Has used prices of gear droppd, due to economy

"Its a shame that the suffering of one is excitement to another, if you stop and think about it all its a really sad time for many folks who may need to sell items they love to simply survive."

...need to sell items they "LOVE" to survive? Oh, boo hoo hoo! Have to sell items they "love". Um, I got news for you, it's been happening since the begging of time!
Well you're entitled to your opinion, obviously. I would beg to differ that people who own luxuries like stereo equipment, and have to sell things off to re-prioritize has been happening for decades! In fact, I'm pretty sure that a huge percentage of the time, if you trade here on Audiogon, you're likely running into situations very often where someone has to bail out off some gear because, yes, they need the money! I've been doing it off and on for almost 20 years now, pesonally. (that is, selling my gear because I needed money)
Anyone else here sell off gear when times get a little tough?...loose a few too many bucks in Vegas?...over extend your purchases more than your means?...yes, even cause your stocks plunged unexpectedly?
Yeah, THAT'S LIFE. Big deal! You move on to the next buck or opportunity. And, in the end, it's all just STUFF! I got news for you.
"Suffering?"...Suffering?! Um, I wouldn't call losing some money, even a lot of money, suffering! That's been happening since the dawn of time! In fact, the ENTIRE STOCK MARKET SYSTEM is made up of people making profits on another's loss! You can't have gains in the market without someone else's loosing money! Sorry, to say, but that's how it works.
If you don't think so, just ask Jim Crammer of Mad Money. In fact, email Suzzie Orman about that, or even having to sell a house for a loss in profit.
My point is is that money goes up and down. Anyone who's ever seen a gallon of gas go from $.99 to $4.50, back down to $1.95 per gallon understands fluctuations in the market! Why is that suffering? Oh, ya mean because you can't go to Disney Land 5 times in one year when gas goes through the roof?! Oh well...
In fact, I'm pretty sure that "a deal is still a deal!"...at least the last time I checked.
And, if someone is rich, and they loose a bunch of money, I garantee they'll likely know how to get it all back plus some more! Um, I think Trump was in the hole something like $1 billion in 1990!...

Quote: "The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed — for lack of a better word — is good.

Greed is right.

Greed works.

Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

Greed, in all of its forms — greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge — has marked the upward surge of mankind.

And greed — you mark my words — will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. (Gordon Geko - Wall Street)

your way too smart for me, yes this has been going on for years but not because many have entire retirement portfolio's whiped out, house values have crashed, unemployment is gaining in numbers daily, and many other factors you probably are not capable of understanding. Celebrate your potential audio purchase all you want but understanding these times are a bit different than others shouldnt be so hard to do, many who enjoy this are not rich, nor should you have to be to enjoy art that brings you happiness.
You can rub one out watching "Wall Street" all you want while folks are suffering far beyond selling Stereo gear which was the larger point I was trying to make, but that is yet another topic you cant seem to grasp, I never had high hopes of conversation from a guy named Iplaynaked but I really over-estimated you never thinking it could be so pointless. Seeing how you are so smart I wont waste anymore of my or your time on big picture discourse.
What you need to focus on is your next score and between that aswell as educating yourself on finance watching Suze Orman or Jim Cramer you must be tired. How could you not be a financial expert watching a frugal lesbian and some guy who screams and plays with sound effects machines while taking calls from the likes of you, and oh yeah.... movies........brilliant!

I just hate it when someone who's wealthier than me has to sell the gear they love so much, and I get a good deal! I just HATE IT! Makes me all upset just thinking about it, really...

I'm going to "re-structure" here, so as to not offend any...

My fellow Audiogon "bargain shoppers",

In light of the current and especially coming (likely) economic climate, there are and will surely be some great deals out there for the prudent and patient. It has both been my experience and is my opinion that, with due diligence, if you peak around now and then, you will indeed most assuredly find some better than average (and possibly in the near future, even better than average) deals on the used market, yes - imho.
Now to be sure, some of the deals you might be fortunate enough to come across, might come at the expense of those selling these deals in the form of them having to take a loss on the products they're offering. Do not be alarmed at such a postion, nor ashamed to take full advantage - regardless of what financial position the selling party might be in (that's their business, really) at the time of the sale.
As a "bargain shopper" myself, over the last 15 or so years trading audio/video gear, I have found these trends, from time to time, to be even more favorable than at others - and even more so in trying times such as these. (Home Depot used to have several hundred dollar items on their shelves that were clearanced down to one penny!!! ...of which I bought plenty,...cause I re-sold em,.. and thusly made lots more pennies - I have receipts)
While some may, unfortunately, end up needing to make shifts in their assets, in an attempt to stay a bit more liquid than hoped, It is nonetheless an inevitable ebb-and- flow cycle, due to economic forces that are invariably beyond most of our control. Hence, better than average deals often come upon us in a given possibly declining economic climate, depending. Again, this is normal.
Again, my forecast for now is that the deals are out there, yes. Also, I personally am forecasting even better deals to come likely, based on common sense and past experience with in similar economic situations.
That all said, happy hunting to all you bargain shoppers!
(P.S., oh, and it's OK to take advantage of otherwise financially less fortunate (I'm pretty sure they're going Bank-o) and heavily asset leveraged companies such as Circuit City , on Black Friday, also. Just so you know. Also, large chains such as Home Depot and Lowes are dropping a few stores due to a down-turn in the economy, and slowing(ed) overall sales - and they'll be offering some deals too, whilest they're hurting.
But please don't feel bad shopping at these multi- million/Billion dollar retailers, just try to enjoy yourself while shopping in these stores, and feel free to take full advantage of the savings they are offering, if you can,...cause they ARE offering.

Getting finacial advice from people who spend >$100 for a pair of RCA cables is not the smartest thing.

IMO, buy what you want when you can afford it. If you can't afford it, your credit card company will soon let you know anyway.