Low Resale Value on Used Speed Queen Washers and Dryers

[johnrk]

432 price

I live a short distance outside Houston. In my city of 35,000 we have Lowe's, HD and a private appliance store. I just bought my 432 and matching dryer from the local dealer last week and in fact the washer was installed today, the dryer the end of last week. I paid $1913.74 but that is with the state and local taxes in there (my city tax is around 8.5%,TX sales tax 6.255). I called a large privately owned appliance store in Houston and they offered the same pair out the door for $1600 total. Problem was, after delivery by-the-mile was figured in for out-of-town it was over $1800 so I bought from the local business. My decision was whether to go with the 432 and the mech timer or pay $20 more, get 2 more years of warranty and get the electronic panel. Seeing as the electronic panel on my last FL malfunctioned for the last 3 years without being able to be repaired, I wanted knobs like I had in the dim, distant past. Loving this new machine. Dryer tends to over-dry.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>(my city tax is around 8.5%,TX sales tax 6.255)</blockquote> Just to say, I believe the legal aggregate maximum is 8.25%.  TX state is 6.25%.  My locality is 1.5% city and 0.5% county for the 8.25% total.

 

[agiflow2]

When I bought mine in Metuchen NJ I paid $849 for the washer.

 

[brucelucenta]

Used washers and dryers are just that, used washers and dryers. Regardless of the brand there is no real resale value for them. It isn't like a house or car.

 

[rapunzel]

"Used washers and dryers are just that, used washers and dryers. Regardless of the brand there is no real resale value for them. It isn't like a house or car."

That depends. If a particular style of used product is sought after and people are prepared to pay - the cost goes up. There are businesses that restore old stoves and fridges and they seem to be doing brisk trade. Not to mention that their finished product isn't on the cheap side either.

Old stereo systems are also coming into vogue again as millennials are discovering the superior sound quality of vinyl over i-pods.

It all depends on where people see value and it doesn't always have to be monetary. People are getting bored with mass produced, generic products and not everything 'modern'is necessarily better than what came before.

 

[agiflow2]

Good post rapunzel

 

[real1]

Old stereo systems are also coming into vogue again as millennials are discovering the superior sound quality of vinyl over i-pods.

 

This is something I know about and have been in this hobby since they were new. There was a resurgence in vinyl for a couple of reasons. One, they produced those cheap USB turntables that could plug into your PC/laptop. That give millennials instant access to something from the past-cool factor. Two, the reissue 180 gram albums have given those of us with decent turntables, new ways to listen to our old music. Trendy movies even recent, often show turntables spinning music. You still see an occasional movie showing R2R's reeling, but nothing like TT's. Again, cool factor


 

On the other hand, most vintage stereo gear needs to be fully gone through and components replaced after all this time. This is expensive and if not, you're gonna get screwed. Plus....tape whether it be R2R or cassette is on the way out and has been dying a slow death for decades...if you go by the #'s. Biggest reason for that is the decks are the most complicated of vintage stereo gear and need someone trained in working on them. The tech schools haven't trained  students in analog technology for decades. A lot of the old analog techs are dead or retired.  This situation is only getting worse.....the more complicated the old deck, the harder it is to find techs. Right now there are about a half dozen techs in the whole country that can adequately work on Nakamichi decks, for example.  Think of that...six people.

 

Yes, there are boutique studios still recording in analog and even many rock groups still make records available to their fans. And there is seemingly no limit to how much very well heeled (often very stupid about audio) customers will pay for present, top-end analog gear. But when you talk about the masses....analog already died a slow death. Niche marketing though being what it is, still gives us tape & records for now.

 

We have always been a nation about convenience...one format replacing another because it's 'easier' to use or because the Madison Ave boys told you it was better. But you can't bring a dead format back if there's next no one around to fix the units. Some things you can school yourself in and fool & poke around...not analog decks and generally not sophisticated receivers and separates.


 

Kevin

 

[tolivac]

Newer "cheap" TTs---AVIOD-AVIOD these like the plague!!!!!!They can DAMAGE your records.Buy an older TT and fix it up-This would be MUCH better.New record users will get disappointed with a "new" TT over an older one.

 

[combo52]

Damage your records?

Hi Rex, what records are we talking about?

 

[tolivac]

Any and all records!!!!I won't use a new TT-esp those so called "Crosley" ones!!!!!Use a VINTAGE TT and you will be better off-I have seen used TT's at thrift shops,swap shops,and even yard sales.Most are not hard to fix up.Most of the time a new belt or clean the rubber idler wheel.Replace the stylus or cartridge-you should be good to go-checking the stylus pressure and tracking is a god idea,too.A bad stylus can wreck records in a hurry!If you must buy a new TT-the higher priced models are best-some have the digital convertor built in.Also its hard to make a TT that holds speed while playing if it is powered by a dinky wall wart supply or the USB plug from a computer.And the tiny motor won't last long like a 120V motor will.And the 120V motors can be rebuilt-relubed.New TT's with all plastic arms just can't track properly or hold the proper tracking force.