Buying used vs. New

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.

Use the zipcode feature on the search listings. Good way to find items you don't want to see shipped. Of course you need patience or luck depending on your desires. That said I have few qualms about where I buy from with the exception of speakers. I've had a few problems with damage to shipped speakers.

Always call the person you are buying from. Never buy from zero feedback sellers. Always get serial numbers from sellers on expensive pieces and call the maker to verify any service related issues, etc. Try to avoid buying from strange e-mail addresses that don't have any recognizable information. Never, Never, Never send money via Western Union to a seller. It is a very popular scam on audiogon and e-bay. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true!! Use paypal type services whenever possible. Do not send cash type payments... you are asking for trouble. Remember that sometimes it only takes one bad event to justify purchasing new products.