To Buy New, or Buy Used?

Simple question: Should you buy new or used?

Simple answer: It’s complicated.

When you’re on the hunt for gear, it’s easy to think the smart buy is the one with the lowest asking price. But instead of just thinking about what is easiest on your wallet up front, think about the entire cost of buying, owning, and perhaps even reselling that item later on down the road.

No one wants to get burned on a bad deal, so here are some obvious and not-so-obvious things to think about to help fireproof your next purchase.

Asking price.

This is the question with the easiest answer. Which has the lower asking price?

Is it a fair price?

Pawn shops and eBay ads sometimes ask more than retail price for used items. Don’t assume a used price is automatically lower than a new one.

Can you get it on sale?
A new item on a blowout sale can be cheaper than a used item. If so, you might negotiate an even lower used price.

Effort.

Driving across the state to meet some guy for a used Squire in a parking lot at midnight may more time-consuming, costly, or dangerous than it’s worth.

Local support.

Mom-and-pop stores can be a great place to find gear, so can friends. Sometimes it’s worth it to buy from them (new or used) just to make sure they stick around.

Gotta have it now.

If you need an item for that night’s gig, it might not matter new or used, a good buy or not, it’s wherever you find it first.

Barely used.

New gear typically drops in value the moment it leaves the store. Buying barely used can be a savings opportunity. Even the latest gear can start appearing on the used market within weeks.

Older versions.