The guy I bought mine from didn't want to sell either. He had gotten laid of at work and needed cash. This guitar is literally just like brand new. Yep there's alot of this going on rite now because of this economy. I saved over $550. This guitar is $1,049. plus tax at Guitar Center. I see nothing at all wrong with buying used gear. I also purchased my 2010 Am Standard used. But it was the same situation. Brand new guitar for alot less money and it already had Custom Shop Texas Specials in it. I have vowed to never sell another one of mine because every time I do I always regret it. I'm keeping these beauties and plan on getting more.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

Try checking out pawn shops. With the economy the way it is there are some deals to be had. If you have ever seen "Pawn Stars" on TV you know you can dicker with them. I bought my 04' 50th Aniv American Standard for $500. They were asking $700. I went to the same pawn shop a year later and found two 06' MIM that they were asking $350 apeice for. I offered them $400 for the pair and they went for it. Stop in often, if they have anything longer than 90 days or so they are more likely to come down on their price. It took me three tries offering them the $500 for my 04' before they finally accepted it. I watched the two MIM strats sit in there for six months before I made my offer.

If you can find a mint one, buy it. They're just as good as brand new ones. Lots of them haven't even been played very much.

Two of the used guitars that I have recently bought (both HSS Strats) were in such excellent condition that I believe they were played very little. The white one came with a gig bag, and the gig bag has a lot of wear and tear. The guitar, however, is perfect. I imagine that somebody bought the guitar planning on learning to play, played it 4 or 5 times, then put it back in the gig bag and forgot about it and sold it when he needed money. My LPB Strat is in perfect condition as well, but it didn't come with a case or a gig bag, so I don't know if it was stored in a case or a bag or what. Both of them had rusty strings on them which makes me think they hadn't been played for a while.

The only problem I have with buying used, is having to tear it apart just to be sure you're getting what you're paying for.
If you don't, you may later find that the electronics have been changed, it's been routed out, it's been pieced together from parts, or who knows what.