Is there a "Blue Book" of used espresso machine values?

Recommendations for buyers and upgraders from the site's members.
duke-one
Posts: 499
Joined: 17 years ago

#1: Post by duke-one »

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

eric needham
Posts: 73
Joined: 13 years ago

#2: Post by eric needham »

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.

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LemmyCaution
Posts: 1
Joined: 13 years ago

#3: Post by LemmyCaution »

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

jarviscochrane
Posts: 151
Joined: 14 years ago

#4: Post by jarviscochrane »

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.

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HB
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#5: Post by HB »

With the caveat that I'm not a savvy eBay shopper, I'll offer my opinion, cobbled together from my previous replies on the subject.

Resale on high-end espresso equipment is good. Mazzer grinders typically go for 50% to 70% of the current retail price. Resale value of used espresso machine is less reliable since their value is tightly coupled to popularity. If you pick a popular model, can sell for the same 50% to 70% of current retail price if kept in top condition, should you decide to upgrade someday.

If a used model still in production with average popularity were in pristine condition but recent models have seen improvements in feature/reliability in the interim, the best price I would hope for is around 50% of today's model's full retail price. The price falls precipitously if the question of needed repairs enters into the equation, i.e., a few hundred at best.

With apologies for my laziness, other related tidbits cobbled together from my previous replies:
  • Unlike many hobbies (golf, audio/video), you reach the "high end" very quickly. Above $1400 at full retail, the differences among espresso machines is vanishingly small.
  • The same holds true for grinders. They peak around $700 (flat burr) to $1400 (conical) at full retail. You could spend over $2000 for a Mazzer Robur, but unless you're running a cafe, there's no rational reason to consider it.
  • There are few purchases that will give you and your family/friends pleasure every day. That's why for me, when it comes to espresso gear, I shop on capability/convenience/quality first and price last.
That said, there's lots of fools overpaying on eBay everyday, so take the above comments on resale value with a grain of salt.
Dan Kehn

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sweaner
Posts: 3013
Joined: 16 years ago

#6: Post by sweaner »

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
Scott
LMWDP #248

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bowie
Posts: 40
Joined: 13 years ago

#7: Post by bowie »

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!!
May you be cursed with enthusiasm for products manufactured in "developed" countries.

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duke-one (original poster)
Posts: 499
Joined: 17 years ago

#8: Post by duke-one (original poster) »

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

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drgary
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#9: Post by drgary »

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!
Gary
LMWDP#308

What I WOULD do for a good cup of coffee!

duke-one (original poster)
Posts: 499
Joined: 17 years ago

#10: Post by duke-one (original poster) »

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

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