Clayton, I agree with you in that the country (OZ) was full of them and now they are all virtually gone. I assume NZ is the same.
When a big lab was selling all of it's darkroom stuff to go digital about 5 years ago, I walked in, saw a free standing 504 De Vere with the drop table, a complete set of neg holders, colour head and all of the associated transformers etc, etc,.
The lab where I had previously worked, purchased three colour units exactly the same as this, only five years earlier for $14,500 each, plus an extra $4,000 for a set of rodenstock lens for each.
The unit I liked was obviously well used but straight and clean, besides these things don't wear out, so to speak.
The asking price was $2,000 cash as is with no lenses, I bought it on the spot. Then I had to go home and do a lot of sweet talking.
I thought it a reasonable price for what I got, not dirt cheap by any standards, but cheap considering when I bought it.
I love my enlarger!!!!!
Mick.