| Hi Toots,
I suspect the main reason is that most of these horns are on commission (some may be trade-ins). Generally, the charge is 15-20% which makes an $800 Stard a $1000 Strad. The trade off is of course if the company is reputable they'll have checked the trumpet out first for rot,valve probs etc and maybe even given it a clean. They won't of course be able to tell you how it plays!!
Regards
Trevor |