The successful way to sell a tank.
- Thread starter wubbaduck
- Start date
found this neat wright up on craigslist a while back and thought it helped out with pricing^_^.
Yes, I know you spent a bucket of cash to get yours, but this is RESALE. And it's craigslist....the BARGAIN-hunter's market.
Aquariums/fish tanks do NOT hold a high resale value.
Therefore, for those of you who are trying to sell USED aquariums on CL and NOT getting your (often) exorbitant asking prices - here's a simple, FAIR guide to pricing:
And because many of you don't know or need to find out exactly what size your tank is, here's a calculator: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/information/calculate.htm
AQUARIUMS: Glass
If it's a year old or UNDER - $2.00 - $3.00 per gallon.
If it's OVER a year old - $1.00 per gallon.
Hexagons - $2.00 or less/gallon.
BowFronts - $1.50 - $2.00 per gallon (depending on condition)
AQUARIUMS: Acrylic
If it's a year old or UNDER - $1.50 - $2.50 per gallon.
If it's OVER a year old - $1.00 per gallon.
Hexagons - $1.50 or less/gallon.
BowFronts - $1.50 - $2.00 per gallon (depending on condition)
STANDS & CANOPIES:
$1.00 per gallon of aquarium the stand holds. (REAL wood - add another $.50 to $1.00 depending on CONDITION)
$.50 - $.75 per gallon of aquarium the canopy covers. (REAL wood - add another $.50 to $1.00 depending on CONDITION)
GLASS TOPS and PLASTIC HOODS:
25% - 40% of retail
LIGHTING:
WITH newer bulbs:
Incandescent - $5.00 (usually only 10 gallons or less are incan's)
Fluorescent - $10.00 per foot
Compact Fluorescent - $20 - $30 per foot (based on condition of housing, cord)
Halide & Specialty - 50% of retail for ballasts; you should buy NEW bulbs unless they are evidently lightly used.
W/O bulbs or OLD bulbs:
Incandescent - Free
Fluorescent - $7.00 per foot
Compact Fluorescent - $15 - $20 per foot
Halide & Specialty - 50% of retail for ballasts; you should buy NEW bulbs unless they are very evidently lightly used.
ACCESSORIES:
Saltwater - i.e. - protein skimmers, powerheads, wave-makers, chillers, etc....50% - 65% of retail (UNDER 1 year of use)
Saltwater - i.e. - protein skimmers, powerheads, wave-makers, chillers, etc....25% - 40% of retail (OVER 1 year of use)
Freshwater - 25% of retail (regardless of age - very easily replaced)
GRAVEL:
Natural colors - .15 - .20 cents per pound (clean)
Other colors - .05 cents per pound
HEATERS:
UNDER a year (of use) old -
50W - $2
100W - $4
150 - 200W - $6
250 - 300W - $10
OVER a year old - free (heaters aren't trustworthy enough after a year of use to justify $$)
FILTERS -
UNDER a year old - 50% of retail
OVER a year old - 25% of retail
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
An empty aquarium is ONLY an aquarium.
ONLY when full of livestock (that is included in the sale) is a tank considered a SALT or FRESH aquarium.
There is NO SUCH THING as an EMPTY saltwater or freshwater aquarium.
It is JUST an aquarium.
****If you have the EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES and /or LIVESTOCK for a SALTWATER hobby, then it is a "SALTWATER AQUARIUM SET-UP."
****If you have the EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES and /or LIVESTOCK for a FRESHWATER hobby, then it is a "FRESHWATER AQUARIUM SET-UP."
Chips, cracks & leakage are all signs of wear and reduce the prices significantly.
Water marks, discolorations, scratches (esp. on acrylic) and hard-water deposits are usually cosmetic. Because many can be removed with effort, they need not affect price.
Accessories are always great to 'throw in' as a bonus when buying a tank, but pricing everything, stating 'will not separate' and expecting a quick sale - not good. Not many people are not going to use all YOUR stuff if they have other ideas for THEIR new tank.
REHOMING LIVESTOCK:
Check local prices before you buy someone's critters.
Often, buying livestock from a private party is better - especially if they have had (it) for a while w/o problems.
OK, so this is JUST a guide.
There will be exceptional SET-UPS out there and what you ultimately pay will depend on you. But for SELLING your tank(s), this is intended to give a starting point
Yes, I know you spent a bucket of cash to get yours, but this is RESALE. And it's craigslist....the BARGAIN-hunter's market.
Aquariums/fish tanks do NOT hold a high resale value.
Therefore, for those of you who are trying to sell USED aquariums on CL and NOT getting your (often) exorbitant asking prices - here's a simple, FAIR guide to pricing:
And because many of you don't know or need to find out exactly what size your tank is, here's a calculator: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/information/calculate.htm
AQUARIUMS: Glass
If it's a year old or UNDER - $2.00 - $3.00 per gallon.
If it's OVER a year old - $1.00 per gallon.
Hexagons - $2.00 or less/gallon.
BowFronts - $1.50 - $2.00 per gallon (depending on condition)
AQUARIUMS: Acrylic
If it's a year old or UNDER - $1.50 - $2.50 per gallon.
If it's OVER a year old - $1.00 per gallon.
Hexagons - $1.50 or less/gallon.
BowFronts - $1.50 - $2.00 per gallon (depending on condition)
STANDS & CANOPIES:
$1.00 per gallon of aquarium the stand holds. (REAL wood - add another $.50 to $1.00 depending on CONDITION)
$.50 - $.75 per gallon of aquarium the canopy covers. (REAL wood - add another $.50 to $1.00 depending on CONDITION)
GLASS TOPS and PLASTIC HOODS:
25% - 40% of retail
LIGHTING:
WITH newer bulbs:
Incandescent - $5.00 (usually only 10 gallons or less are incan's)
Fluorescent - $10.00 per foot
Compact Fluorescent - $20 - $30 per foot (based on condition of housing, cord)
Halide & Specialty - 50% of retail for ballasts; you should buy NEW bulbs unless they are evidently lightly used.
W/O bulbs or OLD bulbs:
Incandescent - Free
Fluorescent - $7.00 per foot
Compact Fluorescent - $15 - $20 per foot
Halide & Specialty - 50% of retail for ballasts; you should buy NEW bulbs unless they are very evidently lightly used.
ACCESSORIES:
Saltwater - i.e. - protein skimmers, powerheads, wave-makers, chillers, etc....50% - 65% of retail (UNDER 1 year of use)
Saltwater - i.e. - protein skimmers, powerheads, wave-makers, chillers, etc....25% - 40% of retail (OVER 1 year of use)
Freshwater - 25% of retail (regardless of age - very easily replaced)
GRAVEL:
Natural colors - .15 - .20 cents per pound (clean)
Other colors - .05 cents per pound
HEATERS:
UNDER a year (of use) old -
50W - $2
100W - $4
150 - 200W - $6
250 - 300W - $10
OVER a year old - free (heaters aren't trustworthy enough after a year of use to justify $$)
FILTERS -
UNDER a year old - 50% of retail
OVER a year old - 25% of retail
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
An empty aquarium is ONLY an aquarium.
ONLY when full of livestock (that is included in the sale) is a tank considered a SALT or FRESH aquarium.
There is NO SUCH THING as an EMPTY saltwater or freshwater aquarium.
It is JUST an aquarium.
****If you have the EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES and /or LIVESTOCK for a SALTWATER hobby, then it is a "SALTWATER AQUARIUM SET-UP."
****If you have the EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES and /or LIVESTOCK for a FRESHWATER hobby, then it is a "FRESHWATER AQUARIUM SET-UP."
Chips, cracks & leakage are all signs of wear and reduce the prices significantly.
Water marks, discolorations, scratches (esp. on acrylic) and hard-water deposits are usually cosmetic. Because many can be removed with effort, they need not affect price.
Accessories are always great to 'throw in' as a bonus when buying a tank, but pricing everything, stating 'will not separate' and expecting a quick sale - not good. Not many people are not going to use all YOUR stuff if they have other ideas for THEIR new tank.
REHOMING LIVESTOCK:
Check local prices before you buy someone's critters.
Often, buying livestock from a private party is better - especially if they have had (it) for a while w/o problems.
OK, so this is JUST a guide.
There will be exceptional SET-UPS out there and what you ultimately pay will depend on you. But for SELLING your tank(s), this is intended to give a starting point
You definitely have a serpae tetra (#2) and harlequin rasbora (#3) in the driftwood photos.
I agree with pretty much everything platy said...the price is pretty steep and most definitely you will get more looks from a drained and "purged" setup, for lack of a better term. Most people don't want to deal with rehoming any fish and just want the tank, stand and/or equipment.
I agree with pretty much everything platy said...the price is pretty steep and most definitely you will get more looks from a drained and "purged" setup, for lack of a better term. Most people don't want to deal with rehoming any fish and just want the tank, stand and/or equipment.
These would be my offers on your tanks and you would probably get mad.
I would offer $30 for the 30g and pay no more than $45. Small tanks just aren't worth that much, period.
The 72g I would offer $100 and no more than about $140. Here's your problem, you try and make the deal sound sweet with all of the "stuff" that comes with it and it doesn't really add to the value a whole lot. I don't want another fluval 404. First it is a 404 and that tells me it is old and probably won't last very long (used 405 is probably worth $70-80, used 404 $10). I am done with fixing and dealing with fluvals. The heater is worth maybe $5, but I wouldn't use that either. I would use the powerhead, but only worth maybe $5-10 depending model. I have all my own test kits, I'm really doing you a favor by getting them out of your house. Same with filter foam, gravel, plants and decor. So I'm expecting to pay around $25 for the equipment and "stuff."
I don't consider fish at all, unless they are rare or something I'm after already. They are more of a hassle than a benefit. Worth much more separately. With discus it is always about size, color, and strain.
Lighting, I would say is worth about $30 for Power compact if single bulb. More if dual. $20 if they are dual bulb T5. More if they turn out to be 4 bulb fixtures with lots of features. Mainly because T5's have become inexpensive at home improvement places. I have been fitting new 36" dual bulb T5 ballasts in my old t8's for about $40.
That leaves me with the tank and stand. You say there are scratches. That hurts you. In perfect condition, I would offer around $0.80 on the gallon. With scratches I will offer around $0.50/g. So around $35. Stand around $0.80/g so $55 and that is generous because it is a bowfront.
Tank $35
Stand $55
"Stuff" $25
Lighting $30
So $145 each separately- 10% package discount = $130 would be your target. List for $175-200 and if no bites after 5 days, drop it.
That list Kaosu posted is good for a starting price, but is probably not what you will get. I find some of it not inline with what I'm wanting to pay or even sell for, like under a year old tank does not have any more value to me than a 5 year old tank. If it is used, it's used and all depends on condition.
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One thing I want to add is that it depends a lot on how urgently you need to move these tanks. When do you expect to move?
For $75, I sold a 30 gallon tank with standard fluorescent hood (black) with a wrought iron stand, two Penguin 150 filters, and an 100w stealth heater. It was clean and drained. It took a while to sell, about a month or so, but I was glad I was able to sell it for that price. I started at $100 and lowered my price within 2 weeks.
The next week, I bought a 55 gallon tank with a wrought iron stand for $75, with hoods (albeit broken ones) and working fluorescent lights. The guy threw in an algae magnet and the Top Fin filter that it came with, which he thought didn't work (it did work, but it was a piece of junk, I sold it for $10).
I just recently sold a clean, empty 30 gallon (really 29 gallon) tank for $20. I threw in loads of extra food I had, and the guy was nice enough to give me an extra $5.
Re: the post above, this is a good insight into what bargain shoppers are looking for, but the people I've sold tanks to are not usually the seasoned aquarium people. The lady I sold the 30 gallon to was very happy with what she got, she said her oscars are going to love having more room
*headdesk*
As far as "I'm doing you a favor by getting rid of it"...the test kits, etc. this is probably true if you are in a moving situation and not keeping any other tanks, but I have never been in that situation (never moved further than one town over with aquariums) so any equipment the person didn't want, I could repurpose.
Fluval 404s are selling on eBay anywhere from $50 for a used one to $107 for one new in box. So while some people may be thinking "I don't want another Fluval" most people will be glad to have a quality filter with it, unless they are new to the whole canister filter thing. Fluvals are pretty reliable and parts are easily available.
Remember that the people on this board do not perfectly reflect the people in the market for an aquarium, it is probably very different for you...I know it is for me. In real life, in my town, there are actually very few people who have tons of fish stuff and tons of aquariums. I have never met anyone other than breeders in my town who have 10 aquariums at one time, people are astonished when I say this.
For $75, I sold a 30 gallon tank with standard fluorescent hood (black) with a wrought iron stand, two Penguin 150 filters, and an 100w stealth heater. It was clean and drained. It took a while to sell, about a month or so, but I was glad I was able to sell it for that price. I started at $100 and lowered my price within 2 weeks.
The next week, I bought a 55 gallon tank with a wrought iron stand for $75, with hoods (albeit broken ones) and working fluorescent lights. The guy threw in an algae magnet and the Top Fin filter that it came with, which he thought didn't work (it did work, but it was a piece of junk, I sold it for $10).
I just recently sold a clean, empty 30 gallon (really 29 gallon) tank for $20. I threw in loads of extra food I had, and the guy was nice enough to give me an extra $5.
Re: the post above, this is a good insight into what bargain shoppers are looking for, but the people I've sold tanks to are not usually the seasoned aquarium people. The lady I sold the 30 gallon to was very happy with what she got, she said her oscars are going to love having more room
*headdesk*As far as "I'm doing you a favor by getting rid of it"...the test kits, etc. this is probably true if you are in a moving situation and not keeping any other tanks, but I have never been in that situation (never moved further than one town over with aquariums) so any equipment the person didn't want, I could repurpose.
Fluval 404s are selling on eBay anywhere from $50 for a used one to $107 for one new in box. So while some people may be thinking "I don't want another Fluval" most people will be glad to have a quality filter with it, unless they are new to the whole canister filter thing. Fluvals are pretty reliable and parts are easily available.
Remember that the people on this board do not perfectly reflect the people in the market for an aquarium, it is probably very different for you...I know it is for me. In real life, in my town, there are actually very few people who have tons of fish stuff and tons of aquariums. I have never met anyone other than breeders in my town who have 10 aquariums at one time, people are astonished when I say this.
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