I have a bunch of thoughts on this topic, but I find myself regularly mystified by the behavior of various folks, either spending what I think is too much on gear, or refusing to spend more than what I think is too little. I’m curious to hear some raw reactions about buying gear.
What portion of your gear do you buy new? What percentage is used?
What gear will you ALWAYS buy used?
What gear will you ALWAYS buy new?
And of course, the big question: WHY?
This is a good one! For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to buy used—well, anything. From rods to cars. I’ve tried over the years, but I always end up backing out and buying new.
I did buy a used bow once. It was a Mathews, and the price was right. Seemed fine at first. But after dropping a few hundred dollars on new strings and some other upgrades, I was teetering close to the cost of a new one.
I think it comes down to not knowing what the previous owner did to it. My mind has a bad habit of running wild with possibilities. Or maybe it goes back to my dad—he used to say buying a used car was just buying someone else’s problem. To be fair, this was back in the late ’70s or early ’80s, so there might’ve been some truth to that back then.
So, for the most part, it’s always new for me. That said, I am getting a little more comfortable with the idea of buying used—especially if the price is right.
Underwear.. I always buy new. Besides that everything else is fair game.
Used is a relative term, my last two trucks are an example of good used wheels, my criteria was 2-3 years old, less than 30k. I prefer a truck driven by an older gentleman, which is basically what I got both times, 18k and 22k both trucks looked new underneath, inside and out. I got both (not at same time obviously) at a 40% discount from a new equivalent truck.
Fly rods, lots out there that haven’t seen more than one trip.
Fly tying vise, never buy new, I have two Dyna King Indexer vise’s; I got both for less than a new one goes for.
Same with reloading press, or stage loaders, most folks don’t use these things a ton.
Canoes, if you look long enough, you’ll find one for 200$, that’s worth 1000 new.
Road bikes, I needed one in FL the same size as my bike in VA, I found the same bike for $500 bucks in better shape than mine, and I paid $1700 for my original.
Underwear, definitely splurge on that, strictly new.
I tend to look for specific items that in most cases cannot be bought new. I also enjoy the process of hunting older items, perhaps as much as using said items. I like to acquire stuff that triggers an emotion or has a meaning tied to it.
With that being said when buying stuff to fill a need, I normally go new because it tends to be more convenient to just order and it shows up.
INTERESTING. This is almost the polar opposite of me. My dad always said that buying a used car means that somebody else took the depreciation hit.
I’ve grown up enough to realize that there’s usually more than one not-wrong ways to approach something, so I don’t get preachy or judgey about it anymore. But the gap between these poles seems pretty wide. Ain’t we humans interesting??
Yeah, I appreciate the “treasure hunt” aspect of finding hidden gems myself. It’s even a little teensy bit like fishing.
Yep, this is one of the angles that makes most sense to me: sometimes when you’re buying used, you’re effectively buying new since whatever it is got saw almost zero use. And with many things, the newer models are only incrementally more advanced over older versions, and stuff that’s a decade or more old does the job perfectly well. There are exceptions, of course, and you’ve gotta know a fair bit about what you’re looking at. But there are deals to be had for sure.
I will mimic Mike, all is a fair game…. But it all depends on the “deal”.
As I always said…. When you buy used, your buying the seller too ( actually true with new stuff also). Is he a bit of a ■■■■■■■? Ask questions you know answers to, to try and ferret out if he is a liar or not. If he is not a guy you could enjoy a beer with, it better be a screaming deal worth taking the risk on. Know the market thru research, what is a “good deal” in that market, and how much do you got to spend getting the used item up to snuff? All the above goes into how I do it.
Buying new does NOT mean you wont get ripped off: case in point, I ordered a NEW Hewes Bonefisher in 2000, the piece of ■■■■ fell apart in less than 150 hours. The stringers delaminated from the hull. (They built the “stringer system” in a separate mold, then glued them in). How many early 2000 Bonefishers do you see out there? Yea, all of them had major issues. It was very difficult to get them to do anything about it.
On the other hand, buying used you can see all the problems if your educated on what to look for. Boats: stress cracks, Autos: is it stock, without a bunch of bolts rounded off from jack leg mechanics. Of course, what kind of record keeping did the PO do? (A great indicator of the type person your buying from, do they keep up with maintenance)
The used Tibor market? Insane. You can buy a new one for what the used go for, and I did last winter after waiting for a used deal to come up.
My 2 cents
Used cars (someone else got the depreciation hit- aim for 2-3 yrs old and under 30k miles - like @Loogie )
I have only bought three fly rods/ reels new. I buy almost exclusively used. Rods are all basically new when I get them and haven’t paid more than $500 for any rod I own. Most are 1-2 yrs old… a couple still had plastic wrap on them.
I find the “warranty “ argument pretty pointless. If I spend 125% more on a rod to have it new w a warranty, I am needing to repair rods a lot. I would rather buy two ‘like new’ and if one breaks, just switch to the backup.
I am almost 100% og Tibors.
Bought two boats in my life, both used. Both did get repowered w NEW outboards.
Guns- it’s a mix of new and used.
I’ve bought plenty of new and used fly rods and reels. Tibors are investments at least that’s what I tell myself and if they are not beat to hell they are fine used. Rods, I have to trust the seller or look really good. I am not loyal to rods makers. I have 5 different manufacturers of rods. Frankly I think Orvis and Hardy make the best rods right now.
Used to buy everything new until I got into fly fishing. I only have one rod and reel I bought new (Mangrove Coast/Hydros IV). Everything else has been used. Lets me get better stuff at a discount and I get to try different rods until I figure out what I like. With the exception of one rod, I love all of them! I figure after a few years I may treat myself to a new high end combo, but at this point I’ll keep playing with the hand me downs!
Typically end up buying used. Mostly because if you look long enough you’ll find what you want at a reduced price. It also lets me try out different things and resell without a loss if it turns out not to be what I was looking for to begin with. There are times when new is not that much more than what the used market is going for. I have realized there are a lot of people out there who don’t think twice about making a purchase for a trip and only using the item once, then selling later.
I buy both, usually my lighter stuff I buy used because it’s personal equipment.
My 9wts and 11wts are new because they are for big fish.
I think you hit a specialized purchase…I recently bought a 7 wt Helios D and 10 wt Helios D both with Mirage matched reels and filled with line..
The 10 wt was on MS classified for $900 delivered…new, total package nearly $2K, the 7 wt was from a local fly fisherman who bought it and never used it…again, 7wt was $650, with reel and line…like new condition, and the 10 wt was never register…
We all make errors or impulse buys and they could be perfect or a disaster…buyer beware.
For spinning reels, I tend to go new and rods the same.
I believe “most” fly fisherman who are buying a top of the line rods and reels, normally take care of stuff…
DC
If I bought new stuff, I could never afford to go fishing!!
Just depends on timing mostly. I am VERY particular about my gear. I fish (and used to hunt) to destress and the last thing I want is to have any equipment failure. Yes new can fail to but at a much lower level of risk.
I have bought used stuff many times but the problem the last 10 years or so is that the value isn’t there. Guys are so proud of their stuff that you just don’t save enough to make it worth it. If I can find a quality product for a great price then you bet.
SImple example - I can buy a brand new skiff and get it layed out exactly how I want. Sure it costs more than a new one. But when you consider what you get with new for just a little more money to me its worth just spending more. The downside of course with a skiff is you have to wait.
Now my last car was a 2 year old Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Only had 1800 miles and literally looked brand new. Now that was a deal I couldn’t pass up!
I feel like I’m doing the Lord’s Work saving old reels from a fate of never being used when I buy them. I like to buy and sell especially if I see someone wanting a specific reel that I have. I’m trying to think if I have still have a reel I bought new and I don’t think I do.
Rods…hmmmm. I like every Hardy Ive ever thrown and I buy them when they change models and drop the price in 1/2 or more. I also have a few custom glass rods that were built exactly the way I wanted them which if I buy a new rod it will be custom (except for Hardy Rods on sale).
Boats = Used
Motors = New
Trucks/Cars = New (but drive till they are dust)
I’ve always been apprehensive about buying used rods, but have no qualms about used reels that appear to have been properly maintained. I always cringe when I see a rig (usually a big bay barge) running down the highway with a full complement of rods proudly displayed in every rod holder aboard, catching road debris, grime, and insects, while the attached lures, weights, and popping corks – and there are always a bunch rigged with corks – are banging away on the rods as they flap in the breeze. More than once I’ve seen them slapped – and in a couple of cases cases ripped from the boat – by branches hanging over the road.
We call those folks googans…