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New vs. Used:
Considerations When Purchasing Equipment
Thanks to the Internet, the market for used audio/video
equipment has burgeoned in the last few years, with dozens
of Sites offering used gear for sale. As with any choice
one makes, the decision whether to buy new or used gear
is a complex one that should be fully understood as there
are both benefits and drawbacks to each alternative. This
article seeks to inform and will discuss the issues so you
can make an educated decision. I sell both new and used
equipment, so I don’t have an axe to grind either way, but
seek to inform my clients so that the ownership experience
will be an enjoyable one. An informed client is a happy
client!
I got into the audio business as a young lad in 1972 (I’m
dating myself here). During the years since, I’ve seen allot
of used gear come though my doors. I’ve had no end of conversations
with people who have made purchases – many are satisfied,
some are not. I hope the following information will give
you some insight into the issue of new vs. used equipment
purchases, and help you to make the decision that is right
for you.
Many of us simply have a preference for new or used one
way or another and won’t change regardless. Cars come to
mind. I have had horrid luck with used cars and prefer to
buy new. Since I take care of my cars, I like knowing that
it has received my careful attention; an uncertainty if
someone else has been behind the wheel. I also like the
security of a warranty. My dad, on the other hand, likes
searching out the “bargain,” and prefers to buy mostly used.
Why would a person choose to purchase new equipment?
I think most folks find comfort in the knowledge their hands
are the only ones to have touched their purchase. When you
alone are the owner, you can be certain the component has
been cared for. For others there is the satisfaction of
having the latest state of the art equipment. All welcome
the security of a factory warranty and the assistance of
both dealer and manufacturer.
Why would a person choose to purchase used equipment?
The obvious attraction for purchasing used is price. Often
a used component can be had for half to two-thirds of its
original retail price - a nice savings, assuming that no
problems arise. Yet used gear carries a good deal more risk
than new, so let’s examine the potential pitfalls.
Source: This may be the most critical issue of
all, as so many of the problems we’ll discuss hinge upon
the honesty of the seller. Can you trust the source? Is
the supplier reputable? An individual seller has no reputation
to protect, so you operate on blind trust that the fellow
is honest. A dealer that has been around for any length
of time has a reputation to look after, thus it is much
more likely that you will get satisfaction from a deal gone
bad.
Individuals are selling much of the used equipment offered.
While most audiophiles are great people, there are those
out there who are less than trustworthy. Once the seller
has your money, it may be very difficult (or impossible)
to gain satisfaction if you are unhappy with your purchase.
Try to get something in writing that will clearly delineate
the details of the transaction and condition of the unit.
While this is no guarantee, it may be of some benefit if
push comes to shove.
Warranty:
Check to see if you will have a warranty. Most manufacturers
do not offer a transferable warranty. Thus, if a problem
does arise, it is likely that you will have to pay for repairs.
A dealer will sometimes warrant that a product will operate
correctly on arrival.
Condition: Unless you can personally inspect the
product before you buy (and you know what to look for),
you rely completely on the seller to accurately describe
the piece. A photo is great, but even that may not enough
to spot many problems. Condition goes beyond the external
appearance, and the internal workings should be considered.
Indeed, the inside of the component is often a better indicator
of how the unit has been cared for than the appearance of
the exterior.
Misrepresentation: Much of this happens by accident,
but misinformation is commonplace. Incorrect information
can be the result of ignorance or downright deception and
can range from misrepresenting condition, age or functionality,
to the owner simply not being very well informed about the
unit. It is important to know which version or revision
of a component you are purchasing to accurately determine
value. In many cases, pieces cannot be upgraded to the current
version, so you may want to check with the manufacturer
to be sure. If there is a question, get the serial number
of the unit you are considering and call the manufacturer
to verify the information you’ve been given.
Financial risk: More of an issue when dealing with
an individual, this can be one of the most devastating potential
consequences of the transaction. More often than not, Cash
On Delivery (C.O.D.) is the method of payment between individuals.
This requires a level of trust on both parties - the seller
doesn’t want to send the goods without assurance of being
paid, the buyer doesn’t want to release payment until he
has received and inspected the merchandise. The whole C.O.D.
process is ripe for rip-offs. I’ve been ripped off myself,
and I have spoken with countless clients that have lost
huge sums to con artists. Hardly a month goes by that someone
doesn’t call with a story of loss. Carriers (UPS, FedEx,
etc.) no longer accept cash and absolve themselves of any
liability when collecting C.O.D. payments. What you receive
is whatever the buyer gives the driver, and that could be
a bad check or falsified Money Order or Cashiers Check (this
has happened to me). I have clients that have lost Thousands
of Dollars in a single transaction because of C.O.D. transactions
gone bad. All I can say is be extremely careful.
If you get a bad feeling, there is probably reason for it.
Trial: As any audiophile knows, synergy between
components is everything. Just because a component is well
reviewed doesn’t mean it will find a happy home in your
system. The only way to know if a new purchase is right
for you is to listen to it in your set-up. Better dealers
will arrange for a home demo to insure your satisfaction.
The likelihood that you will be able to audition a used
component before purchase is remote, so know your direction
well before you commit to a purchase.
Hidden costs: Here is one most people never think
about. As an example, tubed gear. People often forget how
many hours are on a set of tubes, thus the tubes are often more
worn than they might think. Unless one owns a tube tester,
it is impossible to know what condition they are in. Additionally,
output tubes that have been repeatedly pushed beyond their
limits, or incorrectly biased, age far more rapidly (or
are irreparably damaged) than ones used responsibly. So,
I suggest you consider the price of a new set of tubes as
part of the purchase price of any used tube component. It
may be a fairly small amount or, as in the case of a large
amplifier, may represent a significant sum. The extra cost
is worth the peace of mind that the unit isn’t being impaired
by a bad set of tubes.
Wear/abuse: Generally, audiophiles take very good
care of their valuable investments. Yet with even the most
careful among us, accidents happen, so be sure and check
the unit carefully for any damage – inside and out. Of course,
normal wear and tear is to be expected, but signs of abuse
are reasons to reconsider. Not all abuse is visible however,
and can include:
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Output tubes pushed beyond their limits may be damaged
or worn out even if they have relatively low hours.
-
Cables that are stressed (over flexed or have been
stepped on) may have suffered internal damage to the
conductors. Fragile gold plating may be worn.
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A unit that has been operated in a poorly ventilated
enclosure may have been overheated, potentially damaging
some components or tubes.
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Delicate bearings in tonearms and turntable motors
may be compromised due to rough or improper handling.
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Internal modifications that are not disclosed.
Modifications: I suggest great caution when considering
the purchase of any component that has been modified. While
the mod may actually improve performance, it may severely
complicate or compromise reliability and/or future service.
Under the terms of most warranties, any rights are forfeited
when the unit is modified. Even if the unit is out of warranty,
there can be problems. The manufacturer may require the
component be returned to its original status before undertaking
repairs. I recall a client sending a unit in for service
only to find (unknown to him) the previous owner had modified
it. The manufacturer charged not only for the repair of
the unit, but tacked on a healthy sum to remove the modification.
Ouch!
Assistance: If you purchase a used component from
an individual, you are pretty much on your own if you have
questions about connection, use or adjustments. While the
manufacturer may be able to provide some assistance, they
are often busy helping others with warranty related issues.
Dealers, of course, cannot and should not be expected to share their time
and expertise if they will not benefit from the transaction.
Please do not call your
dealer and ask him to compare various used items you are
planning to buy elsewhere!
I get half a dozen calls a week, and numerous emails on
this topic. I try to be helpful, but I must give priority
to my own clients. Not only is it unfair to take someone's
time with no intention of reward, it is not going to get you
the information you need to make an informed decision. To make accurate recommendations
a dealer must
first understand the specific needs of their client.
Comprehending those needs takes time; request for a quick
comparison will not insure your satisfaction.
Many Audiophiles are constantly upgrading their systems.
Their cast-offs are often a great way to get a nice piece
of equipment that would normally be beyond your budget.
Yet a purchase made from an unscrupulous source can sour
the fun of hi-fi. So, consider carefully and decide whether
pre-owned or brand new gear will best preserve your sanity!
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