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
I buy used. However, only if I'm financially able to eat a complete loss if things don't work out. This usually means that I'd be willing to look at two lesser (but close in performance) pieces rather than one piece which will take up the full saved amount. This way if one piece gets broken upon delivery or is sent DOA w/o recourse, I'm still able to persue option #2.
There are some items that I would definitely never buy over the internet like a turntable, cartridge, tonearm, and probably speakers. I am even questioning anything else too. I think new is the way to go if you can afford it, but it is so tempting to pay half and get things wildly out of your price range....yeah, I know.
My preference is to buy used w/the caveat I can send it to the factory here in the states if it ever needs service.

I used to travel a lot more to pick up/deliver gear but w/time constraints & now the price of gas, I do most of my biz w/shipping. The problem is you never know how well something is going to be packed. I've had a few close calls but nothing ever catastrophic.
Never buy used. Ever, ever. It's way to dangerous; you are exposing yourself to sellers that are meth heads and gear that has been fenced so many times that you can't get the finger prints off of the case work.

Too many of you guys are beating me to the good stuff. Cut it out.