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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
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
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