Why buy used ?

desslok

New User
It can definitely be a gamble but in my experience, you can't beat the low price... it can also depend on who your buying form as some just sell used rackets whereas others are just dumping over spec frames (as mentioned by ChanterRacquet)
 

jimmy8

G.O.A.T.
You can get new rackets sometimes from people who sell on flea bay, Facebook marketplace, craigslist. For cheap too.
 

ryushen21

Legend
It's a money saver for sure. Especially with the increasing cost of racquets.

It's also the best way to demo because you can do whatever you want in terms of strings and customization.
 

TennisHound

Legend
I think the OP answered his own question. Of course a teaching pro or coach is gonna go through Fro muth anyway and pay about 50-60% less than retail. Just saying...
 
I was thinking this too. What new 26" RA 37 racquet is new this year?
Lol ehhhhh you may have to go with a Soft Tennis racquet from Japan?

That or maybe an aluminum racquet from a big box store, they do get soft after a few restrings

Or you could also make one yourself from twigs too, there's always twigs lying around (y)
 
If you buy used, you can also sometimes get a good feel for what string works in a frame. Sometimes I pick up a racquet secondhand and think "I can see why they went with this", while other times it's "did someone really try and play with this?"

Also, can't say for sure, but if it's not straight away after a racquet is released, and it's been quite a few months, you can sometimes get racquets well within or almost precisely on spec. Sometimes sellers also state that they haven't restrung the racquet in a few months, so it might have played well and they held onto it but they haven't used it in a while or they upgraded, so they're selling. Also seems much more likely when they're selling more than one

Like others said, racquets are meant to be used, you can offload it for about the same price if it's in good condition and a popular model if it's already had the plastic wrap taken off

Also means, if you're a hoarder/collector, you can buy the new one, store it, just use the already used ones, and sell it for more than you bought it for if it randomly takes off like a limited edition pj or model like some Graphene Touch Speeds recently did
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
Why does anyone buy anything used? To save money.

If the price of a new racquet is not an issue for someone’s budget, they will buy new.

Heck, too many people keep playing with dead poly just to save a few bucks on restringing. I wouldn’t expect those people to buy new racquets if they can get gently used ones at a discount.
 

JFrijhoff

Rookie
It's a great way to properly test rackets without paying big bucks. Much better than getting a demo racket for 1 or 2 weeks with a crappy, dead string. Now I can rigorously test a racket with different strings and tensions, and sell it on without much loss if I don't like it.
 

esm

Legend
For me, depends.
If there is a new release I absolutely needed to have it yesterday, then I’d cough up the money for a brand new one, whether I can play with it or not is a different story.

If there is one I am after for many years, especially the old-school/collector’s items, then it is likely to be pre-owned. Still looking for the (decently priced, used) yellow/blue Donnay Pro One OS and POG107, and others from the 1990s….. lol
 

Guttersnipe

Rookie
Opportunity cost.

Inflation has hit the tennis industry with heavy top spin!

As a kid when I chose my first adult racquet (PD 107 cortex) it was 230 aud at most. Now it’s +400 aud as the stock standard...that is utterly absurd!

There is minimal upgrade from generations and sometimes they tinker too much and the previous iteration hits better, lol

FOMO is the biggest factor tbh, if you like a new frame’s specs or the paint job is particularly enticing, the just wait a year or 2 to pick one up on clearance or keep checking out Facebook MP, hoping your grip size pops up locally and for a steal.
 

TennisLogic

Semi-Pro
Buy new. When you buy used, you get a softer frame, you don’t know how many times it’s been restrung or how often it’s sat in a hot car.
Problem with people here is they buy a lot of racquets, which is not good for their game.
Demo then buy new and keep for a couple of years. That’s how you save money… not by buying and selling racquets every few months
 

JFrijhoff

Rookie
Buy new. When you buy used, you get a softer frame, you don’t know how many times it’s been restrung or how often it’s sat in a hot car.
Problem with people here is they buy a lot of racquets, which is not good for their game.
Demo then buy new and keep for a couple of years. That’s how you save money… not by buying and selling racquets every few months
Demo programs suck and are not long enough, buying used suits me much better to really demo a racket for longer, different strings and tensions. If you want to do that with a demo program, it’ll only cost you more than buying used. There are plenty of used rackets that are new enough, even if you don’t precisely know how many hours it was played.
 

johnmccabe

Hall of Fame
Demo programs suck and are not long enough, buying used suits me much better to really demo a racket for longer, different strings and tensions. If you want to do that with a demo program, it’ll only cost you more than buying used. There are plenty of used rackets that are new enough, even if you don’t precisely know how many hours it was played.
One week demo is a nice business idea that doesn't really provide answers to people know about racquets.
 

TennisLogic

Semi-Pro
switching racquets willy nilly doesn't add any benefit. you have people who are always on the search for newer racquets and who are wondering why they never get past the 4.0 level.
instead of buying used, settle on a racquet. used racquets are almost as expensive as new ones now; people want 220 to 250, sometimes plus shipping for pure aero 98 or ezone.
better to buy a deal from: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/promos.html call it a day, and focus on your game.
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
You can still buy brand new for 30 to 40 percent off. Just wait for the close out when new versions come out. TW puts out great sales especially those Prince and some head rackets
 

Guttersnipe

Rookie
switching racquets willy nilly doesn't add any benefit. you have people who are always on the search for newer racquets and who are wondering why they never get past the 4.0 level.
instead of buying used, settle on a racquet. used racquets are almost as expensive as new ones now; people want 220 to 250, sometimes plus shipping for pure aero 98 or ezone.
better to buy a deal from: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/promos.html call it a day, and focus on your game.
Or just don’t buy an aero...they are Garbo anyway
 

mixtape

Professional
I buy used to save money. I've bought my racquets used from TW and they have been generous with their conditions. I bought a few Grade A sticks and one still had the manufacturer plastic over the original grip!
 

FootFault18

Rookie
Rackets used ? Instead of new ? Why ?
Lower Price.
Old models you cann't find anymore new.
So many used racquets are like new.

I use Head Liquidmetal Radical MP. It is a 20 years old racquet. I have like 18 of them, so I think I have enough racquets for my entire life.
I have no paid more than 20-30 dollars for each.

I recommend to find a model you like so much and try to obtain about 5 or 6 units, with so many grommets for that model.
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Lower Price.
Old models you cann't find anymore new.
So many used racquets are like new.

I use Head Liquidmetal Radical MP. It is a 20 years old racquet. I have like 18 of them, so I think I have enough racquets for my entire life.
I have no paid more than 20-30 dollars for each.

I recommend to find a model you like so much and try to obtain about 5 or 6 units, with so many grommets for that model.
18? Impressive.i think I peaked at 7 or 8 of the same racket.
 

ClownCar96

Professional
When I sell my used racquets, I always give the buyer the exact unstrung specs (static, SW, Bal). That's an advantage over spinning the roulette wheel when buying new!
 

A_Instead

Legend
Tax savings alone can pay for a good string Job..
Taxes are the ghost costs that are often overlooked but always have to be paid..
 

Alcawrath

Professional
I guess I look it at this way. You can often get a really good 9.5/10 racquet for almost $100 of the new sticker price, so you have to ask yourself, is that one little chip or scrape on the edge of the frame worth $100 to you? I often have less of a problem buying used when I realize that after a month of play I'll have put at least one little chip or scrape on one of my mains.
 

Fairhit

Hall of Fame
Sorry for hijacking this thread but let me ask you a question, 150 bucks for these is a good deal?
Whats-App-Image-2024-07-22-at-3-12-38-PM.jpg
 

Hawks9451

Professional
Sorry for hijacking this thread but let me ask you a question, 150 bucks for these is a good deal?
Whats-App-Image-2024-07-22-at-3-12-38-PM.jpg
Those are 16x18 six one 95 rackets? K factors sell all day for $50-70ea. Not a very bad deal. Note: K Factor six one is the stiffest feeling one, so make sure you want that. I like them personally.
 

TennisHound

Legend
Why buy new? (Unless its like me - WIlson Blade Team off a site for $75 with roll of lead tape and grip for under $100)
 
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