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Buying used vs. New

Does anyone have reservations about buying used?
I used to swear buy it until recently. I bought a preamp that arrived with a humming problem from the transformer because the delivery company dropped it. Fortunately, I had bought it new and the store was able to replace it. I was just thinking, what if this was used, I would be out of luck in terms of getting it fixed. Also, I bought a used piece of equipment on Audiogon a few years ago that is now giving me trouble. It is out of warranty and was fairly expensive, and now has issues. Now I'm seriously considering buying new, even though my money will only stretch about half as far.
fruff1976
60 responses Add your response
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Learsfool, your core statement is that one should be able to buy any piece of
audio gear at 50% of retail if one does their homework.

I disagree, and nothing you have said persuades me otherwise.

Furthermore, if your point of reference is primarily E-Bay transactions, then it
is completely understandable to me that you do not have enough experience
buying or selling higher end items found primarily on Audiogon that would
commonly sell for more than your 50% target.

E-Bay and Audiogon are different markets.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Learsfool, I think that you misinterpret what I said. There was no attempt to personally attack you at all, and my sincere appologies if it was taken that way. Calling into question your experience is not an attack at all, you are not less a person for it, but it is foundational to your blanket assertions. You have now decided to set up the straw man to support your ad hominem argument. As Willie the Shake once said, "Thou do protest too much."
learsfool
1,206 posts
 
Guys, the most bewildering thing to me is that you both keep asserting that I am making a blanket statement. Rereading my last post alone, I count at least four times where I said that there are many exceptions to what is a very general rule. I am truly sorry that you both apparently failed to see this. Which makes the straw man/ad hominem comment in particular especially amusing. Wow. All I can do now is laugh it off and move on, adding only that I sure am glad I decided to become a professional musician instead of a writer. No hard feelings here, I assure you, even for your misquotation. :)
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Learsfool, you have subtly changed your position since initially writing on 8/25:
08-25-08: Learsfool
I would say, however, that one should never pay more than half of the original retail price for a used item, the only exception to this would be if it basically hadn't actually been used.

Good to see you are not quite as rigid in your position as you were a few days ago.
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
I don't care about the rules that Learsfool sets for himself. There are lots of other better informed buyers for my stuff.
By the way, Zu Druids used to sell new for $2800/pair. The revised model lists for $3400/pair. They both sell instantly for about $2000/pair and have gotten that price for more than 2 years that I have been watching. How does that square with "the formula"?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
That's a great example, Macrojack. I have to say strong resale of the Druid is unusual in audio, and I believe it's a strong indicator of the dearth of loudspeakers at the $2000 price point with the specifications of the Druid.

In other words, supply is low at this price point, and demand is high. Therefore, the $2000 used price has held up.
mitch2
1,911 posts
 
I try not to buy anything that costs more than I am willing to pay for it ;?)
stevewr
36 posts
 
I purchased a Parasound P3 and Marantz ST-6000 both on EPAY.
The P3 had issues with noise and the tuner was way out of
alignment. Maybe just bad luck or not? I liken this to used
car shopping. The previous owner didn't get rid of it
because he was tired of the color. Steve
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
One thing I've found buying used on ebay is beware when the seller is a high volume general seller who happens to get a nice piece of equipment in. There is a good chance there will be issues for discerning ears.

Stick with sellers that specialize in electronic equipment and audio more and always ask lots of questions prior to make sure the seller knows of what he's selling.

You might pick up a bargain on ebay but there is considerable risk to mitigate, so be prepared.
stevewr
36 posts
 
Mapman,That's very good advice! Steve
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