Question About Selling Price

[kostnerd]

Hey everyone. I'm looking to sell a Michael Kelly Dragonfly II mandolin for a friend and I'm wondering what a realistic selling price is? FYI, it's in excellent+ condition.

Thanks,
Chad

[EdHanrahan]

Not familiar with the MK line and don't personally have a clue. But, in your shoes, I would do a bunch of searching on eBay, on the Cafe sponsor's websites, on the "known" specialty retailers websites (Gruhn, Elderly, Mandolin Brothers, etc.), and on the web in general, if only to get the street prices of the current ones, plus maybe some used. At least that's a starting point. Good luck!

[JEStanek]

If you find a new price, multiply it by 0.70 to get a ball park figure for a used good condition mandolin. More than that, you're less likey to make the sale.

Jamie

[Willie]

Jamie, is that just a formula for Asian made mandolins and some less expensive ones? I`m sure some mandolins get a better used price than they did when they were new....I`m speaking now of the higher rated instruments....thanks....Willie

[Schlegel]

About the only time it's not true is when a maker has a very, very long waiting list. Otherwise the only way most mandolins sell for more than the original price is if you wait 30 years.

[JEStanek]

I think this in general, applies to production instruments.

Collimgs MT 2100 new typically 1500-1600 used (~70% of retail)
Breedlove Quartz O series sell new 1000 used about 700-750

I don't have the data but I'm guessing recent used Gibsons (A9, F9, Jam Masters, F5Gs) go similarly. Even many custom builds loose 20-30% on the used market.

My statement was based on casual observations of the classifieds and the forums. I'm know there are others who have collected the data and made more rigorous analysis.

Jamie

[MandoNicity]

The best advice here for the OP is to do a search and see what the market is bearing. MK's are heavily discounted mandos when new. Good luck!

JR

[jdchapman]

Right--the suggested retail price is not the retail price, more than with most things, I think. A good idea to find the cost of the instrument, new, from a higher volume retailer like those suggested above. Not sure if they carry the MK, though. Maybe Musician's friend or Sweetwater or some etailer like that. They'll have the retail price point set at the low end, but that's what the used instrument is competing against.

[jim_n_virginia]

I know two people who have been buying and selling used instruments for a long time and both have told me in the last year or so they have had to discount their instruments deeply to make them move. You may want to factor the economy into this when you sell it. Just like houses people aren't buying unless it is a good deal.

[Folkmusician.com]

Jim is right on the money. Emphasize "Good deal", not just a fair price.
Also keep in mind that just like used cars, or anything else, a dealer will get a better price than a private party. If you are buying used from a reputable shop, it is more like getting a certified used mandolin.

The thing going for the used market right now, is the extreme mandolin shortage. It seems to just get progressively worse. I can't get enough mandolins to meet our sales. If you want a Dragonfly right now, you can wait until Dec-Jan (and maybe still not get one), hunt down one of the few dealers that still have one in stock or find one in the used market.