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gooser · Nov 26, 2006, 08:28 AM

it seems to me if you have a computer it will lose about a third of it's value after a couple of years. an ipod will lose three-fourths. why is this? are they really that unreliable? it would seem to me that there would be a lot of demand for firewire transferrable ipods on ebay but that is not the case. am i the only one out there without usb 2.0? do people really want video that much? any thoughts?

Wiskedjak · Nov 26, 2006, 09:02 AM

There are several reasons why I wouldn't pay much for a used ipod:

1. Most of the models use a hard-drive. Hard-drives age quickly under normal use, more-so when they move around while in use.
2. It's difficult to find a used ipod that isn't all scratched up.
3. Ipods are take-everywhere products. Such products are usually subject to abuse.
4. Apple releases new ipods almost every 6 to 10 months, meaning that most of the use ipods lack the newest features.
5. New ipods aren't that expensive; given the above factors, I would rather pay $300 for a new ipod than $200 for a used one.

volcano · Nov 26, 2006, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by gooser

it seems to me if you have a computer it will lose about a third of it's value after a couple of years. an ipod will lose three-fourths. why is this? are they really that unreliable? it would seem to me that there would be a lot of demand for firewire transferrable ipods on ebay but that is not the case. am i the only one out there without usb 2.0? do people really want video that much? any thoughts?

Think about it -- pretty much with every update, Apple keeps introducing more features to the iPod line while still managing to drop the price. Can you believe the very first iPod with 5GB of storage sold for $399 back in 2002? Now for $50 LESS, you can get 16x the storage (80GB), video capability, bright colorful screen, album art... every feature that's been introduced since the original iPod.

If anything, it was probably a smart move on Apple's part not to introduce an "all-new" iPod this year. Granted, it had nearly been a year since the last update, but creating an all-new iPod every 6 months would only lower the value of current models even more. Besides, the vast majority of the public is infatuated with the current line of Nanos anyway.

pra9ab0y · Nov 26, 2006, 01:50 PM

Basically in a few months there will be a new product that makes you r current ipod look rubbish. People want the newest products and if your current ipod is so old then "why buy it"?

imitchellg5 · Nov 26, 2006, 07:32 PM

It's not that they are unreliable, there is just so many out there and Apple is always updating the product line.

icruise · Nov 27, 2006, 10:58 AM

Actually, the iPod used to maintain its value quite well, but I think there are just so many of them out there and the changes to recent models are so great (including substantial price reductions) that people are reluctant to buy used when they might be able to get better features for a similar price by waiting a bit.

amazing · Nov 27, 2006, 11:36 AM

Another factor is battery life--since the batteries aren't easily user-serviceable, why pay for a depleted battery? Also, I wouldn't get an HD-based iPod without some sort of warranty, because HDs do go bad all too easily (abuse, careless handling.) So, your old iPod is competing against refurb prices (one-year warranty, new battery), which in turn are driven down by competitive pricing on newly introduced models.

Then, with flash-based Nanos, why pay $149 for an Apple-refurbed 4 GB (14 hour battery, tax added) when you can find discounts or rebates on 2nd gen 4 GB Nanos (24 hour battery, currently $174 after rebate at PCConnection, no tax.)

Big Mac · Nov 27, 2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by icruise

Actually, the iPod used to maintain its value quite well, but I think there are just so many of them out there and the changes to recent models are so great (including substantial price reductions) that people are reluctant to buy used when they might be able to get better features for a similar price by waiting a bit.

Bingo.

GoDucks · Nov 27, 2006, 01:27 PM

I disagree. I have had several dozen iPods over the years and flip each one as soon as the next version comes out. For example, I sold my 1 year old 60 Gig Video iPod the week that the new 80 gig came out. I recently sold my pink iPod nano to buy the red one, etc. In every case I get 80% or more of what I paid for the one I'm selling that I put towards my new ones. I either sell through Craigslist or E-Bay and always keep the box/packaging/cables, etc. in top notch condition. Overall, I feel that iPods have very strong resale value...

icruise · Nov 27, 2006, 01:28 PM

If you're selling a model that's one generation behind to finance the purchase of the next generation, I think that's true. But the older iPods don't hold their value as well as they used to (not like used Macs, for example).

scotth_uk · Nov 27, 2006, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by GoDucks

In every case I get 80% or more of what I paid for the one I'm selling that I put towards my new ones.

Goducks,

I am with you on this one. I fit a screen protector and a skin on the day of purchase and typically sell around 10 months after purchase. Packaging is put away whilst pristine, and the headphone packet never gets opened. Always update the firmware before sale, and take close up shots with a good camera.

badsey · Nov 28, 2006, 03:51 PM

My iPod value actually went up. I have been offered $300+ for my iPod Video with everything on it.

-No way will I sell.

gooser · Nov 28, 2006, 11:42 PM

well now, i have to agree with what everyone says here. that's a first for me. i guess though that there's nobody else out there who wants to hook up an ipod with an older computer. i bid today on a 60g photo on ebay but didn't get it. i'll find another. don't really need another ipod, my 40g 3rd generation is working fine. however a spare wouldn't hurt and there's no way i'm going to replace my computers just so i can get an ipod to work with it. the newer features i guess are nice but all i've ever wanted was a portable music player.no big deal, i know what to do.

gooser · Nov 28, 2006, 11:53 PM

oops. 10 minutes later, just bid on another one.

archurban · Nov 29, 2006, 05:34 AM

it's not only ipod but all electronics. but at least Apple product value is much higher than other still.

Wiskedjak · Nov 29, 2006, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by archurban

it's not only ipod but all electronics.

That's just it. Many people don't realize that the iPod is a consumer electronics product, not a computer product and the only things that devalue faster than computers are consumer electronics.

amazing · Nov 29, 2006, 09:09 AM

Apple Store refurbished now has stock on black and white 60 GB video iPods for $229. 30 GB video iPod is $179. That's what you need to measure ebay prices against.

gooser · Nov 29, 2006, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by amazing

Apple Store refurbished now has stock on black and white 60 GB video iPods for $229. 30 GB video iPod is $179. That's what you need to measure ebay prices against.

thanks, i saw them. a couple of months ago they had some photo models. kicking myself for not getting one then.

pra9ab0y · Nov 29, 2006, 09:37 AM

They do sell some good stuff on apple reurb store
check it out!
You might be lucky!

amazing · Nov 29, 2006, 10:11 AM

You know, with a nano, you're constantly transferring stuff onto it, so transfer times make a huge difference. For example, you go on a trip and want some fresh music or you want an audiobook. The result is that you face more frequent long transfer times when you're using usb 1.0 with a 4 GB nano.

With a 60 GB, you just have your entire library on it so you set it up to do the transfer overnight, at your leisure. It's a one-time hassle, with smaller hassles later on as you expand your library. It's a lot more manageable. It just requires some planning, like setting up an audiobook transfer overnight. When you're spending hard earned cash, you do want to sort-of "future-proof" your purchases. You gotta figure that eventually you're gonna get something that has usb 2.0

gooser · Nov 29, 2006, 11:48 PM

well i won the bid on the 2nd ipod, made the payment, then get a 2nd chance offer on the 1st. go figure. hate to buy a spare ipod when the old one is still working, but i guess it's better to get it now than to be looking for a firewire model a few years from now. i guess i'll use it one day a month just to keep it fresh unless somebody else has a better suggestion. in my case i'm glad they don't hold their value.

pra9ab0y · Nov 30, 2006, 04:18 AM

if I were you i would just be happy i actually got 1 especially from ebay and considering the time of year!!

gooser · Dec 1, 2006, 12:12 AM

well, like an idiot i went ahead and bought the first one also. what am i gonna do with all these old ipods? as long as one of them works i guess i'm ok. anyone got a bridge for sale? i'm in a spending mood.

tooki · Dec 1, 2006, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by gooser

it seems to me if you have a computer it will lose about a third of it's value after a couple of years.

Uhhh... what?

My three-year-old PowerBook is worth at most 1/3 what I paid for it, and that's good because it's a Mac. If it were a PC, it'd be worth practically nothing by now.

tooki

gooser · Dec 2, 2006, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by tooki

Uhhh... what?

My three-year-old PowerBook is worth at most 1/3 what I paid for it, and that's good because it's a Mac. If it were a PC, it'd be worth practically nothing by now.

tooki

maybe i spoke too soon. i do know that the consumer lines hold their value after a couple of years. (ibooks,imacs, and mac mini's) powerbooks and powermacs, i'm not all that familiar with. g3 models are cheap except for lime clamshells, but it's been about 4 years since any g3 has been made. i find it interesting that the value of a cube plummeted after the mini came out. maybe the most expensive models fall the fastest.

Oversoul · Dec 2, 2006, 07:09 AM

How do you define holding value? I recently sold my 3G and 4G 20GB iPods for around the ~$140 range, and for iPods that were about 3 years old, I think getting about half what I paid years ago isn't too bad.

What really surprised me was selling a 6GB iPod mini for about the same price as the 20GB iPods. For a little more, the buyer could've gotten a brand new iPod nano.

Again, not too shabby. I'm going to guess that a two or three year old Creative (or any other iPod competitor) player won't sell for anywhere near these prices.

gooser · 01:07 AM

well i got both of my ipods in, they both work and surprisingly look good. my lacie pocket drive died and one is being used to replace that. i transfer data from my store to my home once a week. more portable than a pocket drive anyway. the other will be put away until i need it. i will play it a few hours a month to keep it fresh. the best part is (look at my signiature) is that none of my computers will become obsolete due to not being able to sync with an ipod. i figured it was better to buy a spare ipod now than to look for one 3 years from now. (firewire model) i'm sure i'll miss out on some newer features, but they play music and that's all i want them to do.