Totally agree to both the availability of good used higher end gear and the unfortunate demise of brick-and-mortar.
My audio budget has always been limited so I’ve bought very few pieces new. Some of my best finds were in pawn shops. I joined AGon to buy a pair of Quad speakers which changed my audio life. In 50+ years of buying used gear, I was only burned once on eBay - and it was really my fault for not asking more questions.
I’ve also seen the number of “stereo stores” shrink from many across a large metroplex to just two snooty ultra-high end shops. When I was hanging out in audio shops they all had used gear on consignment. I bought some used pieces that way, too. And there was a sales guy who would talk about the gear, who often knew the history of where it came from. The two shops in my area won’t deal with used gear.
Overall, net gain with internet trading, IMO. But I do miss walking into a store and getting to hear different rigs and “educating my ear” to what is possible.