Hello; Is there a "Blue Book" of used machine values? I am considering a major bit of upgradeitis and will need to sell the old one. The replacement cost has escalated quite a bit since I bought it and it is in fine shape both function wise and aesthetically. The new machines I'm looking at won't fit where the current machine is so it will remain plumbed in and ready to demo. I would not be able to ship it so I must find a local buyer. How have you all sold your used machines? I not comfortable with Craig's List but Ebay and Coffee Geek would be my choice for ads. I would also offer to split the cost of a professional check out if my price was met.
KDM

I sold my Astoria jun ae1 (like new 1996) to my friend for $1000. I would have put it on craigs list for $1800 it was the copper/stainless version, and really was the nicest used machine I have seen. eBay cost a fee and if you are selling it local then craigs list/CG would be my recommendation. I have seen these machines sold normally in the 700-900 range.

I too am interested in a "Blue Book" site - I'm pricing out vintage Atomic machines and am woefully new to this world. Thoughts?

duke-one wrote:Hello; Is there a "Blue Book" of used machine values? I am considering a major bit of upgradeitis and will need to sell the old one. The replacement cost has escalated quite a bit since I bought it and it is in fine shape both function wise and aesthetically. The new machines I'm looking at won't fit where the current machine is so it will remain plumbed in and ready to demo. I would not be able to ship it so I must find a local buyer. How have you all sold your used machines? I not comfortable with Craig's List but Ebay and Coffee Geek would be my choice for ads. I would also offer to split the cost of a professional check out if my price was met.
KDM

It seems to me that espresso machines, like used cars, can be divided into two basic categories; driver and collectible. All machines start out brand new as drivers, and depreciate to the bottom of their resale value curve rapidly, until those that have some mix of design/craftsmanship/performance that makes for collector appeal break through the crowd to collector status and increase in value again, often beyond the original purchase price.
There are many quality machines still on the way down, of which I would put CMA/Laury/Rio, Porsche 997/987/996. and unfortunately when you are selling in this category, age will probably be a bigger factor in the sell price then condition.

There are many collectible machines on the way up the other side where collector demand will set the price regardless of condition or age, ie Cremina/Lambro/Orion, Porsche 993/964/356.

The OP's machine may be a fantastic piece of equipment, but it is on the driver end of the curve and is still depreciating. Perhaps the best substitute for a blue book value would be to find comparables on the "ended auctions" search in ebay, and consider how long ago the sale took place.

I make many purchases on eBay, both coffee related and other items. (Amazing deals on childrens clothing) I bought my Vetrano for $600. With that one I got lucky, as I did not know the awful things that can go wrong with a used machine.

I always use a sniping site (Bidslammer). This allows me to determine the price I want to pay, not drive up the price of the auction, and not overbid out of emotion.

If doing a "Buy It Now" I use eBates, and often get a rebate.
http://www.bidslammer.com
http://www.ebates.com

The closest thing to a blue book for espresso machines is searching for completed listings on eBay. Always try and remember that the bulk of the people hanging around this site are -comparatively- specialists, and in no way represent the bulk of the population at large. It appears that many eBayer's are unfamiliar with many of the specialty machines oft discussed here. Many buyers cruising espresso on eBay will let Vetrano's and Rituale's slip by for $600, whilst bidding up Livia's past $900. Of course this is just a generalization...YMMV!!

Let me wake this thread up a bit with this: As I look on EBay at used Astoria machines the one factor that I think was not brought up here is I think most or all of the offered machines are ex-restaurant or cafe. This should make a considerable difference in value, no? Too bad these machines don't have a shot counter like my K-30 grinder, that would give a better picture of condition akin to a odometer.
KDM

Hi Duke,

Then I think what you're willing to pay may be more like what you would expect when buying a commercial truck. It's built out for high mileage and reliability. But you would want to get a good look at it (photos at least) and have some idea of the servicing that was done. If not, factor in the cost of a rebuild plus the availability of parts, less depreciation due to any design upgrades since that machine was built.

Also, I've read somewhere on here that single group commercial machines would sell at a premium compared to multiple groups for the simple fact that they could be adapted to home use versus a larger machine that takes over your whole kitchen -- what we're all about here!

Dr. G: Hello, guy. The machine I will be "swapping out" is a single group Astoria auto. It works fine but has got about 15 years of home use on it. I don't think it needs any rebuilding, maybe some deferred maintenance. Yes, it is large and heavy but not too bad, (see page 135 on "post a picture of your home setup" thread) I've lived with it for all this time. One may ask why am I replacing it, a fair question> partly upgradeitis, also want to start with a fresh machine as I am no longer able to do all the repair/maintenance/installation stuff I used to do. I've already done a lot of prep work: new floor in my laundry/machinery room, twin Everpure QC71 filter set with MC² filters, pressure regulator. I even bought a digital pressure gauge, a bit of unnecessary industrial "bling", but I though it would be a cute little bit of kit. Looks like the new machine will be a 1 group Linea auto, but I am not locked in, yet.
Duke