Questions on Buying Used Gear?

[CRASH1 0]

I have just ordered a new container and I am looking for a used main and reserve. I have searched the forum and found posts on how often one should jump to make purchasing gear cost effective.

What I haven't found is a thread describing details on what to expect/ depreciation value/ questions to ask when buying used gear.

For example: I have read that when buying an AAD, a good wag is to subtract about $100 per year from the new price. Is there such a thing per year/ per 100 jumps/ line sets for a Main? Or per year/ repacks/ rides on a Reserve?

I've got about 7 more weeks for my container to arrive so I have some time. I've only been in the sport about a year and I thank you guys in advance for all the help!

[JohnRich 4]

Rig depreciation: I figure on getting about 1,500 jumps out of a rig, so figure about $1 per jump depreciation, roughly.

Main canopies should get the lines replaced about every 700 jumps, which will cost about $300.

Reserve repacks every 6 months, at $75.

[hokierower 0]

Another thing to consider is that as a new jumper, depending on your exit weight, there might be a bit of a markup on a main or reserve that you want because of its size and model and the constant influx of new people to the sport who jump a canopy like that. I bought my Spectre 190 w/ 350 jumps on it for $1200 (it was in really good condition) and will probably be able to sell it after 200 jumps for not a whole lot less ($900-1k) because there will always be another beginner who needs a canopy like that.

[NWFlyer 2]

For a relatively new (say last 10 years or so DOM) main canopy that is still in active production, take the price to buy it new, knock off $100, then knock off $1/jump. That'll give you a rough estimate of the MAX price. Anything less than that is in the fair price range.

Adjustments may be made depending on where the canopy has been jumped. Heavy duty wear and tear in desert/dusty environments ... lower the price. If it's older but has been sitting unpacked in a climate-controlled closet, it would be in better condition than one that's been packed in a rig for 8 years in a backyard shed in a hot climate.

Whether it has/needs a new lineset is also a consideration. If it's due for a new lineset soon, the price should reflect that. If there's a fresh lineset on it, the price should go up (as mentioned above, those run $300ish installed). JohnRich said 700 jumps on a lineset above; personally, I'd use 500 jumps as my estimate, as that's about where I've started to see my own canopies needing replacement.

Of course, once you get a ballpark number, then it all comes down to supply & demand. Certain canopy types/sizes are more/less available. Someone who needs the cash to finance their next purchase may be more willing to move on price than someone who can afford to wait.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[CRASH1 0]

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For a relatively new (say last 10 years or so DOM) main canopy that is still in active production, take the price to buy it new, knock off $100, then knock off $1/jump. That'll give you a rough estimate of the MAX price. Anything less than that is in the fair price range.

Adjustments may be made depending on where the canopy has been jumped. Heavy duty wear and tear in desert/dusty environments ... lower the price. If it's older but has been sitting unpacked in a climate-controlled closet, it would be in better condition than one that's been packed in a rig for 8 years in a backyard shed in a hot climate.

Whether it has/needs a new lineset is also a consideration. If it's due for a new lineset soon, the price should reflect that. If there's a fresh lineset on it, the price should go up (as mentioned above, those run $300ish installed). JohnRich said 700 jumps on a lineset above; personally, I'd use 500 jumps as my estimate, as that's about where I've started to see my own canopies needing replacement.

Of course, once you get a ballpark number, then it all comes down to supply & demand. Certain canopy types/sizes are more/less available. Someone who needs the cash to finance their next purchase may be more willing to move on price than someone who can afford to wait.

Thanks thats really helpful. So only -$100 dollars plus jumps, if it's in good shape, even if it's 10 years old. Wow, I wasn't expecting them to hold value like that.

How about for a Reserve: repacks/ rides/ DOM?

[dragon2 2]

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even if it's 10 years old

Age (within reason) doesn't matter that much with 2nd hand canopies and rigs. Number of jumps and conditions it was jumped and stored in (and for a reserve, repacks as well) are much more important.

That said, as sometimes you can get a good deal on a canopy that's still a currently made model but is a bit older (say a 15yr old spectre), just grab such a deal

I personally don't mind patches etc (a little damage) that much either, or a large number of jumps (bought and canopies with ~1000 jumps a few times), but I do mind gear having been wet a lot, been jumped in sand a lot or needing a new lineset soon. But that's me

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[NWFlyer 2]

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Thanks thats really helpful. So only -$100 dollars plus jumps, if it's in good shape, even if it's 10 years old. Wow, I wasn't expecting them to hold value like that.

The $100 is conservative; I think you could argue that the first owner takes a bigger depreciation than $100 just by taking ownership of the canopy, even if he /she only puts a handful of jumps on it. It's one of the many reasons I encourage people to buy used, so you're not the one taking that initial depreciation (plus they're easier to pack!)

My own examples, both of which were <3 years old when I got them, I think:

Spectre 230 with 450 jumps and a new lineset (and a couple patches - it had been in the demo fleet of a gear store, so it got a little more wear and tear than "usual). I got it for $850; put 200 more jumps on it over a year and a half and sold it for $800. $50 less than I put into it.

Pilot 210 with 200 jumps. I got it for $900, put 300 jumps on it over 3 years, put a lineset ($300) on it, and sold it for $1100. $100 less than I put into it.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke