Does anyone or does everyone pay retail price?

I bought retail Rowland 102 and Benchmark DAC1. Both of them have 5 years warranty but only for the first owner.

Buying new provides always newest revision of the gear. Buying used Benchmark might end-up getting older unit with thin sounding op-amps (Signetics NE5532) or high output impedance on unbalanced outputs. They already have about 10 revisions. Buying used Rowland was also risky since it was brand new technology (Icepower) and reliability was uknown.

A lot has to do with the price point of the product along with availability, and how desireable it is to own. A new Krell amp is not likely to be discounted while a new Cambridge amp may carry an expectation of a discounted price.

I doubt any Ferrari Enzo's are sold at a discount. At the same time, I doubt any Chevy Cavaliers are sold at retail.

In most cases, I can only afford the luxury ticket items purchased used.

"At the same time, I doubt any Chevy Cavaliers are sold at retail."

You would be surprised - guy I work with bought spiced-up Chevy Cavalier many years ago and paid more than I paid (within weeks) for brand new Acura Integra (same year). In case of Ford they would have to pay me.

I pay whatever my dealer tells me too. If he gets a discount, he passes it on. If not, his expertise is well worth the cost. Actually, it is priceless.