Purchasing A Used Model C

[old] dgotard · Post by **[old] dgotard** » September 15th, 2004, 9:00 am

I am considering the purchase of a pre-owned Model C. According to the owner it is just a few years old and has seen very limited use. If you have any input on the following questions it would be greatly appreciated. 1. Is there anyway to determine the age of the machine? 2. Are there any components or problem areas which should be looked at closely for issues? 3. Is the non-resettable odometer reading retained if the PM has been sitting with dead/no batteries for several years? 4. Are there any maintenance items (I've heard people mention chain oil) or stock accessories which I should attempt to obtain from the owner? 5. Any opinions on upgrading to a Model D handle or a PM3? Thank you. -David

[old] rankin · Post by **[old] rankin** » September 15th, 2004, 9:51 am

David, I recently bought a used model C so here are my thoughts.: -The non-resettable odometer was still okay on mine, although it also apparently had not been used much in recent years. -The serial number is the manufacturing date, so that will tell you how old it is (it's located near the flywheel as shown in this doc: <a href='http://www.concept2.com/pdf/IRwarranty.pdf)' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/pdf/IRwarranty.pdf)</a>. -I'd check inside the monitor battery case for corrosion, especially if it hasn't been used much. I've had a bit of trouble with the display blanking out on me, due to buildup on the circuit board. If I'd realized beforehand I would have asked the seller to lower the price (this would be a great excuse to upgrade to a PM3). Also, the seat rollers on mine were a little worn and dirty, but these are easy to replace. -Make sure the handle returns all the way to the cage; otherwise the bungee will need to be replaced. -Ask for chain oil, manuals, training video, and the interface cable if it has a PM2+. I didn't get any of these things, but my seller got it from his rowing club, so it was already second hand. My model C has over 16 million meters on it but seems to work great, so these things are built to last. Good luck, -Jon

[old] bgood · Post by **[old] bgood** » September 15th, 2004, 11:29 am

These rowers are well built. My model B is sixteen years old. I've done normal maintenance on it but have yet to replace the shock cord. If it has no physical damage and doesn't make any grinding noises when you pull the handle I'd buy it. You can purchase a maintenance kit for the rower <a href='http://www.concept2.com/pdf/Cptsclo_of1103.pdf' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/pdf/Cptsclo_of1103.pdf</a>

[old] Nordair · Post by **[old] Nordair** » September 15th, 2004, 11:31 am

Hi David, I think that Jon covered all the bases as to what to look for in a used machine. I don't know where you are located, but I just bought a D model and my C is available for purchase. It has about 3.6 million meters and looks like new. If you are interested, send me a email and I'll give you more details and send you pictures. (Toronto Canada)

[old] dgotard · Post by **[old] dgotard** » September 15th, 2004, 11:39 am

Thank you everyone for your feedback. One final question. What is the fair market price of a lightly used Model C with a PM2 monitor. -David

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » September 15th, 2004, 4:01 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (rankin @ Sep 15 2004, 06:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> -Make sure the handle returns all the way to the cage; otherwise the bungee will need to be replaced.  </td></tr></table> My model B has 20+ million meters and is still going well. I've added a rubber damper ring, and covered the perimeter with rubber too, which has cut down substantially on the noise. You can find great rubber from an old truck tire innertube. I changed to the 14 tooth sprocket, the pm2+, and extended the monitor out with a 1x4", so it comes out the same as on the model C and D. You can easily adjust the length of the shock cord. The first time I did this it took me less than 2 minutes to do. It's not necessary to change the shock cord unless it's completely worn out. Also a well broken in shock cord is easier to row with than a new one. I'm also curious about the going rate for a well maintained model C.

[old] Mark Keating · Post by **[old] Mark Keating** » September 15th, 2004, 4:09 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (dgotard @ Sep 15 2004, 03:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Thank you everyone for your feedback. One final question. What is the fair market price of a lightly used Model C with a PM2 monitor. -David </td></tr></table> Try ebay, David. That is likely the best indicator of fair market value for something such as a C2 erg. Mark

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » September 16th, 2004, 10:42 pm

I just purchased a used Model C and I love it! Mine has been upgraded with nylon sprockets and a D handle. It is so much quieter than my old B--now I can enjoy music or watch a movie and actually hear the dialogue (though I do have to have the volume up kind of high). With the B it didn't matter how loud I set the volume, I couldn't hear anything, unless I was going to bother with headphones. I also love that it's easy to wheel around, so I can move it about to different spots easily. I paid $500 plus shipping for it--shipping was $40 or there abouts. Buy a C. You won't be sorry. Carla

[old] Steve_R · Post by **[old] Steve_R** » September 20th, 2004, 3:56 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I paid $500 plus shipping for it-- </td></tr></table> I paid $500 + shipping for mine as well. I spent alot of time searching for the best price and this is about rock bottom. <table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Try ebay, David. That is likely the best indicator of fair market value for something such as a C2 erg.  </td></tr></table> I found EBay to be much more costly then dealing with used fitness equipment distributers. It's only a guess (one question I forgot to ask when I bought it) but since my Model C was 3 years old I figure it came from a fitness center that went out of business or was leased. Mine has quite a bit of seat roller wear and a 2 segments out on the LCD of the PM2. I was uneducated buying it but the biggest thing I think is the condition of the monitor. The rest of the machine is cheap to refit from parts from Concept2. Even after 3 years of commercial use, it is in good shape and I will be getting the rebuild kit sometime. It really doesn't need it now. Good Luck, Steve

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » October 1st, 2004, 10:44 pm

I have decided to get a model C, within the next 3 to 4 weeks, so anyone in the market to sell let me know. Steve, Where do you find the used fitness equipment distributors?

[old] drkcgoh · Post by **[old] drkcgoh** » October 2nd, 2004, 3:33 am

A new model D is very reasonably priced in the US compared to the shipping costs alone, let alone the regional markup overseas. But if you really want a used model C, then go for a single owner who has looked after it well, and is knowledgeable about rowing. Used equipment suppliers buy at 15cents on the dollar, touch it up a bit, & sell at 90 cents on the dollar. I know, because I have dealt with them before. In most cases they have minimal knowledge of the large amount of fitness equipment, and one of the largest, in Rhode Island doesn't even have a Concept2. KC62

[old] TLCoons · Post by **[old] TLCoons** » October 2nd, 2004, 8:41 am

My two cents: After just purchasing a C2D myself, I recommend buying direct from C2. I performed a LOT of research on this large purchase and was even advised by a fitness equipment retailer to buy directly from C2 -- across the board they provide the most cost effective choice. And here's why: <a href='https://www2.concept2.com/VIA/whyfactorydirect.asp' target='_blank'>https://www2.concept2.com/VIA/whyfactor ... br> And I seriously considered buying a second-hand model. What I found is that used fitness equipment re-sellers rarely if ever have C2s available and when they do the price is around the $750 mark. Your best bet is to buy directly from a previous owner and the best market for that is eBay. My research tells me that a used C2C on eBay runs anywhere from $650 to $850 including shipping. What?!? I want to inform all of these buyers that for $886 ($850 for NEWEST model C2D with latest improvements to PM3 software and only $36 shipping!) they can have the latest version of everything with no wear and tear and full coverage from the consciencious manufacturer. For me there was no choice. If you still feel best about buying a used C2C, I would suggest posting a request on these very boards. And use the eBay prices as a guide. In fact, further up in this thread NordAir offered a C2C for sale. I have no idea if it's still available but this is a forum that I would certainly exercise (pun intended). Best Wishes. tlc

[old] grams · Post by **[old] grams** » October 2nd, 2004, 11:11 am

I bought my used C from a local rower. I found mine by calling around to the various rowing clubs and asking the desk folks to take a look at their bulletin boards. It had been used briefly in Ergmania, and then purchased by a lady who didn't have time to use it (2 small children). I paid $550 for it. It had about 1,700,000 meters on it. After a while I upgraded it with the Model D add-ons to make it less noisy. Cost-about $100. It was quieter, but after taking an erg class I wanted a PM3 and decided to sell the C and get a new D instead of investing more in the C. I sold it to seat 5 for $500 + shipping. My suggestions: decide what your main criteria are (noise, type of meter, # of meters) and check out the nearest on-the-water rowing club members' ads. Lots of folks are upgrading to Ds and selling their Cs so there should be a good range available. grams

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » October 2nd, 2004, 3:02 pm

Thanks for all the great feedback. I would like to get the model D, but don't like the pm3 monitor. The model C should give me all the advantages of the D except less noise, but this should still be much less than with the B I have now. Also I think the C will hold it's value much better than the D. Based on your advice I will avoid equipment distributor machines, will call around to find a private owner who is selling, and also keep checking Ebay. Prices there have been ranging from 431 to 660 plus 85 shipping, except one model C went for $900!

[old] Janice · Post by **[old] Janice** » October 2nd, 2004, 10:33 pm

I paid $500 for mine and I picked it up locally after searching for rowing machines on Craig's list (www.craigslist.com). It only had 750k on it so it was quite the steal for the condition. I'd check on your local Craig's list (listed on the main site) for one and if you don't see one, post a wanted ad for free.

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