Buying used when you should have bought new...

I generally like to buy new. Get the best you can afford and just keep it and don't trade to much. When I have issues, my dealer always loans me something. I never go with out sound. I have a few friends that have gone with out tunes for 60 days while things are getting fixed.

My equipment has been very reliable, like one issue in the last ten years due to defect. But, I've sent it back a few times for upgrades, thought a issue...but was bad tube etc.

If you're a dealer for a product line you should assist anyone who needs a repair of that brand whether they purchased from you or not. People do move around and shouldn't be penalized because they bought the product in a different area of the country. Also, the used market is an integral part of high end audio. It would be a poor business practice to turn away any actively buying audiophile just because they purchased on the used market. If anything dealers and manufacturer should turn 2nd buyer service request into a profit center operation.

The "you get what you pay for" is still valid. While the potential for really great deals is possible, buying second hand is always riskier than buying new from an authorized dealer. For the most part the risk is manageable and is reflected in the sale price.

A dealer who only services what they sell is a jerk and a poor business person. Does he think you will return? If the dealer would not assist you then you should contact the manufacturer. You might not have a warranty but they are obligated to service what they sell.

Used stuff generally sells for 1/2 retail. Buying used is a bit of a crap shoot, and I doubt I would spend $500 for a used item that retails at $1,000 when I could probably buy it new for closer to $800, but once you get into the higher end the savings are significant. I got my speakers used for $10K and a new pair would be over $20K with sales tax. I stretched to pay what I did. Retail would have been impossible.

I agree with most of the above. Buy used stuff that is relatively new. Buy new cartridges and factor a tube replacement into the price of a used piece. Don't buy old digital players, motors and mechanisms wear out. Be careful with old analog, motors and bearing last a long time but could worn. Paying retail for cables is insane. Even though I wouldn't want any, SS stuff is a pretty safe bet.

Even if this one piece was not the bargain you had hoped for, in the long run if you are careful you will come out waaaaaaaaaay ahead buying used.

Too bad about your experience with the used transaction... I have found it really depends more on the manufacturer of the component, rather than the type of component. I've been lucky with my transactions in that the manufacturers have always stood behind the products:
Cables: I bought a pair of used Audience Au24 cables that were too short for my rig, I re-sold them w/o ever hooking them up to a member who found out that one of them was faulty, I offered him a refund, instead, he chose to send back to Audience and they repaired it free, no issue.
CDP: Resolution Audio offers a service where you give them the serial # of the used unit and they will reply to you with the component's history of its age, # of owners and repairs, they hapily service used units.
Speakers: Even though I bought my Green Mountain Audio speakers new, they offer warrantee for life on their products even to owners who buy used, really unbelievable.
Amps: Cary has been a pleasure to deal with. I bought my amps used and they were missing some chassis screws on the bottom and sides, called Cary and sent out the screws the next day, free. Later I had some upgrades done, they gave me a great deal despite the fact I wasn't the original owner.
There are a lot of great companies out there that offer tremendous service. Although, I'm sure I'll hit a product or manufacturer eventually that I'll have an issue with, so far I've been fortunate.

I always lean to buy new for the fair price.
Phono carts I only buy new.
Tube gear is simple to troubleshoot so I can buy it used.