We usually have many instruments that may have been used for from 3 months to 2 years in private rental. These cost-subsidised instruments will save you up to 50% on the new price, yet all come to you professionally serviced, sterilised, and guaranteed for 12 months.
We had a customer who bought an 18 year-old Yamaha clarinet on Gumtree for $300. It needed a total overhaul, including all pads and corks replaced (around $600 in total, meaning he in reality paid $900 for an 18 year-old student instrument. Don’t make this mistake – remember that ANY instrument purchased privately will need to be serviced and sterilised to be safe to play. This will cost a minimum of $120, so always add at least this to a private buy price – and you still have no warranty!