how much would you pay?

i would go with 700 to 800 if it had any life in it
just my 2cents

 

like mentioned earlier half price of what?

any used setup is pretty much going to go for half of what all new would go for.

So if it's half price of what it was new... then it's just a run o the mill deal. List out the equipment and see what it costs new.

or

And this is how I would have heard the offer

half price of what the used setup would go for. i.e. 1/4 the cost of new.

And that is probably a fair deal between friends.

He's got to remember too, this stuff isn't exactly easy to sell. Even at a bigger savings to you, he's probably still coming out ahead just by being able to offload it all at once.


I recently noticed a full setup with a 215 gallon for $2k at my LFS. I'm sure I could talk that down. Obviously they paid less than that for it. Maybe 1500 bucks. So half of that would be 750 bucks.

your setup is smaller and I don't know the equipment it has... but if that helps as a reference...

 

Like you said. .. google the price of a 180, then look up the price of a retro kit (build it yourself) for ballasts, 8 bulbs, socket ends, and incidental mounts, etc. Add that to the tank, and divide by 2. There's half.

IMO, a stand isn't worth more than about $22, as that's exactly what I paid for building mine. Add it on if you like.

Offering less than half is not insulting the guy IMO. If he's looking to sell it, then he doesn't want it anymore. If he paid 10 grand, then you offering 3 grand instead of 5 is no great sin with the economy what it is. Times are rough. He's looking to break from the hobby, and you're looking to help him out.

Let's say you do the math and a 180 new is $350. If the retro kit brand new to you would cost $250 to build yourself (remember the bulbs are new. . . ) there's $600.

If $600 seems like a steal to you, by all means offer it. To my way of thinking, it's the American way to negotiate. If you offer him $450 and he's insulted, you can simply apologize, and say, "Sorry, times are rough."

It all comes down to how much you're willing to spend.

Good luck!!

 

$600 to $800 based on what you think the quality is.

 

Its all been covered IMHO
if you have seen it and its what you want, then a fair price is what you feel its worth for you to have it.

ask him how much he wants for it and if he gives you a sensible number that your happy with - shake hands and be happy

Steve

 

I recall in economics class learning the answer to, "what is something worth?"

Simply stated it was: "what people are willing to pay."

Steve nailed it.

 

I agree. I would definitely not go over 900 at absolute tops.

Let him determine its worth, as long as that sits well with you take it.

You definitely don't want to lose a friend, so let him do the figuring out of $$.