Was just in the GC I was talking about earlier. So, the on going saga of that drum kit I described: over a year ago, they brought it in with $999 on it. Too much. Maybe 7 months later they drop it to $799. Better, but for the condition (it's a beat to hell satin flame, missing the rail consolette, etc.) not quite there. I guess during this time, someone walked in $500 in hand and was turned away. Personally, I'd say $600 would be fair, but whatever. Anyway, it sits at $799 for about another six months, so what do the geniuses at GC do? They jack the price back up to $999! Unreal!

There's been a drum a GC I've wanted for a while. It's worth 5-600 and I've offered that much, but it was originally tagged at way more than that, so they bargain, but not down to reality.

I used to wonder why, but then I reasoned...

If they have it on the shelf, with a tag of $1000, and let's say they gave $600 in trade, on the books, they can show the corporate big wigs a profit...

If they sell it at $500, they will have to show a loss...so even though a drum sits, on paper it may be more "profitable" not to sell it.

I wish I could run my small business that way...

That, elementarily, is somewhat how our economy has gotten F-d up in the last few years...

I'd say $600 in trade would be much more generous than I'd expect. I'm guessing they gave $400, but that's pure speculation on my part. Still, your point is a valid one and probably means that some day they're going to haul this kit out to the dumpster and get a writeoff somehow rather than sell it.