I found a listing on Craigslist for a Veritas Scrub Plane with a PM-V11 blade that the seller claims has only been used a couple of times, so they're stating it's "practically new." The same model is selling for $199 on Lee Valley's website. I'm not really familiar with the typical pricing for used planes, especially when it comes to high-end brands like Veritas. How much should I expect to negotiate off the price for a used tool like this? By the way, you can ignore my mention of "scrub plane"; I'm looking more for general advice on pricing for used tools.
3 Answers
You don’t really need an expensive scrub plane. In fact, you could use almost any plane for scrubbing. There are even crazy methods like using a boat anchor as a scrub plane! Check out some videos to see different ways to handle rough lumber. But yeah, high-end brands like Veritas do maintain their value really well. Typically, a markdown of 20-25% should be good for you.
I’d say a markdown of about 25% sounds fair, which puts you at around $150. I have the same Veritas plane I bought a while back for $127, and it’s a great tool! Just keep in mind that while you can find old planes to modify for scrubbing, this one really holds its edge and is super light. It’s worth the investment!
Honestly, the resale market can be tricky. I feel like if the tool isn’t coming from a retailer, it’s considered used—no matter how many times it’s been used. Personally, I wouldn’t pay more than a 20% markdown on lightly used tools. If it’s a collector’s item, then maybe the market can justify a higher price, but you should definitely aim for at least a discount. Just my two cents!