sell it for.

Right now I have 26 frames. My total spent after selling 28 other frames - mostly for a profit is $23.38. Just under a buck a frame. Included in those frames that I currently have: 2 St Vincent 85s, a PT280, 3 POG mids, 3 POG OS, 3 Diablo Mids, 2 EXO3 Tour 18x20, and a bunch of others. I buy used for a good deal, and look out for racquets that are in demand. It also helps to boost the ratio when you find collectables like St Vincent Pro Staffs for $8. I have a few for sale right now to see if I can pick up my first frame at retail price.... the horrors.

This is awesome...best hobby for a tennis fan! Good work.

BTW you lucky SOB...how much did you get the PT280 for?

 

[heftylefty]

I wonder what prestige mids in mint condition would go on **** for now that Head are no longer going to make them?

The price on those are falling. The hot head stick now are the Prestige MP's

 

[jonestim]

This is awesome...best hobby for a tennis fan! Good work.

BTW you lucky SOB...how much did you get the PT280 for?

PT280 was $20. Pro Staffs have been between $2 and $45. POGs from $2 to $40.50 Diablos have been my big tickets - $40 to $75. One of my better deals was a pair of 18x20 EXO3 Tours and a pair of 16x18s for $200 total off craigslist. Three still had plastic on the handle and the other had been strung once.

 

[lethalfang]

It means the demand is manufactured. In other words, there is no real demand for the racquet you bought. Your "want" is manufactured by the racquet company. They artificially set a MSRP. Some racquets hold value better because the demand is real.

It's like the difference in secondary market for gold vs. diamond. Demand for gold is real and sustained. Demand for diamond is manufactured.

 

[Tamiya]

Demand for diamond is manufactured.

dang, methinks nanoGrapheneKarbon is now worth more than Diamond

Argyle's HR is now seeking to poach Marketing geniuses from Wilson :twisted:

 

[Egoista]

The price on those are falling. The hot head stick now are the Prestige MP's

yeah but im sure for some prestige mid lovers it would be something to keep in hand...so they would look for them

 

[forthegame]

Not bought a brand new racquet since 2004/5 I think. That was a BBS mistake.

Used all the way, the cheaper the better.

Check out soyizgood's cheap players club for inspiration. LOL!

 

[Steve Huff]

As others have said, supply and demand dictate the price. If everyone started buying used, there would be fewer used rackets to satisfy the demand. Used prices would go up. New prices might come down. If virtually no one bought used, they would be worth even less. So why is the demand so low. Most people want: 1) a reliable, reputable source for buying 2) a warranty in case something is wrong with the item. Secondhand rackets don't offer either, that is, unless you're buying a demo from a dealer like TW. Consequently, demo rackets (which are basically secondhand rackets) sell for a higher price than that of a person trying to sell the same racket.

 

[Tamiya]

^^^ like buying a used car from a dealer vs private individual

 

[NFuego17]

Another note, often times I've found when buying them "at auction" is people are irresponsible with their frames. They put silicone in the frame or lead under the grommets without saying so in the listing. I've bought 2 pairs of racquets from different people for a very decent price only to find their weights and balances are completely different.

 

[Ronaldo]

Another note, often times I've found when buying them "at auction" is people are irresponsible with their frames. They put silicone in the frame or lead under the grommets without saying so in the listing. I've bought 2 pairs of racquets from different people for a very decent price only to find their weights and balances are completely different.

Dealers send their problems to auction. At least at an auto auction you must disclose those problems.

 

[vandre]

part of the reason for the significant value drop is simply "you don't know what the person before you did to it". they could have been "inspired" by safin or drove around with it in the trunk all summer 5 years in a row or restrung it every 2.5 hours or tapped it on every metal netpost for good luck or let their maid use it to beat the rugs etc.

when you're buying a used stick, you're almost betting against the purchase. you don't want to shell out any more money than you're willing to lose should the racquet snap at the throat on the first shot you hit with it. then you're trying to figure out how much use you'll get out of it before its time is up.

speaking personally, I look at used racquets differently than new ones. I look for used racquets that I've either played with or really wanted to try or that have a nostalgic quality to them.

 

[heftylefty]

yeah but im sure for some prestige mid lovers it would be something to keep in hand...so they would look for them

If I had the game to play with the mids, I would snatch them up.
Prestige mids are sweet lookin' sticks.

 

[JackB1]

One thing I have found is that people here on the classifieds do not want to pay more than around $100 for ANY racquet. Even if it's a new release without a mark on it that you just paid $225 for. If you put it for sale at say $150, which is a great deal, it will sit there with no responses.
I have found that anything with a used price tag over $120 does better on Flea Bay.

 

[spinovic]

One thing I have found is that people here on the classifieds do not want to pay more than around $100 for ANY racquet. Even if it's a new release without a mark on it that you just paid $225 for. If you put it for sale at say $150, which is a great deal, it will sit there with no responses.
I have found that anything with a used price tag over $120 does better on Flea Bay.

Speaking for myself, the reasoning behind that is all about TW itself. The used frame has to be priced significantly lower than what I can get a new one (or a well rated used one) from TW, or I will buy the racquet from them (even for a little more money), to avoid the risk of dealing with a stranger. The security of a known quantity like TW is worth $20-30 for me. That means any used frame would likely have to be less than $120 for me to have any interest. That is my reasoning. Maybe after establishing some trust with some members, I would go higher for those people. Maybe.