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.

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.