Cartridge new or used ?

There are many dishonest people on fleabay and you have no way of telling before you commit to purchasing, because fleabay protects its insider club sellers by doctoring the feedback info that’s published. 

Why would you go vintage when brand-new, I’m-abused Audio-Technica Micro-Line cartridges are available everywhere at reasonable prices? (Thanks Chakster) I prefer a known commodity, and it’s worked out superbly with my VM540ML cartridges. Heck, I even use a VM540ML stylus on my VM610 mono cartridge. You just can’t go wrong with them. 

Sleepwalker
You definitely have some deep rooted trust issues. And your comments about doctored feedback is highly amusing.
But to each their own, I have no problem with anybody who prefers to go the route you advocate but please do not harbour malice to those who DO decide to buy used and save a fortune potentially.
One of my friends just bought a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum for approx 17% of new retail.......

@uberwaltz. Why would anybody sell a perfectly decent high priced cartridge like a Koetsu RSP at 17% of retail? Oh, I forgot...in order to get that cartridge factory reconditioned, you are going to have to send it Japan, and depending on whether it was a grey market item or whether it already had a bastardized stylus, (in which case you will be out of luck entirely) pay $1000’s to Koetsu for their services.
Unless, that’s not correct, and somebody just happened to feel ultra charitable to your friend, lol.

lol clairvoyant trolls