To buy or not to buy a used cartridge?

I am 100% in accord with Mosin. If you purchase lots/dozens of vintage carts, you can expect some to disappoint, either with cantilever or suspension. On the other hand, you can find some great carts for not huge money, and those which are 'damaged' in some way can be repaired.

I just recently picked up a Sony XL-88 for which I have high hopes. My other example of that cart is a real treat - one of the nicest combinations of delicacy and richness around. Those haven't been made for more than 25 years. I have purchased several XL-55Pros of a similar age and have had pretty good luck, only happening on 2 'baddies' among several. Likewise with older MMs - only one 'bad' F-8 (cantilever bent). I have purchased a Koetsu Rosewood Signature which was really nice, and a Victor L1000 which has been a pleasant surprise.

If you purchase recently-made (last several/ten years) high-end carts from people who take care of them, the biggest worry is how they are packed/shipped.

I was recently wondering whether it doesn't make sense to weigh carts down slightly inside the packaging just to make sure that the padding around the cart acts better as a dampener. Carts are so light they could bounced around easily.

locally only. let me play it first, pay second and than unmount and take home.

'It takes two to tango' obviously but nobody mentioned the
seller's risk: negative feedback + tedious aftermath.Ie why
should one risk both for an cart?

Regards,

Its a crap shoot at best!!

I took a chance on an "unopened and unused" Japanese cartridge here on Audiogon and learned an interesting lesson. I spoke to the seller over the phone and even contacted a reference of his. Everything checked out fine. The cartridge was in new condition, but it was originally bought overseas by the seller and never installed on his arm.

The cartridge sounds great, I saved some money and all was fine, until I contacted the importer/distributer to ask for the mounting hole to stylus tip distance specification for my Mint LP protractor. They said that because the cartridge did not come through them, they would not supply me with any specifications or even do repair work for a fee - no support, period. So in the end, it all worked out except that I had to call Japan in the middle of the night to get the spec. and I will not have a dealer to contact for repair work.

So I guess the lesson is, be aware if you are buying a piece of gear that did not enter though proper distribution/importation channels. You may have difficulty with product support.