Reels Depreciating in value

[JediAmoeba]

It's become pretty obvious to me that Abu, Lews and other Doyo reels just don't hold their value.  I always heard good things about them so tried a few out here and there and was never impressed.  Even lightly used they don't seem to get 50% of their value within a few years where as Daiwa and Shimano hold up pretty well.

 

I regret buying the ones I did and am surprised people still tout them as being good.  I will probably be stuck with the ones I have for a while but are they as popular as they are just because of the marketing?  It seems, to me, Abu lives off a legacy that has long died out.  

 

What are your thoughts?  

 

 

[Tywithay]

They usually sell for 30-40% less than retail brand new, so a $279 Lews, that's bought new for $200 on ebay, will be lucky to bring $130-$150 used. Compare that to a Shimano that's $279 and can't be found for less than $250, it's going to bring $180-$200 used. Ratios are similar.

[MN Fisher]

Well, I think my lower Pfluegers are also Doyo reels...Trion and President spinners, President and Pres-XT BC - maybe the Supreme. I've been happy with the Pres & Trion spinners and the Pres BC - the XT and Supreme are new this year. So I guess the value drop-off doesn't affect me as much as if they continue to work as they have, I'll be keeping and using them for years yet.

[detroit1]

I have never even thought of resale value...I buy what meets my needs and fish them until they're done.   ?

[A-Jay]

59 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

It's become pretty obvious to me that Abu, Lews and other Doyo reels just don't hold their value.  I always heard good things about them so tried a few out here and there and was never impressed.  Even lightly used they don't seem to get 50% of their value within a few years where as Daiwa and Shimano hold up pretty well.

 

I regret buying the ones I did and am surprised people still tout them as being good.  I will probably be stuck with the ones I have for a while but are they as popular as they are just because of the marketing?  It seems, to me, Abu lives off a legacy that has long died out.  

 

What are your thoughts?  

 

 

  My thoughts are ~

The best way for any piece of equipment to 'holds it value', is to provide me long, dependable, high quality service.

Additionally, it must be able to endure the repeated dis-assembly/re-assembly that is required by routine maintenance/service. 

As an extra bonus, it's always nice when a manufacturer continues to carry and make available, parts for the reel long after it's born on date. 

After I've purchased anything (including a reel) and used it for any length of time, if I choose to sell it,

I never expect to recover anything close to MSRP $$. 

I have purchased a few 'pre-owned reels' over the years, many right from the BR flea market forum.

I'm still using several of them to this day.

I knew what I was getting and paid less than 50% of MSRP, regardless of how 'new' they were.

If I need to shell out more than that, I'll buy a new one with a warranty. 

That's just me. 

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

[Mobasser]

We could compare this to trading in a used car on a newer or new car. You'll never get what you would like to get on a trade or sale, even if your cars in great shape. It's used, and that's how everyone would look at it. As for fishing reels, I don't worry too much about brands or Do yo made products. I.just buy them and use them untill they're worn out or beyond repair.

[FishTank]

The few reels I have sold over the years that have given the best return have been Shimano and Daiwa.   I can recall selling my Calais 201A at pretty the same price I paid for it and my Shimano Curado B's and BSF's I sold on eBay for $30-$50 more than I paid for them.  Another example, but I have yet to sell it, is my Chronarch 51e.  I paid around $100 for it on sale at Gander Mountain and have had offers of $175 and $200.  

 

As far as other brands go, I see new Abu Garcia, Lew's and Quantum reels often discounted so much that getting a good return selling as used would be tough.  Doesn't mean that they don't make a good reel, it's just hard to pull the trigger on reel that is new and full price. 

[garroyo130]

I agree with what people above have said. You dont buy Doyos for resale value. Typically enthusiast reels are the ones which will hold there value which the reels you mentioned are not (with certain exceptions of course).

[NHBull]

I don't see them as an investment, but clearly some do better than others.

I suspect  my calcutta conquests will hold their value, they will never be sold.  With the release of the new Met MGL, my older Mets have lost a little 

[Mobasser]

I also think that all the companies make some good reels these days, Doyo or not. What color, gear ratio, handle style, and other features are up to the buyer to decide on. For some folks, ABU is not what it used to be. Don't worry. They'll be back. Fishing tackle of all types goes in trends. What's considered hot right now, may not be a big deal 2yrs from now. All the better reels made now days will work fine for bass fishing. Ive only bought reels because I think they will work well for me, and have never resold one, or plan on reselling one in the future. If it works good, I'm keep it.

[garroyo130]

16 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I suspect  my calcutta conquests will hold their value, they will never be sold.

Calcuttas hold value great. Esp TEs

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Imo collector reels and user reels are way diff market ...shimano makes great reels but its easier to find parts for a curado b series then it is a e series ...daiwa  same thing .swedish  abus nib are collector stuff if they are limited editions.parts inside are same as they are 40 yrs ago depending on model ..made in Korea or Japan  is a major ...

[jbsoonerfan]

Wait till you start trying to sell all those Dobyns rods.

[fishwizzard]

I have had maybe a dozen or so reels that have passed through my hands and the only ones I didn't lose money on were the higher end ones.  I try to buy all my nicer reels used as I know I can usually sell them for about the same amount, only losing shipping on the deal. 

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

Some reels just hold their value or even go up.  Certain Daiwa platforms just can't be beat and hold their value very well.

The sv103 seems to be firmly in that category.  I have gotten more unsolicited "hey man, let me know if you want to sell it" PMs about them then seem reasonable.  

[Hammer 4]

3 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I have never even thought of resale value...I buy what meets my needs and fish them until they're done.   ?

Same here..

[Armtx77]

I have never gotten rid of one. I have a couple of Black Max LH circa 93 that are still in service.

 

At the same time, routine maintenance goes a long way.

[JediAmoeba]

3 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I have never even thought of resale value...I buy what meets my needs and fish them until they're done.   ?

I realized they were done pretty much after spooling them up...  I have never sold any if my reels before - had a few crap out over the years and had a bunch stolen. But I learned not to buy Lews or Abu reels ever again.  

[NavyVet1204]

4 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I have never even thought of resale value...I buy what meets my needs and fish them until they're done.   ?

This.

 

i do enjoy the older Abu round reels when the price is right second hand.

[PhishLI]

31 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I realized they were done pretty much after spooling them up...  I have never sold any if my reels before - had a few crap out over the years and had a bunch stolen. But I learned not to buy Lews or Abu reels ever again.  

Hopefully you haven't scared away any potential buyers/suckas from your ad for Doyos in the FFM! As your manager I suggest that you hold off on doing this next time around.?

[JediAmoeba]

Just now, PhishLI said:

Hopefully you haven't scared away any potential buyers/suckas from your ad for Doyos in the FFM! As your manager I suggest that you hold off on doing this next time around.?

The only offers I have received on FB marketplace were for 125 and 150... I will just throw them in a box in the attic for that price 

[Teal]

I'm with Ajay on this one, I dont see them as an investment and I know the only way to get my money back is by using them and enjoying them.  I have been lucky to never need any new parts for my lews tp's nor my other reels ( daiwa, shimano and One Three) I've been blessed to always be able to find them for way less than retail... It makes me sleep easier.... and I know what I'm getting.

 

Now about lews.( the tp, in particular).I own 8 lews reels and I have used and abused the crap outta them.  I've caught several citation fish and have even taught an 8 year old how to use a baitcast with Lews.  Hes now almost 10 and can pick a dock apart with a lews tp and 6'8 rod.  I'm not blind, and i have a Core 50, so i see the big difference in the reels.  The resale value is garbage, and theres a big gap in how refined the Core is,  but for reel that lists at 190 bucks that i get for 140, to give me 8 years of hard work and it works smoothly enough for a 4th grader to make grown men looks silly with it, is worth the money.    

 

Now on the other end of the spectrum, Lews rods, and Abu rods.     Less than impressed.  Cant even argue for the. Lol 

 

Heck I've looked for used powell rods and can not even find them... I dont know if thsts a good thing or a bad thing ??

 

Still love mine, but if I have to replace any, I'm going to the daiwa, the tatula reels and their rods are sweet.. solid product. And not expensive (relatively speaking) 

 

[.ghoti.]

I do not regard fishing tackle as a monetary investment. I never expect to make money, or even recover my initial investment, should I sell a piece. In fact, I do not buy a piece expecting to sell it. Over the years I have spent a considerable amount on rods and reels. What I expect is to get a lot of years of reliable, enjoyable performance, and that sometime in the future; hopefully a long time into the future, something is either going to break or wear out. I don't expect to get my money back. 

[Fishes in trees]

To echo prior posts, I've never considered resale value in my addiction to rod, reels, baits, fishing tackle in general.  I guess that might become an issue if I become down & out, homeless, something like that.  Tackle & gear are toys.   I don't know why you'd ever sell toys, but then I realize space sometimes becomes an issue and not everyone can build a 40 x 60 fishing shed like I did.

[JediAmoeba]

2 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

To echo prior posts, I've never considered resale value in my addiction to rod, reels, baits, fishing tackle in general.  I guess that might become an issue if I become down & out, homeless, something like that.  Tackle & gear are toys.   I don't know why you'd ever sell toys, but then I realize space sometimes becomes an issue and not everyone can build a 40 x 60 fishing shed like I did.

I am just trying to drum up some funds to get my canoe fixed and I have a few reels I never use... I had never considered selling any reels before.  

[fishwizzard]

9 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

I know.  I regret not picking one up new when I had the chance.  I already had my IP68 I told myself.  I do not look forward to the day I have to buy a like new in box used SV103. 

They and the sv105 reels were being discontinued right when my tackle frenzy was taking off and I bought a pair of each when I found them at a discount, so glad I did.  There is an ocean of Alphases out there but there isn't much like the sv103.