Buying used vs. New

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.

Though I, too, have been very luck, I'm with Tiger.

Buy used, but on a pick up basis only and have it demo'd before handing over the cash.

I'm starting to gravitate towards buying new and getting less, just for the peace of mind. Currently I'm considering a Mcintosh power amp, if I buy new I can get a mc402, if I buy used I can get mc501 mono blocks. The problem with buying the 501's is what if something happens during the shipping or they crap out on me a year from now? Also, I think it is a good idea to do business with companies who operate in the U.S. because if you buy a large, expensive piece of equipment and it needs repaired in Canada, it could cost a boatload of money to fix.

I purchase only used equipment made by the relatively few remaining independent manufacturers that are highly supportive of buyers of used equipment. These are operations where you can talk to the principals. Atma-Sphere, Merlin, and BAT are a few examples. Also, I've been patient enough to buy locally and to audition first and carry home.

I've bought (and sold) a lot of used gear here and have been extremely lucky. But stuff can and does get damaged in shipping and sometimes gear fails before you are ready to get rid of it! These are the risks we take, and like someone said, most things can be repaired. I bought a set of Quad II Classic amps here that looked perfect when they arrived but one emitted smoke and stopped working when I plugged it in. I took it to a local Quad dealer who agreed to arrange for repair for me. He knew the amp was bought used and not even from his shop. When Quad learned of the problem they said they would fix the amp for free! It needed a new transformer (from the UK) so repairing this would not have been cheap at all. Why they decided to repair this unit gratis I have no idea but I will be everlastingly grateful to Quad and Deja Vu Audio for acting as the intermediary in this transaction. i love the amps and they have worked perfectly since the initial mishap--undoubtedly related to bumps and drops experienced in shipping.

Tvad initiated an interesting thread regarding a third party warranty option some months ago. It seemed there was a generaly negative concensus regarding the idea though....

For me it is still ok to buy used cables and poewer amp.I have great reservations buying used preamp and digital gears though,they are too sensitive and you might end out losing more;penny wise pound foolish as the saying goes

I guess it all comes down to personnal economics. We take chances on buying here on AudioGon but I have so far(knocking on wood)been lucky. I would love to buy new all the time but then I would be increasing the time line of getting what I want. It's a gamble but hopefully the feedback system helps in indication. It's like buying a used car, it drives good the mechanic says it's in good shape and carfax report is good. Two weeks later the engine starts to knock. It would be nice if a third party warranty was available as an option.