Nord User Forum

[kirsty]

Hey everyone, how are you all doing out there in these crazy times. All good I hope.
Anyway as we are bored and locked down I have been doing some internet surfing as I am in the market for an Electro 5HP or 6HP (or even a stage 2/3 HP 76) for my jamming sessions.

Now being a Nord person I am fully aware that second hand Nord boards really do tend to hold their second hand pricing well however I am a bit baffled by what is out there at the moment.

For example on eBay UK there are 2x Electro 5HP boards for sale. No special accessories to mention - both asking £1450 and £1400 respectively and neither wants to budge on price.
An Electro 6HP listing for £1499 is also there.

You can buy a brand new Electro 6HP with warranty for £1653? Why would these sellers think that their pricing for a used item is realistic when for a small difference you can have a brand new unused board with some support, Particularly the 5HP boards.

Whats going on here lol. What you do folks think a 5HP or 6HP should be worth used in 2020?

K

[DJKeys]

Hi, Kirsty-

I think it is whatever the market will bear. I also have found that Nords have a higher resale value than any other keyboard brand. I have owned 5 of them and sold 3. I think that any seller will negotiate when a real buyer is standing in front of you with cash. There also may be feature sets of the E5 that some prefer to the E6, as all the permutations are different and have their own set of personality traits. I don't think there are any strict guidelines other than the fact that any Nord will hold a lot of its value and provide years of use to a new owner:

Bought Electro 3 in 2011 for $1799, sold it two years later for $1400
Bought a Nord Wave in 2012 for $1940, sold it two years later for $1800
Bought an NS2 in 2012 for $3200 sold it 5 years later for $2000.

Cheers-

-dj

[kirsty]

I guess what i'm trying to say is, when weighing up, shall I buy a new one or used.

Second hand you would expect a chunk off the price of new, to account for the wear factor, lack of warranty, features and also future compatibility.
Current sellers dont seem to be thinking like this haha..
There is even a seller on ebay uk asking £2600 for a used Stage 3 76HP when you can buy a brand new one with free delivery for £2500. I dont get it!

At £1400 for a previous model, the extra £250 buys me warranty for peace of mind, zero wear and new features (and stage kudos with a newer model haha)

In my head i was thinking around £1000-£1200 should be the right price for the E5HP, or I would just get a new E6HP

[DJKeys]

Perhaps with the high Nord resale value, the sellers are holding to their prices waiting for the right buyer. Reverb.com shows the same average pricing for those units (in US $) that you are seeing on Ebay. For the difference, buy the new model and you have the warranty and peace of mind. Reverb even has two Electro 3 61 models for $1300 asking price.

-dj

[analogika]

EBay dealers frequently post stuff for WAY more than it’s worth.

I saw a suitcase for sale as new at over 800€ that was still available via the manufacturer for 500€. Not sure if the logic is that someone will be sucker enough to grab the first offer they see for something they want.

I offered the seller 100€ less than retail and was immediately denied.

[kirsty]

EBay dealers frequently post stuff for WAY more than it’s worth.

I saw a suitcase for sale as new at over 800€ that was still available via the manufacturer for 500€. Not sure if the logic is that someone will be sucker enough to grab the first offer they see for something they want.

I offered the seller 100€ less than retail and was immediately denied.

I think you are right. Holding out for someone not sharp enough to do their homework.

Will probably buy a new E6 HP unless I spot a bargain before we are allowed back out again

[cphollis]

I don't know about the retail market in the UK, but here in the US you can save big money by calling around and asking for "B-stock" or "returns". I have done this a few times with my Nords. I end up getting a brand new instrument with full warranty. As an example, the NE6HP lists for $2,999 from many internet retailers. If I called around, I would expect to pay around $2200-$2300 with free shipping of course.

[kirsty]

I don't know about the retail market in the UK, but here in the US you can save big money by calling around and asking for "B-stock" or "returns". I have done this a few times with my Nords. I end up getting a brand new instrument with full warranty. As an example, the NE6HP lists for $2,999 from many internet retailers. If I called around, I would expect to pay around $2200-$2300 with free shipping of course.

Thats a good idea Chuck!

I know one retailer often lists their B stock items online but never thought to ring some of the others.

Job for Monday morning

[CountFosco]

I keep a pretty close eye on the Swiss auction site Ricardo.ch. It's like a mini ebay, but as it's Switzerland only, I find it pretty useful for gauging the going rate for various products. I see the same as you, Nord products are generally posted at inflated prices. But what I also see is that they never sell at those prices, they can hang around for months. As soon as someone advertises a Nord for what seems like a good deal, it's gone within a day. I actually think all this talk of Nords holding their value is a bit overblown. Those 5HPs advertised at marginally lower prices than a new 6HP, are examples of people who've fallen for that talk.

[Normski]

Hi Kirsty

I have a mint condition E5 HP. I was thinking of selling when were allowed out.
Nord do hold there value, but I agree those prices youve seen are a bit rich.
I was going to advertise it for around £1200 cash inc a lovely condition Nord case.
If you want it, you can have it for £1050. Im based not that far you, im in Durham UK.
Cheers Norm