High End is Dead?


Browsing used audio sites such as Audiogon and the Marts, high end gear ads are dominated by several dealers. Non-dealer ads are usually people trying to push 15+ year old off-brand junk at 60-70% of MSRP (when they were new). They don't sell anything. You could slash Wilsons, Magicos, etc, 50% off retail and no one will buy them.

No one buys if it costs more than 1k. It's not that they're not interested -- the ads get plenty of views. It's that the asking prices are just way over the ability of buyers to pay. Fact is, if you see a high end piece for sale it's probably by a dealer, often times trying to push it at 15% off retail because its a trade in, but also often they are taking a good chunk off the price 30, 40 sometimes 50% off. They can be famous brands with a million positive reviews. No buyers.

Are we just poor, and that's all there is to it? 
madavid0
High End isn't dead in USA . At least 90% of the population can't afford It and more than  that  have no interest in it  .
But, as we have the highest inequality of income in the world that still leave millions to to whom 50K is chump change .
It is hurting in Scandinavia and those few countries who system operates
like theirs .
In Norway 80% of the population is middle class which is why it is VERY expensive . They like it like that and American tourists are bewildered by it .
Then why are the large majority of ads for this gear by dealers -- usually the SAME dealers over and over again?
Wow i will be up all night thinking about that one as its very important??
My guess is because it’s a viral global conspiracy of profound proportions.