Is it just me or are these prices out of hand?

[Marshall Harrison]

First let me say that I'm not in the best of moods today so maybe I'm overreacting.

I've mentioned here before how most of the table saws on Craig's List in my are are junk. Even though I have a new Laguna Fusion I still enjoy looking at what's available in the local market. I also do this for tools I need like a drill press. But today these stood out. (if either of them is your posting I apologize but would like to know your reasoning).

Used Craftsman with really bad rust and a broken motor mount. Asking $300 'https://brunswick.craigslist.org/tls/d/table-saw/6587451451.html

Powermatic 12" TS Asking $3000
'https://ocala.craigslist.org/tls/d/powermatic-12-table-saw/6578533601.html

Is it just me or are these prices off base?

[Carlos Alvarez]

There are idiots everywhere. I'm just shocked that they didn't include the key numbskull phrases like, "I know what it's worth" and "rare one of a kind, don't lowball me!!" Things are worth whatever someone will pay for them. On the other hand, if the pickings are slim where you live, they can ask for more. My friend lives part time in Maryland, part here in AZ. When he drives his ancient Toyota Four-runner to Maryland, people offer him big cash to buy it right there, although he's never wanted to sell it. Here it's not worth much. Why? All cars there are rusted junk.

My Unisaw was $500 on CL with a Biesmeyer fence and extended rails (but missing the table part). I thought that was a steal, but for the most part these old saws are rarely over $1k here. Here's the most expensive one I've seen in a while, but seems well worth it... 'https://tucson.craigslist.org/tls/d/tricked-out-delta-unisaw/6601531158.html

[Jim Koepke]

Marshall, It seems the locals are voting with their lack of interest in these two ads since they have both been around for a while.

I have seen people list rust bucket and broken Stanley #45 planes for outrageous prices because in their mind there is some rarity to one in that condition. Maybe they have been smoking something way more powerful than any other man or woman has ever known.

As Carlos says, location can make a big difference.

jtk

[Rick Potter]

I think a lot of this type ad, is by family members cleaning out an estate. They look on CL for comps and choose unwisely.

There is one on my local list advertising a 'wood saw' in the box. The pictured box plainly says it is a HF lathe.

[Carlos Alvarez]

I'm shopping for a small travel trailer to pull with my Jeep. I keep finding junk (COUGH) er..."vintage" like this for crazy prices...

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[Brian Henderson]

I've got the same problem here, woodworking is just not a big thing so usually, there is nothing at all on Craigslist and when something shows up, it is vastly overpriced for rusted out junk. I will never understand how people can expect to sell thing when they are buried under garbage, rusted solid and just dirty. How long does it take to wipe off the crap?

[Bill Orbine]

The sellers are not the idiots. They're are waiting for THE idiots to respond! Caveat Emptor!

[Mike Cutler]

Marshall

Yep, those prices are out of whack.
I look at CL a lot also, mostly the NE area, and there are much, much, better prices than that.
If you're willing to part with $3K for a used table saw, you're in the Tannewitz/Oliver/Northfield range.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

While this price was out of line, regionally, prices can vary dramatically. For reasons, I haven't figured out, Craigslist prices for woodworking and other tools locally are incredibly high. I quit looking some time ago.

[Marshall Harrison]

Marshall

Yep, those prices are out of whack.
I look at CL a lot also, mostly the NE area, and there are much, much, better prices than that.
If you're willing to part with $3K for a used table saw, you're in the Tannewitz/Oliver/Northfield range.

Not much in the line of old iron locally unless a Craftsman table saw and ROS count as old iron.

My theory is that when norther woodworkers get older they sell off all of their old iron and move to Florida where they buy newer stuff. Then when they get too old or die its only the newer junk that shows up on CL. That would explain our lack of big iron (left behind up north) and all the Craftsman level stuff we see here.

[Lee Schierer]

Guys, please refrain from posting live links to auction sites or want ad sites. When those items sell the links go dead and become useless.

[Marshall Harrison]

guys, please refrain from posting live links to auction sites or want ad sites. When those items sell the links go dead and become useless.

ok........

[Mike Cutler]

Not much in the line of old iron locally unless a Craftsman table saw and ROS count as old iron.

My theory is that when norther woodworkers get older they sell off all of their old iron and move to Florida where they buy newer stuff. Then when they get too old or die its only the newer junk that shows up on CL. That would explain our lack of big iron (left behind up north) and all the Craftsman level stuff we see here.

That's probably a very valid theory. Moving heavy machines can be a pain, and require a special type of moving company. Many, many, threads here on the forum for how to move a heavy machine.
I know of two instances up here where a full sized milling machine and lathe were left in the basements of the houses when the owners retired. How they got them in there, was definitely not how they were coming out.

[Marshall Harrison]

That's probably a very valid theory. Moving heavy machines can be a pain, and require a special type of moving company. Many, many, threads here on the forum for how to move a heavy machine.
I know of two instances up here where a full sized milling machine and lathe were left in the basements of the houses when the owners retired. How they got them in there, was definitely not how they were coming out.

Thanks for the confirmation bro.

I just thought they would sell the big iron before moving it. Never thought about getting it out of the basement being too big of a task.

I'm planning to move from Florida to the North Carolina mountains in the next few years. That has me wondering what big purchases I can put off until I move. Don't want to leave things here for the kids as they won't use them. But don't want to have the expense or hassles of moving a lot of stuff.

I'm retired but wife still has a couple of more years to go. Also can't move until our elderly moms pass away so no real timeline. Leaves me questions like do I buy a large bandsaw fro resawing? Or do I hold off until after the eventual move?

Being a woodworker (or tool collector) isn't easy.

[Dave Lehnert]

The sellers are not the idiots. They're are waiting for THE idiots to respond! Caveat Emptor!

I think Bill hit the nail on the head.
I have a friend who sells on ebay. He sells car parts on there. Wife purchased a new couch. Took the old one out to the burn pile. For fun he snapped a pic and posted it for sale. Guy bid $200 and was excited to get it.
I own and use a Shopsmith Mark 5. I'm amazed what parts sell for on e-bay. People don't realize Shopsmith is still in business and parts can be had new form the manufacture for less than e-bay.