Reo used prices.

[jkais3r]

Out of curiousity... I have been watching the classifieds lately and have seen reos going for much higher than I think is reasonable.

Yesterday one grand sold for $140 with maybe an extra bottle. It was used and had a few nicks. A brand spanking new one is only $5 more. I am not understanding why someone wouldn't just buy it new for that price. If it had came with a rm2 I would completely understand.

Today one is listed at $100, it is a mini, and has some obvious signs of wear. And people are still commenting that it is a great deal. Now if I were going to sink that kind of money into a mod, I wouldn't buy one that looks like it had been used and abused. The difference in prices aren't really reflecting their values.

So, am I missing something here? I could see paying $75ish for one with obvious signs of wear, and maybe $110 for one with a few nicks that are relatively unnoticable.

And I saw a rm2 sell for $35. Isn't a new one $43? You can't tell me that people are that tight.

I do not own a reo yet. I am waiting for the sub-ohm kit to be standard before purchasing my first. Unless what I would call a reasonable deal comes up. But it does not appear that my idea of reasonable is the same as others.

(In my initial post, I have mis-spoken. I am sure that the flaws on the mods in the classifieds were simply pointed out to show that the conditions exist. I believe that the mods being sold there look extremely nice.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

... and yet they sell quickly at those prices. Just sayin'.

 

[jkais3r]

... and yet they sell quickly at those prices. Just sayin'.

I know! What am I missing? I'm not bashing a device I haven't even used or bashing people for paying x dollars. It just doesn't add up for me.

 

[FEEDER]

If people are buying them at those prices, they obviously think they're worth it,
If you don't, the only option, is to buy new
The choice is yours, saying you won't pay that much for a used one, is a bit futile
Frank

 

[JC Okie]

They hold their value very well, and obviously those prices aren't out of range or they wouldn't sell within hours, sometimes minutes of being posted. The used REOs work just as well as the new ones, and many of the ones that have been sold recently have been rebuilt (to be essentially new on the inside). Also, the OG Mini (like the one in classys right now for $105 shipped) is no longer being made, so there's that. People who want an original 14500 Mini can only get them if someone has one for sale. In fact, I'm sitting on both my hands right now, and trying to make myself stay away from the classifieds until that little blue Mini goes to someone else.....because I want to buy it SOOOO badly!!!!

 

[Hypatia]

That Green Anodized Reo in the classies for $145 shipped? Yeah, I bought that one. Yes, a new one is the same price, but those colors aren't made any more, and it's my FAVORITE color of the anodized. It's not just about price for some of us; it's about value. Price and value are usually directly correlated, yet sometimes they are mutually exclusive. Reos hold their value very well, especially discontinued styles/colors in pristine condition can command current new price.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

What am I missing?

Possibly the love. Seriously, people name their Reos. We also talk about making sure they "go to a good home" - it's almost more about adoption than purchasing. Affection for these little beauties goes waaaay beyond a consumer device.

 

[JC Okie]

+1^^^^ Exactly.

 

[JC Okie]

That Green Anodized Reo in the classies for $145 shipped? Yeah, I bought that one. Yes, a new one is the same price, but those colors aren't made any more, and it's my FAVORITE color of the anodized. It's not just about price for some of us; it's about value. Price and value are usually directly correlated, yet sometimes they are mutually exclusive. Reos hold their value very well, especially discontinued styles/colors in pristine condition can command current new price.

This. Yes. True, true!! BTW, Hypatia, I have one of the original anodized green Grands and I absolutely LOVE it. Good buy!!

 

[jkais3r]

That Green Anodized Reo in the classies for $145 shipped? Yeah, I bought that one. Yes, a new one is the same price, but those colors aren't made any more, and it's my FAVORITE color of the anodized. It's not just about price for some of us; it's about value. Price and value are usually directly correlated, yet sometimes they are mutually exclusive. Reos hold their value very well, especially discontinued styles/colors in pristine condition can command current new price.

I wanted that green one. It looked nearly mint condition and it was a great color of green. I agree on the price on that one due to it being discontinued.

I didn't understand that the og mini uses a 14500 battery and not an 18490/18500. I thought it was the same as the current mini's. Thank you for that clarification. I didn't turn anything up with a quick google search an hour or so ago.

Maybe the pictures don't do the mods justice either, like that blue one that is up right now. It may look almost new in person while the seller has decided to point out the flaws beforehand, rather than have an angry buyer afterwards.

And when you said the interior has been rebuilt, does that mean they bought a repair kit and replaced everything that comes with it? Or something else?

Thank you all for not attacking me immediately and helping me to understand these prices.

 

[turbocad6]

I've always noticed the same thing and just don't get it either. I've seen obviously warn ones go for like $7 less than a new one, a used one goes more that a brand new blem? I would def understand something like this on a woody, hell there I could see how one could go for more than full retail even, but I don't understand this when it comes to the metal ones, but like's been said, they sell quickly even at that I bought my first grand used, it had a fresh rebuild kit installed and wasn't used since and it included an rm2 and it was $125 shipped and even then I was kind of on the fence. from now on I'll only buy new unless I found a scratched up one for like half the price of new

* EDIT, I can see this on a rare color or a finish no longer available, that would be an exception I think

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

I

Thank you all for not attacking me immediately and helping me to understand these prices.

No worries. It's chill here in the 'ville

 

[Hypatia]

jkais3r, you can also take away from this the fact that should you not find your future Reo to your liking, it will certainly sell for essentially the price you paid for it. At worst, you'd only be out a couple of shipping charges plus maybe $5. Although, don't try to sell it for MORE than you paid, of course!

For me, purchasing my first Reo was easy once I was reassured that I could essentially "make my money back" should I not like it. However, as you can see, I'm still here and am only adding to my "family."

 

[JC Okie]

I wanted that green one. It looked nearly mint condition and it was a great color of green. I agree on the price on that one due to it being discontinued.

I didn't understand that the og mini uses a 14500 battery and not an 18490/18500. I thought it was the same as the current mini's. Thank you for that clarification. I didn't turn anything up with a quick google search an hour or so ago.

Maybe the pictures don't do the mods justice either, like that blue one that is up right now. It may look almost new in person while the seller has decided to point out the flaws beforehand, rather than have an angry buyer afterwards.

And when you said the interior has been rebuilt, does that mean they bought a repair kit and replaced everything that comes with it? Or something else?

Thank you all for not attacking me immediately and helping me to understand these prices.

Yes....I mean a complete rebuild kit has been installed.....new 510 connection, new bottle, new hose, new spring, new firing pin. Makes it as good (functional) as a new one. So....if the outside is in great condition, a $23 dollar rebuild kit has been installed, if it's a discontinued color, etc., we consider all that then decide if it's worth it. I have purchased several REOs used off the classifieds and have never felt "cheated" yet. I could buy new, but these used ones need Mamas too.......just sayin'

 

[BlueSnake]

Maybe the pictures don't do the mods justice either, like that blue one that is up right now. It may look almost new in person while the seller has decided to point out the flaws beforehand, rather than have an angry buyer afterwards.

And when you said the interior has been rebuilt, does that mean they bought a repair kit and replaced everything that comes with it? Or something else?

Thank you all for not attacking me immediately and helping me to understand these prices.

Yes it does mean that there was a repair kit put in and all parts are now new.

And yes I took extreme close ups so there would be no misunderstandings. Had I just taken normal shots it would have looked in great condition like it does in person.

I also added a brand new never used pair of AW batteries and a blacks delrin button. This model Reo is also no longer in production and has quite a loyal following in the Reo community. If it wasn't SO small for these old hands I wouldn't even consider selling it.

The other thing you are not considering about used Reo prices is that when you purchase new Reos there is also shipping added to the prices you see on the website.

 

[supertrunker]

The life expectancy of a used Reo that has been rebuilt is the same as a new one. Which is why the price is what it is.

The life expectancy of say a used Vamo .....


T

 

[patkin]

Well, not meaning to sound snarky, but one of the reasons might be because of what I experience. Every time I go to the site, I either get "this product is currently not available" or I get sent to "404 article #8 not found" on everything I click on. I just give up and have been giving up for over a year. That's a positive thing as it means I'm still interested but can see why someone would go to the classies instead.

 

[Rickajho]

It's simply what the market will bear. And the market decides those are fair prices, considering some of them get snatched up in less than 10 minutes after they are posted. You may not like it, but unless you are willing to pay what others see as the value in those prices you won't be getting one through the classifieds.

The cosmetics can always be dealt with if someone want to do an aesthetic overhaul. But IMO the reason why a Reo loses so little in resale value isn't because it's pretty - it's because it works so damned well even if the finish has some dings in it. Until you actually have one in hand you won't understand that aspect of a Reo.

 

[jkais3r]

With this new-found information I was about to buy that little blue guy but it appears someone has beat me to it. Drats. Those meddling kids.

 

[Alexander Mundy]

My grandparents were antique dealers most of their lives. When someone would ask my grandmother what something was worth she would tell them "The book is a starting point, but it's worth is what someone is willing to pay for it." That saying has stuck with me all my life.