I most of the time I operated with the mindset of buy once, cry once. I feel the higher end gear is made to last. It may not have the latest bells and whistle, but continues to work all the time. I am not opposed to buying used higher end audio gear. It arrives working and continues so, I am happy. Yes I will admit I am a gear head and like to experience what manufactures are offering. The new SD Nexus/A20 combo is of interest.
One area I will default to is in the home workshop, yard, or garage. I do buy from Harbor Freight knowing that the tool or product may not last. If it works for the project I bought it for and continues on, that is fine.