The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: privatevoid on June 29, 2017, 06:04:44 PM
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So a while back I re-read through the MMM archives and re-discovered all the stupid luxury crap habits I've let myself slip into since moving out of my parents' and getting out on my own.
My first thought was, I'm gonna sell my new/financed car for an older model. A bunch of mustachians jumped in and reminded me that my car is actually pretty sensible and that I was kinda jumping the gun. Thanks for that.
However, unlike my car, I don't need my TV. Again, I got a pretty good deal on some luxury crap I don't need; a beautiful curved(!) 4K Samsung LCD for just over $1000, I think refurbished.
I barely watch any TV and don't have cable, so it was more for entertaining friends when they come over; and when they do I find myself a little embarrassed for falling into the "But Of Course I Need A Nice TV" trap. So ostensibly this TV is not making me happier, and I wouldn't buy it again.
If possible, I'd like to liquidate it and put it towards my car loan, and my next TV will probably be from Craigslist.
Has anyone here successfully and safely sold their TV for at least a good portion of what it's worth, and if so, how? Did you have to wait a long time or compromise a lot on the price? It seems like TVs are terrible at retaining their value. Is this even a good idea?
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why not put it on craig's list? just meet the potential buyer in a public place like a cafe and take cash only. also if you do a facebook post perhaps a friend will want to buy it.
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Has anyone here successfully and safely sold their TV for at least a good portion of what it's worth, and if so, how?
Nearly everything I've sold to strangers, I've sold for 100% of what it's worth.
For a used TV, what it's worth is almost surely less than 50% of what it would sell for it new today. But it's worth whatever a willing, informed, non-pressured buyer will pay to a willing, informed, non-pressured seller.
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why not put it on craig's list? just meet the potential buyer in a public place like a cafe and take cash only. also if you do a facebook post perhaps a friend will want to buy it.
Two of the local police departments have "Craig's list selling zones" outside of their precincts. Basically it's 4-5 parking spots located out their front doors that are visitor spots with a sign. I sold my old rowing equipment outside of one can't get much safer.
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why not put it on craig's list? just meet the potential buyer in a public place like a cafe and take cash only. also if you do a facebook post perhaps a friend will want to buy it.
Two of the local police departments have "Craig's list selling zones" outside of their precincts. Basically it's 4-5 parking spots located out their front doors that are visitor spots with a sign. I sold my old rowing equipment outside of one can't get much safer.
Thanks for the tips! I'm getting some interest on Craigslist but I think I will just have to wait patiently for the right buyer to come along.
On meeting up at a different location, the thing is, it's a 55" flatscreen. I can't exactly haul it to a Panera and set it up, and I expect the buyer would want to verify that it works. How would they handle that in a police zone?
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So a while back I re-read through the MMM archives and re-discovered all the stupid luxury crap habits I've let myself slip into since moving out of my parents' and getting out on my own.
My first thought was, I'm gonna sell my new/financed car for an older model. A bunch of mustachians jumped in and reminded me that my car is actually pretty sensible and that I was kinda jumping the gun. Thanks for that.
However, unlike my car, I don't need my TV. Again, I got a pretty good deal on some luxury crap I don't need; a beautiful curved(!) 4K Samsung LCD for just over $1000, I think refurbished.
I barely watch any TV and don't have cable, so it was more for entertaining friends when they come over; and when they do I find myself a little embarrassed for falling into the "But Of Course I Need A Nice TV" trap. So ostensibly this TV is not making me happier, and I wouldn't buy it again.
If possible, I'd like to liquidate it and put it towards my car loan, and my next TV will probably be from Craigslist.
Has anyone here successfully and safely sold their TV for at least a good portion of what it's worth, and if so, how? Did you have to wait a long time or compromise a lot on the price? It seems like TVs are terrible at retaining their value. Is this even a good idea?
Here is the thing about TVs. You buy once and it's there for like 15 years. Is it an expense? Sure. Is it a recurring expense? No. You actually don't need a 4K TV for a 55-inch when you watch it from more than 8 feet away. No difference in perception between a 4K and FHD. But you already have a 4K. So I say just keep it unless you are extremely cash strapped. You will probably get about $700 for that TV now. Again only you can tell if $700 is so important to you.
If, by any chance, you want to buy a TV again in the future, then it will cost another $1000 unless you buy a cheap 1080p TV during Thanksgiving sale for $300. Your call.
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If, by any chance, you want to buy a TV again in the future, then it will cost another $1000 unless you buy a cheap 1080p TV during Thanksgiving sale for $300. Your call.
TVs these days are definitely cheaper than that. I got a new 43" 1080p Sharp with all the bells and whistles and a built-in Roku for $229 in January, very not-on-sale.
OP: Sell it. Even if you don't get too much of a gain out of "trading down," you'll resent the fancy TV forever if you keep it. I'd say it's worth getting rid off. You'll feel better about not having a TV or having a less ridiculous one (wherever you end up). That's how my brain works anyway.
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TVs these days are definitely cheaper than that. I got a new 43" 1080p Sharp with all the bells and whistles and a built-in Roku for $229 in January, very not-on-sale.
That's exactly my point.
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As far as selling less mobile items on Craigslist, I usually meet the person outside before letting them in my house. I've sold couches, bedroom set, tv, etc... and have never had a problem. It's also good to have a friend or two at the house and don't have anything valuable just laying around. The person coming to pickup actually has more to fear in many cases since they're coming into your home (or a place you claim is your home) and could be planning on stealing their cash.
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TVs these days are definitely cheaper than that. I got a new 43" 1080p Sharp with all the bells and whistles and a built-in Roku for $229 in January, very not-on-sale.
That's exactly my point.
I personally agree with you. I actually think I have the exact same TV as OP, minus the 4k bit. I think I could get $500ish for it... is it worth it when I'd have to buy another TV for $200ish? IMO no but if OP truly never watches tv might as well get rid of it. I lived without a TV for years.
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Here is the thing about TVs. You buy once and it's there for like 15 years. Is it an expense? Sure. Is it a recurring expense? No. You actually don't need a 4K TV for a 55-inch when you watch it from more than 8 feet away. No difference in perception between a 4K and FHD. But you already have a 4K. So I say just keep it unless you are extremely cash strapped. You will probably get about $700 for that TV now. Again only you can tell if $700 is so important to you.
If, by any chance, you want to buy a TV again in the future, then it will cost another $1000 unless you buy a cheap 1080p TV during Thanksgiving sale for $300. Your call.
That's what I told myself when I bought it haha. Of course I need to spend $1000 on a TV. No, the 4K is barely noticeable from 8+ feet.
Not sure I agree that another TV will just cost me $1000 in the future. The same beautiful 4Ks that are new now will be floating around on the cheap in 10 years as the new-new models come out. It'll cost me $1000 if I insist on having a new TV with the latest features, I suppose. But thanks for the balancing thoughts on it.
I personally agree with you. I actually think I have the exact same TV as OP, minus the 4k bit. I think I could get $500ish for it... is it worth it when I'd have to buy another TV for $200ish? IMO no but if OP truly never watches tv might as well get rid of it. I lived without a TV for years.
Sure, and in this case it would be a net +$300, which is maybe or maybe not worth it? I could use a couple hundred bucks.
I'm also just generally trying to build up better habits, be smarter and more frugal, and try new things, and experiment with frugality, so it's as much about branching out as it is about the money itself.
As far as selling less mobile items on Craigslist, I usually meet the person outside before letting them in my house. I've sold couches, bedroom set, tv, etc... and have never had a problem. It's also good to have a friend or two at the house and don't have anything valuable just laying around. The person coming to pickup actually has more to fear in many cases since they're coming into your home (or a place you claim is your home) and could be planning on stealing their cash.
Thanks for the reassurance. If someone else is home as well I would feel pretty safe doing this.