What's a good price for a used Alderlea insert?

[Socko]

Greetings,
I have a fireplace in my new home, and am looking into a wood stove insert. The guy I hired to clean my chimney has another customer that's selling a 2 year old used Alderlea T5 insert. He said he's asking $550 for it and it needs new trim and insulating blocks, which he said he'd get back to me with the price for. Does this seem like a good deal for a used insert, and are there any particular questions I should ask/ things I should look for when considering a used insert? I realize I will also need a liner and there will be a labor cost too, so it will still be an investment, but this is a bit nicer of a stove than I would typically be able to get so it is a tempting offer.
This is my first foray into fire in the home, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mol1jb]

That sounds like a great price. I was looking at a used drolet 1400 insert for $500. Always check the insert out first to check for any damage. But the deal sounds good to me.

 

[jeff_t]

Considering they are around $3k new, I'd say that is a good price. If there isn't much wrong with it. Not sure what trim and insulating blocks mean. Fire bricks and surround?

 

[shoot-straight]

that sounds almost too good to be true if it needs only minor work. i did alot of looking at used woodstoves before i decided to sell mine and make a switch. overall 90% of the woodstoves for sale are from 400-600$ it seems. doesnt matter if its 2 years old, or 25 years old. if it needs no work, or needs a complete overhaul. it makes no sense. perhaps the used market isnt as strong as i would have thought.

like i said, even with some work needed, it sounds like an absoulte steal.

 

[jeff_t]

that sounds almost too good to be true if it needs only minor work. i did alot of looking at used woodstoves before i decided to sell mine and make a switch. overall 90% of the woodstoves for sale are from 400-600$ it seems. doesnt matter if its 2 years old, or 25 years old. if it needs no work, or needs a complete overhaul. it makes no sense. perhaps the used market isnt as strong as i would have thought.

Complete opposite here. I can buy old, beat up, rusted, home made POS I wouldn't put in my garage for $300-1000 all day. Any name brands like VC, Lopi, Jotul, etc, people try to sell for way more. Like maybe 75% of new retail. For real. It's crazy.

 

[shoot-straight]

yes, i left out that those that are left on the market are the ones people price way too high. in other words, around here its the beat up junk for 400-600 and the newsed ones for 2500.