Discounts vs. Agon listings

Like Tarsando said, if you buy used you don't know what conidition it's in until it's your problem. If you get new, it's a known commodity. Plus you'll get any applicable warranty with it.

You may also want to consider if you can build a lasting relationship with the distributor (maybe you already have?) and what that is worth to you...

for many, getting into vinyl is more about a fascination with the turntable as a functioning component than the lp as a format to collect. buy used, in any case.

Some good advice. Thank you.

Jaybo's point is valid--I'm certainly not looking for components for component's sake. However, over the years I've become more disatisfied by cd playback. A change has been in the works for some time. In preparation, I've read plenty and know turntable/record care is not simply press-and-play, which is a concern since the distributor in my case is an online merchant who will not be around to set up and fine tune a table. Again, I read a lot; I'm extremely focussed; and I'm handy. All seem to be necessary traits in record upkeep, so I'm not too worried.

I probably could go without, but circumstances fell in my favor without much direction: In a computer foul-up, the merchant misdelivered someone's 3K Scoutmaster (with my name on the shipping label!) to my house. An honest man, I called the merchant and let them in on their mistake. They were floored and grateful, so I guess they gave me a reward. In any case, there was a mysterious and tantalizing cube of cardboard sitting on my living room floor for a few days. It got me thinking.

Buying used doesn't bother me. 90% of my equipment, along with a house and car and lifestyle are used. But there is an I-can-find-better mindset that becomes more concrete the more used you buy.

Regards,
Walt

If you account for the risk involved in buying from an unknown seller, unknown damage, shipping damage from amateur packing, and lack of a warranty, a used table really isn't "discounted" at all, particularly on the Gon where asking prices are usually high. You are getting what you pay for either way. Keep in mind that tonearms are in some ways the most fragile and easily broken of all used equipment and the damage which will not show in a picture.

That's a good deal on a Scout. Great table too.