Pricing Used Tanks

Nolapete

Monster Tank Builder
May 29, 2007
5,274
1
0
New Orleans, LA
I usually stick with a max of $1 per gallon for setups unless there is something really nice with it. In example, the 55 gallon with the higher end canopy and matching stand, little giant pump, and wet dry filter. I paid $80 for that knowing that I'd be able to get some and turns out will be all $80 back just by reselling the stand and canopy.

I found a 75, 56, 29 (pretty sure it's 29, might be 20H as it was behind something), and (2) 10 gallons. 180 gallons total. I initially offered $150 for the lot, but should have offered $135 to be at .75 for tank only. She countered with $175 and I bit because it was early and I wasn't thinking right.

I was going to just go ahead and get them, but I thought about the other deals and put my foot down to stick with my original offer. I emailed her back and told her that I wouldn't be able to take them for any more than my original offer and understood if she couldn't sell them for that price.

I need to carry a calculator to double check myself I think. When I headed over there, I was under the impression I was going to look at 100 and 125 gallon tanks along with a few smaller ones. I think that's what threw me off as well.

What's your pricing strategy for used tanks?
 
Depends on the tank... If I'm looking at something that only has been in service a year and is otherwise new, i'd pay a bit more than a 1$ a gallon.

Problem is the people who think their 55 that is 10 years old with the water marked stand and hood, and low end lighting is somehow worth $500. It is hard to find people realistic about the value of their used tanks, and equipment. Then you have the ones that want you to take the fish as well. I don't want other's fish..... I'm picky that way.

I once found a great deal on ebay for two 1 year old 60 gallon Oceanic tanks with Eheim 2028's on each one with CF lighting. They were perfect. They weren't going for much either. I got outbid, though the other bidder still got a deal.....He had them listed separately on ebay the next week.... Took him over 2 months of listings for him to get them sold at what he was asking.... Frosted my @ss.

:)
 
AquariaCentral.com