Shopsmith Forums

Why is it that the Shopsmith sells better in different regions. I have friends in New York and Pennsylvania and they can sell and buy Shopsmith for 1500-3000 all day. In Oregon its hard to get $500 for a fully equipped Shopsmith. Does anyone know why the value of a Shopsmith fluctuates so much in the U.S..?? You would think it would stay relatively close to its used selling price. And I don't understand why the average person doesn't see how amazing Shopsmiths are?? I have the Mark VII computerized headstock and its amazing I couldn't see using any other tool for woodworking.

It usually has to do with supply and demand. In my part of the country, few Shopsmiths were sold new, so today, there aren't many used ones around. That translates into high prices for used ones.
Areas of the country where higher numbers of them were sold will usually have lower prices.

Average(typical) folks do not do much woodworking. The majority of those who do, are of the "jack of all trades, master of none" mindset.

Add the absence of SS in those places where other brands are peddled and ignorance of its virtues is rampant.

The ceased production and later demise of MW created a time of non-existant new production and exposure.

Also the decreasing selling point of stand-alone tools has dropped due IMHO to off shore manufacturing.

Am purchasing the new PowerPro headstock for my Mark V 500 and need to sell the Mark V 500 headstock. It was re-conditioned 2 years ago by Shopsmith. Mark V was purchased in 1985. Any input on suggested price for the old headstock? Can furnish photo.

It is interesting how the volume of used machines vary in metro areas. Here in Orange and Los Angeles county there are always a lot of SS machines for sale. They generally start out expensive and end up really cheap. There is even a lot of 10ER's for sale here. Many will ultimately go for free or very low. There is a 10ER right now that looks like it has a speed changer in what appears to be fairly pristine condition for $1. I have 5 510's with every accessory I could ever want and I paid a total of $800 for all of it. I have been told that the abundance of machines here was due to a very successful retailer here named Battles Hardware. They apparently sold a lot of machines. In 1978 I bought a brand new 500 there. They still exist but sell only used parts now. Apparently they were very good at selling SS's. When I bought mine the showroom at that time was pretty amazing. The original owner who's family still runs the place was a true believer when it came to the SS concept.
Paul

woodywork wrote:Why is it that the Shopsmith sells better in different regions. I have friends in New York and Pennsylvania and they can sell and buy Shopsmith for 1500-3000 all day. In Oregon its hard to get $500 for a fully equipped Shopsmith. Does anyone know why the value of a Shopsmith fluctuates so much in the U.S..?? You would think it would stay relatively close to its used selling price. And I don't understand why the average person doesn't see how amazing Shopsmiths are?? I have the Mark VII computerized headstock and its amazing I couldn't see using any other tool for woodworking.

Boy if I thought I could sell my Shopsmith for $3000 I would in a heartbeat.

Ed in Tampa wrote:

woodywork wrote:Why is it that the Shopsmith sells better in different regions. I have friends in New York and Pennsylvania and they can sell and buy Shopsmith for 1500-3000 all day. In Oregon its hard to get $500 for a fully equipped Shopsmith. Does anyone know why the value of a Shopsmith fluctuates so much in the U.S..?? You would think it would stay relatively close to its used selling price. And I don't understand why the average person doesn't see how amazing Shopsmiths are?? I have the Mark VII computerized headstock and its amazing I couldn't see using any other tool for woodworking.

Boy if I thought I could sell my Shopsmith for $3000 I would in a heartbeat.

"7" Ed, not "VII".

JPG wrote:

Ed in Tampa wrote:

woodywork wrote:Why is it that the Shopsmith sells better in different regions. I have friends in New York and Pennsylvania and they can sell and buy Shopsmith for 1500-3000 all day. In Oregon its hard to get $500 for a fully equipped Shopsmith. Does anyone know why the value of a Shopsmith fluctuates so much in the U.S..?? You would think it would stay relatively close to its used selling price. And I don't understand why the average person doesn't see how amazing Shopsmiths are?? I have the Mark VII computerized headstock and its amazing I couldn't see using any other tool for woodworking.

Boy if I thought I could sell my Shopsmith for $3000 I would in a heartbeat.

"7" Ed, not "VII".

JPG
Huh??? Woodwork says they buy and sell Shopsmith's for $3000. He didn't Mark 7s or Mark VII. He did mentioned he owned a Mark VII.
I stand by my comment if I could get $3000 for my Shopsmith I would sell it in a heart beat.

Boy if I thought I could sell my Shopsmith for $3000 I would in a heartbeat.[/quote]


"7" Ed, not "VII". [/quote]



JPG
Huh??? Woodwork says they buy and sell Shopsmith's for $3000. He didn't Mark 7s or Mark VII. He did mentioned he owned a Mark VII.
I stand by my comment if I could get $3000 for my Shopsmith I would sell it in a heart beat.[/quote]

Ed a dime a dozen up here in WI at times, they go in streaks, I bet in the retirement areas, exp FL, AZ,NM the same, the old retiree dies off and now what to do with it, the kids say?

Sorry Ed. My bad!

Should have addressed it to 'Woodywork".

Ain't no Mark VII with a computerized headstock.