Crazy Price?

[5D MKIV]

There's a local guy selling an all Koa GS Mini on Facebook for $1,250.

I'm not looking to buy a guitar anytime soon, but I was shocked at that price. This is his write-up:

"Bought new less than 6 months ago for $1200 with shipping. Added upgraded Taylor case in that price from Sweetwater. Changed Bridge Pins to Taylor Abalone $59, added a bone saddle custom trimmed to lower the string action $99. Switched the tuning keys to Taylor Easy winds in Black $149. Changed the standard pickup $99 and added a new set of strings. AMAZING guitar that sounds killer. A little too small for my big hands. All work done by a certified Taylor Luthier. Do the math….its worth every penny. Looking to get $1250 OBO. No low balls. I dont have too sell it just eyeing a new full sized Taylor. But make an offer after you look around. I’m negotiable. Thanks for looking."

My understanding was that, usually, the cost of upgrades made to a guitar are rarely realized back when the guitar is sold.

Am I crazy, or is that really a reasonable price for such a guitar?

[Earl]

Selling price is only what you can actually get for your item.  You can ask anything at all....  but getting the cash in hand from a buyer is another matter.  The seller obviously put a lot into upgrades, most of which would not matter a bit to me - or be considered necessary at all.  If those are the same upgrades you would have eventually made to YOUR guitar, then maybe it is worth it to you.  The only thing I see in that list of any value is the upgraded case.  But the GS Mini comes with a fine gig bag as standard, so I don't really see the point.

This reminds me of the ads for used Gold Wings back when I was riding those.  You would routinely see ads with, ".... $5000 of tastefully added chrome....".  Some sellers would expect that chrome to add a commensurate bump to the bike.  Others would consider that "decoration" to be a gaudy hot mess.

[ClassicRock]

OTOH, the used market is strong. I just sold a 2019 guitar in excellent condition on consignment. My dealer grossed $200 more than I paid for it new, about 4% more.  It’s a much different market now than it was two years ago.

[Toucan256]

As we used to say in the car business......"there's an ass for every seat".

[TaylorGirl]

Which reminds me of the equipment auctions we attended often, years ago. The number of times we'd see used items go for more than the new price.