Grow Light Procurement from Individuals and Liquidations

[Storm]

Hello fellow growers.
Over the last few years, I have suggested using Facebook, Mercari, Ebay etc to get good lighting at budget pricing. Either from individuals or from commercial grows shutting down. I am sure most just pass it off as a waste of money or time. Worry about functionality or quality. Lifetime left on the units etc.
Well let me ease your minds and show an example. I will relate a first buy from a commercial upgrade.
We, a few of us up here, pitched in. We procured 25 ES300V2 for 1k a few years back. Out of the 25 only 1 had a bad driver. Used for spare parts. They were passed out at cost each plus shipping. Cost, adding in gas and work, no profit. 699.00 lights. Been with the lights 3 years or so. @MeEasy jumped 5 I think right away.
Well today I once again found a small hemp grow that quit. ALL equipment dirt cheap. An example is a 2600.00 trimmer being sold for 500.00. 9 clone and veg lights, fluorescent style, 50 bux each.

2 BIG rolls of unused mylar.

I was slow and the Hydro gear was gone, or I would have gotten it for someone. Here or on the other side.
All this being said here is the deal I personally got.
3 Growers Choice ROI E-720 full spectrum lights. 1 season. I know the guys who own the closed cbd grow. The usage is correct.
3 sets of UV bars for the lights. Made FOR the light fixtures. All controllable with a controller. Including the UV.
A crapton of wiring..the rj-14 plugs for the lights and bars..many extra.

Here is 1 I put up and replaced my seriously aging ES300 lights. They are still solid but dimming a touch. Between me and the previous owners they have 5 years on them. Probably down to 85-90% output. My plants are noticing it. Having to get closer and closer to canopy.

Ok to the MEAT of this. Here are the retails of the lights and bars.

I paid only $120.00 for ALL 3 and the UV. NOT each. The package. They threw in a whole bag of rope hangers. Probably 25 or so.
These deals are EVERYWHERE folks. Many many started commercial or small family grows and either gave up or found out it isn’t growing tomaters. Spent a ton of money on gear, and liquidating so low because the used market is flooded. At retail this package was worth 2700.00 before tax and shipping.
This is not a brag “I got cheap lights nananana” post. Please do not take it that way guys and gals.. This is a HEADS UP FOLKS post.
I always see new growers, and established, on a budget. Tough times. I also always see lights suggested, rightly so, in the 400-1k range.
That is not the only way to procure your gear. Anyone who has bought a used car with 40k miles at 15k under original retail knows the value of hitting the used market. Even if have to replace a driver early, the cost of the driver will be well under cost of the diodes which typically have a 50-70k hour lifespan. Still way under retail of a new light.
In summation. Looking for your gear, lights especially, on the marketplaces is a very viable and sound way to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars of hard earned cash.
Go check out whats in your area. A closed commercial grow with 50 lights to get rid of will wheel and deal all day long to recoup whatever they can. Already lost so any is better than none to them.
Ty for reading and hope everyone is safe and well.
Grow On.

[Storm]

Just an aside. I only needed 1 light but no friggin way I am leaving 2 on the table at that price.

[SausageMahoney]

I got a backup HLG light for 80 bucks that has saved me twice. Saw it and made an offer. Good advice. I check local things like offerup as well.

[Storm]

That is my exact point. I see HLG go for half price all day. I also see 1k lights at 100 bux and cheaper if grab in bulk.

[dbrn32]

For every reasonable buy I see on marketplace, Craigslist, etc there’s 25 instances of ragged out garbage or stuff listed for what you could buy new or more.

I’m sure it varies some by legality of
different locations and such but you’d have to be knowledgeable and patient around me. If a light failed and I needed one today, I’m probably not going to find what I need at a great deal if at all. But there’s plenty of used Amazon brand lights for sale at close to what they go for new.

[Storm]

@dbrn32

there’s 25 instances of ragged out garbage or stuff listed for what you could buy new or more

That is true man. That also does not mean deals on good gear are not there. If you cant tell good from bad and dont do your research you get what you deserve. Do you ALWAYS buy a new car @dbrn32 ? Are you so flush with cash you can always get new? This is a way for budget constrained to get quality gear to last till can afford a new light. These I just got are 301b diodes. Dont know bin..sure its under HLG standards.
Each to his own for sure but more upside than downside if do your due diligence.
Ty for reminding everyone to be thorough. It is a good habit to have.

[dbrn32]

I don’t disagree that deals are sometimes available, but they’re not always there either. For what it’s worth, I do typically buy new cars but not because I’m so flush with cash. It’s more about knowing what I’m getting and taking care of them so they will last longer than I’m paying for them. Newest vehicle in my driveway is a 2019 with 92k on it. It’s paid for and will not be replaced for several years. So instead of making car payments I’ll set some money aside knowing we’ll eventually be in the market. We’re not the the family that gets new vehicles every couple of years just because we can, more of a buy once cry once thing for me and then drive the wheels off them.

It’s only legal to grow here if you have medical card, and then 5 plants maximum. Plus you have to qualify and then pay for medical card. No doubt people are doing it, but it’s not a flush resale market either. Colorado, Oregon, California are probably a different story is what I was wanting to point out. I check local classifieds multiple times per week for other hobbies and there’s just not much here for growing equipment. So when you see it is typically premium price or worse. I just checked and there’s two different hlg 650 r available at $500. About $60 less than you can get a refurb directly from factory. And some mars and spider farmer lights that are higher than currently listed on Amazon.

The intent of my post was to point out that these deals are few and far between in some places. If I spent time searching every day for the next 2-3 month’s I could probably find something worth noting but it’s not like all the time waiting on a need either. For someone tinkering with the idea of starting or having the patience to aquire backup or expansion equipment it’s definitely worth checking, but I think expectations that everyone will score a killer deal are pretty long.

[MeEasy]

Yes sir, I got 5 of those 300v2 from you in that last deal with the intention of using them for side lighting in my new flower room when it was done. Because of setbacks on the new growroom I ended up giving them away to family n friends and they are still growing under them

[Storm]

@dbrn32

I don’t disagree that deals are sometimes available

Grin. You would be surprised man. My point is dont pass by used.
I also am fully paid off in EVERYTHIING. We are fortunate to have a small business where I steal most of what I need..lol.

[Spudgunner]

I search marketplace and craigslut all the time just seeing what’s out there. I could get a 5x5 tent used for a crow or 2 for $20, been thinking about it but do I need a bigger tent if I only want to start growing 1 plant at a time? Also a roll of Mylar for $25 on there now.

But I did pick up my Clone King 36 for $40, new about $240. And pole fans for cheap. But I also see cheap quality shit being flogged for more than good equipment costs.

Point is, educate yourself. Find a deal, research that deal, BEFORE you jump!

[Storm]

@Spudgunner

Point is, educate yourself. Find a deal, research that deal, BEFORE you jump!

Always. I do the procurement for our business. Mucho research. Buying trends etc. I see all these deals as I am surfing my distributors and go to the marketplaces to see if something I need is there. We dont resell marketplace stuff though. We stay high end new or open box.