are prices going up?

[rawbutter]

Are paintball prices going up, or is it just my imagination?

Granted, I don't check eBay as often as I like. I pretty much only get on there when a buddy wants to buy something, and I'm trying to give him pointers. And while I know a fair bit about Automags, I'm pretty clueless about most other markers.

But damn, I was looking at used Etek 3s to recommend for a friend, and I know that I bought one once a few years ago for $250, but now they're all more than that. Significantly more.

So then I thought that maybe I should point him to a new Emek instead, but they're $250 now. Haven't they been $220 since they came out?

I guess it could be a holiday effect, but I also seem to remember that in the past I've gotten some of my best deals right before Christmas when guys were selling old stuff for cheap so they could have cash to buy presents for their kids. So it seems really weird that this year is so different.

I don't think I have point in all this. Mostly I just want to confirm that I'm remembering things right.

[ChoSanJuan]

Word is (in regards to the Emek...) that PE knows that they have the upper hand in recent bankruptcy filings. Other things I've noticed are going up, so you aren't alone. Can't really say why though, other than the Emek situation.

[Hellion360]

New marker prices are up right now because supply is low, and manufacturing costs and times are inflated due to the pandemic.

Costs to ship emeks have been up since well before the price increase took effect.


This means that used markers are in higher demand as well.

[Arthur]

Firearms jumped up in price over the last couple years.

for me it seems like everything got more expensive. I also feel old.

[Axel]

Firearms are a whole different beast though because prices are so extremely reactive to politics and current events

[JonM]

Then again, if you listen to ANS or MCS, paintball markers are apparently suitable weapons for home defense. (roll eyes)

[Arthur]

Yeet indeed

[Chuck E Ducky]

The US just gave out a massive amount of stimulus checks this year at the same time increased import taxes. Everything in general is going to get more expensive especially things not manufactured in the US like paintball equipment. You also have the Holidays coming up so the used market has gone up as well. Basic supply and demand.

When we just print money it devalues the money already in your hands. Market is just correcting to the dollars inflation, increase in import tax, and after effects Covid had on production.

[glaman5266]

But damn, I was looking at used Etek 3s to recommend for a friend, and I know that I bought one once a few years ago for $250, but now they're all more than that. Significantly more.

Where are you seeing Etek 3s for more than $250? Just curious. I sold one for a buddy a few years ago & I saw the going rate was maybe $175-200. His was up for sale for a good while before someone bit on $175 shipped.

[rawbutter]

eBay. Although maybe I was thinking about the Etek 4s instead of the 3s. Etek 3s still seem to be less than that sometime.

[caylegeorge]

I've certainly noticed this -

I bought 3 used Invert Mini's for ~$100-$140 with the relay on/off asa last year on ebay. Now, it looks like they are running $180-$220

Those, and some other markers make it look like used prices are up ~30-50%

[Cyberpyr8]

This goes in cycles. Right around the end of October and beginning of November prices drop as people flood the market with extra equipment to be able to afford to play at cup. Then once cup is over they start to rise again. Eteks are a good example. Etek5's have gone from 225 last summer when I bought several of them up to 350 and more in the last year. I sold one of mine with a TechT bolt included, which was only $50 new, and I sold the gun with both bolts for $450, I paid 275 for all of it. Today they are back down to around 325+- $25.

Like Chucky mentioned, the stimulus checks this year put extra money in people's pockets and there was a point where I couldn't find a gun to buy that wasn't 700+. Then when that ran out people started dumping them and prices dropped slightly. In January when bills from the holidays come due guns will start showing up cheaper again for quick sales. I keep an eye on prices here, on PBN and facebook. eBay is a crap shoot of prices. Some dumb things go for high money and good stuff can be bought for nothing near what they are worth if you are smart and patient.