Reels Depreciating in value

[bulldog1935]

Not fair assumptions - I'm not wealthy - my kids are grown.  But I know how to make my hobbies work for me.  And I put the time into it - especially with speculating, e.g., antique fly reels (not something I do now), it required time, repair skills, establishing a reputation, being plugged in to a community of interest.   Good photography helps.  The kind of opportunities that came up on ebay 20 years ago (especially seeing through bad photography) don't exist there anymore. 

This c. 2000 limited, serialized run of Hardy St. George with brass foot and ebonite grasp are worth more than the spendier reels that followed from Alnwick over the next decade.  These were supplied in wholesale only to cane-rod builders - knowing to snag one from JD Wagner and let it appreciate in value was key.  

 

Looking at something like Ted Godfrey's reel and recognizing what it was at $450 - it was too good to be true, and now they sell new for $2000.   I can name several contemporary conventional-frame fly reels selling for the same then that won't bring you $450 today - being able to recognize the difference is important.  

People who had the ability to add Kineya and Trutta reels from Japan made the same kind of profit.  An item doubling your purchase price in 4 or 5 years is not inflation - it's knowing what to buy and when to buy - and especially, what not to buy.   Also knowing what and when to sell, if your interests lead you that way.  

I'll be retired in a few years, and probably start clipping coupons - but I'll go into it with the tackle I want to fish.  

 

adding a ps - I'll lay odds that Shimano worm-drive spinners from '18 through '21 will retain their value better and also last longer than Shimano spinners made before or since.  My data for this, the mechanism design changed in '18 Stella.  They kept the same drive parts in '22 Stella, but increased the spindle length and spool pitch, because they knew the '18 Stella series was over-designed, and they could push it harder.  Most parts on the newer series will also work on the older series, giving 10-years parts-support life.  

 

[ATA]

Since I have hobby of buying used gear in bulk from fisherman who want to reel , I have some experience about selling reels. I always have Shimano reels go so fast within a day of listing if you just sell it less than $20 of price. I honestly never sold a Shimano that I purchased but I sold all my Abus and kept only two toro beast because we don't have a similar reel in Shimano line up except traX which is 400 size is equal to toro beast which is 300 size and also lower profile. In my idea most people buying Abu or kastking or lets for saving money or for design. Otherwise people might only buy Shimano and Daiwa. Thats purely my idea and I don't wish to upset anyone. I respect everyone choice and I am happy for what they happy with. I often save money to buy high end Shimano reel and I think it is worth the waiting in long run. When I start fishing in year 2015 after my devorce I bought a metanium dc 15, I can tell you I catch 100s of bass or other fish with it and today it is working like first day. I remember I had purchased couple of Abus sometime and in first year I needed to send them for service and they had to even change one of them and give me other one. That was it, I learned my lesson and I have about 50 or more Shimano reels mostly DC and I never tried other brands anymore.

Please note my abus that I had issue with were high end Abu reels (spinning and casting) Almost same price of Shimano reels.

[Jar11591]

I know this is an old thread but I have trouble wrapping my head around this one. If you are already considering getting rid of a reel by contemplating its resale value before even making a purchase, why not just not make the purchase? That way got both things you wanted: to not have the reel and to have all the money you would have spent on it in your pocket still. 
 

[J Francho]

Resale only enters my mind when o decide to realign my gear, or some opportunity presents itself where I can pass a great deal on to my fellow anglers. Years ago I was able to get a pile of E series Shimanos on the cheap and sold all but three. 
 

One of my other passions is drums. I was mercilessly chastised on a drums forum for removing the logos from cymbals, as it devalues them. I think it's funny and totally mental that a logo somehow makes you better player, lol. Or that the cymbals that I'm actually using to make music. I don't think I once contemplated the value of someone's instrument while appreciating the artful sounds coming from it. 
 

Same goes for when I set the hook on a good one. 

[FrnkNsteen]

13 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Not fair assumptions - I'm not wealthy - my kids are grown.  But I know how to make my hobbies work for me.  And I put the time into it - especially with speculating, e.g., antique fly reels (not something I do now), it required time, repair skills, establishing a reputation, being plugged in to a community of interest.   Good photography helps.  The kind of opportunities that came up on ebay 20 years ago (especially seeing through bad photography) don't exist there anymore. 

Looking at something like Ted Godfrey's reel and recognizing what it was at $450 - it was too good to be true, and now they sell new for $2000.   I can name several contemporary conventional-frame fly reels selling for the same then that won't bring you $450 today - being able to recognize the difference is important.  

People who had the ability to add Kineya and Trutta reels from Japan made the same kind of profit.  An item doubling your purchase price in 4 or 5 years is not inflation - it's knowing what to buy and when to buy - and especially, what not to buy.   Also knowing what and when to sell, if your interests lead you that way.  

I'll be retired in a few years, and probably start clipping coupons - but I'll go into it with the tackle I want to fish.  

 

adding a ps - I'll lay odds that Shimano worm-drive spinners from '18 through '21 will retain their value better and also last longer than Shimano spinners made before or since.  My data for this,  The mechanism design changed in '18 Stella.  They kept the same drive parts in '22 Stella, but increased the spindle length and spool pitch, because they knew the '18 Stella series was over-designed, and they could push it harder.  Most parts on the newer series will also work on the older series, giving 10-years parts-support life.  

 

You're a kinder gent than I @bulldog1935. Very patient response to a post I found rather rude!

 

For the record, I have always appreciated the help and information that you have always provided!