Need Help - Reloading Equipment Value

[KpEng16]

A friend of mine had a neighbor pass away, knowing that I was into guns and the like they asked me if I would be interested in taking all this reloading equipment off of their hands. The old man used to work for the government and then for Colt. They tell me the stuff is in perfect shape but I havent seen it yet.
They are only selling it as a package...all or nothing. I thought of maybe keeping some of it but getting rid of most of it. to cover most of the cost. I found alot of this stuff selling pretty easy on ebay if I had to fall back on that. Anyway, I dont know what she will want for all this stuff but what does everybody think it might be worth? Thanks

This is the list they emailed to me this morning.
1. Dillon Press – 550 B loading machine
2. Dillon die head sets in die head – 380, 9mm, 357 mag, 38 special, 40 s&w, 44 mag, 45 acp (2), 223, 30 carbine, 308 winchester, 30.06, 45-70
3. Powder measures – (1) Dillon (1) RCBS
4. Primer Feeds (20)
5. Dillon powder scales – balance beam
6. Electric dillon scale
7. Dillon low powder sensor
8. RCBS powder user – adapter for Dillon
9. Dillon round counters
10. 5 charge bars for powder
11. Loading Dies – 9mm, 4 magnum, 300 weatherby magnum, 7.62 x 39 (2)
12. Shell Plates – 9mm, 7.62x39, 38 super
13. Forster case trimmer
14. 3 tumblers
15. Books on reloading

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`d check E bay, ect, and see what they are going for there to get an idea.

 

[dmftoy1]

It's all going to depend on what time of day the auction ends and who's watching it. I've seen lots similiar to that one go for $500-$600 and sometimes even higher. Alot depends on the quality of the "auction" ad, the pictures, how clean it is, etc.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[1911user]

My rough guess is that there is at least $800 worth of stuff IF it is sold properly on ebay. If you do buy it and resell on ebay, split everything up and time the ending right or you'll lose at least $200. Selling one huge lot of items on ebay is bad for the seller and good for me. Many people won't buy a huge lot just to get a few items. I'll buy it, keep the parts I want then sell the rest and maybe even make money on the deal.

Think of it as wholesale vs. retail pricing. If you are forced to buy it all in one lot, then you should only pay wholesale pricing, but that upsets some sellers. They think you should pay full value on every piece (wheather you want it or not) and take it all.

The most I'd offer is $600 (maybe $650 if everything was really clean and complete) without taking an exact inventory of what pieces they have and verifying the ebay value. The email list is not an exact inventory, but a good start. You need to see it in person. Make sure the electronic scale works; dillon only has a 1 year warranty on electronic items.

 

[HSMITH]

I counted up about $900 worth of gear using normal used prices, retail on all of this stuff would be well over $1200. I would offer $700 without blinking an eye if the stuff is in really good shape. I would sell off what I didn't want or need and keep some nice equipment at very reasonable costs WITHOUT trying to get one over on people that really don't know what they have. I am not saying anyone is a vulture here, but I really despise those that would take advantage of a situation like this.

 

[SASS#23149]

My mental calculatro comes up with about 1100.00 for everything ifit's all clean and usable.I too am thinking 'reasonable offer', not 'gouge 'em' offer.Don't like people who take advantage of a situation no matte how they justify it.Fair is fair.
but then I'm a nice guy,and we all know how nice guys finish.

 

[saands]

I think of myself as a nice guy too, but when someone wants to sell it all or nothing and they want to sell it AS-IS and without warranty, then they are going to pay a price for that convenience ... THAT is fair. They are not getting less than full retail because someone died, they are getting it because they have chosen not to deal with the hassles of selling it off in the most profitable manner. I'm not saying offer $50 and see if they'll bite, but I don't think that there should be any expectation that full used retail should be paid just because of the circumstances surrounding the sale.

Just a thought ...
Saands

 

[1911user]

I guess my posting came out a little mercenary, but it wasn't the intention to steal it for $300 either. The value could really vary if those are Dillon brand dies or old Lee dies in a dillon toolhead. The number of conversion kits also isn't clear and those make a value difference. Is everything complete? I've won several auctions where parts were missing and had to buy replacements. He really needs to see it in person and get a feel for how they are trying to sell it. I'm not sure it's completely fair to place maximum ebay value on an item if they aren't willing to go to the trouble of using ebay (and its' hassles) and dealing with the odd quirky buyers. Again, I'm not advocating offering $300 to help them make some room.

I do think the fact they are lumping it into one lot lowers the overall value compared to pricing the items seperately. That's retail vs. wholesale pricing (and I'm not a business major). It costs money and quite a bit of time to sell on ebay especially with a large number of lower value items. Gas to the post office and packaging materials shouldn't have to be donated either. When I buy a lot then break it up for resale, I'm trading my time for reloading items and maybe a few dollars (never alot). For a hobby, that's an OK trade-off.

 

[KpEng16]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I think I will try to go over there this evening after work and see all the stuff. Thing is, the friend of mine says that the lady was told to try and sell the stuff for $1800. and I couldnt get that value when I started adding the stuff up in my head so I dont know what she will take for it. I was just trying to figure what you guys thought was a fair price.

 

[Dave P]

KP - let us know what you find out - maybe some local FL folks would be interested in buying some pieces!

DAve

 

[1911user]

$1800, that's what I was afraid might happen. Whoever gave her that estimate needs to be the one responsible for selling it. I think your chances are less than 50% of bringing any of it home, but I'd be prepared (and educated) for the opportunity to leave a bid for some of the pieces you actually want.

 

[Sheldon]

The nice thing about Dillon stuff is it is covered by their lifetime warranty. Their stuff sells really well on Ebay. If one were to go through the hassle to set up auctions for all that stuff with a nice pic for each auction, they would probably get the most for the equipment, but I am not sure it would get the $1800 she has been told to ask for the lot. Condition makes a difference, nothing scares guys off like rust all over everything. Also the manufacturer of the dies makes a big difference.....Dillon sell well, but the older series are not as nice as nice as the "new dimension" style. The counters alone have sold for close to $50 each on Ebay.

 

[KpEng16]

I am going to see if I can go get a look at this stuff this evening. How do I tell if it is the new or the old style equipment?

 

[1911user]

The new style dillon pistol dies have a spring clip on top that releases an insert for both the seating and crimping dies. The old style seater did not have the quick release clip. That feature is for easy cleaning of the crimp die and easy change from round-nose to SWC seating punch on the seater. I don't know about the rifle dies. www.dillonprecision.com should have pictures of the new style dies.

 

[KpEng16]

The stuff looked great. He has all the individual caliber die sets in their own separate tool head on a separate head stand with the conversion kits. She wants to throw in a box about the size of a large shoebox filled with primers and about the same sive box of assorted bullets, all separated by caliber, bullets too for no added price. I didnt look too close to see what brand and caliber they were.

 

[HSMITH]

I think you could get the same rig set up for $1800 or less buying new and paying retail.............

 

[1911user]

$1800 for a dillon 550 setup is nuts IMHO. 5000 primers are worth maybe $90-100 new and those likely aren't new. The misc bullets usually aren't worth that much either. Unless you are into charitable donations, I'd walk unless the price came down to reality. You might quietly let the friend, who informed you about the sale, know that you are interested, but you don't want to be the one who convinces the widow that $1800 is way too much. I still think whomever came up with the $1800 price ought to be the one responsible for selling it.