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DJ Experience - BPM Supreme Contributor - January 28, 2022
Opinion: Now Is the Time To Sell Your Old DJ Gear
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Most DJs have extra equipment laying around, like the old controller you had before you got your current setup, for example. Or maybe you have an extra set of turntables from when (pre-pandemic) your DJ homies would come to the house for scratch sessions. Let’s face it – the supply chain has crazy issues right now, yet manufacturers are still dropping new gear with record wait times on pre-orders.

This is exactly why you should sell your old or unwanted DJ gear right now! Some extra cash can always come in handy, especially if gigs aren’t as plentiful as they used to be in your area at the moment. Plus, retailer and online sales outlets are charging the highest prices than ever for used gear. This is your time to strike while the iron is hot.

There are two main ways to sell your old DJ gear. Let’s take a look below:

Selling to Individuals

Used gear typically sells for about half the retail value if it’s a product that is currently available. Recently, Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 controllers have sold for $1,000 to $1,100 used on eBay! This is pretty major, considering the current retail price of the DDJ-1000 is $1,249. And the same trend is happening across the board for other newer DJ gear.

eBay is the tried and true method of offloading used goods. It offers protection on both sides and opens up your item to a massive amount of potential buyers. The downside of eBay is the shipping aspect. If it seems like too much hassle, you can also try apps like OfferUp or the Facebook Marketplace for a local sale. 

If you choose to sell locally, remember to meet in a public location. If someone seems shady, don’t hesitate to stop the conversation and sell to someone else. Don’t let a few extra bucks lure you into a bad situation. Take precautions and be smart about selling in your area.

Selling to a Store or Business

Selling to a store or business gives you the immediacy of unloading your gear locally without the potential safety hazard of a parking lot meet-up. When selling to a retailer, you can apply the same rule where used gear typically will be worth about half of the retail value. However, some retail stores are charging inflated numbers for used gear because of the current supply chain issues, so you should make sure that they offer you at least half of what they plan to sell it for. Don’t be afraid to ask them what their intended sale price will be after it becomes their property.

You can also ask a business or store if they offer discounts on a purchase in addition to the trade value. Let’s say I trade an item for $400 but get 20% off a new item, that savings could make up for the lack of dollar amount I was offered for the gear.

Bonus tip: bring your valid driver’s license. Almost all states require identification and thumb printing to sell used gear. You don’t want to have to drive all the way home because you forgot to carry your ID and potentially miss the opportunity to offload your gear.

By selling your used or unwanted DJ gear, you are also potentially helping another DJ get the gear they need. We’ve received tons of inquiries from DJs looking for a specific product because their gear was lost, stolen, or damaged. Your used gear could save the day for a fellow DJ!

About the Writer
Raj Thomas is a DJ, public speaker, producer, tech enthusiast, and the Director of Operations for BPM Supreme. With over 20 years of experience in the music industry, Raj’s past professional titles include radio, mix show, and on-air talent, music retail manager, and DJ in both nightclub and mobile event settings.
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