How do you price a used rope?

If you've been climbing a while and have, on occasion, sold your used gear, maybe you can tell me how you come up with pricing.
So I got this Mammut 9.8 Eternity Dry that I paid around $170 in June. It's been outdoors once to twice a week TR/Sport/TRAD.
It looks to be in great shape apart from the dirt.

I want to sell it but I have no idea what a used rope is worth or how to evaluate it's wear and tear and accordingly devalue it to a fair price.
If I new how much life was left in this sucker, I'd simply pro-rate it. I know a guy who wears out ropes in 4 months time because he's on the Joshua
tree glass every weekend. I suspect my used rope has quite a bit more life than that left in it.

Anyway, how do you access a price when you sell off your used ropes?

Thanks peeps...

In my experience people rarely sell used ropes, and even more rarely buy them. The ambiguity about how much "life" is left in the rope is part of the issue. I would recommend keeping it and using it as a fixed line potentially. You could also turn it into a nice rug. 

What you paid for it is irrelevant, ultimately. I've never sold a used rope but I rotate all my other gear pretty continuously so I'm frequently pricing used gear. I look at actual selling prices on Ebay (not aspirational ones, the ones that actually SOLD) and make it a little cheaper than that here. My ads here usually sell within a few hours. Or look at the LOWEST available new price now and just halve that.

The other issue with a rope is shipping is expensive.

Señor Arroz wrote: What you paid for it is irrelevant, ultimately. I've never sold a used rope but I rotate all my other gear pretty continuously so I'm frequently pricing used gear. I look at actual selling prices on Ebay (not aspirational ones, the ones that actually SOLD) and make it a little cheaper than that here. My ads here usually sell within a few hours. Or look at the LOWEST available new price now and just halve that.

The other issue with a rope is shipping is expensive.

Sounds like a reasonable plan of attack... Thank you sir.

Dylan Demyanek wrote: In my experience people rarely sell used ropes, and even more rarely buy them. The ambiguity about how much "life" is left in the rope is part of the issue. I would recommend keeping it and using it as a fixed line potentially. You could also turn it into a nice rug. 

Being only a few months into the TRAD world, I'm probably a ways away from any fixed line applications. I suppose if I'm projecting something I might want a fixed line if I end up on a route that makes sense for it. Your post did get me thinking about not selling. I have been slowly amassing big wall gear now that my TRAD rack is fairly complete. I think having a fixed line in the big wall arsenal would be wise.

People actually do buy used ropes. What I'm seeing are new climbers to the outdoors doing top rope and sport often want to start with a "cheap" but good rope. I have plenty of interest from the local community to buy this rope.

It’s greatest value will always be to you...as a top rope or anchor rope.

Otherwise, weave it into a door mat. 

You can use a "fixed" line just for shooting photos on a single pitch. Or you can use your old rope as rigging to set up TR at places like J-tree or Point Dume.

I agree that the residual value to you is probably more than what you'll get in $$. Or give it to a route developer in your area who will no-doubt put it to use as a fixed line.

50% of retail, and go down from there if it does not sell.

You bought it in June but want to sell it? Why?

Former Climber wrote: Would /you/ trust a used rope with unknown history as your only connection to not decking?

You never climb on a partner’s rope? 

Former Climber wrote:

I /climb/?

—>. *Former*  Climber

But no, I do not climb on partners ropes when partner is not 100% confident in them.

Do you?
Following from that, as the buyer of a used rope with unknown history, can you ever be 100% on its strength?

No, you can’t.
Used ropes are for pulling stumps. And trimming trees.

I don’t usually ask my partners about their rope’s history. Maybe never? I assume if they’re good with relying on it, I probably am too.

Also, people usually do provide histories of wear when they sell items. Do you trust them? Might be the salient question. But you could be in the same situation where a partner glosses over the wear on their rope or gear because they really want to get after it.

My main line right now is a rope a buddy gifted me used because he wasn’t liking the look of my old rope, so maybe I’m the wrong guy to ask, lol!

If you really want to get rid of it, another option is to donate it to your local climbing coalition or developers for use as a fixed line for bolting/rebolting routes, etc. They will know how to assess it and determine it’s usability and use it for the benefit of the community.

Brandon Fields wrote: If you really want to get rid of it, another option is to donate it to your local climbing coalition or developers for use as a fixed line for bolting/rebolting routes, etc. They will know how to assess it and determine it’s usability and use it for the benefit of the community.

Yep, someone else mentioned that as an option as well. I'm glad I asked the question. Many good options have come forth.

I'm mystified that people don't think of ropes as just another physical item that can be checked for its integrity. I agree with Colonel Mustard. We climb on other peoples' ropes quite frequently. If you go through rope both visually and with your fingers you'll find any real problems. I wouldn't buy a used rope not because I don't trust it but, let's not kid, I can get a great rope for <$100 brand new that will last me for years. Just not looking to buy someones used rope for $50, even if they were selling it for that. But I'd certainly climb on it.  

I would never buy a used rope. Also, it has been in the dirt. 

Former Climber wrote:

Take what you wrote and look at it from the perspective of sexually transmitted diseases.

You sure you trust that?  One person in the chain lying, and you’re fucked..

But if you’re good with that, more power to you.

Ropes go on sale frequently, and noobs don’t need to troll the used market for deals.

Pretty sure we’re all fucked, I’m good with it.

Again, you don’t see much soft goods for sale anyway. Although,  hey, maybe you should get those cams you bought off the forum reslung to avoid an STI.

This conversation reminds me of talking with my dad who used harnesses in an industrial setting asking me if I retire my harness after each fall, lol! Uh, nope.

"How do you price a used rope?"

Simple answer is you don't!. Friends don't let friends buy or sell used ropes.

Turn it into a rope rug and sell it that way if you need the bucks.

http://sicgrips.com/roperug.html

The Raven wrote: You bought it in June but want to sell it? Why?

This.

Colonel Mustard wrote:

I don’t usually ask my partners about their rope’s history. Maybe never? I assume if they’re good with relying on it, I probably am too.

Also, people usually do provide histories of wear when they sell items. Do you trust them? Might be the salient question. But you could be in the same situation where a partner glosses over the wear on their rope or gear because they really want to get after it.

My main line right now is a rope a buddy gifted me used because he wasn’t liking the look of my old rope, so maybe I’m the wrong guy to ask, lol!

Everyone always tells me to not bring my rope!

When yall are climbing on your own equipment, are you not inspecting the equipment to make sure it's in reasonable condition before using it?  

Are you only relying on your memory of what you think has been done to the rope in the past to determine the condition of that equipment, or are you actually looking at the current condition of the equipment before you use it?

If you are inspecting your equipment before use, why isn't whatever procedure you're using to inspect that equipment good enough to inspect a new-to-you piece of equipment?

And if that procedure is not good enough to inspect new-to-you equipment why is that procedure good enough to inspect your own equipment?

John Reeve wrote: When yall are climbing on your own equipment, are you not inspecting the equipment to make sure it's in reasonable condition before using it?  

Are you only relying on your memory of what you think has been done to the rope in the past to determine the condition of that equipment, or are you actually looking at the current condition of the equipment before you use it?

If you are inspecting your equipment before use, why isn't whatever procedure you're using to inspect that equipment good enough to inspect a new-to-you piece of equipment?

And if that procedure is not good enough to inspect new-to-you equipment why is that procedure good enough to inspect your own equipment?

I think this is a good point but a visual/tactile inspection won't necessarily tell you everything about a rope. Yes, I can see dirt, fraying, a compromised sheath, exposed core, feel for soft spots, etc but I can't tell if a rope has ever taken a fall and has invisible damage that might compromise its longevity in the future. Maybe the rope is rated for four falls and has already taken two but feels and looks fine to me.

For what its worth in the challenge course industry there is increased pressure to keep daily rope logs for all equipment. It was always a good practice but now states are requiring it to maintain certification and pass inspection. Gear won't pass without both a documented history and a visual/tactile inspection.