Craig List tool prices

[Rick Potter]

I watch CL for used tools pretty regularly, and in my area the prices seem pretty high lately. Used Unisaws for $1800, old B&D routers that used to go for $30 are now asking $80. etc.

I think it is about time I thinned the herd , like I have talked about for several years.

I assume this is because of the pandemic, how goes it in your area?

[Dave Sabo]

The same ; prices are up because demand is strong.

The music is slowing though. Better get in the game quick, because you've already missed the frenzy and suppliers are beginning to catch up

[Ron Citerone]

I watch it casually and I have been amazed through the pandemic how expensive used machines were and also how there were many less available on Craigslist.

BTW, I think it is the same with used boats and motors. The prices of used small lake type fishing boats is way up from what I see.

[Cassius Nielsen]

I recently was on the opposite end trying to buy a bandsaw and jointer, ended up with a delta 37-190 jointer for $200 and a delta 28-216 bandsaw for $400. Not screaming deals but the bandsaw had a 1.5/2.0 hp motor and both were in good shape. I jumped on them 20-30 min after the ad's were listed. Craigslist is dead in my area, facebook marketplace has much more traffic. I looked for about a month pretty heavily and people were asking a lot for some very rough looking machines. 3/4 hp 14" bandsaws regularly list for $500-$600, same for 6" jointers. Two people have DJ-20's that have been listed for a while at $1600. I watched one DJ-15 sell for 700 at an auction. Anything thats priced accordingly, 50% or less of retail, gets snapped up fast. Thats for 20+ year old machines you cant buy parts for anymore. You could probably ask closer to 75%/ retail for new well taken care of machines and expect to come down some with haggling. I live in New Orleans and was searching in a 250 mile radius, found the bandsaw 4 hours away. I'm waiting on the day a year or three down the road when there is a flood of lightly used new machines that were pandemic buys.

[Charles Coolidge]

Delta Unisaws here in the Pacific NW are cheap for some reason. As low $500. A decent looking saw for $750-800 and restored for $900-1,000. On occasion a near new one for $1,800. Prices of other tools are sky high. Lots of people here are buying up stuff at auctions then trying to flip them for ridiculous prices. This stuff sits for months to years unsold but well priced tools sell fast. So fast it gives the illusion of everything priced high.

[Erik Loza]

I took an order for one of our jointer/planers the other day. The gentleman originally purchased a new stand-alone 20" Asian planer in 2019. He told me that he felt confident he could get practically what he paid for it on the used market without too much effort. There simply aren't enough machines to go around, from anyone. During the Great Recession of 2008-2010, there were plenty of machines but no buyers. Now, plenty of buyers but no machines.

Erik

[Charles Coolidge]

Erik that was the case here in the Pacific NW for the past few months but now our local Woodcrafters (not Woodcraft) is overflowing with machines. Not sure if this was just a wave of product hitting or bursting of the backorder dam.

[Erik Loza]

Erik that was the case here in the Pacific NW for the past few months but now our local Woodcrafters (not Woodcraft) is overflowing with machines. Not sure if this was just a wave of product hitting or bursting of the backorder dam.

Charles, out of curiosity: Bigger stationary machinery or just jobsite tools?

Erik

[Nathan Johnson]

I watch it casually and I have been amazed through the pandemic how expensive used machines were and also how there were many less available on Craigslist.

BTW, I think it is the same with used boats and motors. The prices of used small lake type fishing boats is way up from what I see.

Used Boat prices are insane.

[Charles Coolidge]

Charles, out of curiosity: Bigger stationary machinery or just jobsite tools?

Erik

Stationary, crates of SawStop machines, Laguna, plus all the accessories, bunches of Powermatic planers both standard and 100th anniversary. I received my 5HP SawStop ICS from them last week and my Powermatic 15HH from Woodcraft the week before.

[Bob Riefer]

Lots more people feeling empowered to list items with a gruff tone theses days too... "Price is FIRM, don't waste my time" types of comments. When I see those, I move to the next listing... I consider it risky to deal with anyone unwilling to haggle a little on used equipment that has unknown-to-me potential issues.

On the flip side, I have made multiple friendships through buying/selling used equipment. I keep in near-daily conversation with one of the guys and we swap favors and ideas all the time.

[Erik Loza]

Stationary, crates of SawStop machines, Laguna, plus all the accessories, bunches of Powermatic planers both standard and 100th anniversary. I received my 5HP SawStop ICS from them last week and my Powermatic 15HH from Woodcraft the week before.

That's interesting, Charles. We are somewhat seeing the same thing. For example, our US Export Manager, who is in Austria, basically has entire containers of Hammer machines (especially the A3 jointer/planers) "parked" in his words, waiting for fulfillment of various small parts that are outsourced, in order to be ready. Things we all take for granted, like screws, fasteners, aluminum extrusions, etc. Sometimes, those parts how up early and then, the machines can be completed early but I sense that at least in our case, Austria would rather under-promise and over-deliver than quote delivery timelines that will frustrate folks more. So, there is still some inconsistency to the whole picture.

Erik

[William Chain]

To be fair, the low ballers, flakes, scammers, and psychos on CL are more rampant than usual. The tone I’m sure is weariness. My last attempted sale on CL was my last for good. I was threatened with bodily harm for calling out a flake for being a flake.

[Mark Gibney]

As Charles Coolidge says there are machines on CL and Offerup that are priced high and they will sit there for months.
I know this because I have been checking on bandsaws, there are a bunch on there since last summer, many of them listed by flippers. The reasonably priced machines go in hours. There was a 20" D&W for $375 in great shape a few months back, and two different Delta 14" open-stand bandsaws, one for $150 the other for $250 - apparently they were "noisy" and the owners didn't want to / know how to deal with that. Sold in minutes.

[Thomas Crawford]

Where are you guys selling bigger machines if not on CL?

[Alex Zeller]

Both Craig's list and Facebook are hit and miss. Some people think that the item is worth so much that can wrap it for free in gold when they sell it. I grew up around some people like that. They either had the money or the time to sit and wait for that one special person to come along. At the same time there's still deals to be had. Recently came across a 3 year old 8" wide bed jointer that's $3200 new and with an asking price of $2000.

I don't look too often so my skills on finding deals has dropped off. I did start to get back into woodworking several years ago when auction prices were much lower. So I'm not really looking for any specific tool. But if the right deal comes along I'll upgrade. So if you've got some old stuff you want to get rid of you might as well try. But I don't think that high asking prices means high selling prices. If another stimulus check comes out that could change as people with free money tend to overpay.

[Stewart Lang]

Where are you guys selling bigger machines if not on CL?

Facebook Marketplace is a much bigger marketplace for machinery than CL these days. At least in FL.

[Micah Puscheck]

As much as I try to get away from FB, Marketplace really is better. The signal to noise ratio selling and buying is much better, and using Messenger to reach out makes contact very simple.

[Jim Matthews]

Coastal Massachusetts, here.

CL is a decent place to buy things.
Selling is not recommended as it's sketchy and there's no way to verify identity before the buyer shows - if they bother.

FB Marketplace allows some measure if discussion, first.

Pricing is ridiculous for used machinery that hasn't been serviced, doesn't run or can't be moved without demolition of a collapsing building first.

[Lloyd McKinlay]

Lots more people feeling empowered to list items with a gruff tone theses days too... "Price is FIRM, don't waste my time" types of comments. When I see those, I move to the next listing... I consider it risky to deal with anyone unwilling to haggle a little on used equipment that has unknown-to-me potential issues.

On the flip side, I have made multiple friendships through buying/selling used equipment. I keep in near-daily conversation with one of the guys and we swap favors and ideas all the time.

Then there are those of us who hate the bargain system. If I'm selling something I price it fairly (to me) and list it as firm. When purchasing I evaluate the asking price and determine if I would pay that amount. If not I continue on. The seller who prices high to leave room to 'haggle' never hears from me.

[Patrick Varley]

Then there are those of us who hate the bargain system. If I'm selling something I price it fairly (to me) and list it as firm. When purchasing I evaluate the asking price and determine if I would pay that amount. If not I continue on. The seller who prices high to leave room to 'haggle' never hears from me.

I'm with you, Lloyd. I hate haggling. When I put things up for sale, I price them fairly but also based on how quickly I need it out the door. The worst is when I'll put something for a super low price just because I'd like it out of the shop, someone agrees, then when they're on their way (or when they show up) want me to take some trivial amount off for no particular reason other than to say they bargained on it.

But on the main topic, the market here is hot as well. Anything reasonably priced goes within an hour. Actually just managed to get an '48 Delta Wood/Metal handsaw in reasonable (but needs a bit of work) shape for $50. I messaged the guy within 30 minutes, and he said his phone was blowing up.

[Charles Coolidge]

That's interesting, Charles. We are somewhat seeing the same thing. For example, our US Export Manager, who is in Austria, basically has entire containers of Hammer machines (especially the A3 jointer/planers) "parked" in his words, waiting for fulfillment of various small parts that are outsourced, in order to be ready. Things we all take for granted, like screws, fasteners, aluminum extrusions, etc. Sometimes, those parts how up early and then, the machines can be completed early but I sense that at least in our case, Austria would rather under-promise and over-deliver than quote delivery timelines that will frustrate folks more. So, there is still some inconsistency to the whole picture.

Erik

This is just in time supply chain biting us. Nobody inventories 1-2 years of components and materials to build things anymore. I ran across a story the other day speaking to the huge number of containers waiting to dock and unload. Sounds like shipping got backed up and a tidal wave hit all at once.

[Charles Coolidge]

The worst is when I'll put something for a super low price just because I'd like it out of the shop, someone agrees, then when they're on their way (or when they show up) want me to take some trivial amount off for no particular reason other than to say they bargained on it.

LOL I had a guy try that, claimed he was short $20. I pointed him towards town told him there are several ATM's then gave him the Tony Soprano poker face. He folded like a cheap lawn chair and found another $20 in his wallet.

[Alex Zeller]

The problem with pricing high is that not everyone is close by. If I'm going to drive hours then I'm doing so with the intent of buying. The last thing I want is for the seller to get a better offer while I'm on my way there. That usually means just telling the seller I'll be there with cash and give them an accurate time. Once I do that the seller must know I'm serious and I'm not likely to go home empty handed. That means very little room for haggling.

If I'm selling I don't want to deal with tire kickers so I price it low so it goes quickly. That usually means more than one person interested and I usually tell people who contact me. First come first serve. I will hold something for one day but if it's a Tuesday I don't commit to holding it until the weekend. I usually tell them contact me the morning before you are coming.

[Ralph Turney]

Just 6 weeks ago I put my 30+ years old Jet 6” jointer for sale on Facebook. One flake got me going for a day or two. Then I got a solid offer and sold it the next morning. I had checked out listings for a day or two and put it up for 500.00...more than I paid for it brand new! Nice guy showed up, he made an offer, I countered...deal for 475! Still more than I paid originally!

[Stephen Rosenthal]

Coastal Massachusetts, here.

CL is a decent place to buy things.
Selling is not recommended as it's sketchy and there's no way to verify identity before the buyer shows - if they bother.

Actually I’ve always felt there’s more risk in buying than selling. You never know what you’re going to encounter and you’re likely carrying a lot of cash. I’ve read about people getting robbed when they arrive to buy something. I still transact buying and selling via Craigslist (no social media for me), but I’m very cautious and usually drive around the area before buying something and never go inside anyone’s house.

[Richard Link]

I'd be reluctant to use "craigslist economics" to drive your decision making. Likewise, craigslist isn't a place to make a killing on selling tools. If you want to thin the herd that's certainly a good idea and demand may be higher at the moment (for probably a relatively short time) as supply has been limited for new tools. With that said, a fair reasonable price designed to move the tool rapidly without haggling has always been my most successful strategy. This is especially true if you are selling specialty tools to enthusiasts rather than cheaper mass market big box stuff to the general population.

[Bob Riefer]

Then there are those of us who hate the bargain system. If I'm selling something I price it fairly (to me) and list it as firm. When purchasing I evaluate the asking price and determine if I would pay that amount. If not I continue on. The seller who prices high to leave room to 'haggle' never hears from me.

Believe me, I price fairly and am pretty firm on my price too... but I don't list a "stay off my lawn" grumpy statement when I post, and I avoid buying from guys that do use those kinds of statements.

---

One thing I really like about FB Marketplace is that you can gut check whether the reply is coming from a legit source or not by taking a quick look at their public profile (i.e. are they local? do they have a real profile? are they going to show up wielding a bazooka? etc.)

[Patrick Varley]

Well, I guess everyone is looking in the wrong places with this gem floating around.

457195

[Rick Potter]

Well, it is a table, and a saw. Rare vintage piece. You could do worse.

[Jim Matthews]

Well, I guess everyone is looking in the wrong places with this gem floating around.

457195

That's a quality Perogi slicer, right dere.
Yinz gize get all the best deals.

[Cassius Nielsen]

That table saw would be listed as perfect condition around me :p. To OP, I believe now is the time to sell if you want to.

[Mitchell Garnett]

I'm glad to have read this thread. I'm grappling with how to sell bigger tools and some of the info here is helpful.

Thanks to all the posters.

[Mike Kees]

O man, just the saw I have been waiting for most of my life.

[Lisa Starr]

Selling on CL, at least for me, requires a "feel-o-meter". They can text or email at first, but I insist on a telephone call prior to any discussion of price/more exact location. Sometimes, I just don't like the demeanor/tone and decline to sell to them. I try to price my items on the higher end of fair and usually decline to haggle unless it has been list for over a week. I just sold my Table Saw to a gentleman that drove 1-1/2 hours and paid asking price, no questions asked. He indicated that he's been watching for an used cabinet saw for over 6 months.