Why are "low hours" a consideration?

Oregon,
I saw this bumper sticker on the back of a pickup when I was driving thru Montana: "Don't like my driving? Call 1-800-EAT-SHIT". It passed me and I was doing 80 and the driver was an old lady.

Low hours: Puffery
Pet free: Some people have severe allergies.
Near mint: Beside a piece of candy?
Barely used: Listened to in the nude.
Divorce forces sale: Spent more on my cables than my wifes
watch.

Oopsie daisy - I should have said the life is approx 1,000 hours...

Advertising 'jingoism': Low hours, Like new, just bought and changed my mind.. Or, the truth: Just found at a rummage for $20, yours for $1,400. I think it was in a flood, but I hosed off the mud and it looks pretty good for $20. and.. I bought it used two years ago, I been using the cart since then about five hours a day.. but it still sounds good, and I think you could get a few hours out of it with only some LP damage.. at 1/2 list it is a steal.
When the truth can be altered with a simple keyboard, it pays to be wary.
I do not buy enough stuff to worry about all the hype. When I find what I was looking for, Usually I just buy it because the last time one was for sale was two years ago. I do not worry about the marketing stuff.
If you feel the need to get only the perfect deal.. (brand new, at 75% off retail, with free hand delivery.) well.. you have my sympathies!

I definitely can appreciate this thread, but you all know that we are going to continue to buy and sell on Audiogon, despite the sales rhetoric. As Elizabeth said, "be wary", but also be informed. I would think it's safe to say that everyone on this thread meets that criteria!

To my mind the Audiogon community is about sharing our enthusiasm for excellence in sound reproduction with like minded folk. Technical advice is proffered based on experience, in the hope that said advice will help move one step closer to achieving that sonic goal. Equipment is bought and sold on trust, and the vast majority of transactions are positive. That said, problems on both sides of the transaction occur. Most are resolved amicably. That's why I continue to read and learn, and buy used equipment exclusively on Audiogon. It seems to me that audio electronics drop in marketable value from "new" rather quickly, and represent great value used. By all means check the seller's feedback before buying, and engage in some kind of dialogue to get a "feel" for the person. You can learn a lot about someone and the equipment they are selling by spending 5 minutes on the phone with them. Have your questions organized and give the seller time to give you as much information as he or she wishes to impart. Your decision to buy ( or not ) may rest on a comment or something that you hadn't considered. For example, when I went to look at my current speakers, I noted the special care the seller took of all his stereo equipment. He even put on cotton gloves when he moved the speakers! Later I read from the manufacturer's blog that the speakers should perform within specs for 18 to 20 years, with good care. So I figure I got excellent speakers at half price, that will perform beautifully for many years. Much credit for that satisfaction is due to the Audiogon community. As I always say, A-goners are the best. Good luck!