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Post by indiehouse on Mar 17, 2020 11:58:18 GMT -6
Is anyone else feeling hesitant about gear purchases right now, what with the pandemic and possible looming recession? I mean, I should be a responsible adult anyways and not splurge on gear, but I'm especially feeling nervous about it right now. I work for a University and my wife is a teacher. We are in Ohio, and have both been forced to work from home. My situation is especially complicated because I do a lot of video work, which has all been cancelled.
Anyways, just trying to gauge the temperature out there and see if I'm just being paranoid or not.
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Post by svart on Mar 17, 2020 12:04:52 GMT -6
Is anyone else feeling hesitant about gear purchases right now, what with the pandemic and possible looming recession? I mean, I should be a responsible adult anyways and not splurge on gear, but I'm especially feeling nervous about it right now. I work for a University and my wife is a teacher. We are in Ohio, and have both been forced to work from home. My situation is especially complicated because I do a lot of video work, which has all been cancelled.
Anyways, just trying to gauge the temperature out there and see if I'm just being paranoid or not.
On the other hand, a lot of people will be feeling the pinch and need to sell their gear, perhaps at considerable discounts due to a flooding market for certain items. But personally, I'm always going to err on the side of caution and I'd say unless a monster deal comes up and the person really needs the cash, I'd hold onto yours. It could be weeks, or it could be months. Nobody knows how the virus will affect people, nor how the market will recover, if it'll recover, or if we'll be besieging oil refineries in the desert in a year from now.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 17, 2020 12:16:00 GMT -6
Is anyone else feeling hesitant about gear purchases right now, what with the pandemic and possible looming recession? I mean, I should be a responsible adult anyways and not splurge spooge on gear, but I'm especially feeling nervous about it right now. I work for a University and my wife is a teacher. We are in Ohio, and have both been forced to work from home. My situation is especially complicated because I do a lot of video work, which has all been cancelled.
Anyways, just trying to gauge the temperature out there and see if I'm just being paranoid or not.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 17, 2020 12:16:43 GMT -6
Yeah...I've had a couple of cancellations I was counting on...might have to liquidate a few things.
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Post by teejay on Mar 17, 2020 12:18:19 GMT -6
I'm not in your league of expertise and spend, but I've been pondering posting a similar question. I know this is a stretch, but I'm a bit gun-shy about buying any used mics right now with all the talk of how long the virus can live on certain surfaces and not knowing what may have been "sung" into it. I'm pretty certain that's an overreaction on my part, but the hesitation is there nonetheless. Had been planning to finally make that trip to VK Nashville (or Shell Rock/Chandler) to try some mics out, but likely not good for me or for the folks on the other end to do so right now. This is causing us...in the short-term anyway...to re-think a lot of things.
I don't think you're being paranoid. Just judiciously cautious.
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Post by EmRR on Mar 17, 2020 12:20:24 GMT -6
Tons of cancellations, tons unexpectedly out of work, has to be big knock-on effects, I won't be buying a thing I don't have to buy. 36 full days of work cancelled myself, for now. Self-employed can't be unemployed, insurance doesn't cover this kind of 'work interruption' = better have options.
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Post by jamiesego on Mar 17, 2020 12:23:20 GMT -6
I was thinking about trying to sell some stuff.. It’s going to be a rough time to sell I bet.
I always thought I could pick up a server job easily if I was struggling to make the studio rent but now that’s out of the question. The job options in the Shoals area aren’t great.
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Post by lpedrum on Mar 17, 2020 13:05:14 GMT -6
Lots of work cancelled so most gear buying will be on hold. If the virus has little to no economic effect on you and it drags on I predict many great deals on used gear—possibly a buyer’s market Also, if you know of musicians and engineers that are selling items to stay afloat consider supporting them by making a purchase.
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Post by EmRR on Mar 17, 2020 13:33:30 GMT -6
I was thinking about trying to sell some stuff.. It’s going to be a rough time to sell I bet. 200% correct, buyers market. Tons of stuff will flood the market at a fraction of normal value.
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Post by indiehouse on Mar 17, 2020 13:33:41 GMT -6
True. There was a piece on Friday that I had been wanting to try out. Price was good (less so with Reverb tax, but that’s another thing). But I just couldn’t do it because of the uncertainty over flipping it, as well as the economic and job uncertainties as well. Probably best to lay low and forget about gear for a bit.
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 17, 2020 14:24:32 GMT -6
Lots of work cancelled so most gear buying will be on hold. If the virus has little to no economic effect on you and it drags on I predict many great deals on used gear—possibly a buyer’s market Also, if you know of musicians and engineers that are selling items to stay afloat consider supporting them by making a purchase. I always do - and try not to feel like too much of a shark.
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Post by chessparov on Mar 17, 2020 17:23:39 GMT -6
I'll just muddle through, with what I've got.. Chris
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 17, 2020 17:54:03 GMT -6
One question, do you need or just want to buy?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2020 18:18:56 GMT -6
Since recording isn't my day job I can't buy anything right now, despite temptation. I may sell one or two things even just so I can stay on the path of aggressively paying down my student loan, etc. I only buy gear with money I make from recording.
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Post by indiehouse on Mar 17, 2020 18:33:42 GMT -6
All good points. To be clear, its more of a rhetorical question rather than an actual dilemma I’m facing. You know, a conversation starter? Just wondering in general what everyone on a gear forum thinks about buying/selling gear right now.
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 17, 2020 20:06:29 GMT -6
One question, do you need or just want to buy? Me? I guess it depends on how you look at it. I don't flip gear for profit* and haven't for decades (and still regret some of the things I sold back in the '70s, when I did), but I'm also not running a commercial studio operation at present - anything I buy is for personal use and use on friend's projects. Right now, from my point of view I need another KM84, which would give me a pair. But I'm not really willing to pay more than I did for the last one, about 3-1/2 years ago, which, IIRC, was about $900 shipped, no box, clamp, or cable, but the mic's in nice shape. I gave Telefunken USA another $50 for a nice wooden box, and would rather that go to a person, not a company. That's still significantly more than a dealer would give. (I have a pretty good handle on dealer prices buying and selling, having spent many of my younger years working for various music and audio stores.)
The thing is that I generally try to keep a stash of "discretionary" funds for when a great deal (or an emergency) comes along so I can jump on it.
I've been thinking about making a couple of "WTB" posts but have not yet, unless you want to count this one.
* - Actually I don't like selling gear at all and usually won't do it.
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Post by the other mark williams on Mar 17, 2020 20:17:47 GMT -6
Yeah, the work we had on the calendar (all video work) is basically gone. NOBODY is spending money for those services right now.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Mar 17, 2020 20:35:53 GMT -6
I’m waiting to see the ad where somebody wants to trade a 251 for toilet paper! Seriously unless you have enough in the bank right now for 3 months worth of paying bills this is not the time to buy! This not going to be quick recovery. Save your cash for something important like booze, cause your going to need it!
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Post by mcirish on Mar 18, 2020 14:24:18 GMT -6
I typically buy a lot of items for my studio every year. Granted, I am not a full-time studio guy, but I invest heavily in it. I work in the entertainment industry during the day. The entire industry has fallen apart due to the virus. Everyone is scrambling to make cuts and save the companies so we have something to go back to once the pandemic has ended. Needless to say, I have zero money for music/studio purchases now. I had to take a mandatory pay cut just to retain my job. I'm hoping we'll be able to ride this out for the months it will take to get back on track. I have many friends who were just making ends meet before this happened. Now, they are working out how to live in their car. Very hard time ahead and not the time for any purchases on my part.
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Post by drbill on Mar 18, 2020 14:53:27 GMT -6
if you have the resources to live for a few months saved away, and if your financial portfolio is in place and stable (and it SHOULD be before buying anything - gear or otherwise)...
If you've got that dialed in, it's a FANTASTIC time to be buying gear. Great deals on used stuff. The ability to play hardball - you will loose some pieces, but have other offers taken out of desperation by those who haven't done the above. Plus, sales, sales SALES everywhere on new stuff.
I was ready to sell some stuff I haven't been using, but I agree with some of the above thoughts about being a bad time to sell and I'm going to keep it for now. But....I'm ready to BUY stuff that is generally rare or not available - if it comes at a nice discount. It's a great time to buy if you set yourself up right beforehand.
Sorry for those whose jobs are lost or in peril. If there's one thing I've learned in life - several times - you CAN'T take the "status quo" and expect that it will always be there. Whether you're an employee or self employed. There is no status quo. Only a fake mirage making you believe things will always be good like they are now. You (me at least) have to have multiple streams of income, and you have to have contingency plans in place - ready to rock at a moments notice. You've also got to have 6 months of disposable income to live off of while you reinvent yourself.
At my place in life, I'm not looking forward to re-inventing myself yet AGAIN. But I'm going to have to. Even before the virus, I saw the writing on the wall. Changing things up is actually generated some excitement back into things, and as one profitable aspect of the industry seems to be dying out due to industry overcrowding and tech companies taking advantage - (for me, writing / producing for libraries) - another opens up with the chance to make better money.
Time will tell. Soldier on!!
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Post by chessparov on Mar 18, 2020 15:03:55 GMT -6
Very true. I'm hoping I can hang on to most of what I have. But a dividend of my learning-and you guys are a big part of this... Is I can make good sounding recordings, on less than $500 worth of gear-total! But then my "needs" are very modest. Chris
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Post by dreamsambas on Mar 18, 2020 15:07:25 GMT -6
Other than Craigsist, eBay, and proaudio forums' classifieds, where do you guys like to buy and sell gear?
Anyone know of any good websites in Europe?
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 18, 2020 15:46:46 GMT -6
I’m waiting to see the ad where somebody wants to trade a 251 for toilet paper! Seriously unless you have enough in the bank right now for 3 months worth of paying bills this is not the time to buy! This not going to be quick recovery. Save your cash for something important like booze, cause your going to need it! I actually do - my discretionary fund is seperate from my living money. And last Sunday I had a case of wine delivered from my favorite winery.
What's killing me is not being able to get out of the house for any but the most essential functions.
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Post by dankin on Mar 18, 2020 16:03:08 GMT -6
Thankfully this year started out busy for me, and everything has been paid for, with the exception of a few mix's I'm wrapping up. My wife and I were supposed to be headed to Canada this week for some writing retreats. I had few things I was planning on buying, but I decided to wait until I was back home. Really glad I did that. We are ok for right now, but I definitely have concerns about how long this will get stretched out. I'm definitely not buying anything until this is over.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Mar 18, 2020 16:26:46 GMT -6
I’m waiting to see the ad where somebody wants to trade a 251 for toilet paper! Seriously unless you have enough in the bank right now for 3 months worth of paying bills this is not the time to buy! This not going to be quick recovery. Save your cash for something important like booze, cause your going to need it! I actually do - my discretionary fund is seperate from my living money. And last Sunday I had a case of wine delivered from my favorite winery.
What's killing me is not being able to get out of the house for any but the most essential functions.
I know it’s just nuts it’s not that I can’t go out it’s where can I go?
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