[aceinc]

I am thinking of selling a stack of McIntosh gear. I am curious as to whether selling as a group is better than individually?

My main thought regarding selling them as a single deal is that someone might want the aesthetics of a full stack, even though tuners are not in vogue.

In looking at recent completed individual sales on eBay what I found was;

MC2105 - ~$1,300
C26 - ~$1,800
MR74 - ~$1,050

For a total of ~$4,150 for the individual pieces.

Would the entire set have more value or less than the sum of the pieces?

[pstrisik]

Good questions. 

The tuner might be a drag on the package unless someone is into the collectable aspect.

If I am selling a multiple piece set (usually two things), I will specify that I will sell both or the less desirable piece first.  For example, a preamp/amp set where the amp is desirable but people don't care that much about the matching preamp.  I'll either sell both or the amp only after the preamp sells first.

I would think the only way a package would be more valuable than the sum of the individual pieces would again be if they had collector value.  A set is sought out but often hard to come by without finding the pieces individually. Otherwise most would want to save a few bucks for the "quantity discount".

I'm sure there will be differing opinions on this.

.....Pete

[aceinc]

Good questions. 

The tuner might be a drag on the package unless someone is into the collectable aspect.

If I am selling a multiple piece set (usually two things), I will specify that I will sell both or the less desirable piece first.  For example, a preamp/amp set where the amp is desirable but people don't care that much about the matching preamp.  I'll either sell both or the amp only after the preamp sells first.

I would think the only way a package would be more valuable than the sum of the individual pieces would again be if they had collector value.  A set is sought out but often hard to come by without finding the pieces individually. Otherwise most would want to save a few bucks for the "quantity discount".

I'm sure there will be differing opinions on this.

.....Pete

Thanks for the insight.

My thought is a collector would want the all of the equipment, as they are all period correct and matching. I picked up two stacks at the same time the other stack is MC2205, C32, MR75 which I intend to keep, as I have always want McIntosh gear but money was an issue.

[pstrisik]

Good luck with the sale!

[klamka]

Usually selling separately tends to maximize the profit but you have to work for it. Collectors rarely buy stacks because they already have some pieces. Flippers buy stacks to part it out and make profit. If your time is valuable sell the stack if not sell separately. Selling , packing and risking online transactions is much more work than some people imagine.

[beeah]

Selling , packing and risking online transactions is much more work than some people imagine.

As someone who has done hundreds of online transactions of audio gear, I cannot overstate the importance of the packing aspect of the sale.

I’ve had several instances over the years where I’ve received a piece of equipment that was not packaged properly and as a result has suffered damage in transit.  In every case this could have been avoided with reasonable care and attention, and a bit of common sense.  I have lucked out with items that had no business arriving in good shape, given how they were packed, but did just that - but those are the exception.

On the other hand, I have never had an item damaged or destroyed that I packed and shipped myself.

As you are aware, those McIntosh pieces have glass, which anyone could tell you isn’t tolerant to rough handling.  I’ve shipped a MX-110 successfully from NY to TX, in my own packaging, but I put a LOT of time, thought and energy into giving it the best chance of arriving intact.

A few suggestions:

• If you have ALL of the original packaging, use it.  If not, the manufacturer may be able to supply some, for a price. McIntosh in particular is very good about this.
• Prevent any movement or shifting of the box’s contents.  If you can hear or feel anything moving when you firmly shake the box in any direction, you’re not done.
• Assume the box will be dropped from chest level onto concrete.  Assume it may land on the edge or corner of the box.  If you have any doubts whether the contents will remain unscathed, you’re not done.
• Bubble wrap should only be used to wrap small items, like tubes or phono cartridges, or filling narrow voids in your packaging (see above).  Do not use it to wrap larger, heavier items.  Just don’t.
• Packing tape is cheap - don’t skimp.

Best of luck with your sale.

[WGH]

Stereo Buyers will buy the stack for cash, they have a Palm Beach, Florida location.
https://www.stereobuyers.com/stereo-equipment-and-components-we-buy/mcintosh/mc-2105/

[hdspeakerman]

Check in with AudioClassics.com.  They buy and sell a lot of McIntosh gear.

[DinaMoe]

Check in with AudioClassics.com.  They buy and sell a lot of McIntosh gear.

They definitely do.

However, at a significantly reduced price.  Speaking from experience, sell on-line privately.

[aceinc]

Stereo Buyers will buy the stack for cash, they have a Palm Beach, Florida location.
https://www.stereobuyers.com/stereo-equipment-and-components-we-buy/mcintosh/mc-2105/

I sent an RFQ to Stereo Buyers. Thanks for the tip.

[aceinc]

Everyone thanks for the info. Sorry I didn't see it until today. For some reason I wasn't notified of replies.

Here are some pictures of what I am selling;

[pstrisik]

[aceinc]

Thanks for fixing the images. I was being lazy.

[thedudeabides]

If you want to maximize profit, separate the cases and sell them AND the units individually. Try Craigslist first, then Audiogon. If you must ship, contact McIntosh directly to order factory boxes for everything, it’s expensive but well worth it (about $60-70 per box shipped, as I recall).

I wouldn’t worry too much about selling the tuner, there’s most definitely still a market for them. You may be a little optimistic on selling the C26 for $1800 (haven’t seen many go for more than $1200 although the case may help). $1800 puts you into C29 territory which is a different ballpark from the C26 entirely but it appears to be in pretty good shape, so 🤷🏻‍♂️