Used press prices on ebay and elsewhere

[Penforhire]

So after I've decided to go with an RCBS Rock Chucker for my first reloading press I hunted around to see what the used market offers. I have no overwhelming need to buy new. I can see Midway USA has reasonable new prices if I have to go that way, unlike my local retail store (Turners).

I searched ebay, newpapers, and my local Recycler.

Why is it that people are willing to pay $80 or more to buy a used press from an unknown individual that I can buy new for $100? I expected to find some selling at $65 or less but the facts do not match my expectations. Now, I need more than a press and the same comments apply to everything I looked for (powder measures, scales, etc.) except die sets. And I figure with die sets it is harder to determine that they are worn or damaged, making them more of an unknown quantity.

I'd also prefer to support a local retail store but not with an average >20% price difference (more like 28% with tax).

Your thoughts? Should I be shopping somewhere else or just suck it up and order from Midway?

 

[yzguy]

send a pm to Jeeper.

I just got a bunch of stuff from him. Great guy, he threw in a bunch of extras too.

see if he has anything left (he was getting rid of a lot).

 

[Master Blaster]

I have to admit that E-bay prices mistify me.

Dies seem to sell for 95% of retail, and then you need to pay shipping, and they are USED.

I once tried to buy a 20" smmothbore rs remmington barrel for my SG. The bidding price soon exceeded the price of a new barrel + shipping from cabellas by $20.

By the RC from midway. ITs a piece of equipment that will last you a long time so dont skimp to save $10.

 

[cordex]

Bought a used Rock Chucker off ebay for $40 a year or two ago.

*shrug* Prices and participation may vary.

 

[Jeeper]

Thanks YZguy

but I am basically sold out of al the stuff I had. I only have a few set of dies, some dillon conversions and other misc stuff left. Everything I had was from a deal I got on someones relaoding equipment.

edit,

as for ebay being a rip off. I saw a guy selling a dillon 550 with dies and other stuff for $1000. He had brass and bullets and stuff that might have retailed for a toltao of $1K but come on. I feel sorry for any idiot that bought that.

 

[HSMITH]

I have gotten some great deals on loading components and loading equipment on ebay, but I have also seen the stupidity too. Pick and choose carefully, lowball bid everything you want and you will win some of it. My limit is half of retail, and that is all I will pay. I have not had a bad deal yet, knock on wood.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Star Luber

It seems that anyone finding a Star tool that has been used, abused and used as a door stop for decades after processing a couple million rounds thinks thay have found a fortune.

There is a Star Reloader and luber on E-Bay now that fits the used, abused and filthy catagories and the luber was broken with excessive force being used on it by an idiot. Welding probably will not keep it from leaking.

Star lubers and all lubers were not designed for the current hard lubes that were invented for bullet companies to ship lubed bullets in summer heat. The lubers were designed for automotive or railroad greases stiffened with candle wax or bees wax and even animal fat called tallow then and Lard today.

Just from looking at the pictures of them it is clear that they are not even suitable as anchor weights.

Whoever gets them no matter the price will be sorry.

John Paul Retired
Star Authorized Reconditioning Center

 

[redneck2]

Guess you found the magic formula...

buy stuff cheap and put it on e-bay

a guy I know makes his living that way. I think the "auction" mentality kicks in...just that instead of having enough people to fill someone's lawn, you have bidders from all over the world

I bought a bobble head doll for $4 and sold it for $82 and the girl was thrilled

 

[DAL]

Master Blaster, maybe people automatically assume that they are going to beat the retailers when they go through e-bay. But the biggest reason, I believe, is that people get caught up in p'ing contests with each other and up the ante to silly levels.
DAL

 

[444]

Good reloading equipment is easy to come by on the used market. Just sit back and wait, it will come to you. I personally don't ever shop around for good deals or worry about saving $10. But I have purchased a number of reloading tools over the last couple years just because I couldn't pass it up
I bought a Dillion 550 loader, with a complete .45 ACP set up, tumbler, dial caliper, and some other stuff from a guy for $150 right on this board. I couldn't buy it in good consconice, I sent the guy $200. I bought a second Dillion 550 with several caliber conversions and numerous goodies for like $250 on TFL.


EBay is a liberal, anti-gun cesspool.

 

[E357]

I never buy anything with moving parts on eBay. I've had good luck with brass and T/C barrels and still send those guys an email every once in a while to see if they have anything else. Place a bid at a fixed price and don't get into a bidding war - a lot of people are just nuts.

Almost forgot - Never buy anything from a guy who has no rating yet. Let someone else take the initial risk.

Elliot

 

[243_shooter]

Take your time, shop around and keep your eyes and ears open..

I've been wanting to get into reloading for some time now.. Just picked up a dillon 550, rock chucker, mec 600jr, 15 or so conversion kits for the dillon with tool heads and powder dies, two dillon powder measures, two tumblers, 20 odd dies mostly carbide pistol dies, and literally half a truck load of ammo / powder / bullets / brass / primers / etc for the sum of $500.. The stuff was disorganized, but everything is there, and everything is just like brand new!

I figure by the time I ebay the stuff I don't need I'll be 600-700 in the black, and I'll still have everything I need to reload with.

Just loaded my first box of ammo on the dillon actually (first box of ammo I've ever handloaded period )

Leo