My new years resolution was to stop being such a gear slut- I didn’t make it to Jan 2
New year, new craigslist deal. Not the best deal ever and the most I would ever pay for 1200 MK2s but good enough a deal I couldn’t pass up.
2 1200 MK2s in pretty good shape, Shure M447s in Technics headshells plus brand new extra styli, plus the coffin. If anything I’m excited to finally own a pair of M447s.
So yeah, I just drove 20 minutes and picked it all up at like 11:30, so so much for that. He actually had two more 1200s he said needed work I might try to grab for cheap. Also had an Ecler Nuo 2.0 I’m thinking about getting just don’t know what a good price to pay is. Once again proof deals are around.
5 Technics - 250 a pop
2 44-7’s with styli- 150
coffin - 200?
The money on the other stuff you were consider picking up from that dude =
$2000… ORRRR the 2 cdj2000’s off ebay that you want… JUST SAYIN’
Mr. Tacular: Seeing as you are the forum expert on Technics trading would you mind sharing some of your acquired wisdom? For instance:
How much do you generally buy sets of 1200/1210s for?
What determines how much you’ll pay for them?
Are you having to be quick off the mark to snag these? Do you have any tricks for this?
How much do you generally barter people down to? For instance are you only looking at bargain basement prices to be begin with or, are you talking down those ppl selling pairs for $600-$1000?
What are the common issues you are seeing with used Technics these days?
What kind of repairs/servicing/upgrades are you doing to the sets you buy?
Anything else you want to share?
Sorry for all the questions but I think this would be useful for a lot of people.
How much do you generally buy sets of 1200/1210s for?
The most I ever pay for 1200 MK2s is $200 a piece. the last 1200s I got before this I paid $400 for 3 of them- I got everything in this post for $400 including the needles and case.
What determines how much you’ll pay for them?
Model. Most I would probably pay for any 1200 MK2 unless it was new in box is $200 and I would usually buy one for that much regardless of cosmetic wear. I would buy a pair of M3Ds or MK5s for $500. I’ve never bought an M5G or limited edition because they are all ugly and always a rip off.
Are you having to be quick off the mark to snag these? Do you have any tricks for this?
Yes you need to be quick. There is always someone else looking to snag deals so be prepared to meet up immediately if you are free and have very quick communication. Also be willing to drive a little bit. the less hassle it is for them the more likely they will take the offer and if you wait they might be gone. I grabbed these at 11:30pm on a sunday night and left as soon as the guy said I could pick them up now.
How much do you generally barter people down to? For instance are you only looking at bargain basement prices to be begin with or, are you talking down those ppl selling pairs for $600-$1000?
If someone is asking over $650 a pair for MK2s I don’t bother contacting them. This guy wanted $500 and I sent him an email, he said someone offered $450 and asked if I wanted them. I said if it falls through I would take them for $400 and had cash ready and he said to come get them. the other guy most likely was just vague and iffy sounding about purchasing like most idiots on craigslist while I was a sure shot right then.
What are the common issues you are seeing with used Technics these days?
cosmetic condition. If the tone arm and pitch look good and there are no major damage I buy them. pop up lights are often out but I replace them with LEDs anyway and TTs can be painted.
What kind of repairs/servicing/upgrades are you doing to the sets you buy?
New RCAs, clean pitch, remove or replace ground wire, really clean the whole tables, full LED kits, and maybe paint.
Anything else you want to share?
There is a post I made regarding how to test technics I will try to find
Xone, You know I live about 20-30 minutes from you. Share!!! I need to get on Craigslist more. I’m looking for a 2 channel mixer I can leave set up with my 1200’s.
But I will say that I live in S.Florida as well and about 6 months ago, I snagged up 2 1200’s with Ortofon Concord Night Clubs delivered to my door for 400-500 bucks. Can’t remember exactly how much, but it wasn’t alot.
Heh i think you’re more like an hour from me, I sometimes see deals in miami that are a little too far from me that I’ll forward to you if I remember. A couple months ago there was a 1200 MK2 out in Kendall for $100 like 1 hour and 45 minutes from me which was way too far.
The guy I got this deal from had a nice Ecler Nuo 2.0 he was asking $200 for, I’m sure you could get it for less but it is a little far from you.
I mentioned this before but I have been using Craigspal, an application for searching again craiglists. You can define some very specific searches and you aren’t limited to searching across just one city. I upgraded to the Pro for $20 or so and that version gives you the ability to set up search notifications.
So far it has helped me located on 1210 Mk2 but the guy was a complete Do Shh! Bag. At first he wanted $200 for the deck. I offered him $150 and he asked me to call him. I did and he just started shouting down the phone that I clearly didn’t know the value of
“Techniques” and “These are like PRO turntables man! You can’t even buy these anymore man!” and also said that it was only on CL for $200 as the RCAs were broken and that as he’s now “figured out how to fix them” the deck would now be $250. I thanked him for his time and hung up.
Haha sometimes you have to deal with douchebags for deals and it’s part of the entertainment of craigslist, but once they start getting confrontational screw em.
I’ve learned to be careful how I make offers. Sometimes I pull the line that I just got paid and have X dollars to spend and have cash ready. Then there are times when a deal is already good enough you just have to say you will take it for their asking price and claim your spot instead of risking an offer that might offend someone or make them think you’re not serious.
got that silver retro look gona sell my 1210s and grab myself some soon.