Total flashlight cost, loss after selling

It's a little slow at work so I decided to open Excel and run a list of my lights with purchase price, sold price and loss from selling. Why did I do this?!?! :shakehead It's pretty scary to see how much I spent in a short time, but I'm sure it's nothing compared to some here!

Gross total: $897
Total loss after selling: -$68
Lights sold: 8
Net total: $597

Almost $600 on flashlights?? NO WAY! But some people can drop that on one so I feel better already. What really surprised me was how well I did on selling them. In total, I sold 8 lights and only lost $68 so that's not bad! Thank you CPFMP and other online forums!

Your numbers don't add up. $897 - $68 ≠ $597.

That's NET total after selling lights; so $597 is what I spent on lights I CURRENTLY own

I see. So there is information (understandably) left out of the post. That makes sense.

So, you sold 8 lights that you spent $300 on for $232?
What's that, a 23% hit? Not too bad on a handful of Fenix's.
That's what I paid for my first EDC light, which I have since retired to a range bag.
Definitely worth it to find out what works for you.
Nice deal for whomever picked 'em up, too.

tjswarbrick said:

So, you sold 8 lights that you spent $300 on for $232?
What's that, a 23% hit? Not too bad on a handful of Fenix's.
That's what I paid for my first EDC light, which I have since retired to a range bag.
Definitely worth it to find out what works for you.
Nice deal for whomever picked 'em up, too.

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Yeah, left out the specifics on what sold for how much. Mostly Fenix models and a Zebralight H502. They went fast since they were like-new condition. They basically sat on a shelf until I realized how much I liked neutral tints, so they didn't see much use.

"Why did I do this?!?!"

Now that's a darn good question! :thinking: (Kinda takes the fun out of hobby when you start considering costs!)

Try not to let it happen again.

I've spent $350 just since the first of the year. Wonderful, lovely flashlights.... preciousss.

Don't forget the batteries and chargers. I don't want to think about how much I have spent since the first of the year.

Just doing my part to improve the global economy .:thumbsup:

Flashlights are tools. I don't consider any loss if I've used it to my expectations. I gift old lights to non-flashaholics, and the appreciation I get from the recipients more than makes up for any monetary loss.

Im sure Ive lost a scary amount thru the years but it's all good if your happy in the end.

Almost all the flashlights I've sold (mostly SureFires) have been at a net gain. Malkoff modules too.
Current market values of nearly all of my SF's are higher than what I paid for them. Buying gently used lights is key.

But then I mostly buy & sell semi-collectible SF's (some of which have been Z's) - or the SF's I've purchased have been discontinued after I acquired them and have increased in value (C3's and L1's in particular).

Edit: Some 'hits' though: Flashlight accessories, upgrades, consumables. I try not to track those as closely ...

Don´t consider it a loss but rather what you paied for to have some fun with it for a certain amount of time.

Eric

Almost all the flashlights I've sold (mostly SureFires) have been at a net gain.

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Same here. I only buy lights (or knives) if one of two things is true:

1. I am going to use them long enough to get my money's worth (EDC light I will use for a couple years, like my E1B)
2. I can sell them for as much as I paid, or more, if I decide to.

Option 2 is like having cash in the closet, but in the form of a useful tool, as I can sell it at any given time and get my money back.

Buying Surefire lights is like buying a luxury car with low depreciation - cheaper in the end to own than a cheap, economy car and nicer and more enjoyable the entire time.

Don´t consider it a loss but rather what you paied for to have some fun with it for a certain amount of time.

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This is what I tell myself everytime I sell something at a loss

Lights, knives, or any collectable is better considered a hobby as an investment, otherwise it's guarenteed to disappoint...

I use all my lights, and most end up quite badly beaten by the time I want to move on from them.

I've never sold for a profit, and never expect to, either.