Are people nuts?

[Bill_S]

Well we know some are but have you seen the prices some people are asking for used t2's on ebay? $1550, $1675. Over 2,000 for an new LTD. Meanwhile there are new ones that are listed for $799 that have not sold while some used ones are being bidded up over $1,000.

 

[Youngted]

I suppose the ones you mention are on the U.S.A. site I have only seen the ones on Ebay Uk the top price was

 

[morelic55]

It's called supply & demand. If someone in the goldfields overseas finds the motherload with a Radio Shack detector, it would be the same. Right now they are looking for any machine under $8000 that finds gold. FT is back ordered and Minelab is making a killing also. I would say that if you have a T-2 that you are not totaly in love with, right now would be the time to sell it, it's just bad news for us, over here to try to buy one for MAP pricing.................

 

[mgtmadness]

yeah ML GP4500 sell for 4500 new but on ebay i seen as high as 19k, mostly around 8k though.

 

[Silverman777]

Can't speak for the others But I am sure I am a little nuts LOL Got to be to fit in!

 

[lafatlife]

I thought about parting with mine since I have the omega as well but I am afraid of getting ripped off.

 

[Prospector Mike N.S.]

You may not like my opinion but everyone is in titled to their own opinion as I am, I say any dealer in N.A. that tries to sell their T2's for more than what the manufacturers suggested retail price is will be cutting their own throat! No matter what the supply and demand is for these overseas ! Think about it, the prices for these detectors in my opinion is higher than what the should be anyway. Just look at what you got here, take the cover off, how many parts in the circuitry could drive a price up that much ? Take a look at any electronic devices on the market today, let's look at a computer for and example, a computers main board has more parts ie: Ic's,Processors,Capacitors,Resistors etc. than these little circuit boards in these detectors and can do way more processing, calculating, and so much more for 1/4 the price of these metal detectors ! Another thing if any dealer decides he will sell his for more than the Suggested Retail price and play into the hands of this high demand will regret it the rest of his business life. Take example of past, during the Ice Storm of 1998 in N.E. Canada, many stores were gouging the normal customers and charging absorbent prices for necessities such as milk, gas,batteries,eggs, bread etc. they may have prospered during this tough times , but people remembered after it was over who took advantage of a bad situation. Let's say today many of those businesses no longer exist today or are feeling the effects from loss revenue because loss of customers that never returned. People have been manipulated for to many years now, and finally the little guy is finally standing up and saying " We aren't going to take it anymore". So what I'm saying is Dealer beware if you decide to increase your prices due to this high demand and go beyond what the manufactures suggested retail price is then you will reap the consequences, trust me on this!
Prospector Mike
N.S.

 

[marcomo]

Prospector Mike - I can understand your frustration but consider the opposite side of the coin from this situation - when a dealer gets stuck with poor selling models that per their dealer contract they are not allowed to sell for less than the MAP. I don't feel sorry for them then, so when an extraordinary situation allows them to make a better profit for a short time I don't begrudge them for it.

Like morelic said, it's basic supply and demand. As customers, you and I may not be happy with what happens to prices when supply is low and demand is high. But history has shown that the alternative to free market supply and demand is invariably worse.

 

[sweepdog]

People just go crazy over some things. Remember when explorer 1050 10.5 inch coils were gotng for $200.00 when guys didn't like the slimline coil. 1050 coils are going for about $50.00 now. Just give it a little time. I saw T2 detectors going for $350.00 - $400.00 used just a few months ago. There is just to much hype. Wait, and the price will be back in the toilet again.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

A dealer can gouge the customer all they want, that's free enterprise. But they won't get my business anymore. I watch closely the dealers who are still playing a fair hand and the ones who aren't. What goes around really does come around. Penny wise and pound foolish. Those sayings didn't come from nowhere.

 

[themartaman]

I was curious about the bidders on the T2 machines. If you look at each auction you will see one familiar user that stops bidding just short of winning. Has zero feedback. As long as paypal is used you are safe. No international shipping. A friend in Savannah has his on ebay. Bought it from another friend for 500. Bidding up to 1600. Dealers should be able to get as much as possible without anyone complaining. One dealer offered his on forum and I guess no one wanted them. Ebay gives him a chance to break even on maybe some not so good deals. It is an interesting situation though. Happy with my Omega and Sovereign Elite.

 

[marcomo]

A dealer can gouge the customer all they want, that's free enterprise. But they won't get my business anymore. I watch closely the dealers who are still playing a fair hand and the ones who aren't. What goes around really does come around. Penny wise and pound foolish. Those sayings didn't come from nowhere.

Supply high, demand low = prices go down
Supply low, demand high = prices go up

That's the natural law of supply and demand. It's been that way since the beginning of time.

You can say you're not playing that game, and you'd be wise not to.

Taking a contrarian position (like in the stock market) has proven time and again to be the smartest and most profitable thing to do.

The outrageous prices for T2 right now (a couple nice used ones being auctioned are up to over $2,000 with almost 2 days left!) are following the "bubble" pattern happens so often when prices go up way past what they logically should.

When the detecting neophytes in Africa realize that other detectors can find gold just like the Minelab GP4500 and the T2, maybe other detectors will shoot up too. And when the gold rush subsides as gold rushes always do, the bubble will pop. As bubbles always do.

I'll tell you what, if I had a T2 right now, no matter how much I loved it, it would be up for sale and I'd be buying the T2's younger brother at less than half the price.

 

[jbow]

I think a seller will be safe doing international sales if they insist on being paid with with a Western Union transfer and you might make a lot more money...