Posted by Normal Resale on June 20, 2002 at 13:58:21:
In Reply to: Value of a 5/4 Willson BBb used? posted by just curious on June 19, 2002 at 17:26:37:
Tubas are like anything in that when you buy it, you lose approx. 40% as soon as you decide to keep it unless 2 to 3 years later you can find one person that wants it and will pay you what you think it is worth. This is not the norm. Probaby right now you would probably get from $5000 to $6000 for it unles you find a serious buyer.
If you keep a tuba for at least 7 years and it is in excellent condition, you might and I repeat might get back what you paid for it. The longer you keep it and the better condition you keep it in will decide what you get for it unless you find the one guy that is hungry for that particular tuba.
These statements are what normally happens and not all the time.
Trading it will get you less because the dealer needs to make what you would have gotten if you sold it yourself because he is taking the risk of it not selling and his money laying around for a while and you are getting paid up front.
Tubas and most music instruments are not like leases, it is not wise to buy one with the idea that you will trade up after 2 to 3 years without losing money.
I had a tuba 25 years and bought it new for $1700 with a case and then sold it 25 years later for $4300 and it was in excellent condition. Resale is length kept and condition in when sold.