Buying Used Equipment Vs. Buying New 2025

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

I've been wanting a new reel here lately to expand my possibilities in fishing. I was wondering how many of you buy used reels off the internet and if I plan to buy a reel that is only between $100-$130 if it would be best to just buy a new one instead of only saving $20-$30 or buying a better used reel for around the same price. Are the used one's normally in pretty good shape when you buy them or are they rough and feel worn out?

roadwarrior reply :

Depends on who you buy them from. I have bought several reels from BassResource

members through our Flea Market.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

In the price range I'm looking for is it better to just stick with buying a new one or save the $30 or so, or even find a better used reel in the price range?

roadwarrior reply :

You might find a "gently used" Curado 200E offered in our Flea Market in your pricing range.

John G reply :

To be honest, I would rather buy a used rod vs a used reel. If I were to buy a used reel, and I have, I would not buy one that that shows any kind of unnecessary wear n tear. I prefer my reels to not have scratches at all but I would buy a used reel if the scratch was hardly noticeable. If it was used in excellent condition and the savings over new was say, less than $100.00, I am going to buy a new reel.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

Well after looking through some of the products in the flea market I didn't really see anything that caught my eye. I'm going to a hunting and fishing expo Friday so hopefully I'll find some good deals there.

raoka reply :

To be honest I have been able to find new stuff for about 30-40% off if you look around for older models and sales. I have been always tempted to buy used since I have seen great deals, but I feel a little bit more peace of mind when I am the first owner.

raoka reply :

also dicks sporting goods is having clearance sales...might be work a look if you have one in the area

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

I was thinking about it earlier and I like to be the first to own my reels. Then I thought about it more and when people buy trucks or bikes or something like that they buy used. That's what got me thinking about this topic. Lol

new2BC4bass reply :

Absolute best way to go is buying new reels on closeout. I got 2 of my Fuegos for $144.88...a $229.95 value new. My Curado 51E was $98...basically a $200 reel. Get pictures if buying used. I don't mind spending a little money to fix a mechanical problem (if I got a good price), but I think getting one painted would probably raise the price too high for the reel unless it is something you wanted to do anyway. I like my reels to look nice. I've purchased 6 spinning reels since Feb. '09. One new. Of the 5 used, one is currently at DVT for Mike to go through it. Drag stutters, and there is too much play in the spool.

Of the 41 baitcast reels purchased over the same time frame, 4 were new. The 3 previously mentioned reels plus a 1600 Morrum that was one of several found in a warehouse. Of the 37 used reels, Mike currently has 3 for repair. One the drag stutters on. One I can't remove the side cover to adjust the brakes. One a piece broke of the thumb release during shipping. I also had to send a TD-Z 105H in for slop in the handle upon retrieve.

To offset these minor problems, I've gotten a like new Lews TP, 50th Anniversary Zillion, Patriarch XT (2 of them), Chronarch 101A, Chronarch 100B, T3 MX1016XHL and a Purple Alphas at reasonable prices. Know what you want, and then haunt the classifieds on several forums. Or post a want ad.

ClackerBuzz reply :

i like to buy new during 15% off sales every holiday. or off forum members. just spend the money this time and plan better in the future. i don't buy off flea bay anymore. i got several reels off there that were ok. one came with the bearing so messed up you couldn't turn the handle (thankfully paypal ruled in my favor in the dispute). a different reel was taken apart and put back together incorrectly. it worked fine once i fixed it but the guy before clearly didn't know what he was doing and sold it b/c he couldn't get it right.

(side note: i only buy my line new. you don't want old/mistreated line on ur reel.)

ZB85 reply :

You can get a daiwa tatula on Amazon for around $100 new. One of the best deals out their imo

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Rarely will I pay more than 65% of list price for anything second hand. If you go that route and want it checked out feel free to have the seller ship here and I'll forward.

iabass8 reply :

On 7/10/2014 at 12:49 AM, ZB85 said:
You can get a daiwa tatula on Amazon for around $100 new. One of the best deals out their imo

This. You won't regret this. If you're feeling ambitious, save an extra 50$ above your 130$ budget and get the new Curado I.

SirSnookalot reply :

Buy new, it's returnable and exchangeable if there is a problem, may be out of warranty time as well.

Raul reply :

It depends from whom and where you pretend to purchase, there are people that tear their gear to pieces, there are people ( like me ) that use their gear and keep them in tip top condition. Most of my reels look like out of the box, my rods also. The cosmetics of a reel or rod say a lot on how well the ítem has been maintained.

OkobojiEagle reply :

On 7/10/2014 at 1:58 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
Rarely will I pay more than 65% of list price for anything second hand. If you go that route and want it checked out feel free to have the seller ship here and I'll forward.

I think this is an excellent rule of thumb. I'd add that any "up grades" the seller has added to the reel were for his purposes and I won't pay for them.

Tywithay reply :

I buy nice condition used rods and reels almost every time I make a purchase anymore. My most recent used purchases have been all excellent condition, and saved me several hundred dollars. Bought an Orochi XX for $225, an Antares for $300, an Antares HG for $320, and a Steez 103SHA for $239 in the last couple months; all of them looked new. Saved well over $600 over buying new. No chance you'll find them new from a retailer for that price. Just be careful who you buy from, ask for pics, ask questions, make sure they take paypal unless they're reputable.

Raul reply :

Very important ----> if you are buying on-line PICTURES !!!, not just one or two, several.

I´ve seen ítems in places like e-bay with indications like "good condition" and when you see the pics I don´t know in which reality what they show is "good condition" cuz it´s pretty beat up.

primetime reply :

Watch out for guys selling "Display Models" or "Off a Combo" or anything without original box if it is "New" and the price is much lower than a new reel would be.....

I know there are sellers who will sell reconditioned items as new, and one seller always has "display models" for sale, and all are same brand, so obviously he is just selling factory repaired reels that were once defective......I am not against reconditioned reels, but I want to know if they are since they come with a warranty from the company so make sure if paying for any reel online claiming to only be 2-3 months old or display model that you get a reciept or something in writing stating how long the reel is warrantied for....

I can say that I have seen some deals at various places that are insane on reels from Lew's, Daiwa, Quantum, and Okuma has some sweet deals right now, and I have had luck with Okuma and customer service is fantastic.

Also if online, look at feedback, if person has 1000 sales and all positive, then you should be good.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

Thanks for the opinions guys. I'll let you know what reel I end up getting.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

Well guys, I went to the hunting and fishing expo yesterday and as usual they had a lot of great deals. I only had $40 with me and they had some reels that were half off. I found a Quantum Accurist AC100HPT that they had on sale for $50. I came back and looked at it twice and the guy finally sighed and said, "give me your $40." I haven't got to use it yet, but hopefully in a few hours I'll go to the river and try it out. The only problem now is it's on a cheap rod with the foam handle coming off that I'm going to have to superglue back together. I'm hopefully going to get some money soon to buy a Berkley Cherrywood.

*Hootie reply :

Won't buy a used car and won't buy a used reel. I Don't trust anything mechanical that has been used.

Hootie

thehooligan reply :

Love buying used gear, especially from Trusted board members. Ive scored some really nice rods & reels on the boards at a great price. You do get burned here and there but its bound to happen.

sparky241 reply :

All my reels are used and 2 rods are used, I've been trying to find a Lew's reel used on eBay but everyone keeps outbidding me

sparky241 reply :

All my reels are used and 2 rods are used, I've been trying to find a Lew's reel used on eBay but everyone keeps outbidding me

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

I was thinking about it because I know if I buy a lot of rod and reels then I can save a lot of money buying used or buying stuff on sale. Much like the Quantum Accurist I bought yesterday for $40, I took it fishing today and love it. That's the good thing about those shows, I got a reel for $60 off and it was brand new. To bad those shows only come once a year.

stk reply :

I've bought a few things from BR members and have had good results. Like anything used you have to make an assessment of the seller and how they treat their things. If they were pretty quick with pictures and seem pretty honest then you have to trust your judgement. The higher end reels (200+) I'll probably buy in a store or from local members.

robster80 reply :

i like finding used deals. just always check out some pictures and use paypal. i havent had any problems and have obtained some pretty good stuff at reasonable prices. plus if u get a good enough deal u can always sell it and get your money back

4881

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