I beg to differ. Many used sets cost only half a k compared to a brand new set.
Besides, TS may or may not go into photography completely... So if he decided to drop the hobby, he can still hold on to it or let it go back to the B&S at a similar price.
Comparing it to a brand new set, he will definitely not be able to get the full price back.
I, myself is a B&S regular. Half of my gears are purchased from the B&S corner so i will not be so condemning regarding a second hand equipment. And who says that a brand new set will be in perfect condition? They may be worst off compared to a second hand set.
However, some things to note before stepping into the world of second hand equipment is to be prepared. Have a friend who is equipped with such knowledge. Try getting a second hand set with several months warranty remaining. Search the forum on some relevant issues regarding secondhand stuff. It will help you a lot.
Actually, when you buy used, your risk level is much higher. Warranty cannot cover negligence. Drops, water, wear and tear.. etc,... all not covered. Warranty covers only manufacturer defect only. Read the terms and conditions on the warranty card. If the used item you buy develops a problem, and you bring it in to the service center. If they say the problem is due to wear and tear or negligence, you are out of luck. Plus, the longer a product is being used, the more wear and tear there would be.
Buying new from a authorized dealer, you have a lot less risk. And trust me 99.99% of the time, a new set will be in better condition than a used set. That is common sense. And when you buy new, if you find a problem within a couple of days, you can return for an exchange with the shop. Or bring it to the official service center to get it fixed or replaced. Because you can prove you just bought it new, and the problem couldn't possibly come from you.
You can say pricing is much better used. But take a look at prices BnS. Sellers are usually trying to recover maximum dollar value from the stuff they are selling. I often see asking prices for out of warranty units HIGHER than new prices of the items (just look at the 35/1.8). You really need to be doing lots of research, know the market and know the product inside out to be able to make a relatively low risk purchase in BnS. Even experienced photographers are getting duped many times. Why? Because experienced photographers do not necessarily mean they are experienced with second hand market, nor are they experts in hardware and equipment evaluation and appraisals.
IMHO, I cannot recommend newbies to buy from BnS. If they can afford it, they should just buy new.