"You cannot handle the truth"

Like everything else, you should treat all transactions as unique.  But there's so many variables you may miss a golden opportunity by making a 'blanket' judgement about the seller.  Keep yr eyes wide open, never turn the ol' BS 'radar' off, and do as much homework as you can.  The higher the price of the item, the more cautious you should be, but getting a 'steal' is one of the grand joys of this hobby!

Then there's the guy who maxes out his credit cards to buy expensive audio equipment, then the bill comes and he can't make the monthly minimum payments. The equipment is put up for sale, the credit cards are paid off .... and the cycle begins all over again.

Frank

I recently bought a bunch of equipment to set up for a new home dedicated listening room with a tight closing purchase/sale timeline. The home failed a critical part of the inspection process and I had equipment I had already acquired stacked to the ceiling in my office. The loss on the sale of the equipment pales in comparison to what I saved NOT going through with the purchase of the home.

In short, everyone has a different value barometer. Losing a few thousand on a piece of equipment is alot of money to some and not alot to others. Always though, do your due diligence on the seller and look at someone's track record here and elsewhere.

I bought a pair of Maggie’s one week old cause the wife said too big. Ha happy wife happy life. 

Jetter

Lets see , kidney sold to buy The Gate.

So right about 5k right now then.....