Wondering what you guys are typically paying for used loading equipment compared to retail for new stuff.
Story is I have been looking for a used RCBS trimmer for a few years now...( I have one already but would like a second to mount my case neck turning tool to permanently) it's not really a must have as I have both the rcbs and Redding case cutting lathes but I prefer the rcbs which is why I'm looking for another....
Any ways I was in a LGS and noticed an old rcbs cutter on the counter with a bunch of other old rcbs loading equipment.
First thing I noticed was the amount of rust on the cutting mandrel.( didn't seem like it was pitted yet but the whole thing was covered in rust. The mandrel handle was missing as were all but 2 pilots and one case holding plate.( no biggie I already have the plates for my other one and since I'll be using it for the neck Turner I don't need any pilots.
Closer inspection revealed the cutter head was full of chips and nicks...again for my use no biggie
I figured a crank handle would be 1 hour to make and another hour or two cleaning it up and bingo.....
I asked the owner what he wanted for it. His reply was he wanted to sell all the stuff as a package...
Ok I'm not interested in any of the other junk ( looked like it was stored in a cardboard box under water for the last year or so...) and was about to walk
He looks at me and says well....i can let that one piece go for 100$ but that's the lowest I'll go as a new one is about 230$....
I almost choked. I pointed out all the issues with it and if a guy was to buy it to use as a case trimmer he would need to put about 150$ into it and still spend 1-2 hours cleaning and getting rid of the rust...
My thoughts were closer to 25-40$ in that condition but he wouldn't budge...
He also had another box of rcbs equipment that he admitted was used buy the guy for 20years ( so it's good stuff:-) it was a progressive press and assorted old scales and such probably 5 pesos so. Again all rusty and covered in 20 years of grime.. he was looking for 1300$ for the box....
No clue if all the pieces were even there but he looked at all the equipment at new retail price and came up with a # accordingly....he even admitted he wasn't a reloader and wasn't sure how to use the stuff....if he didn't know how to use it how does he know if it's even complete sets? Or if any of the stuff even works? The two beam scales I saw in the box were just dropped loose and had other bits thrown on top of them
good luck getting them to weigh properly
Are there actually folks that would pay close to 50% or better for broken down old scrap that to get them up to snuff would cost them more than buying new??
Do you guys buy older used stuff? What kind of prices do you pay for older mint /, older good, older/ run hard put away wet used equipment?..
Guess I'll keep looking for a good deal on a case trimmer in the mean time:-)