Is it really such a terrible investment?

How you “feel” about a transaction and it’s value as an investment may be two different things.

If it is your own money and the speakers have an approximate value of $100 and the turntable (and the speakers) work well, and you have a good feeling about the whole deal (apart from the feeling your parents want to lay on you), I would say: Good deal!
I once traded my bass guitar for a lighter.
The guy happy he wanted to have a bass guitar, I didn’t (and couldn’t) play it, me happy I wanted his beautiful lighter, he parted with it gladly!

Check out the value of the speakers. if they are worth at least $100, then it is a good deal. If not, it would be better just to buy the turntable for $150.

If you do decide to go through with the deal, just make sure that you do not signal that it is okay for your friend to profit off of you.

As for the value of the deal, I would say that it is OK if the speakers are worth over $100. Make sure that you evaluate the condition of speakers before you buy them, since I am assuming that they are used.

If the stereo is brand new and the speakers are priced out at a certain verifiable value then you are really only paying exactly what they are both worth in new or excellent condition. If the friend is trying to sell you $50 speakers for $100, then, obviously, no.

My husband will buy nothing without a factory warranty. He has received three free (in succession) cameras after a year of use, because they broke. We buy warranties on nearly every piece of electronic equipment we buy, and they have always paid for themselves in the end, through free repair work.

Your parents are upset because they are anticipating the day when you will be sorry you wasted the money on it.

Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.
—Publilius Syrus (~100 BC)

Offer her $200 always bargain, you’ll be surprised at how many people will respond to cash in front of them, friend or not make an offer . I bet you she will take it . The chances of her selling it on her own is very slim. Good Luck!

If this is money which you’ve earned then its yours to do with what you wish.

Realize that even tho calling you stupid isn’t the best of strategic moves, your parents are trying to prevent you from making what might be an expensive mistake out of misguided friendship.

A lot hinges on the true value of the speakers so be diligent and do your research.

Also keep in mind that friendship and business transactions are two SEPARATE issues. Your friend isn’t necessarily doing you any favors. Rather its more the reverse as you’re taking something of her hands for (at, maximum price yet) which would be difficult to sell otherwise.

A little bargaining never hurts in business transactions. If she were selling them on Craigslist they’d be bargaining her down MORE than that, most likely.

Your parents really do have your best interests at heart even tho you may not feel it. They’ve had a lot more life experience learning the true value of a dollar and how hard money can be to come by.

My guess is that he’s calling you stupid out of frustration with you resisting his advice. Bit his heart is in the right place. Value the advice and then its your decision to make.

And realize that even tho its not cool to a knowledge it, your parents have learned quite a few valuable lessons on many issues. At
east be willing to consider their point of view, not just on this issue alone.

It could well save you having to learn everything the hard way.

But for some people that’s the only way they
Learn. Try not to be one of those. Life will be a lot more pleasant.

If anything goes wrong with this transaction, there will probably be some hard feelings between you and your friend. Is it worth that? (I know this time it’s pretty much a done deal, but think about it for future purposes.)