Purchasing used equipment

[BillLeeLee]

Hey all, I'm in the market for a zoom lens, but I want to avoid paying for a brand new one if I could get a used one of pretty much the same quality at a lower price.

Right now I'm looking at the 80-200/2.8 Nikkor. Over at KEH, they have one rated as Excellent for around $500-550, very good compared to the $800-900 for the brand new version. However, seeing as how I can't inspect this lens upfront, I'm still weary.

Anyone with experiences purchasing used equipment from KEH (or Adorama or B&H or such)? I'd buy locally, but the best store around here, E.P. Levine, sells the lens for $800 used, though it was in great condition when I tested it out. Other places only had AI lenses (which the D70 can't really use very well).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Soybomb]

I was looking at those a while back at b&h and all but 1 were listed without tripod mounts so I imagine they're the old one touch versions with slower autofocus than the new ones. At least thats my understanding of them, I haven't bought one yet.