Buying used vs. New

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.

Some new - some store/show demo. If the piece is really expensive and/or speakers on used market that I would like to try........local pickup only. Same with sales.....if local buyer is among those interested in my offering - he wins even if I have to sell for less. No disputes or misunderstanding. Takes longer to buy or sell but worth it.

I look for bargains, most have been great. A few dissapointments, but for the 40-50% off, it is hard to justify buying new. Then again, i have never purchased anything over 2500 this way, so i consider myself a small fish. I would feel very insecure about deals with 5 figure price tags.

I have been fortunate to deal with Goners with integrity, and made a few friends. Jeff carder in new jersey ( cardersound speakers no affiliation) is agood example. I bought what may have been the first single diriver speakers he ever owned. great transaction, then he goes and starts a company that pushes my envy button.

Without audiogon i would never have developed this habit, but it probably beats hookers and coke.

...hookers and coke have a low WAF.