Cartridge new or used ?

  I’ve had mostly good luck buying used cartridges. For my last example I paid 2K for a used Lyra Kleos SL.   To start with make sure you’re buying from somebody with lots of good feedback and make sure their backstory makes sense. For example if they claim 200 hours on a six-year-old cartridge, do they have multiple arms, why does it have low hours? 
 Then considering I’m getting it for 2K off of retail. So even if it has more wear I can retip it for $500 and be ahead of the game.  Then there are those that say it’s not the same cartridge after it’s been retipped. Technically they are correct but in my experience it’s still a very very very similar cartridge.  I retipped a Lyra Delos and I would be hard-pressed to have noticed that it was any different. 
 I refuse to pay the ridiculous amounts they want for new cartridges these days. 

@analogluvr .

I agree that the purists will throw a googly eye fit and wail long and loud about retipping one of the expensive MC carts claiming it is now not original at all.
But if YOU like the sound still then surely it is better than just junking what was an expensive purchase by someone.
I would have no hesitation in following the same path if needed.
After all 5 to 10k for a cart is way out of my league but 2 to 2.5k? For same item?
I will take a chance AFTER doing full research on the cart AND seller of course.

Exactly!

I won't do previously owned and used cartridges.  I do have friends who swear by it though and they have always had good luck.  Back in the day I bought and sold maybe 5 TT's and each either came or left with a cartridge.  When receiving a used TT and cartridge, I'd test the table with a worn LP.  If it sounded good to me, I would replace the stylus or consider a retip.    

Dear @audiosens and friends: I think almost all was already posted and I would like to add some comments about:

as @lewm ( and I think @daveyf  ) pointed out no one of us but only cartridge manufacturers/re-tippers can know for sure if the stylus tip/suspension is in good condition with hours coming to play, no one else no matter what. Period. 

From some years now no one cartridge designer/manufacturer has to envy vintage materials or cartridge technology in any way.
Today stylus shapes are better one and with better quality excecution and more tigth tolerances. Cantilever materials are too superior as the boron rod ( instead hollow that is more resonant/distorted. ) over berilyum and cartridge body materials blend superior too. Better material at the wire coils and shapes as the magnets too.

Yes, exist really good vintage cartridges that in the LOMC designs can compete against the best today ones but that is not the rule.

I own/owned/tested vintage and today MM/MI/LOMC cartridges and I know for sure what I'm talking too. Obviously that to be aware of that we need to own not only a high resolution system but with very very low overall distortions and that be a true full range audio system.

Happy New Year  2 0 1 9   for all of you and your dearest family   ! !

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.