PS Audio Full Value of Used Components Trade-In Program

[Ron Resnick]

PS Audio announced an amazing trade-in program (subject to certain limitations) which accords you the original full retail price of the component you are trading in:

“PS Audio’s trade-in program, though only available in the United States, is something we’d someday love to expand around the world.

It is unique and hassle-free. We buy back your older equipment for its full and original MSRP. (MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. It’s not the discounted price you might have paid, nor is it the product’s current value)

We deduct the original price of your used gear upfront—but you keep what you have at home. Then, we ship you the new PS products to play with and compare to your older gear for a month. Send back which one you don’t want any longer and we’re good.”

 

[howiebrou]

Amazing but what's the catch? I guess it is full MSRP for the new stuff. Kudos to PS Audio.

 

[Sablon Audio]

I also got the mail shot on that and did wonder if there was a limit to the value of the trade in eg say 50% of rrp on the new PSA product.

 

[howiebrou]

I also got the mail shot on that and did wonder if there was a limit to the value of the trade in eg say 50% of rrp on the new PSA product.

That wouldn't be too attractive as the discounts today probably exceed the MSRP from years ago. Which reminds me, where did I put my PS Audio Ultra link Dac from 1990?????

 

[Sablon Audio]

Dealer always wins Howie

 

[Mike Lavigne]

PS Audio eliminated their brick and mortar distribution costs and retail mark-up for the USA a few months back......

https://www.audiostream.com/content/ps-audio-goes-direct-sales-model-only-us

......so now all that expense margin eliminated is the full retail trade-in allowance (or at least most of it) and their income is the same as before. they will retain the potential net disposal used value, and they will likely come up with a 'Certified Used' program with a warranty to market those used boxes.

in theory they will increase retail sales and the net proceeds from the used sales will be a net gain beyond that.

it could work......assuming the performance gains of their new gear are sufficiently evident in that 30 day window. they will have to be careful to release products in measured performance gains for this to be sustainable. all those free dac software upgrades might need to be re-thought.

the rub will be how to manage price and trade values, and the marketing of the used and it's price points. lots of math and wetting of fingers to see the direction of the wind.

it will be interesting.

their 'Certified Used' products could be real values.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Anyone told Raidho about this?

 

[audio.bill]

I also got the mail shot on that and did wonder if there was a limit to the value of the trade in eg say 50% of rrp on the new PSA product.

Looking at the PS Audio website the allowable trade in value is limited to 30% of the retail price.

 

[howiebrou]

Looking at the PS Audio website the allowable trade in value is limited to 30% of the retail price.

Oh. Well at least someone is willing to take the old stuff no questions asked.

 

[howiebrou]

Dealer always wins Howie

Time to break the dealer!

 

[Elliot G.]

Do the math guys. If they are taking back gear UP TO 30 percent of the new piece they are just giving the end user a price that is HIGHER than the dealers discount and they get your old gear for free. In reading their program they also have the right to adjust the value based on condition etc.
I will happily take any of your speakers in trade at full retail value up to 30 percent for a pair of mine all day and twice on Sundays!!

 

[Elliot G.]

I might even go higher if it was a product that I wanted LOL

 

[howiebrou]

Do the math guys. If they are taking back gear UP TO 30 percent of the new piece they are just giving the end user a price that is HIGHER than the dealers discount and they get your old gear for free. In reading their program they also have the right to adjust the value based on condition etc.
I will happily take any of your speakers in trade at full retail value up to 30 percent for a pair of mine all day and twice on Sundays!!

As Monsieur Sablon stated, casinos / dealers never lose.

 

[asiufy]

Elliot is right. They're not doing anything that dealers haven't done. At least the good ones. I take stuff in trade all the time, sometimes the trade is 50% of the purchase price, not 30%.

Just another marketing stunt (among many) from PS Audio.

 

[asiufy]

As Monsieur Sablon stated, casinos / dealers never lose.

The question is, do you want to have a dealer to go to, or would you rather have a future where all your purchases are done online, PS Audio style?
If you prefer the first option, the dealer *must* *at least* break even. Otherwise, there won't be a dealer

 

[Elliot G.]

The question is, do you want to have a dealer to go to, or would you rather have a future where all your purchases are done online, PS Audio style?
If you prefer the first option, the dealer *must* *at least* break even. Otherwise, there won't be a dealer

As a manufacturer their profit margin is what the dealer would have made, since they have no lowered the retail prices, and their original mark up which they made when they sold to dealers. So the 30 percent is really 10 points over the full price they sold to dealers plus they get your old gear for nothing.
Also what do you think they do with the products that are returned because someone didn't like it?

 

[gian60]

They will loose market.
I want to buy a P 20 because one shop friend spoke very well of P 20 and want to send to me to try.
If he doesn't push to let me try in my system i never had idea to send mail to PS audio directly to try
And Italy is small

 

[Elliot G.]

They will loose market.
I want to buy a P 20 because one shop friend spoke very well of P 20 and want to send to me to try.
If he doesn't push to let me try in my system i never had idea to send mail to PS audio directly to try
And Italy is small

I had a P20 and I suggest you try the Nordost power gear and grounding for your system I know you will like it. All of myu CH clients tried and bought it.

 

[Elliot G.]

As Monsieur Sablon stated, casinos / dealers never lose.

Howie , that is not even close. Casino's may never loose but dealers loose and many close every year.
A dealer has a fixed margin and very large overhead if they have a showroom and gear in it.
They have to pay for all those toys one comes into see and listen too. You analogy is very flawed.
PS is now acting as both manufacturer and dealer with both margins available to them to make these deals with no added over head other than some freight costs if there are returns ( and of course repacking costs)

 

[BruceD]

They will loose market.
I want to buy a P 20 because one shop friend spoke very well of P 20 and want to send to me to try.
If he doesn't push to let me try in my system i never had idea to send mail to PS audio directly to try
And Italy is small

I wouldn't touch a PS Audio Power plant-- my EE tech friend tested one and said the PS Audio Class AB design is inferior to the Class D Regenerators.
But you may like it so go ahead by all means--but not on my watch

BruceD