DIYbanter - View Single Post - Marketing Strategies for Used Electronics

wrote:
Chris F:
Ask any shop owner who sells used/repaired/reconditioned equipment (I
do) and the answer is that there is a bit more to it than the price
tag.....
..... usually a qualified tech or repair shop clerk will "sell" the
item by providing additional information about its specs, condition and
repair shop warranty, price new, and even a detailed working
demonstration and operator/owner training and maybe even a bartar on
the sale price.... all of which is usually beyond the scope and purview
of whoever "mans" your department at the store in which you have the
equipment.
In addition, some of the equipment that I sell in my shop is a direct
result of a customer prepaid repair cost estimate and a refused
repair.... at that point I can apply half of the prepaid estimate price
toward the purchase of a used replacement item. The offer goes away
once they leave the store.
electricitym

Agree with the above.
I'd say that one of the major influences on buying decisions is the
explanation of how the thing works in laymans terms. Apart from a
demonstration of how to set the thing up, I always try to provide a
manual, and often will hand-write a summary of the main steps to set
up, say, a tv or vcr. You wouldn't believe how relieved some people
can be for that, especially the non-technical, who wouldn't understand
even the simplest of user manuals. Providing an email or phone number
in case of problems also helps reassure them. And if we're talking
about older gear, you can usually turn the age into a virtue and 'big
up' the fact that its not as disposable as todays cheap imported
dross!
-b.