Cartridge new or used ?


How do I know if a cartridge is new or used and number of hours played ? 1- If it is bought from an individual or 2- Could it be that a HiFi store sells used or a "Demo" without anyone knowing it? 3- Is a cartridge that remains on the shelf of the store for 3 or 4 years, retains its same performance or its internal parts, can harden and lose their flexibility of reading? 4- Is it easy with a magnifying glass to see the wear of a cartridge, if so what would be the best magnification to use?
audiosens
@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.
Boy, first 'used underwear', now 'used food'....... You guys really have a deeply felt disgust towards used cartridges.

As far as I'm concerned this is the preferred mainstream opinion: by all means stay away from used cartridges! Less competitors in the market place means lower prices.....

It really depends on the seller.

I have purchased used cartridges with success as well as new cartridges.

I am considering sale of a cartridge (purchased new) which has been used for 19 record sides (I keep track) so about 6-7 hours. The sale of high quality used cartridges well cared for and used lightly does happen.
daveyf
who knows why some people sell stuff so cheap, problems financial or health or even drugs, who knows.
Over the years I have bought many audio items, usually from ebay, that were so stupidly cheap I just had to buy them even though I may not have even needed them.
Did I get burnt on any transaction?
Not one if memory serves me correctly!
And fyi the Koetsu plays perfectly well as delivered
Again if used cartridges makes you nervous I completely understand and commend you for staying out of that market BUT do not belittle the market or sellers/buyers of said used cartridges as a whole.
Thank you