Check the seller out and make sure they've have reputable dealings. Ask questions. There is a small chance of getting screwed - but often enough new bows come with issues too.

I'm a scrooge - I rarely pay full price for ANYTHING. I research the bows I buy (and I've bought/sold/traded maybe 75-100 bows over the last 3 years) and I rarely lose money or recieve a bow thats not as advertised.

For me ? I'd get a Mathews, a 2004/05 model, a hunting rig that someones wanted to sell to do what you're wanting to do - buy the latest and greatest tricked out bow. Let them spend that extra $500 ........ you ? Take the deal, you got a great hunting bow and $400-500 to spend on other hunting stuff.

Thats just me ........