Your spending limit on used gear?

I was just wondering what everybody’s opinion was on buying used gear, mainly the cost of which you will buy used versus brand new?

I notice for most lenses you can buy them brand new with warranty and a nice, clean, KNOWN history for a very small price over used.

Examples?

Tokina 11-16... You can buy this for $599.00 brand new, and (when working) Bing cashback for eBay is 8%, then 2% ebay bucks... So 10% off that you are at $539 Brand New if you are patient on waiting to get cashback and all that.

Another example is the 135 f/2L... They sell from $850 to $900, Used. This lens goes for $999 and with 10% off, you are down to $900 Brand New.

Now, I know people will wait for excellent deals in which this does not apply to them, but to me, it is crazy to see lenses sell so easily when you can get them BRAND NEW for $20-$30 more, when on a $1000 lens is nothing. I also like to know the complete history of my lenses, so unless its an excellent deal I prefer to buy brand new.

What is your opinion?

If it's a high dollar item I would prefer new if I'm only going to save less then 50-100 dollars. The warranty and peace of mind alone is worth it for me.

For example, Someone wants to sell their Canon 85 1.8 "like new" but used for 340-350.00 (no extras like filter or hood just what you would get if you bought it by itself). The lens sells brand new with free shipping from Adorama for 380.00.

So for me the savings of 40.00 is not worth it and I would buy it new.

Now if it came with a decent filter and hood I would probalby go the used route for that price.

In your examples I would buy new.

For lenses that cost $900 or more , the price should be at least $200 less than the new ones. Consider that as covering your behind if something is wrong with the lens. Canon doesn't cover warranty for 2nd owner anymore. For cheaper lens buy new.

I search the classified section on POTN and see what the going rate is. I live in Canada where photo gear is more money then US, and I don't think the bing thing applies to us. The only new lens I have bought was my 24-60 off amazon which was $220 (almost $300 after conversion/tax/duty) which was a good deal.

You can buy used gear? Hope no-one tells my wife that.

I would buy used if I could get my hands on it and use it to make sure it worked well. Also, I've not seen were used vs new had such a small price discrepancy.
In some situations though used may be the only option for people, take the 70-200 f/2.8is. If they phase out the mk1 and you don't have the money for a mk2 then it will be used or Sigma.

When buying used I look for prices that are around 80% of new (BH or Adorama) or less.

I am looking for a 70-300mm DO lens. New it runs for 1200+, used they are between 700-800 so I am looking at used.
I am also looking for a 70-200 2.8 mark II, new of course they are 2499 or a tad less with Bing. Used they are hard to find and run 2300-2400, so I may end up getting new.

I don't buy unless it's a deal. The prices on used glass is kind of ridiculous. Even if it's only a 1 year warranty, I'd rather spend the extra 10%.

I was able to save about 15% (~300 bucks) on a 70-200 2.8 IS buying used on ebay. The lens is four months old, and looks like it has never been used. Savings can definitely add up buying used.

About 3/4's of the money I have invested in gear has gone toward used items. I always look for a solid, trusted, and reputable source that has what I want. Find that and you can save some serious bucks.

If I can get a practically brand new lens for $50 cheaper than new I'm all over it. Times are tough...

Whatever I consider to be a fair price against new for the item in question.
It would depend on age, wear, cosmetic damage etc.
No hard and fast rule at this end.

my biggest consideration is condition and is it a US lens with receipts or gray market with no caps? Not all lenses are equal, and if it's a very nice example with all of it's stuff, I have gone as much as what might have been full price if the lens was being bought new as a kit lens (it was a 24-105 that probably was brand new, belonged to a pro that claimed it had been the back up for what looked like a pretty well used copy also for sale for around 200 less that I passed on).