Buying Used Equipment

[ramabama]

Most of us try to save a buck where/when we can. I am curious about peoples opinion and hopefully some peoples experience on this. My question is which do you think is “better” to buy used, led lights or pumps (return/powerheads)?? “Better” meaning cost savings and reliability. I myself have never purchased a used pump but I have used lights. Knock on wood but everything has worked out well with the lights.

 

[donnievaz]

It's a crap shoot on any used equipment. Your best bet is to know the equipment you're looking at. Know it's reputation for reliability and when at all possible know who you're buying it from. I'd venture to guess you'd have a lot better luck buying used from a place like R2R where people have a reputation to uphold than from someone on Craigslist that you'll never see again. That's not to say that everyone on Craigslist is out to rip you off, I've gotten many great deals on CL but your odds are better here. The great thing about a hobby like this is that people are constantly upgrading or leaving the hobby and there are a lot of great deals to be had.

 

[Labridaedicted]

Make sure you're familiar with the workings of the equipment and you can generally tell whether you're getting a deal or not.
Pumps, check impellers and shafts. Plug in if you can.
Tanks, check seams and scratches
Lights, know the lifespan on the bulbs and ask for approximate age/runtime on bulbs
Skimmer, see pumps and check attachment points. That's the usual weak spots.
Chiller, crap shoot.
Calcium reactor, guage media quantity, check seams and attachment points. If recirc, ensure pump runs.
Powerheads, test in bucket

I've gotten some absolute steals on Craigslist and some great deals on forums. Just don't go in blind. Do some research first, and you usually will be fine.

 

[Fishmantim]

I always had good luck buying used some times just about as cheap to buy new do your homework

 

[ramabama]

Thanks everyone. I should have been more specific. I am actually curious just about the two items I mentioned AND buying sight unseen. Ebay,forum,etc. I also am not talking about doing your homework about the seller. Just in general buying those two things used, what are your thoughts and maybe experiences, good and bad.