Find out what you could buy this kit and cymbals for ...  brand new (retail price). Add it all up and subtract 70% from the retail cost; that's what it's worth.

People are usually very proud of their gear and will want more for it than it's really worth. Think of it like buying someone's house. They've lived in it for awhile, so it's part of them. To sell it can be a very personal thing; hard to part with. But you have to be mindful of value when you buy. Know that you can buy these items brand new for 50% Off retail. Used gear needs to be considerably less than that ... unless it's vintage or a collectible.

I think it's a good first set for anyone really. You just need to know that those cymbals come in a pack and they are not professional quality ... which is fine ... but you needed to know that.

Yes ... 70% is really the TOP price for used gear. You have to remember ... you can buy all of this stuff for 50% Off ALL THE TIME, ANY DAY OF THE WEEK ... and it's brand new!

So if you are buying used gear with NO warranty or guarantee ... you'd be crazy to pay anywhere near 50% off retail for used gear. The only time used gear is really worth more than 70% off retail is if it's vintage, rare, or high quality but no longer being made. As with anything it's all in the eyes of the beholder. Some people may want the item and don't care that they can buy it brand new for a little bit more. Me ... I'm not rich, so I have a thrifty mindset.

I don't have access to the retail prices for the TAMA Rockstar or the Paiste 402 cymbal set. If I did, I could tell you what you could buy them brand new.

To me, if the item is entry level quality, which all of what you are looking at is, it's worth even less used. It's not going to retain it's value over the years ... or even appreciate to the point of EVER being considered vintage or rare; not in 40 years ... not ever!

So why pay a bunch of money for a used instrument like the TAMA Rockstar?

A PEARL EX Export retails for $1099.00 (US). Zildjian ZBT4 Pro cymbal sets retail for $371.00. The total would be $1470.00 (plus tax) ... 50% off is $735.00 (US).

That means that you could buy a BRAND NEW kit with cymbals for around $750.00 (Euro). The TAMA kits are usually a little cheaper than the PEARL, and PAISTE cymbals are usually a little more than ZILDJIAN; so it will probably be comparable.

I don't know about you, but I think $650 (Euro) is a little pricey for a used kit ... even if the guy only had it for a year.

Offer him/her $300 ... but don't pay more than $450 because it's just not worth it.

All of this is just my opinion, but I have been in the music business for a number of years, and used to own my drum shop. So suffice to say, I know what I'm talking about (sorry that sounded arrogant). It's jut my opinion, and other people may disagree with me, which fine of course.

I think you've got the right idea. Look at the kit, checking for scratches, dings, wear and tear, etc. And remember ... it needs to be in perfect condition in order for you to even CONSIDER offering 70% Off of retail. If you find ANYTHING wrong with it, per your list, then the kit is worth EVEN LESS. When bargaining for the price, let the seller know that YOU know what you can buy a new kit & cymbals for. It only makes sense that you would not pay anywhere close to what you could get it new. If you did ... then you might as well buy it new!

You'll do great. Just use your head and treat it like you would if buying a car. It's not a collectible kit, so the value only goes down ... never ever up.

Sounds great and glad it worked for you.

I did want to address one last thing regarding what you said in your post (see above quote).

You said there's no way that you get 50% off for older stuff in stores in the Netherlands.

I just want to make sure that you understand that the drumset you looked at (and now purchased) is not older in the sense that it has more value. They are still making this same drumkit today. I think we are on the same page with all of this ... we are just having a bit of a language break-down. Perhaps you mean that you can't buy USED (rather than OLD) for 50% Off retail.

Bottom line is your happy and I'm happy that you are pleased with the transaction. I hope I was of some help regardless.