How much is my TV worth?

[Scrambler]

Need to get rid of some stuff before I move and the biggest one is my tv. Here are the standards:

-Bought new in 2003 for $2000
-5 years of depreciation, definitely in the obsolete pile considering what's on the market now
-RCA 40 inch flatscreen projection with large body
-HD ready

If I were to post on craigslist, kijiji, here on cp in buy/sell, what do you think I should be asking for to get a fair price?

I've looked for examples on the net to get an idea but haven't found any yet. Would appreciate any advice on this.

[Nancy]

$300 OBO.

I searched Kijiji for "RCA projection" and found a few listings, e.g.

41" RCA Projection HDTV. Floor model. 3 years old. Will also give Samsung DVD player free. $299

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[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

HD ready

Be very careful with use of that term. It was thrown around a lot around the turn of the century, and usually meant very little with respect to really being HD Ready.

Is it 16X9?
HDMI and/or DVI input?

If no to both of those, I think you would be looking at the $300 range. I recently just simply gave a similar spec'd TV to a buddy because I knew it was worth very little compared to what I paid, and knew it would make him happy.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by Nancy

$300 OBO.

I searched Kijiji for "RCA projection" and found a few listings, e.g.

41" RCA Projection HDTV. Floor model. 3 years old. Will also give Samsung DVD player free. $299

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• View larger image

Wow, that's my tv.... not sure why I didn't find that listing! Thanks!

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Be very careful with use of that term. It was thrown around a lot around the turn of the century, and usually meant very little with respect to really being HD Ready.

Is it 16X9?
HDMI and/or DVI input?

If no to both of those, I think you would be looking at the $300 range. I recently just simply gave a similar spec'd TV to a buddy because I knew it was worth very little compared to what I paid, and knew it would make him happy.

It's 16 x 9 and has a DVI input. Good point on the HD thing.... Definitely has nice clarity though.

Thanks for your help... looks like it's going to be a $250-$300 sell. Think I'll try an buy a tv that's not going to be so obsolete so fast next time.

[ken0042]

FWIW- having the DVI input actually does make it "HD-ready" in my mind. The problem with that term in years past was that it was often used on TVs with component input, and the old analog component inputs cannot handle a newer HD signal transmitted over component cables.

As for buying a new TV that will "last longer"- keep in mind the reason you are selling this one is that there is something newer and better out. So don't buy a new TV trying to be on the bleeding edge; buy the one that you want today and one that will has some options you can see yourself using in the near future.

For example, to "future proof" yourself in 2003, you could have bought a $5000 TV instead of a $2000 one. When in fact a TV with the same features would cost you $1500 today. So would you have been better off spending $5000 in 2003, or $3500 in the last 5 years?

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by ken0042

For example, to "future proof" yourself in 2003, you could have bought a $5000 TV instead of a $2000 one. When in fact a TV with the same features would cost you $1500 today. So would you have been better off spending $5000 in 2003, or $3500 in the last 5 years?

Great post. Everyone should always keep in mind that the early adopters always pay the tax of sky high prices for often underdeveloped consumer goods because they have the need to always be on the 'cutting edge.' This applies to pretty much all mass-produced consumer goods. On a time value of money basis and usually even on a nominal basis 'future-proofing' usually is a high cost excercise.