Buying a used XH-A1 at DVinfo.net

Russell Feller · March 13th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Well I was hoping that I would be able to sell my pretty much new XL2 and get an XH-A1 (should have just gotten it origanally but it was not in the budget at the time). So I guess my XL2 is worth only, maybe, $2600. So what would be the going rate or a good price on a "used" XH-A1? Since you can get them for $3095 shipped new.

Robert M Wright · March 14th, 2008, 01:54 AM

Used SD camera prices are dropping pretty fast. Used A1s are selling in a range between about $2500-2800.

Russell Feller · March 14th, 2008, 08:54 AM

I know what you mean about the SD camera prices. Must be because most people are upgrading to HD and there are so many on the market. Just kills me to know how much I paid in September and how now it is worth nearly a grand less.

Chris Hurd · March 14th, 2008, 09:17 AM

You have to weigh the amount of depreciation (say it is $1000) against what you've earned with the camera (assuming it was a business expense). I say this a lot, in fact I just made a post about this in another board, but a camcorder like this (XL2 or XH A1) is one of only two things:

1. a business expense
2. a luxury item

It can't be anything else other than those two things. In other words, either you're using it to make money, or you're not. If you're using it to make money, then hopefully the camera will have paid for itself within six months. If so, then any amount you can get from selling it used -- even if the depreciation is 50% of its original cost -- that amount is a *profit* for you, not a loss.

If you're not using the camera for business, then it's a luxury item, and the depreciation is par for the course in the electronics world. You have to fully expect it, in other words, it should come as no surprise.

I have nothing against owning these camcorders as luxury items; I'm just saying there's no practical way *I* could own one unless I could make it pay for itself, and then if I've done that, any price it gets when it comes time to sell it is just gravy. Even at $1000 depreciation or more.

Russell Feller · March 14th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Chris good post, and I understand what you mean.

March 13th, 2008, 07:29 PM	#1
Russell Feller Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 85	Buying a used XH-A1 Well I was hoping that I would be able to sell my pretty much new XL2 and get an XH-A1 (should have just gotten it origanally but it was not in the budget at the time). So I guess my XL2 is worth only, maybe, $2600. So what would be the going rate or a good price on a "used" XH-A1? Since you can get them for $3095 shipped new.

March 14th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	You have to weigh the amount of depreciation (say it is $1000) against what you've earned with the camera (assuming it was a business expense). I say this a lot, in fact I just made a post about this in another board, but a camcorder like this (XL2 or XH A1) is one of only two things: 1. a business expense 2. a luxury item It can't be anything else other than those two things. In other words, either you're using it to make money, or you're not. If you're using it to make money, then hopefully the camera will have paid for itself within six months. If so, then any amount you can get from selling it used -- even if the depreciation is 50% of its original cost -- that amount is a profit for you, not a loss. If you're not using the camera for business, then it's a luxury item, and the depreciation is par for the course in the electronics world. You have to fully expect it, in other words, it should come as no surprise. I have nothing against owning these camcorders as luxury items; I'm just saying there's no practical way I could own one unless I could make it pay for itself, and then if I've done that, any price it gets when it comes time to sell it is just gravy. Even at $1000 depreciation or more. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 14th, 2008, 01:54 AM	#2
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Used SD camera prices are dropping pretty fast. Used A1s are selling in a range between about $2500-2800.

March 14th, 2008, 08:54 AM	#3
Russell Feller Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 85	I know what you mean about the SD camera prices. Must be because most people are upgrading to HD and there are so many on the market. Just kills me to know how much I paid in September and how now it is worth nearly a grand less.

March 14th, 2008, 10:45 AM	#5
Russell Feller Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 85	Chris good post, and I understand what you mean.