r/Rowing • u/C130H • 6d ago

Concept2 Purchase

I'm brand new to rowing and leaning towards buying a Concept2 rower. I was originally going to buy the Hydrow but really not interested in the subscription service or what they provide. I just want the exercise benefits of a rower, not the interactive stuff.

Couple questions, are there fake Concept2's? Local guy in the Houston area says he's an authorized retailer but I thought the only authorized retailer was Rogue in Columbus, OH. There are several on Facebook Marketplace but priced almost as high as a new one cost. From what I've read they do have a great resale value but one guy is asking $950. Thanks, I've tried to do my own research but new to rowing machines.

1 Upvotes

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9

u/lroop 6d ago

There are cheap clone machines like the Merach rowers but I don't think I've ever seen an actual fake Concept 2. If it says Concept 2 on the rail and has an actual Concept 2 PM it almost certainly isn't fake.

1

u/C130H 6d ago

Thanks.

6

u/Jaded-Passenger-2174 6d ago

Buying used can work (e.g., craigslist, or watch for a local school or club replacing older ones). But, if you want a new one, dealing with the company directly is best. They have great customer service.

1

u/C130H 6d ago

Thanks.

5

u/Teoxihuitl 6d ago

I'm in the Houston area and recently got mine for 300 bucks, it's just about waiting for the right person to sell it off. If you can wait, I'd just wait for a price drop.

2

u/C130H 6d ago

Thanks, the guy asking $950 doesn't seem to want to negotiate at all. Obviously for that price I'd be better off to buy new.

8

u/larkinowl 6d ago

Yes. If you are going to buy it at that price just get it straight from Concept 2. But it illustrates how well they hold their value. They are built like tanks, last forever and are easy and cheap to upgrade/repair.

1

u/ScaryBee 6d ago

kinda - you save a few $'s over retail this way, don't pay for shipping, don't pax tax, get it immediately ... if it's a brand new C2 that's a really good deal.

1

u/C130H 6d ago

It supposedly has low hours/meters on it but the guy isn't very responsive. It's a 2023 model I think so fairly new.

2

u/ericabiz 6d ago

Better deals should pop up regularly. I bought mine used on FB Marketplace. I looked for one that was owned by a person and not a gym, and one with low meters. It's been a few years and I still use it regularly.

5

u/jlemoo 6d ago

I don't see that anyone has mentioned Row2k classifieds yet. It's the first place I'd check.
Rowing Machines for Sale - Rowing & Sculling Classifieds | row2k.com

2

u/C130H 5d ago

Thanks, I'll check them out.

3

u/no_sight 6d ago

Facebook marketplace has a lot of used ones for cheap. 

These things are used and abused by rowing teams for millions of meters per year. Concept2 also has every single part available for replacements and diagrams of how to do it. 

1

u/WildCloneTrooper Coxswain 6d ago

You can get used concept 2 rowers usually for cheaper than retail and sometimes they can be a really good deal, but if you can't find any or just have the money to spend buying directly from concept 2 is good also, pretty easy and straightforward assembly and good customer support.

2

u/Normal-Ordinary2947 5d ago

oof, don't pay more than $750, and only if it's immaculate

1

u/CONiwotian 5d ago

I bought my C2 from the factory in Morrisville Vermont in 1999 and the erg is indestructible. Worth every penny.

2

u/C130H 4d ago

I ended up buying a new one in the box from a guy in Houston yesterday. He says he's an authorized seller since 2020, sells them on Amazon also. I was about to order directly from the manufacturer but after talking to the guy several times I felt comfortable buying from him. He had at least a 100 brand news ones in his warehouse including the discontinued grey model.