Cartridge new or used ?

Buying a used cartridge is like buying used underwear and not recommended, encouraged, or suggested.

 @chakster   None of the photos that you posted have any meaning whatsoever. The first stock photo by AT is a generic photo with just one face showing...and none of the rear facets and the actual cut angles, worthless. The other photos are equally as worthless, showing a stylus at that magnification is totally meaningless...well done, lol.
@clearthink.  +1

To answer the actual question, none of us is qualified to judge the difference in appearance between a new stylus and one that is lightly worn. No matter how powerful the microscope. That takes experience and skill. Also, most brick and mortar dealers are honest enough not to sell you a used cartridge in the guise of new. And finally, a never used cartridge that is 4-5 years since manufacture is going to be just fine. Many of us own NOS cartridges that are more than 30 years old, and we’re happy.

never used for me

@daveyf hey, you can't buy even a brand new cartridge according to your own thread, so why should we discusse a used ones with you ? 

The picture i have posted is what people can see when they buy a used cartridge, in most cases that quality of picture is not available from normal listings on ebay from the most of the sellers. 

The Audio-Techica micro line diamond is the closest to the cutter stylus, but that's the best stylus for minimum record wear, same with Replicant-100 or F.Gyger. Those profiles can be used for up to 2000 hours. Those almost brand new diamonds looks "sharp" to my eyes, but another poster said they don't have to be sharp. 

When an audiophile with a nice set up playing with one of the 5-10 cartridges from his collection for about 200 hrs or even 600 hrs there is still plenty of life left if the stylus profile if it's is not Conical or Elliptical, but a MicroLine, MicroRidge, F.Gyger, Replicant-100 etc. Any honest audiophile will tell a buyer also about condition of the damper (if there is any problem). 

In my opinion some audiophiles on this forum know much more about cartridges, tonearm, turntables than ANY dealer in the modern High-End saloon or any reviewer in some fancy audio Mags.   

For most of the people on here (except you) there is no problem to buy a new cartridge for whatever price. 

But the problem with decent vintage cartridge is the rarity, so even you you really want it you can't find it. But when you can find a NOS is something special for us, but not for you.