It was a bit hard to pick a category, but here goes.
I have a functional Leica 1103 robotic setup with both the RCS and a Hayes Bantam radio/TDS Ranger. None of this has been powered up in over a year, worked flawlessly last time it was used. It went to Earl Dudley for it's annual calibration/cleaning, got a clean bill of health and was used exactly 4 times afterward, for probably a total of 3 hours.
I don't need it, understand time marches on, and any resale value is going down by the day.
On the other hand, how many career party chiefs own all their own equipment, and can market themselves as a total package ready to run right out of the box? While it is probably a bit egotistical, I consider it as an edge when I decide to re-enter the job market.
On the other hand, I could really use a little extra cash in the bank right now, am serving as live-in nurse for my dad while the chemo monster is trying to ride him down. I'm not hurting or desperate, am good to go financially for several months so nothing has to happen immediately.
If you were in my shoes, would you sell or would you hang on to your gear?
Keep the gear, you will not get much cash for it, compare to what you can get out it
I concur - you wont get much selling it, it costs nothing to hold on to it, re-equiping later will cost you heaps.
Plus you are ready to run (and more importantly earn) at a moments notice.
I would definitely hold onto it if I didn't need the money now. It probably isn't going to depreciate much, and chances are you won't be able to replace it for what you will get for it, and you know the history of this one.
:good: Ditto
Keep it bro.
I am glad I have kept mine since 1998 through many different job iterations.
Keep it.
In my case, I was on the receiving end and got a T2000, GRE3, and loads of peripherals
for just $1000 from a utility buying new GPS.
I consider it as an edge when I decide to re-enter the job market
In this day and age, I'd hang onto any edge I had.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
As said above, I have that gun and it is a very very good instrument.
You should keep it, but if you ever need to sell it, give me a shout.
Randy
Sell Sell Sell!
As you noted, it is a non-income producing, depreciating asset. Good assets produce income or appreciate. I am a PLS who closed up my own small shop a few years ago. I sold my equipment as fast as I could find a reasonable buyer.
It does cost you something to keep it. It costs you whatever earnings the cash from the sale could otherwise provide. So put it in a Roth IRA or Vanguard Index Fund and don't touch it until retirement.
Any real company, no matter how small, should be expecting you to run their equipment with their workflow, not the other way around. So enjoy investing your money and watching it grow!
Sell Sell Sell!
I disagree. Asset has passed a good resale value regardless of its maintenance and probably very good condition. We are talking about $1,000 here for the combo.
> If you were in my shoes, would you sell or would you hang on to your gear?
Dealers are always in need of rental or loaner units. The dealer doesn't get these things from the manufacturer for free, they have to buy them. Loaning or renting out a piece of equipment often means they can't do any sales demos until they get it back. Perhaps you could make a deal with your friendly neighborhood dealer to put your stuff in his rental pool and maybe make a few bucks off it until you are ready to use it.
As far as selling it, its best value will probably be as a trade in on new equipment. Hang on to it.