Buy new or take a chance with a used detector?

[syko]

Tax refund will be coming around and I may go after an Excal II this time. Of course this thing is up there in price,
but I know Treasure Hunter has said he bought an Excal or two used at a great price. I know it's a risk to buy used
from a stranger even though they paid the the full price and will usually sell it for hundreds less.

What is your opinion on buying a used MD? It's not as simple as looking at pics and expecting it to work perfect. If people
with new detectors sometimes have problems, what risk is it to get used? I wouldn't want to save a couple of hundred dollars
just to find out something is wrong with it and to get it repaired it's going to cost me (a couple of hundred dollars)=back to new pricing.

Since I don't usually buy multiple "toys" or upgrade every year...I would just want to get the best I can without going too extreme.
So a $1200 "toy"..which I know is one of the best, will it be best for it to be a new purchase or buy used and take my chances?

Maybe buying used is reserved for people that already have multiple machines and can take the chance of having it as a backup machine.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I will say i have had about 1/2 of my used detectors that had to be sent in for repairs before i could use them.. And if you are spending all you saved for a detector and get it then have to spend more on repairs you would be hurting. I was in that position at one time. And a lot that tell you to buy used have never been in that position . If you have to get used get one fom a dealer from you that you can try out first .

All of my used detectors have either been bought with paypal, or a credit card where I can dispute the sale if there is a problem, no checks or money orders....I also do not buy from the for sale boards unless they have a reputable name, nothing meant against any newbies at all, but many times you see someone register just to sell a detector, and then they are gone...

Every used detector I bought worked perfectly on arrival, but as in everthing else, it is always buyer beware. If you have any apprehension, bad feeling, not comfortable, or if the seller want give you their name and a contact number when asked so you can call with questions DON'T BUY....

IMO, If your a new to the hobby you should always buy new from a dealer..............

 

[bazinga]

I would recommend buying used off of ebay. Pay with a credit card through PayPal. When you get the machine, test it out. If it doesn't work, send it back. If they say 'no returns' then file a PayPal claim and they will tell you to send it back and get your refund. If for some odd reason that the PayPal claim gets denied, then you can file a chargeback through your credit card company. Also, I think ebay is trying to help out buyers as well. So you basically have three levels of protection. You are only out the cost to ship it back.

I've bought three used machines off of ebay. Two explorers and an excalibur and had nothing but great results and pockets full of gold and silver.

sounds like a huge pain in the butt to me.

Buy it new if you can afford it. And I'm not saying this because I am a dealer. I get guys PM'ing me all the time asking if I will sell their used detector for them. I wont do it unless they bring it to me and let me check it out first. Key words: See it work before you buy it. To me it's like going to a pawn shop to buy a used car stereo. How many do you honestly think have been ripped out of the dash and beat up? You don't know. I'm sorry, I wouldn't buy one unless I used it first.

Not really a pain in the butt at all. Just box it back up and return it. And if they don't want to take the refund, you might spend a couple hours of your time disputing it. To me, the value of the very low chance of having to dispute it is worth $500-1000 in savings.

For the cost of buying it new, I can buy two used ones with accessories. Which equals more fun for me.

Plus, the machines that I tend to buy are no longer made, like the Explorer XS. In terms of finds, I don't see a significant enough improvement to purchase a new SE Pro or an E-Trac. Maybe if they made the machines as light as a Fisher or Whites, though, I could see myself spending the extra money. But until then, no chance.

 

[barqy]

I would recommend buying used off of ebay. Pay with a credit card through PayPal. When you get the machine, test it out. If it doesn't work, send it back. If they say 'no returns' then file a PayPal claim and they will tell you to send it back and get your refund. If for some odd reason that the PayPal claim gets denied, then you can file a chargeback through your credit card company. Also, I think ebay is trying to help out buyers as well. So you basically have three levels of protection. You are only out the cost to ship it back.

I've bought three used machines off of ebay. Two explorers and an excalibur and had nothing but great results and pockets full of gold and silver.

sounds like a huge pain in the butt to me.

Buy it new if you can afford it. And I'm not saying this because I am a dealer. I get guys PM'ing me all the time asking if I will sell their used detector for them. I wont do it unless they bring it to me and let me check it out first. Key words: See it work before you buy it. To me it's like going to a pawn shop to buy a used car stereo. How many do you honestly think have been ripped out of the dash and beat up? You don't know. I'm sorry, I wouldn't buy one unless I used it first.

Not really a pain in the butt at all. Just box it back up and return it. And if they don't want to take the refund, you might spend a couple hours of your time disputing it. To me, the value of the very low chance of having to dispute it is worth $500-1000 in savings.

For the cost of buying it new, I can buy two used ones with accessories. Which equals more fun for me.

Plus, the machines that I tend to buy are no longer made, like the Explorer XS. In terms of finds, I don't see a significant enough improvement to purchase a new SE Pro or an E-Trac. Maybe if they made the machines as light as a Fisher or Whites, though, I could see myself spending the extra money. But until then, no chance.

Going to have to agree with this poster too

Buying used is a great way to save some coin for other hobbies, but like anything, buyer beware!

It's even possible to get a lemon even when buying used.

use some common sense, ask for references (if buying online), pictures, the whole 9 yards. Usually sellers are more than happy to accommodate (unless they have something to hide)